Hey everyone!

Been a while since I've posted, I've still got the TR and it's chugging along. Almost purchased a 180SX last week, however due to the Vic P Plater laws, getting pulled over every 20 minutes wasn't my idea of fun.

Therefore, as I've got another 2yrs to go before fulls, I'm deciding to keep the magna and push on with it.

She is running very very rough these days, so can I have some suggestions on what I should do, I know the oil needs a changeover, but anything else in a "general service" that should be done.

I'm also/needing to do the following, and I wonder if anyone can put ballpark figures on each one, or the entire lot.

- Engine Reco (Recommended shops, ballpark cost figure)
- New/2nd hand radiator (ballpark figures)
- Complete respray
- New Brakes (where to buy, what to use, how to replace, cost)
- New suspension (where to buy, what to use, how to replace, cost)
- POD/Panel (is it really worth it)(where to buy, what to use, how to replace, cost)

I've got a couple of grand to play with so yeah.

I mainly want to get the car back into shape before I do any further cosmetic work. If anyone can help out, much appreciated!

Hey everyone!

Been a while since I've posted, I've still got the TR and it's chugging along. Almost purchased a 180SX last week, however due to the Vic P Plater laws, getting pulled over every 20 minutes wasn't my idea of fun.

Therefore, as I've got another 2yrs to go before fulls, I'm deciding to keep the magna and push on with it.

She is running very very rough these days, so can I have some suggestions on what I should do, I know the oil needs a changeover, but anything else in a "general service" that should be done.

I'm also/needing to do the following, and I wonder if anyone can put ballpark figures on each one, or the entire lot.

- Engine Reco (Recommended shops, ballpark cost figure) $2000ish
- New/2nd hand radiator (ballpark figures) $200ish
- Complete respray $2000+ for a good job
- New Brakes (where to buy, what to use, how to replace, cost) Id go slotted all round with bendix ultimates $500ish
- New suspension (where to buy, what to use, how to replace, cost) Go lovells or Kings, with KYB's - $600ish
- POD/Panel (is it really worth it)(where to buy, what to use, how to replace, cost) $100ish?

I've got a couple of grand to play with so yeah.

I mainly want to get the car back into shape before I do any further cosmetic work. If anyone can help out, much appreciated!

Trust me, Just get your cars engine up to speed, dont bother getting a reco unless it NEEDS it, take it from me ok?

Also what ya going for? Looks? performance?

Cause for $3.5-4K you could get a bodykit with wheels and lowered...
ORRR you could get it turboed with nice brakes...

i second paul, take it to a mech and see whats specifically wrong with the engine and get it fixed. doing a reco on your engine is big $$$$$.
First get the engine fixed, and do brakes. Two pretty critical things. Depending on how bad your radiator is, do that next, then do suspension. THEN start worrying about the cosmetics.
Anyway get your car to a few mechs (helps if you have a friend who is one) and get several quotes.

In regards to the radiator..let's just say the overflow is reading over full..and I filled the radiator nearly with an entire 2Ltr bottle...

Alright I'll have to hit up a few mechanics, I'll got to my usual bloke.

Eh Paul, not really after performance, just getting the car back into good condition. It's almost at 240,000Kms and I need the ****er to last just over a year and 6months.

As for looks, I wouldn't mind a kit and respray but thats all further down the track, just need to get it into shape.

If you need a good mech and im pretty sure you live around my area throw me a PM

just go dohc conversion will work out not much more for radiator and rebuild if u can find a good half cut mite come with radiator ;P

For the prices quoted, might be an idea to just pick up a TS or KS in better condition, and just swap in any of the stuff you like from your current ride?

radiator for $180 new!!!!!!!!!! works great.


http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MITSUBISHI-MAGNA-TR-TS-91-96-4-6-CYL-ALUMINIUM-RADIATOR_W0QQitemZ190005160977QQcategoryZ10400QQcm dZViewItem

[QUOTE='[TUFFTR]']- New Brakes (where to buy, what to use, how to replace, cost) Id go slotted all round with bendix ultimates $500ish
[QUOTE]

I would never use Bendix Ultimates again after they chewed through my RDA slotted rotors in about a touch over 20,000. Try EBC for pads (if you have 2pots) or even Lucas, the Bendix GCT pads are apparently under-rated and can be used for street use with some bashing inbetween. Bendix have really disappointed me.

For the prices quoted, might be an idea to just pick up a TS or KS in better condition, and just swap in any of the stuff you like from your current ride?

Thought about it, to be honest I really cannot be bothered wasting anymore time looking for another car, ownership xfer's, all the bs.. I have a panel beater friend and he reckons, it's quite possible I could get it sprayed for around $1500 (without any extra bits, i.e. a kit), which is pretty good for a respray.

Wow that radiator is damn cheap.

Hard to DIY install? Should I not buy it? Cause I will right now if it's a good price!

Wow just had a quick look on ebay, HEAPS of stuff for second gens now, never used to be much, there's a reco alternator for $89 on there!

i dont think spending money on a respray is a good idea if your going to sell it in the next couple of years. i reckon you just get the mechanicals sorted (ie:engine, brakes and radiator) and reliable and save your money for the car you really want when your P's are done. i know the desire to modify it is there but think of the money you will lose and what it could be better spent on( like a 180sx) in a couple of years.

- Engine Reco (Recommended shops, ballpark cost figure)
- New/2nd hand radiator (ballpark figures)
- Complete respray
- New Brakes (where to buy, what to use, how to replace, cost)
- New suspension (where to buy, what to use, how to replace, cost)
- POD/Panel (is it really worth it)(where to buy, what to use, how to replace, cost)


Why did you come to the reco conclusion? If your engine is blowing smoke on startup/idle replace valve stem seals. Easy to do on astron.
As for the radiator... well judging by what you said previously, i'd reccomend replacing the radiator cap first. Sounds like its dodgy.
Respray.. not for the moment mate, concentrate on mechanicals.
Brakes, ring around for some quotes... prices can vary vastly depending on what performance you want. I found the Lucas/trw pads to be best for me; suits my driving style. They work well when not up to temp, and bite well when warm! Plus theyre cheap @ about $75 a pair.
Suspension, just replace shocks or struts (easier). Once again ring around for quotes. I got a brand new front pair of KYB excel G's for $180. If you're on a tight budget, you can get a few 2nd hand strut assemblies from the wreckers.(also saves the hassle of swapping springs over too)

Good thing is, everything you've mentioned (bar the respray and reco) are all diy backyard jobs so theres the potential to save a few hundred on labour.

If you've got $2k to spend and the paint is shot on your car and it needs all that work with 240k on the clock find a clean, straight, low klm (under 200k) 2nd gen with decent paint and be done with it!

Might take a bit of looking but they're out there for under $2k.

I bought an SE for my daughter with solid paint, imaculate interior and a quite smoke free motor (no timing chain rattle) with (at the time) 8months rego for $1,600.00

12,000klms later it's still running sweet!