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Ettienne
Saturday 11th October 2014, 17:25
I purchased last year a one owner last 17 years, olive 855r with black interior, mileage is high at 217k, but the engine runs like a clock.

It is tbh a backet case, mechanically better than the gul ive just restored, but bodywork wise a little worse.

I've sourced a m59 with long shaft for the manual conversion and the rest of the parts I have lying about.

There is some damage to the panels or a little rust bubbling in places, the tail gate was horrendous, which has now been replaced.

Im in no mad rush to finish this project, but oblark and me will finish the manual conversion and ill find some replacement panels then most likely go through the car mechanically and get an mot then store the car, as olive 850r's are not that common anymore.

The wheels have been refurbed already with decent tyres, I have a walnut manual gearstick surround and another spare walnut gear stick to use.

Ettienne
Saturday 11th October 2014, 17:59
A pic just before it was dropped off and the wheels after refurb, they were incredibly grotty and goes to show what can be done.

Ettienne
Tuesday 14th October 2014, 13:46
Pic this morning, with refurbed wheels on

polak t5r
Tuesday 14th October 2014, 13:52
looking smart what colour is that on the wheels think my comets would look good in that shade

Ettienne
Tuesday 14th October 2014, 14:30
Actually no idea I just take them and they coat them usually in a very dark anthracite, but they ran out and used this colour, I can complain for £30 per corner (loose wheels) and it's the closest they had. But I like it very much.

polak t5r
Tuesday 14th October 2014, 14:37
They do look nice

Ettienne
Friday 27th March 2015, 20:46
Ok so I've been busy today sorting and few things to start in earnest.

De bushed the ally wishbones and fitted powerflex black bushes.
Ordered Meyle ball joints (detachable)
Fitted clutch pedal and master etc
Had koni yellows shot blasted (protected vital areas) and repainted them.
Same with eibach springs
With be rebuilding over weekend and fitting new top and spring mounts

Sorted 316s to fit on standard calipers with braided lines (only temp brakes for mot).

Will be under sealing rear arches and underside krusting where needed and fitting suspension at same time, then onto the front replacing everything.

ajc106
Saturday 28th March 2015, 09:14
HI i have been looking for some bigger brakes for my 850 r allready have the 302 but want something lust a bit bigger that fit under the volvans i see you have 316 what are these off and also what brackets are you useing thanks

Ettienne
Saturday 28th March 2015, 09:22
I make my own brackets for the original caliper, it's incredibly easy. I'll post up the performance of them once I have car up and running

nottsgreent5
Saturday 28th March 2015, 18:37
That car rings a bell can remember a olive R round notts with a rotten boot lid

Ettienne
Saturday 18th April 2015, 21:16
Purchased some boxster brembo 4 pots rear calipers to refurb and use with my hangers on 308mm discs (vented).

Finished the 312mm front hangers, renault brembo 4 pots.

All to fit under titans / Volans.

They will do for the moment once refurbed and painted red.

Ettienne
Monday 18th May 2015, 08:12
The front calipers refurbed and built and rears I'll be doing necessary mod to today and painting as they have been blasted.

Loads of jobs are nearing completion now just for a few jobs to tidy up and for the very skilled Oblark to help fit the 100k engine and box once it's been checked over and had its new 16t fitted.

Ettienne
Sunday 14th June 2015, 18:26
Oblark (performing sterling work as usual) and myself removed the old engine over the weekend and made up the new engine with ancillaries and parts. Just attach gearbox and a few finishing jobs which I'm in no rush to be done then another 6sp 850r is on the road

Saaamon
Sunday 14th June 2015, 18:41
How do you rate 6sp gearboxes in 850s?

Ettienne
Sunday 14th June 2015, 20:25
Pretty good I'll be using the 855r so your more than welcome to try it. It makes them very punchy accelerating feels like an extra 20bhp, and normal size roundabouts are third gear and pull cleanly out.

kmb
Sunday 14th June 2015, 21:03
Sounds like a very nice manual conversion with the added bonus of an extra gear :)

Ettienne
Sunday 14th June 2015, 22:15
The focus box is close ratio but diesel boxes are close 1,2,3 longer 4,5,6

Saaamon
Tuesday 16th June 2015, 20:24
Pretty good I'll be using the 855r so your more than welcome to try it. It makes them very punchy accelerating feels like an extra 20bhp, and normal size roundabouts are third gear and pull cleanly out.

Thats a very decent offer, thanks. I do remember having a chat with you a while ago about them. Have you got these conversions down to a fine art? Haven't heard many people doing them but you seem to be knocking them out no problem.

Ettienne
Tuesday 16th June 2015, 20:29
I made a large batch of conversion parts up and had a few let, goes to show the design (Oblark) and implicating the design changes and production (me) worked out well.

It's not something that I'd want to make more of (have made) but I still have the jig for making the worst part to make up.

Ettienne
Monday 5th October 2015, 23:15
Mot pass today, no advisories, loving the 6sp manual nice and peppy for around town, which is good as it's the school run car.

Just the big brakes to fit although that can wait a month.

kmb
Tuesday 6th October 2015, 10:11
Glad to hear it passed, good news - Do you have a 6 speed gear knob in the car? :)