Audi A3 Turbo

When it comes to piecing together a build thread there are some people who love it (us!), and some who don’t really care too much about it. A few camera-phone images, some vague descriptions, and maybe, just maybe they’ll maintain enough enthusiasm to keep updating it until their project is finished. But hey, that’s their choice, it does take a lot of effort to put together the threads we love. Then there are people like Alex; people who enjoy putting down the tools to take that perfect shot, people who want to show you the intricate details, people who take the time to turn their thread into a story. Basically, there are people who get it, which is why I’ve created a new post tag for these types of threads. I’ve gone back and added the tag to a few older posts, and I’ll keep doing so as I remember more of them.

Alex bought this A3 with the intentions of keeping it as a standard daily driver, but we all know how that goes! Read on…

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RWD Suzuki Swift

This next build comes all the way from Sweden, a first generation Suzuki Swift sitting atop a custom tube frame chassis. The engine has been rotated 90 degrees and now powers the rear wheels. Not only has it been remounted, but it’s also received a little kick in the pants courtesy of a turbocharger and pumps out over 260 dyno-proven kilowatts. Damn these Scandinavians with all their fabricating skills, there must be something in the water. There are so many great builds that come from Scandinavian countries that I’ve decided to create a Scandinavian Post Tag that you can use to find builds stemming from these skillful folk..

Thanks to Audrius from the Lithuanian forum per4m.lt for submitting this one.

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F20C RWD CRX

I thought I’d better have something interesting for you guys to kick off the new year, so let’s get the ball rolling. It’s another one of those builds that I’ve had my eye on for a while, but it wasn’t until it was emailed to me by Grant that it powered itself back into my line of sight. What we’re looking at here is a 2nd gen Honda CRX with an S2000-sourced F20C stuffed in the engine bay with a turbo hanging off the side, to be powering the rear wheels in the not too distant future.

Not enough RWD-converted Honda action for you? Then check out the mid-engined RWD DC2 Integra, and the AWD twin-engined Del Sol.

Or, if F20C’s are more your thing, there’s the TA22 Celica, ’66 Sunbeam Minx, and Opel Kadett, all powered by Hondas 92.1kw per liter engine.

UPDATE SEP-2014: This car is now complete! I’m not sure if the build thread has been updated, but MotoIQ have done a 9-page spotlight on this very car. To check it out, click here.

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Eurowise AWD Mk1 GTI

I think I better feature this build just so people stop submitting it! Around 3 or 4 people have emailed me various links to this car in the last month, including one of the men behind it, Mike from Eurowise. Once you take a look at the images, you’ll see why it’s getting so much attention. Already the recipient of one very nice build including a turbo’d 16V 2.0, the car has recently been torn down for a full overhaul. It’s no secret I’m a big fan of MK1 Golfs, and even though I like them a bit more sedately built, this one takes things to the extreme with an engine, driveline, and floorplan being swapped under it from a MKIV R32 Golf, including the AWD system. I especially like how the MKIV rear end was shortened and sectioned to fit inside the dimensions of the MK1 body, instead of just tacking on some wheel arch flares or going widebody. Did I mention it’s also going to be twin turbo?

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Sharka NA Miata v2.0

From the ashes of a past flame rises a new love. Adam’s pride and joy was a ’97 Miata that met its maker after being rammed up the backside by an inconsiderate truck on the freeway. Instead of packing up and going home, a stock ’95 was purchased with the promise of rebuilding the vision of the original car, only better.

You know those kinds of build threads that are full of great photography, well-written narratives, and lots of DIY mods? This is one of those threads, I think I’ve read it front-to-back about 3 times now.

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Fiat 850

I’m posting this for the simple reason that I love these little cars. Always having been a fan of the Fiat 500, it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I saw one of these slightly larger models on Speedhunters while browsing through their Cars & Coffee coverage from late August. Since then, I’ve been obsessed with the little Italian sedans, and they have a prominent place very high up on my wish-list.

During my routine browsing on the Retro Rides forum, I was excited find this build along my travels. Lots of great DIY in this one, including a turbo conversion and some liberal use of motorbike parts.

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AMS 280Z 2JZ

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you had/have a great day and all the best for the holiday season, be safe on the roads.

Remember the AMS EVO X? Well the same workshop is now turning their attention to a Nissan 280Z in the form of a 2JZ transplant. The build isn’t finished yet but it’s just too good to wait. It’s being pieced together with the incredible quality of work that you can only expect from a top quality builder such as AMS Performance.

Thanks to Kyusha Kai for submiting, make sure you head over and check out his blog, it’s full of oldschool jdm goodness.

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13B Turbo Rotor NA MX5/Miata

I found this build in a post on Racer86, so firstly thanks to Rob for putting it out there. I’ve seen pictures of this particular car before in full drift flight, it looks so cool slammed on Work Equip 03’s (one of my favourite wheels). It’s just one of the many MX5/Miata’s built on the west coast of America that are making these little car’s appealing to a whole new generation. They used to be synonymous with balance, poise & pure driving enjoyment (among other less-positive analogies). Nowadays, though, people are slamming/stretching/drifting them, earning a level of respect and lust from a new, younger crowd.

This particular build thread focuses on the engine & drivetrain swap, showing the ITB’d 1.8L 4cyl being thrown out in favour of a 13B Turbo rotary. Along with the engine, it also receives S5 RX7 transmission & diff amongst other upgrades.

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Z31 300ZX Drift Car

Thanks to an anonymous reader for submitting this build. I remember reading this exact thread a couple of years ago when I used to visit the Body Shop section of ZipTied religiously. This is definitely one of the coolest Z31’s in the world, lots of custom work and who doesn’t love the fighter-jet instrument panel!? So unique and badass.

 

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