Goodbye Vauxhall Novas, hello...

[Matt2107]

Mitsibushi FTO!

Since converting Project Aspirin from 1.2 carb to 1.6i I've re-evaluated things and decided its time to move on. I will of course lose money on the parts I've bought for the Nova but thats just the way it goes.

The GTE shell is near scrapping and I'll be stripping bits off Project Aspirin next weekend hopefully.

It's been a hoot owning Novas over the last 7 years but there comes a time when it makes sense to move on.

So I've always wanted an FTO from the first time I saw one on the road. A local garage who services my gf's Mondeo imported an FTO 6 months ago.. recently he dropped the price so I opted for a test drive. I was hooked and had to have one. Spent some time looking at some right dogs but ended up buying the one from the local garage.

The insurance for the FTO is ?378 fully comp with protected no claims whereas the insurance for Project Aspirin with a 1.6 engine would have been around ?400 with all mods declared.

I've managed to snag a GR manual which is slightly rarer than the semi auto tiptronic. It seems most die hard FTO owners end up converting to manual anyway as the gear box is lighter making it quicker. Also badly serviced tiptronics tend to die an early death.

It packs a middle of the range engine... 2.0ltr V6 which left the factory around 180bhp.

I've since confirmed a question answered by Jack regarding the alloys.
Apparently they were a limited edition factory option which makes them pretty rare... so they will definately be staying for a while.

The mileage is around 60 thou and I paid ?3495 with a fully years mot, 4 months tax. A also managed to wangle into the deal... a full service including belts (valued at ?500), new battery and the drivers side skirt resprayed as it was a little scratched.

It was a little overpriced considering the market but I'm more than happy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/fto.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/ftorear1.jpg

[Iain]

Nice one, that's a nice looking car. Bet it goes well too?

[craig green]

Ah, you've come to your senses! LOL

Good luck with it Matt & hopefully you will allow some of us to blitz you on a trackday or dual carriageway sometime soon.

(you got a GTE fuel pump cradle spare btw?)

[Andy_L]

Looks nice. A friend had a tiptronic Mivec. You can't beat a manual.

Without meaing to sound like a poo-pooer. The anti-static strip, could indicate an earthing problem?

[db_1.2]

Nice! If only you would of mentioned it to me (not that we talk much!) i know of an imported FTO in a very nice black with white OZ's on, looks really nice, few other bits on it, and the bloke wants the same price as what you paid.

Still nice though, not my sort of thing, ive always liked the GTO's though

Have fun:thumb:

[Jack]

You sir, are an immense gayer lol

Aye, GTO's are where its at. FTO's drive the wrong wheels for a start :D

[craig green]

GTO's are an acquired taste though.
I think they look horrendous, personally. I'd have a 300ZX anyday.

[Jack]

Tell me this is not a thing of beauty :D

http://www.3si.org/wiki/images/e/eb/Jbelknap7.jpg

[NovaLad]

Theirs a GTO at the unit we store vehicles at for work.

At the same storage place the yellow viva is at in the thread i made.

They are great cars!!

[Jack]

They are great cars!!
No, they're sh!t, but have the 6G72T engine so I want one

[DTR-DEVIL]

Nice motor. Although its not a nova, wouldnt mind seeing a WIP for this!?

[Matt2107]

(you got a GTE fuel pump cradle spare btw?)

Yep... I thought I'd pm'd you about it a week or so ago but I may not have clicked send lol.



Aye, GTO's are where its at. FTO's drive the wrong wheels for a start :D

It's a shame it isnt rear wheel drive but personally I think GTO's are ugly.


Nice motor. Although its not a nova, wouldnt mind seeing a WIP for this!?
lol I probably won't do a WIP but keep an eye out for updates as I do have a few plans. ;) I'll be around for a while as I'll have plenty of nova bits to sell.


Nice one, that's a nice looking car. Bet it goes well too?
It is rather nippy. :D
It seems to have a very low rev range until you plant your right foot.

[Will F]

Sorry but I have a personal hatred of FTO's.

They are RUBBISH.

:)

[Stuart]

good for you.
But FTO's were ruined by an utter chimp who worked here having one and thinking he could keep up with 500bhp supras etc lol

[k0ax]

OH no .. you changed a good european car into a rice bowl :) .. have fun with it.

[Matt2107]

Sorry but I have a personal hatred of FTO's.

They are RUBBISH.

:)


lol thanks for that.. good job you don't have to drive it then :D

On a serious note I can't seem to fault it so far.

Plus it came with a japanese flare incase I break down, it has a cup holder and some rice under the carpet in the boot. ;)

[ade]

cup holder sold it for me!

Nice one matey - have fun - but I bet you'll start to miss the nova within a year

lol

[vaux-nova]

not a bad change there mate, good luck with the new car

[Matt2107]

Gave the FTO a quick clean today after fitting a new stereo yesterday.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/fto006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/fto005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/fto001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/fto002.jpg

I was gonna give it a 3 stage megs but unfortunately the heavens opened shortly after I finished cleaning it.

