Tag: welding

4G63 EVO 8-Powered MX5

On this site alone, we’ve seen more than a few different types of MX5 engine swaps, including a 13B turbo, 20B PP, 2x LS3 V8s (here and here), and of course the standard engine converted to turbo (here, here and here) and even supercharged. More often than not, though, it’s the MX5 that becomes the donor vehicle, with many vintage chassis swaps using venerable Miata’s for their drivetrains. This build there, though, is one of the first times I can honestly say I’ve seen something entirely different applied to a Mazda roadster, in the way of a Mitsubishi Evolution 8 engine converted to rear wheel drive. Along with the very interesting engine choice comes a stack of gorgeous home-built fabrication work to set off the rest of the car, transforming it into a formidable track beast.

Click here for more Mazda builds. Click here for more MX5 builds. Click here for more engine conversions.

Continue reading “4G63 EVO 8-Powered MX5”

Modern Bullitt Charger

Along with the very popular and often replicated Bullitt Mustang, there was also a certain Dodge Charger featured within the same movie. The one in this feature here is set to be not just a replica, but a modern interpretation that would have no trouble leaving many a Mustang in it’s dust.

Starting with a clean base car that even had some un-touched factory panels, this very organised build quickly evolves to showcase an insane level of attention to detail, and a host of very impressive metal work. My favourite part would have to be the retrofitted air conditioning setup with custom lines in the front guards/fenders, along with their equally neat debris covers. Well, that, and the almost-too-cool custom wheels that were manufactured to mimic the original hub caps.

The car is yet to be finished, but has been seeing steady progress for almost 3 years and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Definitely one to follow.

Thanks to David for submitting. Click here for more Pro Touring builds.

Continue reading “Modern Bullitt Charger”

A Fabricator’s Project – Audi A4

Let me start out by saying this build is not yet complete, but the quality levels are through the roof, and as usual you can expect updates to be posted when it’s further along. For now, though, I’ll think you’ll be as gobsmacked as I was when I first saw the 3D scanning, CAD work, 3D printed parts, and fabrication already taking place. Rest assured, when it’s complete, this will be one VERY sorted A4. If only all fabricators had project cars, what a world that would be…

Click here for more Audi builds. Click here for more fabrication-based builds.

Continue reading “A Fabricator’s Project – Audi A4”

Zakspeed MkII Escort AWD

I’ve featured a few Escorts over the years, along with one other Zakspeed inspired MKII, but none of them were converted to AWD! The car uses a Ford Sierra front and rear clip welded onto the Escort’s center section to allow the AWD drivetrain to bolt up. The thread takes a retrospective view of the car’s different combinations over the years before getting to the oily bits of it’s latest rebuild in the famous Zakspeed livery. Sadly the thread has died off a couple of years ago and ends in a negative light, here’s hoping it somehow starts up again in the future.

Click here for more Ford builds.

Continue reading “Zakspeed MkII Escort AWD”

Home Built by Jeff – Porsche 911 [video build]

Meet Jeff.
Jeff is just a regular Aussie bloke; a guy who wants to tinker with cars in his shed and share his progress with whoever wants to see it. I don’t know his work background but he seems to be the kind of guy who can do a bit of everything, and he’s giving it a red hot go with a 1974 Porsche rebuild. There are no delusions of grandeur, no merch to sell, no special effects, no swearing and no trash talking for minutes on end. That’s what I love about this channel, the build, and Jeff. It’s just a refreshingly down-to-earth viewing experience in a booming YouTube market full of people who seem to love the sound of their own voice more than they do working on cars. Go Jeff! I’ll be sure to keep adding videos as they are released.

Click here for more Porsche builds. Click here for more videos.

Continue reading “Home Built by Jeff – Porsche 911 “

1962 Volksrod

I love a good Volksrod, and if previous posts are anything to go by, so do most of you! Each of the well-modified Beetles I’ve featured have always done well with readers and generated plenty of track-back links to the article. This particular one was only submitted to me very recently, but when I saw the quality of the work and the documentation I knew it had to go up on the site as soon as possible. The thread is only four pages but is jam packed with great imagery covering the whole modification process. What sets it off for me is the perfectly oldschool colour choice, I love it!

Thanks to Hunter for submitting. The build is actually by his dad and uncle! Click here for more Beetle builds.

Continue reading “1962 Volksrod”

Ford Super Duty F350

Big-body truck builds interest me because it’s not something we see much of here in Australia. Our most popular trucks are what would be considered medium sized in the US, such as Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. In fact I think I’ve only ever seen one Raptor with my own eyes, a personal import. So when I saw this Super Duty thread it really drew me in, because not only am I not used to seeing these trucks, but I’m really interested in watching them get cut up and re-worked. The Cougar House Garage guys sure know how to document their build, with the thread almost being a step-by-step how-to guide. Aside from the obvious reduction in ride height, this truck will also receive a 24 Valve Cummins, converted to a 2wd dually setup, and a whole host of torched and welded metal innards. Considering the tiny stature of the Fiat 850 featured recently, it’s trip to see the difference in scale of the parts that make these things go together.

Click here for more Ford builds.

Continue reading “Ford Super Duty F350”

Lotus Europa barn find restoration

I have this list of attainable vintage sports cars that I like to think I’ll be able to buy as mid-life crisis project, and the Lotus Europa is firmly planted on that list. Every time I see an article or post about these cars, I can’t help but read every word and obsess over every picture. But the owner of this particular Lotus, Serge, is no where near middle age. In fact he’s still a dental student, yet he’s attacking this restoration from the ground up all on his own. His Europa is a special one, being the oldest chassis in existence (Chassis number 2 – #460002) that he’s slowly restoring back to as-new condition. Serge not only documents the whole process on his blog, but also starts a YouTube channel with periodic videos of the work he does. These videos are some of the most informative that I’ve ever seen, he really goes into full detail about what he’s doing, how he’s doing it, and why he’s doing it.

Click here for more Lotus builds.

Continue reading “Lotus Europa barn find restoration”

Peugeot 106 hillclimb home-build

You know the drill, what starts off as a quick bit of rust repair turns into a full bare-shell rotisserie build. Not that we’re complaining, right?! This little Pug receives a lot of love from it’s owner, and his welder. Roll cage, suspension, machining, bike carbs, wiring; this build has it all. Most importantly, it just recently came back to life after a 2-year hiatus, so let’s hope the updates will be arriving thick and fast from now on.

Click here for more Peugeot builds. Thanks to Paul for submitting.

Continue reading “Peugeot 106 hillclimb home-build”

20B-powered Time Attack NC MX5

Time Attack season is almost upon us, with World Time Attack Challenge just around the corner (click here for my photos from 2010), I thought it would be a great time to share this long-term build from Australia. The brainchild of a Mazda aficionado and die-hard collector, this NC MX5 welcomes the addition of firstly a supercharged Renesis 13B, and then a 20B 3-rotor with individual throttle bodies and a whole host of goodies. Apart from all the CAD screenshots, machined metal goodness, fabrication, welding and general race-car building, you’ll also find a bonus R35 GTR build and a visit to Mazda HQ in Hiroshima within the thread.

Thanks to David from MX5CarTalk & Pixel Culture for submitting. Click here for more rotary-powered builds.

Continue reading “20B-powered Time Attack NC MX5”