My Vortex Project

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 9:07 pm

Factory L air suspension! Lucky bugger!

I got a new set of rear discs some time ago from my local parts joint.

I'm sure you could still get a set - even if you have to wait a bit on them arriving.

Even then, those discs will be fine once back in use. The ones on Ruby Scoo are the ones that came with the hubs from the wreck - I got them free as the dude at the wreckers said they were useless! Do use an old set of pads when you wear them back in.

Cheers

Bennie

Johnny T · Post by **Johnny T** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 2:56 pm

Thanks again for the reply,
I managed to contact a few brake places and they gave me a quote around 350 - 500$ (installed with new pads) so when the time comes I'll take it down, but for that suspension issue, still cant work out how to repair it, I know it will be a fun job tracing the lines if its a leak and hope it's nothing major.

Also I do have another question about getting a set of keys made for the car because when I got the car from my Uncle he lost the original keys, I contacted a locksmith lose by that can make a new key for me but I will have to bring the driver side mechanism in, only question I have is that how do I remove the part, I bought a door trim removal so I know that is a start hahahaha,

Thanks again for all the help

Johnny T

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sat May 03, 2014 11:20 am

The leak will be in one of the air bags, not in the lines.

The door lock - you'll have to remove the interior panel then get into the back of the door handle and remove this to take the locking mechanism to the lock smith.

That price for the rear discs is steep in my opinion. See what the parts alone are worth, they're relatively easy to replace. The hardest part is getting the castle nut off the hub to get to the disc for removal. It's a 36mm nut

Cheers

Bennie

Johnny T · Post by **Johnny T** » Sun May 04, 2014 10:41 am

Thanks for the reply Bennie,

I will get another price from other places, I'll have to check with the Subaru Specialist Mechanic down the road and see what they can do for me with that. Ideally I would like to change the brake system myself but as I'm not very mechanically minded I would like to take it to a professional so I know that the brakes will work when I need them to

Also with the suspension can that part be repaired or does it have to be replaced, to be honest I would like to keep the suspension and the car original as possible, but worst case possible I did buy some used pedders coil overs a few years ago from a 4wd vortex so it should be a swap over (hopefully)

Thank again for the help

Kind regards
Johnny T

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sun May 04, 2014 11:12 am

conversion to coils etc is what most seem to have done - air bag has its limitations, not unlike our wallets when it comes to these things - about a grand a corner from memory. You'd have to eliminate entire air bag front and rear, ditch the heavy little components under LHS guard etc

Johnny T · Post by **Johnny T** » Sun May 04, 2014 1:49 pm

Thanks for the reply again Steptoe

A grand (roughly) seems a bit much but what can you do, it would be nice if there was second hand ones I can buy hahaha, but looks like I'll have to make a swap over to the standard suspension, is there any other ways (less expensive ways) to have adjustable suspension or would that cost more to do than repairing the original system (just weighing up my options), lucky enough for me that I have another car to get me around and this is my project car, just cant wait to get it on the road so I can drive it once again.

Once again, thanks for all the help

Kind regards
Johnny T

FujiFan · Post by **FujiFan** » Sun May 04, 2014 9:47 pm

As for the suspension it is an air bag system

There was a used set listed on fleabay Oz a few weeks ago described as being from RX turbo sedan, cant recall starting bid.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sat May 10, 2014 6:21 pm

FujiFan wrote:There was a used set listed on fleabay Oz a few weeks ago described as being from RX turbo sedan, cant recall starting bid.

I thought it was gumtree, but anyway.

Johnny, what you can do is easily swap to coils, disconnect the power/fuse to the air pump and keep all of the system in the vehicle - then you can buy/source/find/steal/whatever to get the airbags sorted in your own time. This will help save on the $$$ needed for the airbags - who knows, you might find a way of replacing the airbag component only

There are options, don't ditch stuff before you find out what you can/can't do with it.

Cheers

Bennie

Johnny T · Post by **Johnny T** » Sun May 11, 2014 11:13 am

Thanks for the advice again El Freddo, when I get some free time on the weekend (lucky for me I found a new job) I'll try and swap over the system and keep the old suspension stored till I get more cash in the bank hahaha.

If everything goes according to plan I should have the car started this year.

Thanks again for all the feedback.

Johnny T

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Fri May 16, 2014 7:08 pm

Johnny T wrote:If everything goes according to plan I should have the car started this year.

That's a big statement

Cheers

Bennie

Johnny T · Post by **Johnny T** » Tue May 20, 2014 11:23 am

hahaha hopefully it can be done,

I have found someone who can make new Sunraysias wheels with the 4x140 stud pattern for $75.00 per rim, if I get some time this weekend I can check it out and see if its any good, but are these rims worth $75.00each? also what is the standard width of these rims because I would like to fit 205 width tyres on the car once its fully complete.

Thanks again for all the feed back,

Kind regards
Johnny T

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Tue May 20, 2014 1:57 pm

hard thing to quantify the worth when compared to mass churned out in China alloy wheels that don't fit our Subes. If you have found someone that can custom make you a set of five if you can afford and at $75 each, they are a bargain.

Can they do them in a choice of 13,14 and 15's ?

You might have to work with them to work out not only how wide the rim is but its inside and outset measure off centre/off set etc.

Have us tell you and sumptin' goes wrong .....

H-top · Post by **H-top** » Tue May 20, 2014 4:48 pm

I've got some 14s for sale

Johnny T · Post by **Johnny T** » Wed May 28, 2014 3:56 pm

Thanks for the reply guys, I think they make them 14" if I have some free time this weekend I will find out where they are made and ask them if they make them to any size.

Once I find out all the information I will post it back on here and if everyone likes the sound of the measurements and possible wheel size I can put a contact details up

Also H-top, thanks for the offer, I think the transport cost will cost me an arm and a leg from Brisbane To Melbourne hahaha

I will keep everyone posted once I finish up.

Thanks again for the reply's,

Johnny T

Johnny T · Post by **Johnny T** » Sat Jun 21, 2014 4:45 pm

Hey everyone, its been awhile since I've been here, I have been looking for a new ignition barrel as mine couldn't be repaired, I tried contacting a few places and didn't have any luck as they don't stock / make them anymore.

Lucky enough I contacted Import Monster and amazingly they were able to track one down for me from Japan, its about 6 - 8 weeks away, they also found for me a Dash Trim and its still in once piece, so I'm pretty happy about the find, now I am just waiting too see if they have a radio

Here is a photo of the Trim

I have spoken to a Subaru Mechanic Specialist in Clayton and he is going to see if he still has his air suspension as he said it still works but not sure where it is, fingers crossed I'll be able to get a replacement.

On other things I would like to know when I get my car ready to start again (its been 3 years since the engine cranked over), what engine oil I should I use as the car has only done 156,000km on it and what else should I do before I turn the engine over?

Thanks again for everyone's help

Kind regards
Johnny T

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sat Jun 21, 2014 5:27 pm

that trim needs to find its way into a 3D printer studio !!

i use 15w40 in ea82, thinking 10w40 might be needed for winter temps

Willy Fisterbottom · Post by **Willy Fisterbottom** » Sat Jun 21, 2014 7:30 pm

I have five Vortexes and only one has a good dash trim

Johnny T · Post by **Johnny T** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 3:45 pm

Thanks for the advice steptoe, really appreciate it

if I get some time to take to a 3D printer place, would they be able to remake it without damaging the original piece? I will also get a price to see how much it would cost to remake them as we'll, if I get a ruff idea on how many to make that should lower the price

once I get my parts I'll post another update, just can't wait hahahaha

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 7:33 pm

That's an awesome find mate!

I can see why they crack or get damaged easy!

I hope the 3D printing turns out, I reckon you might have a few lining up depending on price and finish quality.

Cheers

Bennie

Johnny T · Post by **Johnny T** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 2:33 pm

Thanks Bennie,

Import Monster have been awesome for tracking down that part for me and if I can help make a model for everyone I'll be more than happy to get quotes from a 3D printer place, you just never know if there is another one of these in this condition.

I'm going to ask Import Monster if they can get me the sun roof gutters because mine have completely rusted out, would it be a good idea if I can get the gutters made from the 3D printer as well or would it all have to be made out of steel because if I have parts that can be remade I would like to help anyone out that needs it

After I get some quotes for the trim, its going to be stored in a box with bubble wrap so it doesn't get damage