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A9X Hatchback Tribute build

Started by _Lightyear_ , Mar 15 2016 11:38 AM

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110 replies to this topic

#1 _Lightyear_

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Posted 15 March 2016 - 11:38 AM

Hi, I am starting the build of an A9X clone. I will try to make the car as close as I possibly can to how an A9X hatchback would have left the factory.
I am sure it won't be an exact copy (pending finding the right parts, and what I can afford), but I will try. I bought the car, see pics. It's going in for rust repairs first, then I will bring it back home and start getting it ready for paint.
I am very new to restoring cars, and have no idea what I am doing. But hopefully some guys in here will tell me when I am doing something wrong.
I bought 1979 308 complete motor. A Super T10 gearbox. And a rotisserie. Oh, and the car. So I am on my way...

adult photo sharing

Edited by Lightyear, 15 March 2016 - 11:46 AM.

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#2 _Lightyear_

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Posted 15 March 2016 - 11:41 AM

Driving off the Spirit of Tasmania.

photo storage

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#3 _nicko61_

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Posted 18 March 2016 - 06:57 AM

what did trip with car trailer cost on the ship?

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#4 _Lightyear_

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Posted 18 March 2016 - 06:59 AM

The car was sent over by itself. I just picked it up with my trailer. Bit over $500 as cargo.

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#5 Redslur

Has been Torana owner

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Name:Gerry
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Car:HQ GTS Replica 350.
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Posted 18 March 2016 - 11:16 AM

A good mate of mine has recently completed a beautiful A9X hatch replica. Pity he doesn't frequent here anymore to provide advice.

Good luck with the project. You will gets lots of help here..

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#6 _Lightyear_

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Posted 18 March 2016 - 06:29 PM

Thanks, what colour did he choose?

I might need to organise the diff, front brakes and wheels fairly soon as I want to get all the metal work done in one go. I have been told to get a skyline diff with disc brakes. Does it need shortening? And if not, are there any guys on here that have put wheels on with the skyline diff? Just trying to work out backspaceing, etc. Anyone have a diff for sale? I am looking at using 17" GTS/A9X wheels in 9's and 10's. I want the whole A9X look, but like the more modern wheel sizing. Anybody on here use the 17" wheels? I have seen a couple of different styles. One looks better than the other. The other option is the 17" hot wires.

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#7 gtrboyy

Lotsa Posts!

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Posted 19 March 2016 - 10:08 AM

http://www.gmh-toran...bw-diff-to-lhx/

try this fellow pf brother...

ott308 has his uc-lx hatch build thread on here for bodywork info & pics

Edited by gtrboyy, 19 March 2016 - 10:10 AM.

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#8 76lxhatch

That was easy!

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Posted 19 March 2016 - 11:46 AM

are there any guys on here that have put wheels on with the skyline diff? Just trying to work out backspaceing, etc. Anyone have a diff for sale? I am looking at using 17" GTS/A9X wheels in 9's and 10's. I want the whole A9X look, but like the more modern wheel sizing. Anybody on here use the 17" wheels? I have seen a couple of different styles. One looks better than the other.

I've got a standard width R31 diff with 17x9 YearOne Rally II (+3mm offset so near enough 0) all around. If you were picky the rears might sit a touch further outboard to fill the guards but then again you run into guard clearance issues, I think they look fine. I prefer the look of the YearOne version (more shape) but if I ever need to repaint them I would probably pick a slightly darker grey.

http://www.gmh-toran...e-6#entry664632

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#9 _LS1 Hatch_

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Posted 20 March 2016 - 10:58 AM

They Y1 versions don't come in 10's though...and back spacing is one choice too, so have to sort of plan around them. (the other ones out there like the billet version pretty pricey, but think you can get them in different back spacings at least.)

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#10 _Lightyear_

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Posted 20 March 2016 - 02:20 PM

Thanks for the info guys. I just bought another hatchback that has a bit less rust. And another hatchback to race. So might put this up for sale. Hoping it speeds up the build.

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#11 _Lightyear_

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Posted 23 March 2016 - 04:36 AM

Change of direction. I found a better Hatchback. So bought it as well (3rd Hatchback in a week). I will sell this body and its bits and start on the other one.
I didn't get any good pics of it complete. But here it is next to my Racing Hatchback. The other pic is how it is sitting now. I have removed all the hanging panels. I am using that course scotch Brite pad on the grinder to bare metal all the panels. And the best ones will be used on the good shell. The other shell will have the (stripped to bare metal and primed) doors and hanging panels reassembled and I will sell it on. It's still a good shell, but the new one puts me a few weeks ahead not having to do as many rust repairs. There are sime minor rust areas, so far... The grinder will reveal everything. Pic of the floor shows no rust there. So that's a big plus.

