[misc_work] 205 Gentry Euro-spec/manual

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

So nobody likes a Gentry, right?

 

Well I do. This is my first, only and everyday car since 2001. Over the years and quite some common history, I have grown a custom to it.

 

 

I will start right from the beginning before showing some of the work and modifications done to it later.

 

When I bought it off an otherwise Porsche-driving Lady back then, it was a quite normal 8.5 years old used car with only 60.000 kms on the clock - hence one should have probably called it a "stored" car...

On second glance, i also noticed the big engine and superior equipment for it's class. I did also like the metallic paint which i first thought was black, then blue

However, in 2001 it was too early for any 205 being even remotely classic or exotic. On the other hand, the times when the 205 GTI was the daddy were already over. In fact, by the end of the 90s, anything labelled "GTI" had a really bad reputation for the people normally driving it.

 

You probably all know the specs and equipment of a Gentry, but what really matters is that this is the Euro Version, which was equipped with either a manual or automatic gearbox by customers choice.

Being a manual version, mine has a close ratio BE3 Box very similar to those of the 1.9 (Euro-)Rallye and 1.9 CTI convertible, with whom it also shares the engine (XU9J1 / DFZ, 102 bhp, Jetronic w/cat.).

In some european countries, there even existed "proper" 1.9 GTIs with exactly this engine and gearbox, so i find talk about the Gentry's "inferiority" always a bit dull.

The combination of low-down torque and close-ratio manual box still makes for good fun on B-roads, while the suspension is clearly on the comfy side.

Lacking the optional ABS brakes, it shares beams with the 1.6 GTI (wider front track, rear drums), but with softer dampers and very long springs.

 

Previous owners had been that ladies father and a Peugeot dealership, who had probably (mis)used it as a demonstration car.

But still, the condition and price were good, so i had my first car to go to University (and, aged 19, to learn proper driving ).

Since then, i have used it mostly every day, in summer and winter (which can be harsh in Austria), and it has always been parked outside.

Currently i make 60kms a day to and from my workplace, and last week i have just reached 130.000kms.

 

Some of the technics needed sorting over time, mostly the brakes, cooling system (new expansion tank, radiator, some hoses), and some of the electricity/ignition.

The clutch was on it's way out soon after hitting 100.000 kms, and so were the dampers (first the back, and now the front ones).

The rear beam still looks and feels perfect.

The engine runs smooth and healty. Head gasket and compression are all good.

 

In 2003 (or so) the car was written off after a 200bhp Ford Scorpio wanted to race me in heavy rain, lost control, basically went through the front half of my car and subsequently into a rail, only just preventing him from plunging into river Danube.

Luckily, everyone walked away uninjured, and after a good fight with that guys insurance company i got compensated with enough money to have the shell fixed to the highest standard.

Looking back, i should have claimed a neck injury like everyone t**t does, but was too honest, just wanting to be compensated for the cars real worth.

 

Later in time, the Gentry had its grille badge, antenna and stereo nicked (seperately), people jumped on its hood, roof tiles from a collapsing barn fell on its hood (again), etc, but i always had it fixed to at least the prior condition.

 

These pictures show the car in 2007, including the once affected front and left sides. Bumper and plastic trim have gone from green to black after the crash, because green trim parts were unable to obtain.

But I actually prefer that.

 

Edited July 17, 2010 by Kobayashi

[jimistdt 1]

Great story Kobayshi, curse them Scorpios A lovely looking car, especially with a 'wiggle' stick.

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

thanks jimi. no need to curse that particular scorpio any more - the passenger door did not open after the crash and it broke an axle in the process, so i doubt that it was going anywhere

 

MODS and WORKS

 

One of the most important things I did to the car was mounting a set of SL299s (the real ones).

I was lucky to stumble across a poorly advertised set on ebay, located only like 3 blocks away, so immediately made an appointment to inspect them and bought them right away for a reasonable price.

I gave them a spray can finish and polished the outher lip to get rid of some scratches. Given my total absence of talent and poor equipment, I was content with the results.

 

 

Some other stuff followed:

 

- front mudflaps with "205" (not "GTI") badges

- a sun shade curtain for the rear window, apparently from the Peugeot Talbot Boutique back then

 

 

- uprated speakers which needed subtle modding to the grilles while trying to maintain stock looks

 

 

- a used PLIP remote locking system off a citroen, replacing my defunct one (changed the badge)

- combined with those retro 1.9 GTI keyring badges that were made in France 2 years ago (or so)

 

Edited July 17, 2010 by Kobayashi

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

Another "mod" was recreating the missing boot floor carpet with materials from a DIY-store. Luckily, the other 3 Gentry-specific velour floor mats are still present.

