EOI: 1976 GD Galant A57 Sports Pack. WA

[shuggy]

Ok so now were in business - once i get the car

i just purchased the recently advertised GD A57 in the for sale section, and im going to do a nice long take-my-time build.

here is a pic or two..

There is a ding in the wheel arch and one in the rear quarter but easy fix.
and has the mud guards and sports rims



Quite tidy bay, need opinions on engine though..
and a few dings in the bar but i have a 100% straight one on my GC so that will be going on


mmm sexiest crash pad i have ever seen



just like Brett's: still has plastic on the seats from factory!



Im not getting the car untill i can fully pay it off, im paying a third tomorrow and then have the rest plus truck to get it here.. which means i have plenty of time to gather information, plan and prep for the arrival of her

which brings me to this point - opinions/ideologies on everything. i have mine and i will share them and i want harsh criticism to set my mind straight if its bad

INTERIOR:
-Keep all seats
-Remove dash and detail, replace globes with LED's (or just brighter globes), and chop it up on photoshop and see what it looks like with a white dial and black numbers
-New carpet, probably super plush pile brown or cream..
-I have a GTO steering wheel to go on with leather grip and a flat leather horn button - get a new centre piece for it engraved
-keep the AM radio and stick in a hidden sound system, i had an idea of hooking up the ACC wire through the ON/OFF of the AM radio but then i wouldnt be able to use it so thats no longer an option.
-rebuild the heater box, and either find somewhere to stick air conditioning unit or replace the heater box with air con.
-going to stick an original clock into the center console, and detail it
-parcel shelf is going to be thick, to the glass level so i can recess 6 inch 3 way speakers into them and then hide them under thin cloth.
-not sure what to do with air conditioning piping, as in cold air pipes, whether to run them to the back seat or not and how??

yes its going to be full on, a full build to make it my car how i want it. yes i know it will be worth jack all, but im not planning on selling it so no worries there

EXTERIOR:
-thinking of keeping original paint colour, maybe a respray depending on what the paint is like..
-keep the original black line and black window sections, add a bit of black tint, not too dark..
-add bump strips maybe to give the full on old school look?
-grandpa hat will be staying no matter what!
-give the wheels a restoration, some black, some silver some white - may need to get the rears widened depending what engine option i go..
-going to try and see if can fit chrome wheel arches but not too fussed..
-and of course all rust, if any, will be replaced properly.

DRIVETRAIN: HELP
ok now we reach the difficult part, what diff, what box, what engine, supercharged or not.. etc etc..
of course i will be having electric fan, extractors, full exhaust, air-conditioning, oil cooler, chassis mounted oil filter, etc etc
but the engine itself..well

my current thought pattern is one of 4 things.. option one..
-4G32 1.6 Chain type, fully rebuilt with forged etc etc
-twin stock solex down drafts, rebuilt
-hard to fit aircon though.. and lacks in the power & carrying loads long distances capacity

two..
-4G52 2.0 fully rebuilt with forged etc
-single side draft 45 webber with trumpets,
-easy to mount aircon..

three..
-narrow 4g54 2.6 full rebuilt
-twin side draft 45's with trumpets - or i wanted to find a set of motorbike carbs to custom fit, but really unsure on this..
-possible thought of supercharger - but forget registering it, this wont happen its a dream and i know nothing on chargers of any sort
-easy to mount aircon
-have to get engineers report

four..
-wide 4G64 bottom end from starion or other early vehicle
-twin cam head from later model galant..
-and im gonna stop there, its never gonna happen


-Now diffs can wait til i get to engine capacity.. no worries till then..
-will be getting wagon drums on the rear i think (9 inch), and GH front struts with slotted discs
-5 speed jap for sure, maybe get it rebuilt but probably wont bother


Opinions, comments, ideas, thoughts, criticisms, anything would be appreciated.

cheers

PS no criticisms on the super long novel

[75wagon]

Firstly, Congratulations on the buy...