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#12 _Lightyear_

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Posted 23 March 2016 - 04:42 AM

I have a room on the 2nd level of the garage for making a mess. It has proper spray booth filters, and a big ducted extractor fan. I built it to paint the clear on carbon fibre parts I make. But it doubles as a room to cut, sand and do messy jobs. Saves the garage getting full of dust. All the panels will be visiting this room

.

Edited by Lightyear, 23 March 2016 - 04:43 AM.

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#13 _Lightyear_

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Posted 24 March 2016 - 10:06 PM

Before and after shots of the new Hatchback taken this arvo.

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#14 _Lightyear_

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Posted 25 March 2016 - 11:22 AM

I did a quick test with a small wire brush on the drill. It comes up nice clean enough for my liking. I will get some rust converter for any surface rust. And prime it. Then after I will hit it with stoneguard black paint.

image hosting no account

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#15 _Lightyear_

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Posted 03 April 2016 - 05:24 PM

I have done more underside cleaning. Scraping of years of dirt, etc. I should be finished by late tonight. I have done more than in this pic.
Very happy with how clean the floor is coming up. Pity nobody will ever see it. There has been zero rust.

temp image upload

Edited by Lightyear, 03 April 2016 - 05:26 PM.

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#16 bullitA9X

Oh My, Don't you post alot

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Posted 03 April 2016 - 06:09 PM

I have done more underside cleaning. Scraping of years of dirt, etc. I should be finished by late tonight. I have done more than in this pic.
Very happy with how clean the floor is coming up. Pity nobody will ever see it. There has been zero rust.

temp image upload

yep im hearing ya did my sons hatch the whole underneath you can eat of it dont know why i did as you say nobody will see it lol....

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#17 _Lightyear_

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Posted 03 April 2016 - 09:44 PM

I figured if I am going to do a rebuild, I may as well start from the ground up. Another 4hrs later, and I would say I am over 90% done now. Firewall and a few bits left. Then I can rub it down and prep wash it. And put some 2k primer on. Most of the dirty bits you see is just loose dust and crap. Will rotate it, and brush most of it off.

picture upload

Edited by Lightyear, 03 April 2016 - 09:46 PM.

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#18 Heath

I like cars.

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Name:Heath
Location:Eastern Suburbs, Melbourne
Car:Heavily Modified UC Sunbird Hatchback
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Posted 03 April 2016 - 10:17 PM

Looking great Dave.

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#19 _Lightyear_

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Posted 03 April 2016 - 10:19 PM

I look forward to seeing it in undercoat. That means job number one is done. I need to cut the front for tyre clearance like you have done. Do you have other pics?

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#20 Heath

I like cars.

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Name:Heath
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Car:Heavily Modified UC Sunbird Hatchback
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Posted 04 April 2016 - 07:24 AM

Yeah mate do you wanna come and have a look? Or I can send you pics

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#21 _Lightyear_

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Posted 04 April 2016 - 09:37 AM

I can come Tuesday night. I am in the area anyway, picking up another rolling shell. Not a Torana..

Edited by Lightyear, 04 April 2016 - 09:37 AM.

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#22 _Lightyear_

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Posted 06 April 2016 - 10:46 PM

The floor is all clean. I used wire wool, and then a rag with wax and grease remover. It's ready to paint. I also screwed on the rear flares to mark out the area to cut out. Not sure if they are fitted correctly, but I have made them the same both sides. The top under edge is higher than the metal oem guard height by about 10mm. Front follows the guard opening, but I can't get the rear part of the return to touch the body on the inside. And I have trimmed the front wheel well for tyre clearance.
I most likely will buy the body kit from Alfa and bolt it all on before I cut out the rear flares just I case it's different to the flares I have here from the race car. Will buy a fibreglass hatch and bumpers as well.

uploading pictures

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#23 _Lightyear_

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Posted 06 April 2016 - 10:54 PM

I bought Heaths diff and front brakes last night. So should be able to have this back on its wheels in a month. Just need to work out the best way to go for a 5 speed conversion. Also bought some 17 x7 and 8" wheels. I know they are not ideal, but the price was good. And I can always change them when I can afford the wheels I really want.

Also, I think I have finally picked the colour. I am painting it the same colour as my new VF SS/V Wagon. Bright Red. Should look like this.

image upload no limit

Edited by Lightyear, 06 April 2016 - 10:58 PM.

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#24 Ice

Cool

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Name:Gene
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Posted 06 April 2016 - 11:02 PM

Nice colour choice that looks fantastic

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#25 _Lightyear_

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Posted 06 April 2016 - 11:09 PM

One of the hardest decisions when building a car. I might be able to sleep better now that I have finally chosen the colour.

I am a little torn between having the black on the bonnet like the A9X. Or along the body line flowing to the window area like in this pic. I prefer this look.

Edited by Lightyear, 06 April 2016 - 11:10 PM.