With sigma-galant forums dead as a doorknob i figured id start/continue a thread over here so its easier to keep track of and people might actually see what im up to.
Over the past few years this car has been through a journey with me, so let me start from the beginning.
Originally this car was purchased by a friend as a sort of 'learner' car he can get familiar with basic mechanics 101 before attempting to understand the shit storm that is todays electronic mess. Good idea, however there were a few things that were beyond just diving in and trying, and me with a hoist at the time came in handy for. Engine and manual conversion being the big players. A donor car was bought. As soon as he bought it round and i started working on it that was it,i fell in love and i had to have it. I waited patiently for the better half of a year before i was able to pry it from his hands. I started driving it daily, stock as a rock. I paid a premium for it, but only as much as what he was already into it, having replaced basically all perishables/suspension/tyres/battery etc etc. Was a very neat tidy runner. We had some fun and i was a very different person back then. I was still learning a lot back then as well and when things went wrong that needed custom fab work done i had to outsource, which was a big killer unlike now where i have a go myself or slowly buy things needed to do said jobs as they arise. Long story short the first major thing to go wrong was the ignition, and so in went the hektic push start and kill switch. Outsourced to a work mate. No worries. Then the radiator went and not being able to find a simple bolt in at the time and having other commitments i made the choice to pull it off the road, daily something else and have the excuse to ramp it up big time. I met a few people that could shove 500hp under the bonnet. Sounded rad at the time.
Now let me tell you that this 500hp was not the first time i dreamed of more than the 60 odd horsepower this thing currently had. I originally purchased a 4g63 vr4 motor with plans to put that in. then changed my mind. Wanted a draw-through sigma turbo 4g52 in it. Sold the vr4, bought the 52. Nope changed mind again, travelled half the country in a road trip and picked up a 4g54 and box, with big plans. 500 horses through a stupid big turbo and stupid boost with EFI. These 54's from factory being a simple chain drive 8v sohc can take some punishment with plans of shoving 18psi down its throat to start with. Then my 'fab' guy fell through.
After a lot of internal debating with myself and some hard thinking ive decided on its fate. Im keeping the 54, being a bolt in conversion with no crazy mods is best. And while 500 horses or more would be fun i bought this car to drive it. Putting that power under the bonnet would ensure it stayed garaged for most of its life occasionally getting out to stretch its legs. Not what i wanted. Ive decided on twin DCOEs, keeping it somewhat period correct and true while still having enough pep in its step to be fun. The standard magna fuel injection conversion crossed my mind and i still have all the gear to do it if i wanted but i like the idea and think itd be cool to keep the twins.
It sat on a somewhat hold for the last year as ive moved twice and bought the RVR which has had all my attention but now i really want this back on the road not only so i can drive it again, but so i can ramp up the RVR while not having to get me to work 6 days a week.
In the past few weeks ive done a few things. Ive got a few weeks over xmas id like to get it basically complete minus the carbies and intake which will set me back 1500. Just bought a load of stuff to help that along and there is no reason the motor and box shouldnt be finally bolted in for the last time for quite some time.
Currently freshening up the gearbox, and will be sending the hilux LSD diff away i have for it to get re-saddled to bolt in as well as the tailshaft to get the uni's grafted onto it. Need to get a timing kit through the motor, i got as far as putting it all together otherwise. Motor and head have both been reco'd just before i got them i was told but i stripped it down anyway to check and all checks out, threw some ARP studs in there while i was at it. Balance shaft elimination kit through it. Few interior things to suss out, the impreza seats need new rails as ive gotten taller and my head hits the roof. Throw the heater box back in and the ignition and lock set i got in. little things.
Anyway enough gabbing, here are some photos, ill try to be a little better with updating WITH photos (the major milestones)
Pics are when i first got it, and just after on a few cruises.