Locost - Budget Saab B204 build

[shandylegs]

Jun 29, 2021 18:29:53 GMT misteralz said:

Jun 29, 2021 14:30:48 GMT Waxoyling Lyrical said:

That steam looks a bit ominous in the second photo!

It's a K-series, it's standard.

Luckily just the exhaust wrap burning off.

Look forward to seeing this at this years Gathering

😂 The wife got that fed up waiting she bought an SLK (r171).

I have to say, other than looks which are always subjective, it does everything the Midget will - only better!

I have another kit car project looming that I’m itching to get started on but really need to get this completed, then decide whether I keep it or sell on!

[bstardchild]

Jun 30, 2021 8:31:18 GMT shandylegs said:

Look forward to seeing this at this years Gathering

😂 The wife got that fed up waiting she bought an SLK (r171).

I have to say, other than looks which are always subjective, it does everything the Midget will - only better!

As a ex rubber bumpered midget 1500 owner (many years ago - loved that car but the rust killed it) and an ex SLK (R170) and current SLK (R171) owner (well they were both Mrs BC's cars) I can only agree with that statement

[spiny]

I've been mulling over the KSeries swap for a few years, but I'm also astounded by the Frontline kit prices, and while deep down I know it would make the swap a billion times easier and quicker, I still want to do as much myself as I can.

So do you have a rough list of parts you used for the swap? eg, adapter plates, starter parts, mods to fuel lines for a FI return etc ?

I 'lost' two Type9 'boxes in a rushed house move many years ago when I used to rent, had to leave them in a garage and lost access. This was back when they were a tenner though, prices are a bit more these days it seems

[shandylegs]

Ah yes, the cost. From the outset it was going to be a budget build. I set myself a max budget of £3k including the car purchase (obviously things have now moved on a little price wise since I started).

I initially purchased a gearbox mounting plate and prop from frontline - just to ensure everything was roughly in the right place, then built the rest myself. Once you have hacked out the heater tray and crossmember there’s only one way forward. I bought an old scrap car for the engine and wiring loom and collected the rest of the parts over time.

I’ve never added up the cost, but unless you are very handy it does add up for what is only ever going to be a fun car.

There a bloke now selling most of the parts on eBay at a much reduced cost. There is also a Facebook group, it’s a bit cliquey but a good resource (so don’t get yourself banned!) 16v mini forum will also help with the wiring.

If there’s anything specific you want to see, let me know and I’ll probably have a picture!

[spiny]

cheers, I think a 'buy parts when I can' approach will probably be the easiest way. I'm also in a position to buy and store a whole donor car too, which is nice

I've owned a few 200s over the years, mostly 216, I'm guessing they are all as good as each other, I don't think I'll be needing the T Series VVT or whatever it is

[shandylegs]

Had to admit that I was struggling to get bodywork completed and felt things were going backwards. As I’m away for a couple of weeks the decision was taken to call in reinforcements.















…..23 hours later and it’s just about ready for primer. While I’m philosophical about it (what’s the point in having mates with 30 years experience if they can’t be called on), but even at mates rates it a fair sized chunk of budget gone that I’d put aside for the kit car build.

[flyingphil]

Good to see you back on this! My car activities have definitely taken a back seat.....but I still have my V8 Sprite hiding in the garage....

[jpsmit]

Looking great - and yes, nice to see motivation return. Not trying to make more work (OK a bit but, since you are at this point of deconstruction have you considered getting rid of the reverse lights? I find the rear looks so much smoother without and if you look under the bumper by the exhaust you see my reverse light that works every bit as well - generic motorcycle signal light with a clear bulb.

[shandylegs]

Jul 31, 2021 11:58:05 GMT flyingphil said:

Good to see you back on this! My car activities have definitely taken a back seat.....but I still have my V8 Sprite hiding in the garage....

Hi Phil - Thanks, the mojo does ebbs and flow with this one. While I enjoy prepping and painting parts, bodywork is bloody hard to get right. I’m looking forward to it being painted so I can start getting it fitted back up.

[shandylegs]

Jul 31, 2021 13:28:43 GMT jpsmit said:

Not trying to make more work (OK a bit but, since you are at this point of deconstruction have you considered getting rid of the reverse lights? I find the rear looks so much smoother without and if you look under the bumper by the exhaust you see my reverse light that works every bit as well - generic motorcycle signal light with a clear bulb.

