Not: Just wanted to update on the current situation of things! Right - as the car stands, it currently:
- Sucks
- Burns lots of oil
- Sucks
- Blows
Issues are many, but there are a few that'll get immediate attention, particularly the engine. For months now I've noticed a particular harshness through the clutch pedal, that worsens at faster engine speeds, on which presumption I figure the crankshaft may have suffered some oil starvation damage, but there's no main bearing rattle! So, for that, I will get a new engine and swap it straight out, 4e-fte for now. Doing that, I'll also FINALLY install the C56 gearbox, and swap out the decrepid clutch, which started slipping badly about 2 years ago!
I also hope to buy some 15" tyres in order to finally get my SSR Longchamps wheels on the car, regardless of the fact that I have since slightly gone off them. The headunit will finally get fixed, so I'll have music again, I'll probably get the metal bushes transferred onto spare axle too.
What else? Not much really, I guess, get the Blitz K1 rebuilt, and start buying products in order to safely run the K1 (i.e. a Blow-off valve, finally!) including finally getting the HRF ECU on the car and a base map set, as well as buying more and more components for the 5E - I will also be buying and having machining done for the pending brake setup. Beyond that, just little jobs await, like hooking up the Catch tank and not just leaving it there, modifying the Carbing strut brace to fit, stripping down and tidying up the wiring loom and little trinkets like that. I also really really want a respray...
But, anyway, that's the short of it, so hopefully expect updates of that order shortly!
Umm, yeah, dramatic title...but in reality, it just signifies the gloom of coming back from Saudi Arabia to...well, here :(. Hah, anyway, no real updates, other than finally having a passenger seat, and a new driver's seat - necessary for the trawl upto JAE on the day I arrived.
That would be a Pink EastBear Elite FRP Bucket seat as the driver's steed, and a Bride Ergo I as the passenger side. I also got this whilst I was out in Saudi...
Pretty, but, unfortunately, doesn't fit...but, I won't give up, as it's too pretty/expensive not to keep so I'll get it modified, which I don't think will be too drastic. Otherwise, that's it. Erm. Yeah
Oh, also, I got this:
Although, it's the wrong one...organised a groupbuy for 3E-TE flywheels from Aasco, and they sent out some 5E-FE ones by mistake...but, at least its a preview for the correct one!
If you were wondering, the title has no real relation...I just like saying it. Anyway, no real progress on the car itself, more parts ordered, but since I'm now in the land of Arabia, I will not be there to welcome them into my open arms! But, whilst there, I did finally fully dismantle the 5E-FHE!
I do noob up a couple of times, though armed with a plank of wood, I was actually surprised what I could do! Point in case of nubbing up:
That's what happens when you drop a piston from underneath the block...and can't push them back up...so have to force them up, destroying the piston rings...which had to be pulled off...with pliers...yes, it was...terrible.
Good news though, the block has shown itself to be as immaculate as the head, no scoring!
The head was also immaculate, incredibly so - no wear on the camshaft journals or the camshaft carriers, at all! Only the combustion chambers were a bit grungy, obviously as this engine suffered a blown headgasket - it was all swollen and fuzzy, looked like a soiled nappy! I'll let that image sink in...and:
I'm not actually using the head though, so its no use to me! And finally, the Crankshaft goes in sleeping in a polystyrene box, till its needed again:
...but the car has still shed 6kg: 
Doorcards/butchered have now been removed, lending the interior an even less comfortable ambience! And, err...that is all
I don't know how to view this, but, yes: 
I have my 5E-FHE engine, in all its portly glory...thus signifies a long route to the decrappyfication of my car. As, when this engine is in, the car will have to get its act together to accept said engine. Anyway, I got straight down to business, removing what I could, until I hit a snag...
Goddamn camshaft cap bolts with the lug for the valve cover nuts have now rounded to hell, and I'm failing to find a tool for circular nots. Not want. Otherwise, no real news on the FHE...hey, I only JUST got it! Did give it a bit of a cleaning, and a bit of a spray so it doesn't rust over, but, its on an engine stand now....project, commenceth! 
In other news - bought a compression tester, obtaining the results of 130psi, 140psi, 130psi, 145psi...which, is, odd, as I thought a ringland would be cracked. Will attempt this again tomorrow to make sure all is well. Other than that, nothing new. So. Yeah.
...and I'm hating! So I bought myself a TRD Front anti-roll bar:
I know basic convention states that the heavier the roll-bar at front, the greater amount of understeer is produced due to the fact that there is less weigh transfer at the front axle with the limited roll. However, the relaxed spring rates allow too much roll at the front end, and the roll-bar will help limit it - fact of the matter is, not much understeer exists currently, the limiting factor is the absurd roll, which helps the 60 profile tyres to roll over too! Being a hollow section anti-roll bar, its also lighter than stock, so hooray for that!
At least the installation of the front anti-roll bar will give me a basis to work from, and would mean I don't corner, viewing the world at a 45 degree angle!
After 6 months, I've finally got the complete set of items that were supposed to come with my Apex-i PowerFC Boost Controller kit!!
Finally got the MAP sensor loom, so, now, the ECU is literally ready to go on...just require some finangling of the Boost Controller! Good things come to those who wait? Where's my winning lottery ticket and marriage to Jennifer Garner?