It sounds like you want to go all out on this one...
I think the first question that needs to be answered is what use is the car intended for?
If money is short why not do it up as is to start, then add modifications later if you must do them?

If you want to keep it Grandpa then you could just do it up how it is?
or
If you want to make it a street sleeper, then the first place to start is what brakes, because I don't think 2.6 Discs will fit in those rims, so you'll either have to limit your engine size or rethink your wheel option?

As for colour, I would change it, IMO that orange is probably the worst colour they came in. But if you want to keep it original?

Go the arch moulds, I think it classes them up a bit

Why not put the stereo where I have? I cut the top of the console out and fitted it there, it's very tidy, almost looks factory. I have also modified some speaker pods that I got from JB HIFI and fitted them on the front floor instead of to the door (if you want to see pics I can put some up for you), that way I haven't ruined the trim. They sound pretty good there, better then I expected.

As for air con. If you take the heater out and put it there, how will you warm the car up if it's cold?
Source an air con unit from a 1600 Colt (front drive '80 to '89), that should be small enough to fit. Would probably be cheaper to buy the whole Colt then just buy the parts from a wreckers. I can't see there being a shortage of rusty Colts to buy cheap. I have often thought of doing this mod to mine. I have an import 4G32 in mine so it has the air con bracket holes on the block and the extra pulley on the front of the crank. I'll have to look but I don't think my other motors have them?

Dave...

[shuggy]

Firstly, Congratulations on the buy...

cheers

It sounds like you want to go all out on this one...
I think the first question that needs to be answered is what use is the car intended for?
If money is short why not do it up as is to start, then add modifications later if you must do them?

yea thats the idea 'do it good do it once' theory - but i want to make it how i want it straight up because if i get it registered i will never want to take it off the road again and it wont happen..

because I don't think 2.6 Discs will fit in those rims, so you'll either have to limit your engine size or rethink your wheel option?

very true and i 100% agree, not gonna happen! may have to change wheels in that respect then, i wonder if i can find some 15" steelies to modify to wear the centre cap

I have often thought of doing this mod to mine. I have an import 4G32 in mine so it has the air con bracket holes on the block and the extra pulley on the front of the crank.

yeah i currently have a 1.6 out of a colt in my current gallant and that has the brackets for air con. i had the complete air con setup here but i threw it out with my coupe..

i want the car to be a daily cruiser for long distances and also just to work and back, i want a good top end cruising speed/fuel consumption ratio, but i also want the ability to at least give a falcon or commodore a shock at the lights where as at the moment they just stay in first with half throttle with me in 3rd already peddle to the floor hahha

i want the car to look like it did when it left the factory, hence why i dont want anything visible. maybe just expose 2 tweeters up the front to make people think 'whats that for'..

i want the original colour, but want it to more look like this..with the bump strips and the single mirror. even thought about fender mirror but dont think so.


cheers dave

[EVL076]

nice buy mate

just one thing to bear in mind tho, the stripes are decals not paint
so if you go near it with the hi pressure washer, careful you dont blow some decal off
like i did on the front of mine ah well, we live we learn

if you dont wanna go turbo'd then
i would go a hi compression twin weber fed 2.4 destroker
i dont really think you need to go forged mate, save that cash for elsewhere

[75wagon]

These rims look original, and are factory standard and take those centres you have too. They are standard rims of a GH Sigma, 14 inch so they fit over the 2.6 brakes (that's what they are designed for). I think they look tidy and the standard punter wouldn't know they aren't original.

Wayne's (ozgdgalants') cars are getting some respect here

i want the car to be a daily cruiser for long distances and also just to work and back, i want a good top end cruising speed/fuel consumption ratio, but i also want the ability to at least give a falcon or commodore a shock at the lights where as at the moment they just stay in first with half throttle with me in 3rd already peddle to the floor hahha

Sounds like injected 2.6 might be the answer for you... Power, fuel economy and cheap to get hold of. Just the wiring and modding to fit it to the Galant rear drive config. Makes it easier to fit air con too. Magna's are cheap as crap. After all they are only donors for 2.6 injection for Galants
I seriously think this is your best bet.