[scott.parker]

Hummm...

Well im not convinced Matt!

I think you should keep the nova and get a trailer and tow it with the msiss mondeo and track day it etc.

BUT...But if you have made your mind up then fair enough, i wish all the best dude

I know a few friends who have owned them FTO's and this is my honest opinion, i think they are very poor build for Mitsubishi cars,and they are only in the same class for performance as a 2.0 16v LX Mondeo, im sorry if you think im slagging your car off,its not that it just the fact Ive been in/drove them and thats the outcome for my opinion.

Scott

[LONG~BAR]

This is my Jap motor.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b250/animal3yk/CRIM0181Medium-1.jpg

[LONG~BAR]

and my old Vec- http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b250/animal3yk/HPIM0274.jpg

[Matt2107]

I think you should keep the nova and get a trailer and tow it with the msiss mondeo and track day it etc.

I know a few friends who have owned them FTO's and this is my honest opinion, i think they are very poor build for Mitsubishi cars,and they are only in the same class for performance as a 2.0 16v LX Mondeo, im sorry if you think im slagging your car off,its not that it just the fact Ive been in/drove them and thats the outcome for my opinion.

Scott

I would love to do track days in Project Aspirin but unfortunately I have nowhere to store it.. or a trailer.

I haven't taken offence to any of your comments but FTO's are definately not in the same performance league as a 2.0ltr 16v mondeo.

Here's a few stats.

FTO
Max Speed 136mph
Max Power 180bhp @7000rpm
Max Torque 19.5kgf/m @ 4000 rpm
Kerb Weight 1100kg

Mondeo
Max Speed 128mph
Max Power 130bhp @6000rpm
Acceleration 0-60mph 9.4 secs

Unfortunately I couldn't find a 0-60 for the fto or a torque figure for the mondeo in the few mins I spent looking.

Just to add I have a manual FTO which is quicker than the semi auto tiptronic. Are you sure the FTO you drove wasn't the 1.8?
Plus mondeo's feel like boats through corners whereas the FTO is relatively rigid.

The most important thing about owning an FTO is I won't find any nasty rust holes come MOT time.

[craig green]

The most important thing about owning an FTO is I won't find any nasty rust holes come MOT time.

Amen Brother. lol

Glad you are getting on with it OK. Dont let your pride stop you from returning to the best fun you can have with 4 wheels, & a welder! :D

[scott.parker]

I would love to do track days in Project Aspirin but unfortunately I have nowhere to store it.. or a trailer.

I haven't taken offence to any of your comments but FTO's are definately not in the same performance league as a 2.0ltr 16v mondeo.

Here's a few stats.

FTO
Max Speed 136mph
Max Power 180bhp @7000rpm
Max Torque 19.5kgf/m @ 4000 rpm
Kerb Weight 1100kg

Mondeo
Max Speed 128mph
Max Power 130bhp @6000rpm
Acceleration 0-60mph 9.4 secs

Unfortunately I couldn't find a 0-60 for the fto or a torque figure for the mondeo in the few mins I spent looking.

Just to add I have a manual FTO which is quicker than the semi auto tiptronic. Are you sure the FTO you drove wasn't the 1.8?
Plus mondeo's feel like boats through corners whereas the FTO is relatively rigid.

The most important thing about owning an FTO is I won't find any nasty rust holes come MOT time.

Yes i didn't say it was the ****y trip-tronic v6 lol

I would love to go out in yours if you ever come to chelt meet some time so i can see the difference between the auto and manual. ;)

Scott

[Jack]

Then I can smoke him in the '4 :D lol

[Matt2107]

A few camera phone pics from today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/fto3jan08.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/ftojan08.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/fto1jan08.jpg

PIAA wheels.
Possibly on borrowed time but I can't make my mind up. They have exclusivity (have I made that word up?) but they are a little small with the tractor tyres.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/piaawheels.jpg

Coming soon..... Carbon bonnet... painted same colour as car.

[SRimon]

Scott is right

A lot of them are soooo poor, build quality I wouldn't put much higher than a Nova..

the 1.8GR is laughable, i beat one in my C4 Diesel lol.

Is yours the Mivec one?

[Matt2107]

Scott is right

A lot of them are soooo poor, build quality I wouldn't put much higher than a Nova..

the 1.8GR is laughable, i beat one in my C4 Diesel lol.

Is yours the Mivec one?

Can't fault the build quality so far.... so I'll keep you posted on that one.
I'm definately not gonna be worrying about rotten arches etc!!

I'd agree the 1.8 is a bit of a piss take really. The model name is actually GS though. Its not miles different on the insurance either so it makes no sense to own one.

I have the GR which is non mivec pre face lift model. Technically you could say I have the sports package as it has a rear spoiler but the only spoiler less GR's I've seen have had them removed.

