dculberson said:In reply to maj75 (Forum Supporter) :
Depends on the year. I saw as high as 4 stars for ncap rating. That's a far cry from the early zero rated ones!
Exactly. And it has dual front airbags, which is 2 more than what the Palio it is replacing, had
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:I've had my 04 Lancer Ralliart wagon (estate) since 2009. It's a very rare car here in USA, only imported for one year.
I don't normally autocross it but it had to fill in for my Miata recently and it's done quite a lot better than I would expect.
I'm very happy with the 4G69 engine. 162/162 HP/torque in this application.
Nice looking Ralliart. Man how I wish South Africa could bring some of those in.
The wife already told me that the H5 is so much nicer to drive. While on the way back home, I had to dodge potholes and bumps in the road with the FOX, she just breezed right through them.
Early morning photo of H5 in the neighbor's carport.
Luckily they moved over the weekend so it is empty and landlord gave permission to use it until the new tenants moves in or I get my side sorted and my tools and cupboards moved(gate with the shade net on the left)
StripesSA1 said:My daily is a 1991 VW FOX( SA model mk1 Jetta) with a 2L swap, original motor was an asthmatic 1600
The MK Jetta in South Africa was named "Fox," but the car was a MKI like any other.
GasTungstenArc said:StripesSA1 said:My daily is a 1991 VW FOX( SA model mk1 Jetta) with a 2L swap, original motor was an asthmatic 1600
The MK Jetta in South Africa was named "Fox," but the car was a MKI like any other.
Not really. We did get a lot of different models in the FOX series. See my history on the Mk1 Golf/Citi and Mk1 Jetta/FOX in the FOX's thread
159006km:
Did the first maintenance today on the H5.
Wife texted and said it seems to be running a bit hot. I knew it did not have any additive in the coolant and was running clean water, so got some high quality summer coolant/anti freeze.
Stripped out some pipes and drained a few litres worth of water out
At least the airfilter looks like to have been recently replaced, so one less thing on the to do list
But the engine needs a good steam clean to determine where it is leaking/sweating oil
Also, the left rear LED cluster was dead, with only the brake lights, lighting up. And noticed the front park light is dead
And low and behold, the LED cluster starts working. Seems like the front parking bulb either work as fuse, or a resistor for the LED
Now to figure out the number plate lights, why they are still dead, and the left front lower fog light
Just for reference sake, the specs on the coolant
Finally got to do a little deep cleaning on the H5. 
Dirty engine
Hit it with a cleaning product from work
All foamed up
Rinse.....
Still some grime left....
And repeat.....
All cleaned up....
Money shot of the important part....
Then it was time to treat the windows inside and out
Got a report back from the wife today on the way to school to pick up the little one during a rain storm. Dispersant really works.
Also treated the engine bay
And some random day time shots of the engine...
StripesSA1 said:Bank loan was approved today, so money will be in in a couple of days.
Started getting the accessories together
Hella Rallye FF500 spotlights
Door edge protector in a 2.5meter roll. Enough for all four doors.
Rear bumper protector for loading stuff and not scuffing it.
Oh the perks of working at Midas. All items will be bought at staff discount.
Still to get is a decent set off horns(hooters in the British South African slang) , and although the Hellas do come with a wiring harness, I will be building my own, since I am adding Hella Nightbreakers and I want maximum voltage at the bulbs, I will be relaying the whole headlight system, so decent wiring and sleeving is next to get.
So after driving, and cleaning this beast for a month now, I have investigated the headlight wiring, and I am thinking, it is to complex and integrated to the computer to relay it, so I will be leaving the headlight wiring standard, but the spotlights will be fitted soon.
On a side note, the cats seems to be plugged since it's getting a heavy sulphuric acid smell early in the morning when starting up cold, so it is a good excuse to go with an upgrade exhaust system.
As per RPW in Australia :
Exhaust System Upgrades
The Great Wall vehicles have a extremely restrictive system from the start. They generally run a 2″ mandrel bent system (In effective diameter). We say effective, meaning that in some points it can be slightly smaller, in other area’s slightly larger. In fact the internal diameter of the flange coming out of the factory headers is only 1 5/8″. The double cat converter set-up is naturally restrictive to retain good emissions. At this point you must reach your first major decision on where you wish to go with the vehicle – in summary we recommend the following options
These can produce small gains with the basic systems of around 5 – 10kw at the wheels, with increased torque.
So the H5 is booked in for a decat and system upgrade this morning.
Going with a full decat as RSA doesn't do sniffer test or annual retesting as some of the USA states does
System done, sounds nice with a slight beat to it, but wife thinks it is still a bit loud, but will wait and see if it settles down soon.
But any case, the offending parts removed.....
First cat
Second cat and standard silencer
Do not mind the SR20DE motor standing in the back. The silencer shop's owner and assistant races 2L Midgets, that is just his spare motor
Drove the H5 over the weekend on some month end errands, and noticed the exhaust did settle down a bit, and is much more acceptable.
Also went to get some items from a friend of the wife, which was on a farm outside of town, and only accessible via pick up after a week's worth of rain.
The badge and left rear wheel center cap was missing when we got it, but I will order that this week.
Also hopefully the rain will clear for a day so we can wash it.
Sunday after work I did get a 30 min gap, and repaired the cargo cover's clips which was broken and missing.
Some clips and screws bought from work.
