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Dec 19, 2009 19:09:38 GMT
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havent updated this in a while, but then nothing has really happened. still on the look out for most stuff. Got my student loan now though so I will call up my mate to start work on modifying a new viva head, as long as i remember to do so. also got a rebuild kit coming for the weber so work can get started on that. and soon i should be getting a 4 branch manifold too. all a matter of time but at last there's a chance of progress. Still on the look out for slot mags too, then i can get the shortened springs and new shocks. however i need to keep some attention going to my mini. need to find a whole new shell for that money money money
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Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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carmad
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,000
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Dec 19, 2009 19:14:25 GMT
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never saw this thread before
the mini lights look well she could do with a bit lower and it would be spot on
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Jan 30, 2010 11:53:13 GMT
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Upgrading Alternator and Battery - What are the options?
*Just posted this on the Viva Owners Club, but as it's not that active and I'm looking for a fairly quick answer, thought I'd try here too*
My alternators on its way out, so as I'll be replacing it anyway, I was wondering what options there are for getting an upgraded one?
I got an upgraded one for my mini and it made quite a difference, so it would be useful for the Viva as it doesn't much like having all the electrics on. But I wouldn't know where to look.
Also, while I'm at it I was thinking about getting a better battery. Again on the mini, a popular upgrade is to fit a 306TDI battery and is a useful upgrade. Already tried this battery but it's too big. So what batteries will fit in the Viva battery slot? Has anyone on here done this to there's?
Many thanks
Oli
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Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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ChrisT
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,635
Club RR Member Number: 225
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Jan 30, 2010 13:31:33 GMT
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My alternators on its way out, so as I'll be replacing it anyway, I was wondering what options there are for getting an upgraded one? Easy way of upgrading is finding a higher spec model - preferably one with more electrical stuff on, and getting one from that. maybe worth looking at a magnum?? Alternators are fairly universal though, so any bigger one would work, as long as it's got the right connections on the back - might have to adapt the mounting brackets to make fit but nothing major. As for battery, get down halfords with a tape measure, find which one's would fit and have a higher rating, note down what model it is and go buy it some place else (local motorfactors - half the price)
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pbottomley
Posted a lot
If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving isnt for you
Posts: 1,135
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Jan 30, 2010 15:27:54 GMT
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*Just posted this on the Viva Owners Club, but as it's not that active and I'm looking for a fairly quick answer, thought I'd try here too* Give someone a chance you posted your message as 11:49 and then this here at 12:53 saying its not that's active... blimey man give people a chance!!! Youff of today I ask you Get a tape measure down halfords and take your alternator see what they have . Once you have found what you want ferk off and get the parts off a car in a scrap yard, cheaper !!!!
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Jan 30, 2010 20:57:20 GMT
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Also, while I'm at it I was thinking about getting a better battery. Again on the mini, a popular upgrade is to fit a 306TDI battery and is a useful upgrade. Already tried this battery but it's too big. So what batteries will fit in the Viva battery slot? Has anyone on here done this to there's? I kinda did it the other way - I wanted a bigger battery so welded in a bigger tray I've got an 075 battery on mine . I put in a battery tray off a mk4 Escort , £10 from Hadrian .
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Give someone a chance you posted your message as 11:49 and then this here at 12:53 saying its not that's active... blimey man give people a chance!!! Youff of today I ask you Errrm, not exactly what I meant there. That wasn't me having a go at the Viva Forum, far from it. But as you know the Viva Forum can go for a while without a thread being posted on, whereas obviously there are many more active people on here at a given time. Hence, if I'm looking for a fairly quick answer, it makes sense to post the question on this forum as well as the car specific forum. As it happens I have got no replies to the thread on the Viva Forum. So clearly posting here was the right thing to do. Gahhhh, old timers, always jumping to conclusions! Anyway, thanks for the replies. I'll get down to Halfords tomorrow and do some searching for a battery. However I found the fault with the alternator once I managed to jump the car. There were some odd things happening with the battery, turns out the alternator was putting a charge of nearly 18V across it at idle. So not a happy battery, it's bubbling slightly out of one cell. So back on to alternators, I'll look at getting a magnum one, but I'm not sure my cables and wires will be rated high enough to take it as its just a 1256 Delux - can anyone confirm either way? Don't want to fry my electrics. Otherwise there is a small selection of remanufactured ones on Ebay. Ones for the 1256 ranging from £59 to £78, and one for a 1800 Viva at £32. Seems a bit odd to me. Other than that I'll give the earths around the engine bay a going over again. Thanks Oli
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Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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two types are fitted the ac delco has 2 plugs in the back can do you one for £40 inc P&P, the other is lucas with one plugthis is same fitting as ford ohv & cvh engs upto approx M reg on fiesta /escort.
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theres more to life than mpg & to much power is just enough.
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I'll take a look tomorrow morning and post back. Thanks.