It does look good, but the car is going bumperless so I just decided to leave things as they were on the car (the number plate will be mounted in between the reverse lights)

[shandylegs]

Been a while (as usual), but just received a photo of the car looking all shiny.



Best get the remaining parts ordered (that’s if I’ve got any money left when I find out how much it’s cost me - I honestly don’t know as we never discussed it 😂)

[shandylegs]

Just typed out a long update on my phone, then lost it so an abridged version…..

Car is now back from paint and I’m happy. Not perfect, but wasn’t looking for perfection. I’m currently building the car back up.

Rear now more or less completed.







I was unsure if it would be better to reinstate the satin black along the bottom of the car, but in the end I left it all body colour. It’s got to be 15 years since I last fitted up a Midget door……..and it’s not got any better.










Just now got to repeat it all on the os!

[jpsmit]

Looking good! When I did my doors i replaced the hinge screws with bolts, them I could hold the door and tighten with socket with an extension. Then when all was correct, i swapped the screws back in.

[shandylegs]

Dec 5, 2021 5:02:43 GMT jpsmit said:

Looking good! When I did my doors i replaced the hinge screws with bolts, them I could hold the door and tighten with socket with an extension. Then when all was correct, i swapped the screws back in.

Bad explanation on my part, I was meaning building back up the door furniture - fitting new outer weather strips and felt inners is a real pain, never mind getting the quarter light and door glass all back in place 😂

[flyingphil]

Glad that you are back making progress!

[shandylegs]

As usual I’ve been poor at keeping this updated.

Slight miscommunication with the painter meant I had to remove the wings again to get some paint on parts I’d previously baremetaled. Bit of a pain, but it’s now done.

It’s been quite an enjoyable time fitting parts that were refurbished/bought years ago 😂

Car is now back home with just a few jobs remaining:
- Due to the t9 gearbox position and non standard tunnel, the standard tunnel carpet will not fit. I’ve got some ideas of what I want to sort this.
- Clutch cable needs adjusting. Not an easy job as the cable adjustment is on the engine side underneath the inlet manifold, wiring and fuel pipes. Skinned arms here we come….again.
- No speedo at the moment due to change of box. Several options available, either new gps/electronic speedo, modify the cable route or fit a geared 90 degree angle drive.
- I need a front grille.
- With the lighter engine it needs some altitude adjustment. It will just be new springs upfront and blocks on the rear cart springs to start with.
The last three points may have to wait for a few months until the car fund recovers (dailies have given it a bit of a battering if late).

Although now over 40 years old, given the changes made I’ve decided to MoT the car. Other than the clutch, none of the above will stop this so I’m going to get it booked in, in the next few days.

Wish me luck!

[CaptainSlog]

Looking good - did it pass?

[grifterkid]

This looks fantastic...!!

[shandylegs]

Mar 10, 2022 4:07:10 GMT CaptainSlog said:

Looking good - did it pass?

Not taken it yet as there have been a few teething problems. Took it for it’s first drive around the block and it was clear it was suffering from some fuel starvation. Not surprising given 10 year old fuel I said to myself, I’ll dump a couple of gallons of fresh fuel in and it’ll be right!

Hmm maybe not









Although the tank looks really good from the outside, the sender is reflective of the inside - loads of flaky crud that won’t be easy to remove.

I’ve never been happy with the fuel set-up as was just ruining a high pressure pump directly from the tank. I never liked the idea of fitting a lp & hp pump and swirl pot into the system so it would always be prone to starvation round corners and acceleration. I’m currently looking at a bespoke tank with an in-tank pump, or at least a built in swirl pot.

[shandylegs]

Had a go at cleaning the fuel tank out and a new fuel sender appears to have made things much better. The tank wasn’t perfect but I don’t think there was enough curse word left in there to block the in tank filter again.

Filled the forms for historic tax. I had a v112 form ready to claim MoT exemption (no modifications in the last 30 years 🤣) but the bloke at the P.O didn’t ask for it so all good.

Not too far off being finished now, just the bits previously mentioned (grille and altitude adjustment) and a good clean under the bonnet……. and MoT booked for Tuesday.

I’ve had a brief drive and nothing has fallen off yet so all appears good. Not pushed it too much, it’s not a fire breathing monster but definitely quicker than I thought it would be.