Category: Build Threads

Saab 99 Quattro

Sorry guys, I know I’ve been down on content lately, it’s a crazy time of year. But don’t worry, I’ve still got heaps of tasty builds lined up, so keep the faith!

James, the editor of Car Throttle & owner of Saab Snaab emailed me this crazy Saab 99 build and told me a little bit about it. It’s received an updated version of its original B202T engine from a later model Saab 900, which has been rotated 180 degrees to enable it to mate to an Audi Quattro AWD drivetrain from a C4 generation Audi 100…those crazy Swedes! You can check out James’ article on the car here.

Just as I was writing the above paragraph I was checking out Speedhunters when I saw this article detailing Saab’s demise, what a sad coincidence.

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EF Civic pictorial

Not all of the builds I like and feature have to be huge feats in fabrication or difficult engine swaps, I like the simple builds too. Especially if it has been documented with quality photography and the end result is just a cool car. There’s something soothing to me about reading a build in which every photo posted is a pleasure to look at.

Come and see this humble EF Civic sedan be transformed from a rough grocery-getter into a slick little cruiser with some crazy wheel fitment.

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Vauxhall Cresta XJR

Here’s another classic body on top of a modern chassis build. I wonder if this style of building will be the way of the future, keeping classics alive on the surface with modern drive-trains and suspension powering them from underneath.

This one combines the shell of a classic Vauxhall Cresta with the guts of a 2001 Jaguar XJR.

Thanks to Peter from petrolthreads.co.uk for submitting this one.

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AWD Fiero Hybrid for $2009

Each year, Grassroots Motorsports Magazine holds the “$200X Challenge”, a competition for budget-built custom cars to compete in a series of challenges, where the build cost must not exceed the monetary value of the year it is held in (hence the $2009 limit for 2009).

This particular entry is a Pontiac Fiero, a car known for being used as a base for Ferrari 355 replicas. This one has a different destiny though, and receives an electric motor slotted between the front wheels to accompany the factory standard mid-mounted V6, essentially converting it into a twin engine hybrid.

Thanks to Mike for submitting this build, and a big congratulations goes out to him and his fiance Vica on their engagement.

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1UZ-FE V8 JZA80 Supra

I can’t help but imagine how some of the more modern Japanese sports cars would be so well suited to having a naturally aspirated V-configuration motor instead of their straight turbo’d powerplants. For example, I always thought my old S15 would be perfectly suited to having a VQ35DE with individual throttle bodies in the engine bay. I think it would bring them closer to the sportscars of yesteryear, before we were obsessed with big turbo’s and high power outputs and the sound of highly strung engines with roaring induction filled the air.

This build sort of touches on the above subject, where a home-grown Aussie slips a 1UZ V8 into a JZA80 Supra. In a world where so many people are putting 2JZ’s in to anything and everything, this guy pulls one out of a car that comes equipped with one as standard. To me that proves that people just have that unexplainable urge to modify anything and everything. Thanks to Stoney for submitting this one, a great technical build with heaps of detailed information, diagrams, and step-by-step photography. Plenty of good stuff in here for you tech-heads.

Note: You will be required to sign up to v-eight.com to view the full build thread.

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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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Mäkelä Auto Tuning Projects

Every now and then, someone will submit a build that has already been featured, but it is far from a wasted effort as it can open up an opportunity for another story. Jani-Matti from Finland email me a build from Mäkelä Auto Tuning previously featured here, the immaculate restoration of a Group B Toyota Celica rally car. Even though I had already featured that particular build, I had another look at the site and remembered that MAT have more than one intricate build on the go.

Keep reading below and you will find a list of the projects documented in their galleries. I have listed all of them instead of releasing each one as separate features. Does this mean I can take a couple of weeks off now? Didn’t think so 🙁

MAT is truly at the top-end of the car restoration spectrum. Not only are their builds pure quality, but they also take the time to create and update a clean and informative website complemented with superb photography.

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BOWLS Tuner Challenge Update

Just before SEMA I posted here about the BOWLS Scion pickup being built for the Tuner Challenge. Well here it is in full effect with a second video showcasing more of the build. This is one smooth truck, perfectly executed, nice job BOWLS!

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Lancia Delta Evo1

The Lancia Delta is a car that I personally imagine to be on similar ground to the E30 M3. By that I mean that it seems to be almost universally loved by car enthusiasts the world over. Maybe not as much as the BMW, but there are no shortage of people who will declare their love for this boxy hatchback.

First up I have to say a huge thank you to Maccan from www.alive.se for not only submitting this build but also giving me a bit of a run-down on the project since the whole thread is in Swedish.

The car is being built for track duties, with a custom bodykit being moulded out of carbon & fiberglass, with lexen windows continuing the lightweight theme. Underneath, there are plans for a flat floor and rear diffuser to try to keep it stuck to the ground.

The engine is fully forged & balanced with a rear mounted radiator, aiming to produce around 550-600bhp when it is completed.

The actual project is not finalised yet, so peep the thread and check back for updates.

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