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Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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Jan 31, 2010 23:10:54 GMT
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It appears i have the ac delco alternator with two plugs. I'll send you a pm about buying one.
As for batteries, i took a look around halfrauds and they had nothing of suitable size. ill get myself to SE Tyres and see if they can help, otherwise i'll just continue searching.
Thanks
Oli
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Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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craig
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,029
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At the risk of sounding like a bit of a dumb ass, what's wrong with the original setup? I've added a stereo and lighter socket to mine and it's still happy. Unless your going for electric everything then replacing like for like will be good enough wont it?
Craig - not an electrician
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There's nothing wrong with it exactly, but it is still a little underpowered. At times it can cause problems until it warms up properly when all the electrics are going (although not much more than standard). However there is also the possibility of a fairly large sub and amp and a few more speakers being added, and that caused mayhem on my mini. I'd just rather have a bit more than I need to give me some leeway. Although I will be replacing the alternator with standard, so it's just the battery that will be upgraded if I can find one suitable.
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Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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There's nothing wrong with it exactly, but it is still a little underpowered. At times it can cause problems until it warms up properly when all the electrics are going (although not much more than standard). However there is also the possibility of a fairly large sub and amp and a few more speakers being added, and that caused mayhem on my mini. I'd just rather have a bit more than I need to give me some leeway. Although I will be replacing the alternator with standard, so it's just the battery that will be upgraded if I can find one suitable. I have a BIG sub and amp on my Chevette (same engine I thinks) with standard battery and igntion set up blah blah and it runs fine but as you said it can sap the power from battery when cold and has a tendency to stall if you whack everything on straight away!
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Yeah it works but the upgrade is just to create a comfort zona kinda thing. LOVE the colour of your Chevette by the way would still like a saloon myself.
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Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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While I haven't yet managed to go in search of a battery, time seems to be more precious than money at the moment, the alternator is at least on its way - thanks sheffieldcortinacentre Best news at the moment though is my new head is finally being modified! Still need to get round to calling webcon to see where my 40dcoe rebuild kit has got to, also need to get a few little bits and trumpets etc. And then I might be getting another 1256 engine as well and completely stripping and rebuilding that just so I know I have a good engine to put it on. Can't wait for a few more horses and that weber sound!
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Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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pbottomley
Posted a lot
If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving isnt for you
Posts: 1,135
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Must admit one of the problems with the standard alternator is its ability to re charge the battery as its only a 35 amp charge, mind that's better than the 22 amp dynamo I run ;D
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Mar 13, 2010 12:38:10 GMT
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Can i get some help from some Viva fans please.
Does anyone know what dimension tyres were used as standard on the GLS and Magnum with the 5.5" Rostyle?
I'm trying to work out what height drop springs I want. I'm planning to stick to the same height as I have running the superlights, which I've worked out to be about 35mm. So need to find out the difference between Rostyles and original steels to get the rest of the drop.
I think it should be a nice balance between looks and practicality. Would like to go lower but as a daily its probs not the best idea and it scrapes as it is. Hopefully stiffer springs, adjustable shocks, and a remade exhaust will sort most of that out. Also, will look better at that height but with well proportioned tyres tucked into the arches.
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Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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Time for an update. The Viva is off the road for a while now until I manage to find the parts I need and be able to pick them up. It's going into a body shop to get some issues sorted out here and there, so I've taken the opportunity to plan some upgrades. Parts I have:New Shocks -50mm Springs New Ball joints Stainless Braided Brake hoses Weber 40 DCOE Engine Mounts Suspension bushes SL grille with black slats Parts I need/wantFront crossmember N/S top and bottom arm N/S control rod Gearbox mount bush 4 branch manifold (on the way) Modified head (on the way) 2nd set of steelies to be banded Another 1256 to rebuild SL grille with black slats Pair of square 8's Brake pads, discs, shoes etc Heater valve and cable Door rubbers RR stickers Jobs to do stillWire up reverse light Wire up fog lightsReplace alternatorClean up appearance inside and out Pull out/fill in the dents Deal with the rust scabs Do something with the battery tray and accompanied rust Repair spare wheel well Replace door rubbers Waxoyl and protect Give her a bloody good clean inside and out Go to Ace Cafe Pretty much just a list to keep me organised otherwise I end up running around in circles. First priority is get her back on the road so I have a car, then deal with the visual mods and details, then wheels which will probably have to be towards Christmas so I can use my student loan; yes, that is what it's there for! Then it's on (again) to the true love of my life...the Mini! ;D
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Last Edit: Aug 27, 2010 22:53:42 GMT by oli8925
Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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B-8-D
Posted a lot
down to one car!!
Posts: 4,038
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Id happly swap my sl grill for your base model one...... si
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got a pair of top ball joints £15 inc P&P if any good to you? thought i'd some rear shoes but there for HB
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theres more to life than mpg & to much power is just enough.
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