I will seriously consider this for my next project. I can't change the wagon, it's almost perfect for what I want. But if another interesting project comes along, after my new shed is finished (which is currently underway) then this will be top of my wish list. My top 2 cars I'm after is GC/GD Galant wagon, closely tied with an LB/LC Lancer hatch. Anything else would come 3rd third on my list.

Dave...

[shuggy]

mmm yes, i have been closely considering the EFI option.. but that adds electrics etc and thats just not what im after..

i want that deep throaty sound of carbs, i know you can get trumpets for EFI but that would be impossible to register..

also if i go EFI wont i have to get an emisions test? would that mean i would have to get a test and meet the laws for now or for the year of the car?

as the new WA law states "any hotted up cars must have a emissions test prior to registering".

the other option is register with single carb and then convert to EFI, but then if i get stickered i have to swap it all over again and that means hiding a lot of wiring.. where as if i register with stock carb then put twin webbers on and i get stickered, its easy to put original manifold back on..

if you dont wanna go turbo'd then
i would go a hi compression twin weber fed 2.4 destroker

noo no turbo for me.. and whats this hi comp destroker business?
im guessing 2.0L crank with longer rods? anybody done this and have part numbers?

cheers guys

[EVL076]

the destroker is the astron unicorn...

heaps talk about it, but no one has posted anything other than hype
2ltr crank, 2.6 block, and from what i have been told, the 2.6 rods
.030' (maybe, bad memory recall there with the oversize) holden 6 pistons are pretty much the same,
you just need a tiny bit machined from the tops of the piston cos they sit proud of the block a touch..

you end up with the revs of a 2ltr and the grunt of the 2.6
i have been told they will pull 9,000 rpm

[shuggy]

il look into it..

but i dont know if i wana do anything that hasnt been done before

[shuggy]

this is off the old site
http://www.sigma-galant.com/archive/mod ... c&start=15

a discussion of the 2.4l destroker topic. wayy too much work for somebody who hasnt built an engine before (me)

[shuggy]

at the moment im swaying toward rebuilding the 4g32 with extractors, ballanced and twin stock solex's.

my reasoning is if i have the extra power im going to use it.. i want it for a daily cruiser and i dont wana ruin it ahah

however, when i get it over the pits, i will be takin Kermit off the road and building either a track or rally car, so i might stick a 2.6 in that and then stick it in the A57 when i feel like it..

im not sure

[DanTurboLancer]

So many options here
Firstly very nice Gal mate, looking forward to this build up.

But the long and short of it, you want a reliable car that Passes rego, Cops inspections, EPA etc...

Plus all the extras, and creature comforts like air con...


Ok air con is pretty easy, check out Rod magazines and you will see they have fairly good priced Generic, complete aircon set ups, that will basically fit anything and suited to small areas.
May need to make your own brackets for mounting...
But they come with everything,
But wont be to reach back seats...
mainly american companies.

I like your thinking of trying to hide the stereo!

Interior is upto your taste, but man factory seats recovered is still pretty cool.
Racing seat arent all they are cracked up to be.
Have you sat in them, especially for long periods.....

Driveline - How long is a piece of string........

Really that depends on so many factors!!!

You really need to decide on how you want to drive it, What you want the car to do, HP....




IMO Daily, for abit of show...
Forget Turbo.

Respray in one of the factory factory colours, maybe a small deviation version of... that WILL include full strip!

And choose a good painter, and get him to do the Decal side stripes in paint, so you dont have to worry about them rubbing off as EVL076 advised.


Motor... What can you HONESTLY afford.
I dont mean to embarass you, but i have a mate in this very situation,
Rebuilding a MK1 Escort,
he has Champane taste on Beer money.

Wants to talk about putting a Cosworth Turbo motor in, but he cant afford a steering wheel.........
Ive already foretold buying it off him semi stripped in 3 years..........

So be realistic.