Mainly just because there was some carpet left afterwards, I upgraded the glove box and all the other storages in the interior.

 

 

Later on i replaced the crappy and ever-rusting SIEM driving lights with Cibié 35 (or "Airport") ones. I find them better looking, but they also offer superior lighting.

However, they need a bit of fiddling until they don't just lighten up the ground 5 meters in front of the car. Using the housings from a 106 or 306 Ph1 helps - they had the Cibiés right away.

 

 

Some day I will also put on the GTI roof spoiler because it's simply missing IMO.

 

The most recent thing I did to the looks was fitting a wooden Momo Steering Wheel.

It's exactly the one you could get as option in the 309 Goodwood, but in black instead of polished metal, which i prefer.

It also perfectly matches the original wooden door trim, which I had no chance of knowing before it arrived from Japan

 

 

Edited July 17, 2010 by Kobayashi

[Lan 24 1 Cars]

nice work, tidy looking motor have you got any close ups on the cibies what is the fitment into the o.e. valence like?

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

thanks. fitments are the same as with the SIEM ones, just put it through the L-bracket and bolt it on from below.

 

however the Cibiés are a few milimeters too high, so foul the valance. you can either cut it out like a rallye valance, mod the L-Bracket or use the housings (or complete Lamps) from a 306 or 106 Ph1.

The latter is what i did. These housings still foul the Valance a bit, but are made of plastic instead of metal, so can be worked with easier.

 

It's hard to explain, I hope I can make myself understood in your language. I will see i have some more pics.

Edited July 17, 2010 by Kobayashi

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

more on the Cibié 35 or Cibié Airport:

 

This is how you will usually find them on ebay or in specialised dealerships:

 

 

They were used on old Peugeot and Renaults since the 1970s, but also on Jags, Porsches and Ferraris. There even was a strange version with integrated direction indicators for the Bitter SC.

 

They exist with white and yellow lenses, both as fog or driving lamps (antibrouillard or longue-portée, if you go for them in france). They use H2 or H3 bulbs.

Protective covers, if present, normally come in white or black, but fancy colours are out there too.

 

Normally the Cibiés have a metal housing (black, chrome or fancy coloured) and are just a few milimeters too high for the 205 valance.

A workaround would be to cut the valance or somehow lower the mounting.

 

106 and 306 Ph1 used them with plastic housings which are slightly lower and also fit the 205 valance better.

There are still some protruding ventilation ducts on the backside which will need removal if you don't want to cut the valance:

 

 

I cut the ventilation thingy and sealed it, as it was already closed with that white cap from stock (compare lower left and upper right corners):

 

 

These Lamps also may need a little rewiring to fit the 205s lighing loom, because sometimes the come with only one cable (plus terminal), earth being the mounting bracket itself.

 

Edited July 18, 2010 by Kobayashi

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

a guy on a german forum did illuminated window lift switches once, and I could not resist.

 

 

at some point in time, the rattling of most of the interior parts and mostly the dash was unbearable, so I startet attempts to de-rattle it.

 

 

 

got rid of the spare wheel and replaced it with something smarter, just in case:

 

Edited July 18, 2010 by Kobayashi

[Para 82 2 Cars]

I read the story, very nice man !!! Do you have a better picture of sun shade curtain ? Where did you get that from ?

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

I found it on a german forum.

 

Here is any information that could be found on the packaging:

 

 

And this is what it looks like when mounted:

 

[stufarri 98 3 Cars]

Great read - where did you get the original rubber front mudflaps from please? The dealers now only supply plastic ones and these are on back order!

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

I simply got them 1-2 years ago from yet another guy in Germany who was happy to get rid of them.

 

Luckily, most people don't like most of all the retro stuff I bolted on my car - mudflaps, air deflectors, the sun shade curtain and so on.

As a consequence, I did not find it too hard or too expensive to get a grip on those things. However, one needs to be patient and prey around a bit

 

---

 

Here is a factory sticker I found under the dash some time ago - it must have been there since the rollout in Spain - maybe at 08:24 on December 13th, 1991.

"Suiza" probably indicates that the car was initially meant to be sold in Switzerland.

 

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

not too long ago, I finally got rid of the badly worn OE dampers and replaced them with a set of Bilstein B4 (I heard you guys call them "Streetlines").

 

they were accompanied by Peugeot Sport -22mm springs and a few bits and bobs.

