103 replies to this topic

[Toranamat69]

This bit is very similar to the 300ZX

 

 

Ha Ha - Snap!

Edited by Toranamat69, 29 October 2013 - 02:15 AM.

[LXdamo]

I had thought long and hard about the bracing concerns when i bought the kit as well.

I have spoke to an engineer regarding the same thing.I will be using a chassis strengthening kit with extra support arms from the rear of crossmember to the strenghtened chassis rails as well.These will be fitted after the custom extractors are made to suit.

 

Waddingtons- yes, you did freight the crossmember back to Vic 3 times and i recieved the engineered product back three times and i am still left with a product that doesnt fit. Therefore i have to take it on at my expense to get it engineered after it is modified to fit an engine that 95% of torana owners would fit into their own cars(308 with torana engine mounts with a torana style sump).Extractors werent a conrcern as they are being custom made to suit.All of the questions were asked in your showroom,in victoria,with photos that i showed the salesman of the engine,car and explained what i wanted.

 

Now to go and cut the engine mounts off and put them back on so i can get a bolt through the holes.

[ls2lxhatch]

Damien,Im a bit lost for words. We helped you so much with the modification of an already engineered product.

We paid for freight back and forward to you in SA three times... You didn't want to modify your sump to suit (which would of been the easiest and cheapest for all concerned as it was a very small modification).

We have since rectified the problems with the jigs and have sold multiple Torana ifs front end with great feedback. As you can appreciate we cant try every set of headers or sumps on the market to suit as this would send us broke. We have since made a conversion style sump to suit this application. Many thanks,

Castlemaine rod shop.

 
 
The first time you sent him an LJ front. Do you really expect the customer to pay the freight when you send the wrong product?
 

 
 
 
 

after numerous emails, measurements and phone calls, it was pulled back out and sent back to Victoria. Turns out it was built in the LC/J jig and that was why it didn't fit. CRS paid for the freight and that was cool.

 
 
The second time you paid for freight because a 308 with a Torana sump does not fit even though the customer told you that was the combo they intended to fit and it is probably one of the most common engine combinations used in a Torana. Again why should the customer pay the freight for your mistakes.
 
Then when the customer receives the "fixed" IFS. The customer not only finds the motor still doesn't fit but also that the engine mounts are crooked.
 


Then the final insult is to blame the customer for your incompetence.
 

We have since rectified the problems with the jigs and have sold multiple Torana ifs front end with great feedback. As you can appreciate we cant try every set of headers or sumps on the market to suit as this would send us broke. We have since made a conversion style sump to suit this application. Many thanks,
Castlemaine rod shop.

 
You admit that you have rectified the problems with the jigs and made a conversion sump to suit the IFS yet are at a loss for words when a customer complains about your incompetence. If you are still at a loss for words then maybe you could try thanking Damo for helping you with your R&D.
 
If you can't be bothered doing the R&D to see what engine combinations fit with the IFS then be honest and tell the customer that haven't tried that combination.
 
What engine, sump and steering rack configurations are your satisfied Torana customers using?

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 29 October 2013 - 10:58 AM.

[chickenman]

Very disappointing!!! frustrating!!!!

 

Being a Damos watching this front end going in has been a palm to forehead and followed by alot of head shaking. (followed by a few brews going down). It has been very clear that simple R&D has not been followed and actually fitting the setup to a run of the mill torana could not have been done. It had then been returned on a number of occasions and still not even fitting in the simple places like mounts and sumps clearance is very disappointing!

 

I feel Damo's frustration as he has forked out good money and left now with something that he has to modify himself. The amount of his man hours he has now put into modfying a so called bolt in product is rediculous. I would feel sorry for a person that does not have the fabrication skill's Damo has to rectify the problems.

 

I just hope the actual coilover suspension is a improvement and the front geometry is sound otherwise it lis alot of his time and money it the toilet! Unfortunately this wont be found out until its all together?????????????

 

I have also been the victim to apparent bolt in parts. Return to maunfacture and told that "mine" must be different. WTF??? Its a stock torana! Ended up in major cuting into K frames etc. Its very frustrating!!!!

 

Big picture Damo!!!!

[LXdamo]

^^^ LOL

Might have to be a general disclaimer on all goods i buy now.

Windscreen wiper blades? will i have to modify my sump to make them fit?  no.. i won't say that!!

 

 

Romper- yep the dynalite calipers have dust boots, but they wont bolt up to your torana stubs.Not sure how long mine will be staying on there,but they'll do for now as they fit 15" rims over them.