The mivec model is the GX in pre face lift guise and the GPX. The only difference with the facelift models is the front fogs and indicators are seperate units rather then as one. The majority of mivec engined FTO's are semi auto tiptronics rather then manuals. A manual conversion only cost ?1500 supplied and fitted which is why a lot of the mivecs are now being converted. There's less maintenance to be had with a manual and you also shed a few kilos.

[Matt2107]

Fitted some goodies today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/carbondialsurround0.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/carbondialsurround000.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/carbondialsurround00.jpg

Taking the needle off was a pain in the ass... but getting it back on in the right place was even worse. A trip down a dual carriageway and a sat nav saw it reading the right speed.

Before
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/carbondialsurround1.jpg
After
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/carbondialsurround.jpg

I have urges to spend money!!!

[Dave.]

i giev you another 2 weeks..

[Jack]

110mph? :wtf:

i giev you another 2 weeks..
Til what? :tard:

[Matt2107]

110mph? :wtf:


Restricted to 113mph.

I did a quick search for a de-restricted figure but couldn't find anything.
You can buy a de-restrictor/mile conversion which you splice into the loom... but it then adds miles to the kilometers which sucks.

I have made the needle go off the scale (Private road) but obviously that's not accurate.

[Matt2107]

Got a few things done so a chance for some pic whoring.

Painted the engine cover Ford Panther black
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/rockercover0.jpg

Then masked up for some air brushing
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/rockercover2.jpg
Undercoated white to make the most of the next colour
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/rockercover3.jpg
On with the airbrushing
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/rockercover4.jpg

Finished product
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/rockercover5.jpg

Old washer hoses
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/hoses1.jpg
Nice new ones
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/hoses2.jpg

Also had a poke round the underneath to check on the exhaust so I got the chance to use my new Jack.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/alujack.jpg

[Dar]

Nice masking up!
The engine cover looks great:D
I have a feeling that the engine bay is going to look like something from Tron when you have finished.

[J4MES]

Nice engine cover, good colour combo!!

[Matt2107]

Nice engine cover, good colour combo!!

Cheers... it's a shame samco don't do a slightly darker green but the lime green will work... just.


Nice masking up!
The engine cover looks great:D
I have a feeling that the engine bay is going to look like something from Tron when you have finished.

Thanks Dar... I've been trying to think of a project name for a while.. from now on it'll be Project Tron.

I'll hopefully get the engine cover fitted at the weekend... I'm holding off till my stainless bolts arrive.

Also got rid of the orange indicators for dark smoked MX5 ones... pics to follow tonight. Although I'm undecided whether to swap them for crystal clear.

[Alex.]

Engine cover looks very very nice. :D:thumb:

[Adam]

Nice work.
Thats some s**t hot masking there!

Cool trolley jack too :cool:

[Matt2107]

Took the opportunity to take some pics as it was a lovely frosty sunny day.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/ftofeb08frosty3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/ftofeb08frosty2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/ftofeb08frosty1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/ftofeb08frosty.jpg

[Jack]

Thats screaming out for some bigger wheels, I can't get over how large the front arches are on the FTOs

Some nice 18" 5zigen, Rota or Volk wheels :D

[Matt2107]

Managed to pic up a bargain off ebay.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/brace001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/brace002.jpg

Looks nice but probably hasn't made a **** bit of difference.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/brace.jpg

Pic from tonight.... stopped for some beers.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Matt2107/thelocal.jpg

I was hoping it'd come out a bit lighter than that but there was no street lights.

[Jack]

lol discount local booze!

You'd be surprised how much difference a rear strut brace makes. I know its an essential mod on Celica ST202/AT200's to fit the ST205 rear brace, makes a lot of difference on them.

[Matt2107]

lol discount local booze!

You'd be surprised how much difference a rear strut brace makes. I know its an essential mod on Celica ST202/AT200's to fit the ST205 rear brace, makes a lot of difference on them.

Apparently you can also get a lower rear brace. Putting them both on makes a world of difference so that's probably the next cheapo thing on the list.

18s go on there no problem and the arches are pretty huge.
I'm still trying to find another fto with those PIAA limited edition factory option wheels though. I'll probably wait until after I've got the coil overs before deciding on the wheels.

[scott.parker]

Restricted to 113mph.

I did a quick search for a de-restricted figure but couldn't find anything.
You can buy a de-restrictor/mile conversion which you splice into the loom... but it then adds miles to the kilometers which sucks.

I have made the needle go off the scale (Private road) but obviously that's not accurate.

Humm, Matt i though you said in the earlier post that it dose 136mph??
thats why its faster then the Mondeo's 128mph

Scott

[Matt2107]

Humm, Matt i though you said in the earlier post that it dose 136mph??
thats why its faster then the Mondeo's 128mph

Scott

De-limited.

Disclaimer.... sometimes I might miss out important facts as I have a sieve head :thumb: