Hey all you guys with "Projects" like for example all the Volvo pervs

There's at least 4-6 Volvo pervs and several Xratty pervs (Seattle Scott, Spokane Scott, Skye Poier, Frumby, Dustin Melton...)

How are you guys doing?
What can "we' do to help get yor projects done or moving again?

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John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Hey John,

Are there any abandoned project parts at your place? I will need the Toyota-Volvo diff swap bits and your fabrication services for the gearbox swap (Chev 5 speed style)

I'm thinking tsd/fun car so we can talk about shocks when you have time. As in how much $.

Damn. I just realized how cheap this post makes me sound. I was thinking I could re-stoke some of your customer's projects by threatening to scoop their abandoned parts. maybe not such a good idea. How about: Get those cars out there people! Okay. karma balance partially restored.

Tony

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2015 Subaru WRX
Traded the Audi for the above
Sold the 1993 Honda Civic EG w/B16A Conversion to the Raw Racing boys
6 bicycles because, you know, global warming and all



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/08/2009 03:52PM by AnthonyLatham.

You know John, I think one problem with alot of these guys is that they've not done a rally, so it is easy to get discouraged or not work on the car. It's that first event that really sucks you in. I'd probably not persevered had it not been for already having competed. It was Feb 2004 to September 2008 between stage rally events for me. I've gotten discouraged and tried to sell stuff. I've stepped away from the car and focused on other things for months at a time. But I still have that burning desire to be on a stage again. And there in lies the problem with trying to build a car too cool from the beginning. It takes too much time and that parasitic bug doesn't get to attach to it's host in a real manner. That's the problem I have with deglueing, seam welding, and even removing engines from a first rally car. I say cage, seats, skidplates, and go do Doo Wops. Then do a few upgrades. Then do some more events. And continue cycle. Shit, if you have a Volvo, VW, or Merkur you can find donor shells that you can prep as you'd like over a period of time once you've really incorporated rally as a true need and part of your life. And if you want to really enjoy rally, it has to be a need and it only takes a few times competing for this to occur.
So my advice to all the project cars. Set a goal. Your car doesn't have to be cool. It doesn't need an awesome diff, four link rear suspension, fuses in the center console, etc. I'm setting the goal for all you PNW guys. Doo Wops. Cheap and fun and far enough away that you can get it done.
I've been rallying my Merkur with a broken E3 exhaust, little to no seam welding, a non-ported lower with gutted rotated upper, stock head and engine, stock T3 turbo, with stock ECU and small VAM. That's all crap, but I'm sure I'll get around to doing something about all of it.

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Grant Hughes

(re: grant)...or you could just buy a car already preped.

You could if the conditions that are required for that exist.
The main deterring one for the type of person I'm referring to is the initial outset of cash. I could build my sweet Group 5 car because I could throw cash at it on a monthly basis. I absolutely suck at saving cash and live paycheck to paycheck so I can't really afford to buy a car. I bought my first rally car with a personal line of credit that I had through my credit union and was able to do so because it was only $3000. I've spent ~25K building up my car over the last 4 years, making a plethora of bad financial decisions along the way though. Like getting married to the wrong person...

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Grant Hughes

For me to get going on my project I need to first sell my vw rally car:
http://www.rallyclassified.com/classified.php/listing/2728

It would be nice if I could sell my scirocco too. Only been beaten once in rallyx, undefeated in tsd (though I've only done 1 tsd in it, but many many rallyx's.)

Then I would have some money to put into the volvo.

Like Grant says, you dont need all the trick bits right out of the gate. I found some off the shelf bilsteins for the rear of the car that should give me 9.6" of travel at the wheel, have appropriate valving (320/120 I think) and are relatively cheap. ~$100 each for the 46mm piston versions, or $80 for the 36mm versions. Maybe not as sooper beetchin as turrets and custom 4 link, but lots cheaper and simpler.

I'm trying to set the car up as a tsd/recce/logging roads play car right now, thats my goal.

#1 on the list is probably the bell housing. From there intake and exhaust header will be needed soonish. I know we talked about this last week, just figured I would reiterate. I get back the 19th and it would be a huge plus if the bell housing were there or on its way. I'll try to call you later in the week to see how things are going.

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Ian Topping
Flint, MI

http://www.thompsonracingfabrication.com/
http://www.teamilluminata.com./
http://www.autoeuropesales.com/

Wow Carl. I'm surprised you haven't sold that yet.

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Grant Hughes

I have no excuse. my orange Volvo is just about "done enough", but I'm just so damn lazy!

JV. Project is sitting. Haven't really done anything since I sold my Talon rally car. Last race was Sandblast last year. I've been on part-time employment, and with a family, finances were just too tight to spend any serious money. For a while we had double mortgages and were down to one month cash reserves. Add to that an addiction to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and running 40+ miles a week there hasn't been much time (excuses excuses).

Now: I've picked up a job flying transports for the Navy. Don't know where we'll be moving yet, but the money will be back. There is a chance that we'll be sent to Whidbey Island WA... it was first on my wish list, so we're keeping our fingers crossed. Probably not getting any deeper in the project until the move is complete and we're set.

There seem to be solutions for most stuff. Being near to you guys would be a real help. The rear beam is probably the biggest thing as far as unfinished parts, but for me the next step would be the altenator relocation parts so I can plum the intercooler.

Jason,

Whidbey is really nice. You will like it there. I hope you get that job. Good luck!

Robert.

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Robert.

"You are way too normal to be on Rally Anarchy." Eddie Fiorelli.

I'm not part of your list, but I'm one with a project Volvo too!

I don't talk much since I don't think anything I've done to it so far is worth mentioning, but since you're asking.

I fixed (or had fixed by a friend who's a better mechanic than me) all the issues that kept me from having the car registered. I bought a second set of wheels (never have too many wheels when you rally), bought some suspension parts too since I'm not ready for some JVL Super bitchin suspenders and the stock ones are way dead right now.

I also bought a few other parts (like a header, engine mounts, spare control arms to re-inforce, spare front struts with brakes, etc)

So I was almost ready to start preparing the car and then I had the brillant idea of buying a house! LOL So now I'm packing my stuff because we are moving in about 2 weeks!

So I need to keep the car in 1 piece so I can bring it to the new place. At least, I will now have a proper garage to work on it and won't have to worry about maybe having to move it short notice.

I don't have a goal set yet, but I'm trying hard to at least make 1 rallycross in it next winter.

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Francois

Rallymech Wrote:
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> Jason,
>
> Whidbey is really nice. You will like it there.
> I hope you get that job. Good luck!
>
> Robert.


Thanks dude. Found out today that I'm going there. I lived there from 2000-2005, so I can't wait to go back. A bit of a drive to Seattle, but worth it!

If he was selling the car a year and a half ago I'd have bought it :-/

AnthonyLatham Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Damn. I just realized how cheap this post makes
> me sound. I was thinking I could re-stoke some of
> your customer's projects by threatening to scoop
> their abandoned parts. maybe not such a good
> idea. How about: Get those cars out there
> people! Okay. karma balance partially restored.
>
> Tony
>
>
Tony you fool no-one.

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JohnLane

Overkill is consistently more fun