GT mediated Awesomeness

[saintjamesy89]

Weeel, you all now know I am to be a proud GT owner this Saturday, at 3pm. I'm meeting my delivery chap at a pub, perhaps for a quick pint, we shall see how the mood takes us. Then it is onward; to GT ownership!

Before the nagging starts, yes there will be pictures, many many pictures. But they will be dirty; and possible wet. I'm not sure what the weather is forecast to do and I don't have time to clean it

Because we are now moving house in mid June to a rent free arrangement (looking after a late family members house, until eldest son retires and lives there) and renting ou rhouse out, the poor GT will have to suffer a council garage for a while (the council have considered selling it...) but there is scope for improvement there if all goes to plan.

One of the conditions of me having been allowed to buy it was that I didn't play with it until after my exams. 1st exam this Monday, last exam 1st June.

Job list??

• 1. Bloody good clean and polish, see if I can bring the bumpers back to life, if not i'll have to paint them. Also have a really good look over for any signs of rust or imperfections and cure as necessary.
  2. Cambelt, will definitely need replacing after 9 or so years of storage!
  3. Complete service, HP belt, ancillary belt, air/oil/fuel filters, plugs/leads/dizzy cap/rotor arm/coil (possibly), oil change, coolant change and flush, change spheres (supplied), clean LHM filters and tank, replace LHM with hydraflush (to be replaced with LHM after ICCCR) and change gearbox oil.
  4. Get new tyres (supplied) mounted on wheels (not necessary until MOT time).
  5. Replace rear wing glass inserts (new - supplied *smug*).
  6. Check all bulbs and replace if necessary. Replace conventional headlight bulbs with yellow ones.
  7. Clean interior, hoover and dash cleaner also clean the seats with fabric cleaner stuff.
  8. Fit any supplied accessories (headlamp protectors, sunroof air deflector etc).
  9. Polish and wax.
  10. Find and fit yellow fog lamps, has white ones currently.
  11. Find alternative wheels, either metric alloys or Pilot/P1 GTI style trims.
  12. Fit pressed aluminium style number plates (the legal ones).
  13. Perhaps find a suitably retro CD player, or stock up on cassettes!
  14. Check for any oil/LHM/fuel leaks after having been run a few times.
  15. Replace the brakes.

That's about all I can think of now, bring on Saturday!

For sale page http://www.bxclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=15713

[Caffiend]

While the cam belt is off, worth getting the water pump replaced too - the part is cheap, but the labour (which involves taking the cam belt off ...) ain't.

Several years ago, I had a friend who had a really neat ... well, I can only call it a "device" which was effectively a cassette with a lead on it which he could plug into his iPod and play iPod through a cassette player. Sure e-bay could oblige, or someone here will probably be able to give you a slightly less vague description.

[mat_fenwick]

What about something like this? 3.5mm input so no tape adaptor needed.

[Philip Chidlow]

5. Replace rear wing glass inserts (new - supplied *smug*).

Getting the old ones off can be fun I understand.

Anyway, best of luck with your new acquisition... And get the cambelt/waterpump and other belts done ASAP.

[saintjamesy89]

While the cam belt is off, worth getting the water pump replaced too - the part is cheap, but the labour (which involves taking the cam belt off ...) ain't.

Several years ago, I had a friend who had a really neat ... well, I can only call it a "device" which was effectively a cassette with a lead on it which he could plug into his iPod and play iPod through a cassette player. Sure e-bay could oblige, or someone here will probably be able to give you a slightly less vague description.

I had planned on doing most of the stuff myself, especially with the brilliant guides on here, but as you say may well be worth doing water pump at the same time as cambelt, especially as I will be doing a coolant change too.

I've had one before, when I had an iPod. But I broke it and have never bothered to get another one, I have quite a few CD's now. But it would be very reminiscent buying some tapes...

[saintjamesy89]

5. Replace rear wing glass inserts (new - supplied *smug*).

Getting the old ones off can be fun I understand.

