205 Xs - Unnecessary Winter Work!

[MikeM 5]

Evening all,

 

I am sure there are a few people in the same situation as me. The car doesn't really need much doing, I just like to create work for myself! I have owned this xs for 5 years now and have spent a lot of time and money on it.

A few winters ago I rebuilt the head and had a go at porting it. At the same time I fitted a Newman Tarmac rally/sprint cam along with a BBM vernier pulley. I was fairly chuffed with it and it went like stink for a 1360, or at least I thought it did. In the spring of 2011 I rebuilt the rear beam and fitted a set of twin 40 dellortos and CSC Marimitte exhaust, to add to the TI Motorsport 4-2-1 manifold. Since then I have replaced the gearbox (again) as the diff self destructed, but I made the mistake of fitting a 1.5 diesel gearbox. The gearbox is a bit long legged for the engine, but Its all I could lay my hands on at the time.

 

I have recently moved to Inverness and I have rented a house with a garage to keep the xs in. A couple of Sundays ago I popped into one of the local scrappy for a look around and I was determined to find something of use. I came across a 307 rapier with the TU5JP4 engine and BE4 box - the chap didn't want much for it, so I just had to go back the next day and get it out!

 

So I now have the above engine and gearbox in my garage and a dilemma on my hands! It just so happens that 2 weeks beforehand, I had bought a TU5 engine that has a ported head and a piper 285 cam and a Kent pulley, I also have a set of bike carbs and A flange to make an Inlet.

 

To many options! I am keen to get a bit more use out of my 1360, so I think the plan for the time-being is to take out the engine and tidy bits and pieces up over winter.

 

I also have a Graphite Gti with an XU10J2TE conversion that is almost complete - would like to finish this off over winter.

I also may have bought another Gti - A steel grey one with 309 running gear but no engine.

 

Here is the link to my Flickr page - Lots of photos of it on there.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61763927@N07/

What are your opinions on engine choice for the XS?

I will try and keep this up to date with my progress.

Cheers

[MikeM 5]

Spent some time in the garage this evening. Removed the Exhaust manifold along with the inlet & carbs. Made a start on cleaning the carbs, they were starting to look a bit rough. I have been using autosol and a toothbrush to clean the 'body' of the carbs, but not coming up as well as I had hoped.

Anybody got any suggestions on a better alternative?

I had managed to somehow bend the exhaust manifold, so I cut that and bent it back and welded it up again.

 

Also fitted a new rear wheel bearing and raised the rear beam up a bit, it was sitting too low at the back.

 

Hopefully have some time at the weekend to do some other bits and get some photos.

 

 

Cheers

[chris205xs 0]

Nice to see this thing still exists, I used to own it back in 2005/06, it only had 40k miles on when I bought it and was completely standard. A couple of friends had it after but not for a long period, my good mate at the time ended up trading it in for a brand new corsa

[Daniel306 12 1 Cars]

Your in inverness now? I live on the black isle, no more than 20 miles from you

[MikeM 5]

I bought it in February 2008. The chap I bought it from had bought it from an auction and used it for a bit. It must have had a front end bump at somepoint, the front wing were not genuine ones and the paint was poor on them. I replaced them with gen pug ones, but colour match isnt the best, going to get them re-done soon. Do you have any old history for it? or photos? Always nice to have a bit more history. When i bought it, it had been lowered and had the rallye wheels and a backbox. Apart from that, it was standard!

 

Yes I am in Inverness now, I know the black isle quite well. Pm me if you want to meet up some time, or need a hand with any parts.

 

Cheers

Edited November 21, 2012 by MikeM

[MikeM 5]

Removed the engine/gearbox last night, just going to stick with the TU3S. I spent quite a bit of dosh on it when I rebuilt the top end, so would be a shame to waste it and it goes well anyway! I am sure I will find a home for the other engines.

 

I have just ordered a new sump gasket and some other bits and pieces from eurocarparts. Going to go to machinemart and get an engine stand to make life a bit easier.

I have taken some pictures but I have now lost the link cable for the camera, will post them once I find it.

 

Cheers