My Vortex Project

Johnny T · Post by **Johnny T** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:39 am

Thanks for that FujiFan, i'm pretty sure its not repairable cos its a structural problem, and if i had the cash i dont think it could be fixed anyway. One of my m8s said i should turn it into a convertable but dont think thats gonna happen soon lol.

I'm kinda happy that i found out this problem now than later on cos I would of spent a lot more money onto it, but what can you do

FujiFan · Post by **FujiFan** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:01 am

Yeah was going to suggest the convertable concept:p but even bigger $$ to do that properly. As you say better now then later at greater cost. All the best in the search for a doner vehicle:)

H-top · Post by **H-top** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 1:30 pm

I've got a straight body here mate

coupe · Post by **coupe** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 5:17 pm

before you decide to strip the car please post some pics of the roof so we can see if we can give you more options to your dilema.

Cheers Pete

shuffbag · Post by **shuffbag** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:45 pm

i once had grand plans for a red rx with a sun roof, but then found my rear pillars around the base were rusted only held together by bog

i feel your pain

Johnny T · Post by **Johnny T** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:16 pm

thanks for that H-top, but I honestly dont think i can afford to bring the shell down to melbourne, but if my boss decides to pay me properly i'll defently send you a message

Yer it totaly sucks cos I have had the car for almost a year now and it still hasnt started so i haven't had a proper chance to drive it yet too.

Here is the pics i took yesterday, I'll take some more when i can but i dont like looking at it cos its just too painfull for me too look at lol so hopefully this week or weekend i'll take off the roof lining and get a better shot.

If this can be fixed that would be the best thing since sliced bread, I've had my eye on this car for over 6 years now and still haven't driven it on the roads.

Thanks again everyone for this, just hope this can be fixed

coupe · Post by **coupe** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:50 pm

The roof is a two piece unit and as long as the roof edge is reasonable then you will only have to remove the inner frame which is only glued into place. once its out you can rebuild the unit or replace it. Its not that bad.
See what the inside of the roof is like.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:00 pm

Sorry to hear the news.

If you're after another body head out to centre road wreckers when you can - there's a turbo "AWD" auto Vortex there - spider manifold too. Rear end is now missing

But the interior looks neat. Its got a moon roof but it only pops up at the back - not a real sunroof...

Thought I'd let you know.

Cheers

Bennie

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:29 pm

Anyone think a bigger sunroof fitted may fix his problems enough to be able to at least drive it for a few years?

FujiFan · Post by **FujiFan** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:30 pm

Think vinyl top Datsun 180B

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:33 pm

steptoe wrote:Anyone think a bigger sunroof fitted may fix his problems enough to be able to at least drive it for a few years?

Or cut out roof section and replace with a good unit/solid roof section... The real thing to check out is if the pillars have rust through them as well to make sure it's not a structural issue.

Cheers

Bennie

shuffbag · Post by **shuffbag** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 1:25 pm

bennie just letting you know that moon roof that doesnt really open except for the rear.... is actually fully removable! my vortex has one. remove and put in the boot

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 7:39 pm

shuffbag wrote:bennie just letting you know that moon roof that doesnt really open except for the rear.... is actually fully removable! my vortex has one. remove and put in the boot

Yeah didn't pay much attention to this, just did a quick assessment of the overall condition of the interior, checked that it popped open (rear only as I didn't stuff around with it too much), I didn't go into the nitty-grittys of how it fully operated - just noted that it wasn't an electric sunroof...

Cheers

Bennie

PS forgot to add in my last post - this vortex is an AWD auto, otherwise I'd probably have a new addition to the shed

Johnny T · Post by **Johnny T** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:49 am

Thanks again for the feed back guys, im gonna try and get some time this weekend to get some more pics under neighth it, i showed this pic to a subaru specialist the other day and he told me its been fixed before and to fix it, it will cost more than it's really worth, so i might have to save up or really think about getting it towed back to my uncles place for awhile. (I really don't want to get rid of this car)
But the good thing is that i checked this now becuase i wanted to respray it at the end of the year.

I was thinking of finding another 1 and continue my project on that and keep this one as a spare and if i need parts or panels I wont have to stress out and look all over the place for them.

Thanks everyone again for the feedback and I'll let you know what happens within the weel

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:05 am

local tech course at night in panel beating project or have you a local prison with a panel shop with cheap labour?

Johnny T · Post by **Johnny T** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 2:09 pm

I got a mate who can give me a hand with taking off the panles, (he does panel beating so hoping he knows what his doing lol)
So im on the hunt for a new one and gotta start saving up aswell.
If i can find one would anyone be instrested in the H style 13" rims (4stud)

Johnny T · Post by **Johnny T** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 6:09 pm

Hey everyone, its been awhile since i.ve updated this posts, but i do have some good news for once lol, as i have rust in the sun roof i was going to srap the car and sell it for parts, but luckly my uncle did have a good look at it and said it was't that bad and easy to fix, so luckly i'll be working on it again.

The newest things that i have done to my pride and joy are repairing the interior and pulling the engine apart to put new parts in it so for when it starts again it will run like new (fingers crossed). I will post photos of my progress soon to show you what i have done, warning is the engine does not look the same but given some time this vortex should be starting up by the end of the year lol

Also just a quick question has anyone been successful of swapping the vortex streering wheel for a new one because i do understand you need a boss kit but they didn't make them so the guy at autobarhn said i can try using a boss kit for the subaru leon/wagon and it might work, so what you guys think, can the wheel be changed?

Thanks again everyone
Johnny T

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 11:16 pm

Hey JohnnyT Glad to hear the tex is living on.

There's still that red one at centre rd wreckers with the removable sunroof - not really much left on it other than interior parts but some are missing...

Cheers

Bennie

Johnny T · Post by **Johnny T** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:33 pm

Thanks El Freddo, yer I cant wait to get this car started

I checked out the vortex in clayton, i wanted the front bar lip but wasn't too sure how to remove it and not sure if its still there, hopefully if melbournes weather picks up this weekend I can find some time to check it out again.

I do have an issue with the hydrolic air suspension and I would like to take it out, is that an easy job to do and will the car run without the hydrolics because I dont want the same problem later on.

Also as I said before, would anyone know what type of boss kit I would need to swap my vortex L shaped wheel to something newer like a 2005 sti wheel or a after market 1, I found this link: http://www.autotecnica.com.au/boss_kit_subaru.html so has anyone does a streering wheel swap before and what one would I need to get.

Thanks everyone
Johnny T

sammynb · Post by **sammynb** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:58 pm

hydrolic air suspension

It's not hydraulic, it's pneumatic and no it's not hard to replace.
Just find a 2wd L Series sedan and remove all four complete units - so damper, spring, top hat/strut top and then bolt into place in your Vortex.
You will need to disconnect the power to the compressor, either just remove the fuse or unplug the power supply at the compressor (is the compressor under the front passenger side guard like on the Turbo Sedan?)

Somewhere like Auto One or any good auto parts supplier should be able to help you with a sports steering wheel and matching boss kit but I don't think you'll have much luck finding a kit to fit a later Subaru steering wheel.
btw the 907 on your autotecnica link should fit the Tex.

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My Vortex Project

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