Can you afford a crazy motor on top of a full rebuild?


Sorry to be so frank, but its realistic.


I think stick with a basic Freshen up of the stock motor, and if you can afford it some Carbs, Exhaust etc...
And a cam to give it presence.
Stealth extractors would be sweet!!


Or a 2 Litre would slot straight in, but again, Possible rebuild, Carbs, Zorst, Cam?....
You will get some more Capacity without going over board on requirment for larger brakes, upgrade of Diff...



And like i said to someone else, Do I NEED to upgrade the GBox/Diff....

If you treat the driveline with the respect it deserves for a 30+ year old piece of machinery, then it may last..


If you give it curry, then allow $3000+ for a diff, no matter what...
And gearbox...
Starion, Celica, Supra...........$$$+


*2.6 and you will worry about Rego, Engineers, Brakes, $$$....


I WOULD....
Look at Brakes,suspension, Paint...

Compression- prob stay same if you want it to last awhile.
Head wise,
Unleaded valves, And maybe a mild cam for street duty...

Although 75Wagons NO. 5 is pretty cool

And to make it look really cool when you pop the bonnet, and also for performance, a really cool Carby/inlet manifold set up and nice Extractors always impresses.
So spend some time thinking about the engine bay and what you want


But thats just my opinion, many others have more knowledge and experience than me

[75wagon]

Although 75Wagons NO. 5 is pretty cool

Thanks Dan, I like it more and more each day. Thanks again Kodos

If I was going to build another Galant (or similar), I would seriously look at buying a complete 2.6 EFI Magna. I would freshen up the motor to standard spec and fit that into the Galant (or whatever). The power gain to me would be awesome (by comparison), the fuel economy should be better then the 1.6 and it should be reliable and easier to get parts for then the 1.6 Saturn.

Granted that it is not a straight bolt in, and engineers certs are needed and modifying and upgrading of other parts needed. But I think that is still the way I would go. Even if it meant having to by a GH Sigma to take the block out of and also the struts, then just fitting a later model head and injection system.

I agree with Dan that in the long term a Turbo may not be wise (I've got problems keeping my license without one).

Dan is also right in you won't need to upgrade your gearbox diff if you treat it right. Don't drop the clutch or do burnouts and you should be ok.

I'm still looking for my next project, and discussions with Engineers will be had. Then lets see where it goes?

Dave...

[shuggy]

cheers dan
as i stated up top, critcism is welcome.

i contacted RPW the other day, for a standard 4g32 rebuild im lookin at $1400
this is for CP forged pistons, forged steel rods, ARP main stud kit, permaseal gasket set, NOK engine seals, ACL bearings, stripped and acid cleaned block and head, match honed, cleaned head, ground valves and seats..

and it goes up to $3k if i want stage 2 cam, HD springs, matched port to manifolds, and bored 1mm OS..

bit steep for little gain so ive asked for an itemised price guide..

at this point in time i think i will be going with the 4g32 as i am more of a classic man than a power man, and if i save on the rest of the driveline then i have more money to spend on the stereo and paint etc..

with the seats, i had no intention of ever removing them except for replacing the carpet! as i said im a classic man, i love everything about the old school look.
the only thing i hate about standard vinyl galant seats is the wet back you get on a hot day!

so yes. at this stage when i first get the car i will be taking it to get the dents pulled out, then i will be replacing all the steering joints, im thinking i want to get the wet legs rebuilt instead of getting gas, and i will get new leaf bushes, if i dont go with wagon springs that is, and i will be taking out the engine and leaving it out, and redoing all the engine bay wiring to look neat and possibly conceal it in the chassis railing..
i will then cut out the battery mount so i can boot mount the battery. and then the seats come out and the door trims come out etc etc so i can rust proof/sound deaden the car, and i will get the dash etc up to scratch with new paint and a good polish.

then who knows where i go from there

im working 9 days a fortnight and im studying full time so its not going to be a quick and easy thing to do!

anyway im going to sleep, have to replace my front wheel bearings before work tomoro, they started to rattle and rumble and squeak on the way home tonight

cheers

[DanTurboLancer]

Why are you going with Forged bottom end on a low revving, daily driver?

