Hello All,

Ive been (trying) to document the build of my Spire GTR over the last few months. There doesn't seam to be an awful lot of detailed information out on the internet about the build, so i figured it would be worth investing the time to write it.

Anyway, hope it makes for an interesting, helpful read for someone, as i must admit i found the process of sourcing parts and making decisions on the spec quite daunting at first (especially when your trying to keep costs under control)

http://www.triskipling.co.uk/GT-R/The_Build/The_Build.html

Cheers
Tris

Good detailed diary there.

I noticed you've made a cracking job o cleaning your diff. A job I'm currently "enjoying" myself.

How did you get it clean enough to paint and get into all the little nooks and crannies?

I've degeased mine, but there's a very stubborn layer of oxidation/crust before you get to clean metal.

mine too. and on drive shafts!

There's no easy answer to cleaning the diff - i started with a couple of coats of engine cleaner first.

Then i came across a set of wire brush drill attachments in Aldi for a couple of quid. Took me about two evenings work with the different shaped wire brushes to get the majority off.

Finally, i used a very small wire brush attachment for my dremel to get in to all of small area's. In fact i think i went through a couple as they ware out fast.

De-greased again before warmed the casting up with a fan heater to help the paint set (this was in a very cold garage!). Then a couple of coats of spray hammerite and job done

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Originally posted by Tris
There's no easy answer to cleaning the diff - i started with a couple of coats of engine cleaner first.

Then i came across a set of wire brush drill attachments in Aldi for a couple of quid. Took me about two evenings work with the different shaped wire brushes to get the majority off.

Finally, i used a very small wire brush attachment for my dremel to get in to all of small area's. In fact i think i went through a couple as they ware out fast.

De-greased again before warmed the casting up with a fan heater to help the paint set (this was in a very cold garage!). Then a couple of coats of spray hammerite and job done

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Originally posted by nick205
Bugger - I was hoping you'd come back with a quick and easy solution - back to manual labour it is then

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Tris
Good luck with the build. I look forward to reading your updates. If you need any advice just let me know, I may even know the answer.

Dave

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Originally posted by scootz

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Originally posted by nick205
Bugger - I was hoping you'd come back with a quick and easy solution - back to manual labour it is then

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Like... wait till the missus goes out, then bung it in the dishwasher!?

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about time someone made a good build diary. Seems like ages since anyone has produced one worth following.

Nick - I did consider getting mine media-blasted at one point, but figured stipping the thing down to just the casting would take longer. Stick with it though - its fun (honest !!! )

Thanks to everyone else for the kind words,
Cheers,
Tris

Good site
it would have been useful a year ago. Anyway my paperwork is off for the IVA, awaiting date. Watch this space.

Hi Steve

Good to hear regards your IVA.

Do let us know how you get on as i would be interested to hear if you encounter any issues with the 'fuel tank being in the engine bay' exception now having expired.

Cheers
Tris

[Edited on 1/4/10 by Tris]

Sorry it wont be a help as I modded the body side pods and put the tank in the nearside one. Had it made up specially
Rescued attachment side pod.jpg

hey mate,

great build diary, i love the spire and almost got one for my first build but settled on something alittle more simple first time round.

looks like your doing a really neat job so this may well be alot of peoples build guide in the future

To get into all the nooks and crannies, I used a piece of wire rope with some tape round it.

It is really effective and can get most places as it can be forced and bent etc, the only one downside is that it has to be used with the drill going fwd the whole time...

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Originally posted by nick205

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Bugger - I was hoping you'd come back with a quick and easy solution - back to manual labour it is then

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See if there's a local shop offering frozen CO2 blasting, It's used for cleaning core boxes and other casting paraphernalia so ask around at local forges if you've got one nearby.

Does a nice job without chewing up the underlying metal or seals and if anything happens to find it's way into the diff it evaporates away.

t

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nick205 - 5/4/10 at 08:21 PM

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Originally posted by andkilde

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Originally posted by nick205

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Bugger - I was hoping you'd come back with a quick and easy solution - back to manual labour it is then

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See if there's a local shop offering frozen CO2 blasting, It's used for cleaning core boxes and other casting paraphernalia so ask around at local forges if you've got one nearby.

Does a nice job without chewing up the underlying metal or seals and if anything happens to find it's way into the diff it evaporates away.

t

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Good tip - might look into this, there a casting co. local to me who've done some work for my company in the past.

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pocket rocket - 4/5/10 at 09:31 AM

just wanted to say a quick thumbs up for your build site, i looked at the spire at the show yesterday and really think it might be my next build.

top marks

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