Anyway, best of luck with your new acquisition... And get the cambelt/waterpump and other belts done ASAP.

Something along the lines of using wire - like cheese wires I have been told. Can't be that difficult, surely?

Belts, wwell the cambelt is the 1st priority when I have finished exams in June, i'm sure the GT won't mind another month of non-use after 9 years! Lets just hope it doesn't snap between trailer and garage, that would be rather unfortunate now wouldn't it?

Matt, that does look very retro! It has the original tape player, but I was hypothesising about a very retro CD player.

[saintjamesy89]

There are a few things I may want to change with the GT *ducks*

Backbox, I don't like the look of the current back box's tail pipe, so may employ a 16v type one. Nothing that is chrome or flashy or most of all noisy! (don't worry Tim, i'm looking for tasteful and subtle changes)

Air filter, I may change for a k+n type, but will see how it sounds without first, as the amount it will be used, the K+N type will probably be more maintenance than a paper one.

I know most say it's not worth it, but i'm forever the optimist, so will be fitting 'performance' spark plugs and HT leads.

Fogs and headlamp bulbs will become yellow.

The interior speakers will be upgraded, I don't know what size they are yet but I have some very good, direct replacement Pioneer speakers in my astra (4" in the front dashboard and 6x4" either side of the parcel shelf), so i'm thinking similar things for the GT.

Depending on how it drives, I might get the carb tuned, and if there is capacity for it (which I believe their should be) to increase fuelling for a bit more power, BIG maybe this - don't want to ruin a car that drives nicely.
(had the astra tuned down this way for more MPG)

[citsncycles]

Several years ago, I had a friend who had a really neat ... well, I can only call it a "device" which was effectively a cassette with a lead on it which he could plug into his iPod and play iPod through a cassette player. Sure e-bay could oblige, or someone here will probably be able to give you a slightly less vague description.

Try your local Sainsburys - It's where I got mine!

[Dollywobbler]

To be honest, I wouldn't do very much at all of the stuff on your list. The priority with my Mk1 was just to get it on the road and then focus on what was needed. If you're planning on making mods, I think it's a good idea to get a benchmark on what it should feel like in the first place - so forget the air filters, carb tweaks etc until you've clocked up a fair few miles in it. Just my thought!

And those tape-to-MP3 devices are simple and effective! The other alternative is one that pumps out an FM signal so you can tune the radio in. I've never tried one of those.

[Paul296]

You're buying a BX GT Tom?! You never told us - when did this happen!? ( )

Have a great day collecting it (I know you will!)

Pics please asap (if you don't so mind )

[mat_fenwick]

This site might be of interest, although technically the oldest CD player listed is still 3 years too new to be original for the car! If you care...

[mds141]

Just had a nosey on tinternert and according to Pioneer's website they produced the worlds 1st in car cd player in 1984. Now if you can find one of those....

[saintjamesy89]

I've seen and much admired 80's alpine CD players, retro-fabulous they are! It's just finding one, and then it working...

[saintjamesy89]

To be honest, I wouldn't do very much at all of the stuff on your list. The priority with my Mk1 was just to get it on the road and then focus on what was needed. If you're planning on making mods, I think it's a good idea to get a benchmark on what it should feel like in the first place - so forget the air filters, carb tweaks etc until you've clocked up a fair few miles in it. Just my thought!

And those tape-to-MP3 devices are simple and effective! The other alternative is one that pumps out an FM signal so you can tune the radio in. I've never tried one of those.

I've tried both of the MP3 player thingies to play tunes on a cassette player, but I never really got on with them so i'll stick to CD's and tapes

That's the plan Ian, this year it won't be coming out much so I will initially be focussing on getting up to sparkling condition, then when it's all perfect will I think on slight improvements. Money as always will be the inhibitor, so again initially if it ain't broke or tarnished it'll stay - i'll have to save up for bits.

[saintjamesy89]

just seen this which is CD changer compatible. Hmmm.