 

Cheers Chickman, always good to have someone to bounce idea's off of and to always have a four pack in their hand everytime they walk through the door helps no end.

 

So the engine mounts are back on now.about to head back to the shed after a bite to eat and see if it all fits in again.... hmmm

[eyepeeler]

Good sense of humour about it Damo! That's funny. Indicators don't work..... what...... bloody sump.   

^^^ LOL

Might have to be a general disclaimer on all goods i buy now.

Windscreen wiper blades? will i have to modify my sump to make them fit?  no.. i won't say that!!

[myss427]

They look like VT commodore braces. Smart idea!

[Toranamat69]

What did you use to brace it with
 

 

Not my car, I just found the pics on this site and like the idea,  and yes they are VT.

http://www.aussiev8....rollover-5.html

 

Pretty interesting thread but it makes me wonder why you would bother fixing that car, I would have reshelled with the yellow UC personally.

[neglectedtorana]

Dear Castlemaine Rod Shop/Waddingtons

 

Since you are reading, how about some photos of the IFS' you have sold that have been fitted to Toranas?

If you could include which sumps/mounts are used it would be very helpful for us all

 

I would like an IFS for my LX however I do not want to throw away the money I have already spent on the sump or mounts

[TK383]

That's Jason's Hatch - he has a long history with that car, including many hillclimb race & championship wins.

He also runs ME Dale crash, so had the facilities to fix it.

It was never going to be reshelled unless it was beyond repair - it wasn't & now it's better than new.

[tefa]

WOW! What a drama...What was supposed to be the advantages in the IFS system apart from header clearance? What geometries ect for handling did they propose etc?

Seems like a massive drama for tubular front-end?

[LXdamo]

Tefa,

Apart from the header clearance, i narrow the track up an inch each side as well to fit my tyres and rims in easily.

 

It wasnt supposed to be this hard.....

 

But, i will be continuing on.

 

A small update though.

During my time at home i thought i would like to have this bloody thing back in the car and to a point where the car could at least be moved around on its own wheels.

 

I started where i left off last time, boxing up the front of the crossmember.

 

Internally braced it a bit and then boxed up the front, plug welding though the front and then fully welding the outside

 

 

boxed in the ends as well and it will be strong enough now.

 

Had to put a scallop in for the steering rack clearance.

I refitted the engine mounts so they are at the same angle as my original K frame.Spent nearly a whole morning taking measurements from both crossmembers before i was happy to cut the bloody things off!!

so with that all done, after a few days and a few beers, i re-assembled it and fitted it back into the car. So it is rolling again which is a start. Modified one of the front support arms to get better thread depth. This is how much i had to put in

 

So thats where i got to before heading off again.

 

The other front support arm will be made up while i'm at home next time hopefully.It needs a 3" bend in it to clear the alternator and will have the ends of the original arm welded into it. Happened to find a nice peice of 1/2" thick walled boiler tube at the old man's for that. Cheers Dad!!

 

so its ready for the engine to be dropped back in and bolted up to the gearbox. Hopefully ready to go and get the pipes made...albeit 3 months later than it should have been.

 

Just a quick word on other people's projects here.

I read pretty much everyone's build threads here and thanks to all of you for the inspiration to keep going building this bloody car.

I may not post in your threads,but i do get alot of ideas and that always is a good thing for motivation, probably not the wallet though!!

 

Cheers,

Damo

 

[76lxhatch]

I read pretty much everyone's build threads here and thanks to all of you for the inspiration to keep going building this bloody car.
I may not post in your threads,but i do get alot of ideas and that always is a good thing for motivation, probably not the wallet though!!

Well said, and back at you too

[Toranamat69]

Is there no way you can move the alternator to keep the front support arms straight?

 

A lot of their strength comes from the force being applied directly along the centreline of the rod.

 

Do you have any pics of the top mount for your rear coil overs?  I like how they don't protrude into the inside of the car.

[Toranamat69]

Ha Ha, ignore the last line ^ .  I meant that for SmartE's thread - looking at 2 at once

[LXdamo]

All good.Thought coil overs? inside the car?  thats not until its on the road and i play with the rear suspension!!

 

Ha Ha, ignore the last line ^ .  I meant that for SmartE's thread - looking at 2 at once

 

And Marc, There will already Uncle Jack and his hangover cure at my place christmas time. Sometimes i'm not sure whether to laugh,throw my hands in the air or kick the s&*t out of it. But it will be good to catch up for sure.I'll see if i can get the chickenman to head out as well.( I think i can lure him with Jacks)

[chickenman]

Jacks!!!! did someone say Jacks.