 

 

 

despite what it might look on that second image, there is only slight lowering compared to standard GTI ride heigth, and lots of ride comfort left.

 

it however is a vast improvement in performance over totally worn OE Gentry dampers and very soft springs.

 

[Stephen W 12 1 Cars]

Did you just lower the front or have you adjusted the rear beam slightly aswel? Looks just about right imo

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

so far, just the front.

 

at the moment it looks fine, but maybe the components will bed in more, and will make additional adjustments necessary later in time.

[ponz 2]

a guy on a german forum did illuminated window lift switches once, and I could not resist.

 

Where did you get the "illuminated" switches from? Did you buy somewhere or make them yourself?

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

that guy on a german forum did them as a replacement, i.e. basically you send him the switches, he puts in the bulbs and some wiring and sends them back to you. it's a direct replacement, no further work needed.

 

i think he has stopped offering them. however, it can't be too difficult, i guess.

Edited September 5, 2011 by Kobayashi

[Anthony 1,002]

Most/many Phase 1 Peugeot 405 switches were illuminated as standard and are a direct fit on 205's

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

2011 saw a partial overhaul of the LU2-Jetronic engine management:

- replacement of most of the sensors including a new Bosch lambda probe

- new Bosch fuel pump and filters

- new ignition module, ignition harness and spark plugs, dizzy cap + rotor

- new ignition advancement vacuum actuator (how do you call this thing?) + piping

- fine-tuning of the ignition timing, throttle body, idle and mixture control (using the LU2's unique diagnosis cable and a volt meter)

 

The Engine feels better now.

 

Other major work was done under the car:

- new inox fuel + brake lines

- some bodywork mostly under the boot and in between the fuel tank and the shell

- complete and thorough conservation of the underfloor

 

Rust wasn't all too serious, but had to be taken care of before it would have become worse.

 

One highlight in Spring 2011 was hooning around some mountain roads with friends in a Focus ST 225 and a 170 hp BMW e36 323ti.

The roads and scenery were an absolute pleasure to drive and my nearly 20 years old 105 bhp Pug was a surprisingly good match around narrow bends and steep slopes, but predictably not much so on longer straights.

The BMW driver managed to set his front brakes on fire; no problems with the standard brake setup on the Pug.

 

 

This year, the 205 was also relieved from its everday duties for the first time. Is was replaced by a bimmer as a daily driver and will be stored in a dry place from now on.

In Austria, you can have up to 3 cars per one set of licence plates, having to pay only the taxes and insurance for the most expensive one. So i can always put the plates on the Pug and take it for a spin.

[Anthony 1,002]

In Austria, you can have up to 3 cars per one set of licence plates, having to pay only the taxes and insurance for the most expensive one. So i can always put the plates on the Pug and take it for a spin.

If only we had that over here in the UK - it would save me a fortune!

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

2012 in pictures

 

 

[88lp 0 1 Cars]

2011 saw a partial overhaul of the LU2-Jetronic engine management:

- replacement of most of the sensors including a new Bosch lambda probe

- new Bosch fuel pump and filters

- new ignition module, ignition harness and spark plugs, dizzy cap + rotor

- new ignition advancement vacuum actuator (how do you call this thing?) + piping

- fine-tuning of the ignition timing, throttle body, idle and mixture control (using the LU2's unique diagnosis cable and a volt meter)

 

Hi there, can you tell me more about this diagnosis cable that your LU2 has and your method of fine-tuning? I'm also using LU2 Jetronic but with a DKZ and I've not heard about this cable before. Thanks.

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

Hi there, can you tell me more about this diagnosis cable that your LU2 has and your method of fine-tuning? I'm also using LU2 Jetronic but with a DKZ and I've not heard about this cable before. Thanks.

 

Hi, sorry i didn't get here earlier. I am not aware of DKZ engines running on a Jetronic, but a stock LU2 Jetronic (the one inlcuding a catalytic converter) should feature a 1-pole cable near the radiator.

Using a voltmeter, it allows you to read a voltage between around 5 and 14 volts. Ideally it should read 6.8 to 7 volts - higher voltages indicate lean mixtures, lower voltages indicate rich mixtures. You can try adjusting it with the little bypass valve on you air flow meter.

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

new paint (roof, hatch, rear quarter panels) and a few new bits...

 

 

 

Edited August 4, 2013 by Kobayashi

[Kobayashi 35 2 Cars]

2013 season was just great.

 

I started early, got new paint (for results, see previous post) and had some fantastic drives