16 replies to this topic

[bernard1666]

Thanks for the great feedback. It's reassuring to know that there are others who share my views on modifying 1275GT's.

The chemical dipping process carried out by SPL in Dudley cost me £1K. For this, they chemically dipped/stripped the bare shell, the doors, the bonnet and bootlid and the front subframe. Their process dissolves oil, grease, rust, paint, filler, underseal, body sealing mastic and anything made of aluminium alloy. When I collected the car, the rear ashtray housing was rattling around inside the shell because the process had dissolved the aluminium pop rivets securing the housing to the rear tunnel ! At the end of their process, they thoroughly neutralise any residual caustic chemicals trapped inside the car and then rinse the metal with a mix of water and preservative. However, before applying any paint, it's advisable to ensure that the car is thoroughly dried in a low-bake oven. After dipping/stripping, parts are 100% bare metal and where rust once lurked, all that's left is an intricate pattern of sound metal that looks like metal lacework ! I chose not to take the car back to SPL to have the electrophoretic coating applied, because that is the most expensive process and I figured that by that time I was back to a 100% solid shell that was protected by primer.
The engine was VERY costly and you'd need a budget of £15K to replicate what I've done. However, in fairness, I've used MED engine parts throughout (excluding the MiniSpares head, injection kit and ECU) and it's an all-steel bottom-end with straight cut transfer gears, gear cluster and CWP with a Quaife ATB fitted. I only wanted to spend the money once and I wanted to end up with a bombproof motor that would have 130+ bhp and 100+ ft/lbs and yet be totally tractable and have good road manners. I hope it's money well spent !
It's too early to say if I'd do anything differently. I always knew that this was going to be a high budget project, but it's the realisation of a long-held dream and something to kick-start my retirement from work !! With the exception of one bad experience, parts suppliers and sub-contractors have been brilliant and I hope that when it's done, I won't have too many regrets.

[bernard1666]

Thanks for the great feedback. It's reassuring to know that there are others who share my views on modifying 1275GT's.

The chemical dipping process carried out by SPL in Dudley cost me £1K. For this, they chemically dipped/stripped the bare shell, the doors, the bonnet and bootlid and the front subframe. Their process dissolves oil, grease, rust, paint, filler, underseal, body sealing mastic and anything made of aluminium alloy. When I collected the car, the rear ashtray housing was rattling around inside the shell because the process had dissolved the aluminium pop rivets securing the housing to the rear tunnel ! At the end of their process, they thoroughly neutralise any residual caustic chemicals trapped inside the car and then rinse the metal with a mix of water and preservative. However, before applying any paint, it's advisable to ensure that the car is thoroughly dried in a low-bake oven. After dipping/stripping, parts are 100% bare metal and where rust once lurked, all that's left is an intricate pattern of sound metal that looks like metal lacework ! I chose not to take the car back to SPL to have the electrophoretic coating applied, because that is the most expensive process and I figured that by that time I was back to a 100% solid shell that was protected by primer.
The engine was VERY costly and you'd need a budget of £15K to replicate what I've done. However, in fairness, I've used MED engine parts throughout (excluding the MiniSpares head, injection kit and ECU) and it's an all-steel bottom-end with straight cut transfer gears, gear cluster and CWP with a Quaife ATB fitted. I only wanted to spend the money once and I wanted to end up with a bombproof motor that would have 130+ bhp and 100+ ft/lbs and yet be totally tractable and have good road manners. I hope it's money well spent !
It's too early to say if I'd do anything differently. I always knew that this was going to be a high budget project, but it's the realisation of a long-held dream and something to kick-start my retirement from work !! With the exception of one bad experience, parts suppliers and sub-contractors have been brilliant and I hope that when it's done, I won't have too many regrets.