Better photo
Where they need to go(left and right was damaeged the same why)
And clips installed
Cover retracted
Cargo area cover pulled open and clipped in place
In reply to StripesSA1 :
Oh boy... I was just re-reading this & somehow originally missed it has a Mitsu 4G6 engine in an RWD. So of course I had to search & see if a manual trans was available, and according to this link it was.
Of course who knows how long it would hold up to 400+ hp, or if it shifts well at all, etc. - not to mention actually finding one & getting it shipped to the US. But that sure opens up possibilities that I have no buildings trying to pursue.
Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) said:In reply to StripesSA1 :
Oh boy... I was just re-reading this & somehow originally missed it has a Mitsu 4G6 engine in an RWD. So of course I had to search & see if a manual trans was available, and according to this link it was.
Of course who knows how long it would hold up to 400+ hp, or if it shifts well at all, etc. - not to mention actually finding one & getting it shipped to the US. But that sure opens up possibilities that I have no buildings trying to pursue.
Coincidentally, that is one of the reviews/write ups that I read when i researched the H5.
And I do think they can stand up to that kind of Hp, as the Ozzies proved:
In reply to StripesSA1 :
Oh wow, too bad that trans is likely too big for carry-on luggage with the airlines!
StripesSA1 said:System done, sounds nice with a slight beat to it, but wife thinks it is still a bit loud, but will wait and see if it settles down soon.
But any case, the offending parts removed.....
First cat
Second cat and standard silencer
Do not mind the SR20DE motor standing in the back. The silencer shop's owner and assistant races 2L Midgets, that is just his spare motor
Ok, so al though it is E36 M3ty quality, I figured out how to load videos to the ne Youtube short
So that is the standard exhaust system. As quite as a church mouse.
And with the new 57mm freeflow and decat
berkeleying shiny happy person piece of E36 M3
Took the H5 to work to have it washed and the company that always picks up our empty boxes wacked the driver's mirror with the caged trailer's rear gate. Only saw this on Friday evening after I got home.
They are supposed to do pick ups on Wednesdays, so none of us parks in the washing area then
Monday morning I am going to call them and get them to repair this.
So with the recycling company is willing to pay the damages to the H5, but being the time of year it currently is, I presume it will only happen next year.
So with some much needed home and security improvements scheduled for today, the weather had to through a curve ball and damage a High Voltage ae line to our suburb, ending those plans immediately.
So decided to check the H5's sparkplugs.
Kilo reading for record keeping
Right, so let us begin
Got some new Bosch sparkies
All important part number for future reference, which is supposed to be in another 65000 kilos
Double platinum... Yum
Number three is in a real E36 M3ty location, the reason for going platinum instead of standard copper core
Luckily just air filter and throttle body side of intake pipe needs to be removed
Sparkplug wire routing
Little oil seapage from number 1 plug. Looks like a tappet cover gasket and plug gaskets are in the future
Plug wires removed
Plug number 1 removed. All 4 looked the same, but 2 were finger tight only. Also all 4 were the wrong part number and each one was gapped incorrectly. Correct NGK part number for copper core is BKR6E-11, or atleast this part number gapped to 1.1mm, which neither of them were. Correct NGK Iridium plug number being BKR6EIX gapped to 1.1mm of Platinum plug number BKR6EP-11.
I am a bit old school and prefer my Bosch plugs. Even my FOX runs them.
Atleast the ECU has it's ratios right
Double Platinum goodness.
Plugs installed and torque to spec and wires installed
Patient's closed up.
And the verdict? Well start up sounds a bit more crisp, aswell as stationery throttle blip sounds better. Went for a Coke for mix at the Cafe down the road and butt dyno also says it is a bit more crisp at tip in from trailing throttle.
And so ends our journey with the Fiat Palio.
The new owner came to pick her up today
And yes, the tailgate is a different colour, but that is how we acquired her
At least we can say we also had an Italian "Sports" car( 50mm free flow rear silincer had added a nice beat to the old 1.2Mpi
The Palio leaving use and going with it's new owner. Never mind the heavy breathing of Bruno, was a mild 34°C day on Sunday
22 minutes in to 2022 in South Africa
So....
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
In reply to StripesSA1 :
Thanks. We've got a few hours yet here
Happy new year to you
StripesSA1 said:berkeleying shiny happy person piece of E36 M3
Took the H5 to work to have it washed and the company that always picks up our empty boxes wacked the driver's mirror with the caged trailer's rear gate. Only saw this on Friday evening after I got home.
They are supposed to do pick ups on Wednesdays, so none of us parks in the washing area then
Monday morning I am going to call them and get them to repair this.
So after alot of back and forth, finally this was sorted out.
Also got a new grill badge and centre cap
Some will notice the new spot lights aswell. When I get a suitable switch for the interior, I will post up the install as well
Just as a reminder to when it was done, the wife messaged me this afternoon and told the H5 doesn't have any power.
I immediately knew the fuel filter was clogged, since I had already purchased a new one at the beginning of the month due to a inconsistent hiccup that is typical of one.
Filter number for future reference
Climbing out from under neath, this was how Bruno was sitting and staring into the distance. Even traded his nice cozy and hot kennel to be outside in the cold with me
And the odo reading to know when it was done at
What a E36 M3ty pic. Damnit. Did not notice that. Reading: 166131km
What came out
Champion.... Yuk. I had Champion oil filters collapse in on itself in the past. And this one looks like it was long overdue. Recommended at every 30000km's or second service, but in South Africa, with the quality of our fuel, I feel sometimes every service, or if needed in between.
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