Bobafett
Well-Known Forum User
Well, finally the day came for me to collect the 918 from the specialist who had been doing all the re-commissioning work. All the grief of sourcing and obtaining suitable replacement parts seemed all worth it when seeing the Z in the flesh.
Most of the hardwork you will not see as pretty much all the serviceable items, rubbers, gaskets, fuel pumps (both mech and electric) ball joints and bearings all replaced underneath.
One worthy addition to the car has been the fitting of uprated front roll bar and in particular fitment of a rear bar. I have now learnt that the US cars had a smaller roll bar up front and were omitted on the rear. Not sure why really. However, my car already had the brackets connected to the body for the rear bar. Can only assume this is how it left the factory, so I did away with the fitting kit. Had to make brackets to secure them in though. Have seen some rear bar kits that are connected to the rear suspension subframe, but what I have now seems pretty much factory stock.
Fronts were a lot more straightforward!
Quick spirited test drive, does show the cornering well planted and having plenty of feedback. A worthwhile upgrade for sure, thanks Mr F.
Lots of thumbs up from fellow motorists when travelling back up the M1 with the 918 on trailer certainly turned heads
One of the first jobs at home, was to delete the bumper bars, and the fitment of a fire extinguisher in the cabin. I am just amazed how many classic car owners don't bother with fire safety.
Bumper bars coming off, front and rears
Nice to have the Z on the drive, and the 918 original paint (mostly) looks great in the sunshine
However with the spirited test drive upon collection, turns out that the head gasket is now well and truly blown. Well I suppose it was to be expected, as any weakness will show through after so many years being dormant. Hopefully that is an easy job, and head is coming off this week and will be able to see if there are any cracks. Seem to be getting quite a volume of gases in the water coolant very quickly. Thankfully no water in the oil sump, phew
Most of the hardwork you will not see as pretty much all the serviceable items, rubbers, gaskets, fuel pumps (both mech and electric) ball joints and bearings all replaced underneath.
One worthy addition to the car has been the fitting of uprated front roll bar and in particular fitment of a rear bar. I have now learnt that the US cars had a smaller roll bar up front and were omitted on the rear. Not sure why really. However, my car already had the brackets connected to the body for the rear bar. Can only assume this is how it left the factory, so I did away with the fitting kit. Had to make brackets to secure them in though. Have seen some rear bar kits that are connected to the rear suspension subframe, but what I have now seems pretty much factory stock.
Fronts were a lot more straightforward!
Quick spirited test drive, does show the cornering well planted and having plenty of feedback. A worthwhile upgrade for sure, thanks Mr F.
Lots of thumbs up from fellow motorists when travelling back up the M1 with the 918 on trailer certainly turned heads
One of the first jobs at home, was to delete the bumper bars, and the fitment of a fire extinguisher in the cabin. I am just amazed how many classic car owners don't bother with fire safety.
Bumper bars coming off, front and rears
Nice to have the Z on the drive, and the 918 original paint (mostly) looks great in the sunshine
However with the spirited test drive upon collection, turns out that the head gasket is now well and truly blown. Well I suppose it was to be expected, as any weakness will show through after so many years being dormant. Hopefully that is an easy job, and head is coming off this week and will be able to see if there are any cracks. Seem to be getting quite a volume of gases in the water coolant very quickly. Thankfully no water in the oil sump, phew
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