I know you will be a long way off,
But contact Stealth when you have the dollars in hand, and he will look after you with head work, Manifolds.
And im sure one of our members will be able to put you incontact with a Cam.

OR If you want something really special for your 4G32, Kodos has, (I think still for sale) a very rare Twincam head
that would look amazing and very different.
Match that up with twin carbs, or SUPERSCANs Quad bike carb set up, and you have something very unique, while still oldschool.

But again $$


I hope whatever you are studying will lead to a good paying job ;)

[shuggy]

well forged rods and pistons is standard apparantly? but i know for a fact that stock rods come forged from factory so might keep them to save some cash.

with the carbs, i have a set of twin down solexs the same as daves im going to stick on with a custom air box, going to cost 600 to rebuild the pair

with the twin cam, ive heard that without increased compression or decomp and turbo, the twin cam has absolutly none to negative effect on the performance of the engine, just what iver heard about the saturn from a mate of my fathers who used to work for mitsi and raced in the works team.

but i agree they are horn and i would love to have one, but at this stage im not sure im willing to pay the extra 2k for the head when its going to cost double the norm to be rebuild at everything would have to be custom.. i will consider it if i hit it off well in the moneys situation but we shal see..

and with the cam i would be interested in a cam on here as long as i can find a good one.

in the mitsi cams isnt in 1 and 2 are base, 3 is mild, 4 is medium and 5 is race? then 6 and 7 are emissions cams??

id be interested in a works 3 or 4 or if one became available (which i know it wont), a works 5, but we will get to that when it comes around ;)

[shuggy]

half way mark reached.. half to pay.

i really cant wait, even cleaned up the parking area today all ready to slot her in

[shuggy]

got insurance on it now in case it gets smashed b4 i get it..

almost there, another month n a bit n i should have it

if my girl paid me the 600 she owes me i would have it even sooner

[GC75]

haha girlfriends the best scammers out.

[74GalantGB]

haha girlfriends the best scammers out.

Oh, harsh! =P

[GC75]

You know it.

[shuggy]

she paid me with 100 buck interest

ahha - one payment closer

anyway this thursday is last payment of mr a57, then its 1200 to the trucking mob over next month ``

[shuggy]

well
did i find a good buy or what

did anybody see this advertised?
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... K:MEWNX:IT

a '2.0L sigma dizzy' ?

well i thought the stem looked a bit long so i took a punt hoping it was for a 4g32 - WIN

paid 50 bucks for a pretty much brand new electronic dizzy for the 4g32

now who has a unit to run this thing and how the flip do i use it :/

[tango76hardtop]

looks the same internals and wire conector as the ones used on the astrons, Id sy use a sigma module and cut the plug connectotrs off a sigma and wire it into your harness. Cant tell you how to wire the conectors into your harness cos I had a mate wire my one up

[81GL]

Nice find.

Yeah the guts look identical to the ones used in the earlier astrons.

Pretty straight forward to wire up, you'll need the ignition module & ballast resistors from a GE GH.
I did write it down some where from when i did my GD... that was a while ago lol.
If you want can pull some electrical tape off and find out what goes where...

Nick.

[colta51]

so are you any closer to getting this beast yet?

[shuggy]

infact i paid the truck guy yesterday and she is gettin picked up next monday!

nick il keep you in mind when it comes to wiring it up, but im sure there will be something online hey.

[shuggy]

have found a really nice white interior to go into this also, but unsure if i want to keep the stock cloth seats or go white.. cant decide.

i also want aircon which is going to be fun..

[colta51]

i hav seen aircon on these b4 it cant be that hard? do you hav all the bits?

[shuggy]

no but i can get the brackets from a g32b from a mitsu colt RD easily, but thats for belt drive.. i want chain drive...

[colta51]

there was a full setup at lonsdale wreckers b4 thay closed