Sunspot 180 update

pheelay · 08-09-11, 05:21 PM

I've joined the 180 club

I met up with Kai a couple weeks back and sealed the deal. Been away on holidays though so held off posting til I had a something worth saying. The car is, as the frenchies would say, mag-ni-fique! Goes like stink, amazing deep, throaty sound from the V6 and exhaust and immaculate inside and out. Kai has really done a good job looking after it.

No big mods planned, first thing is getting it certified here. Some mods may even have to go. I reckon the decat, hids and the tinted rear lights won't fly unfortunately, but will see what happens..

Planned:
- Empty catch tank
- Mist jets + better washer pump
- Fix rear bumper sag
I'm an electronics man so
- VIS indicators
- Sound system from the other ZS
- 12v socket in boot for ice-box & 240v in the cabin.
Eventually, would love cruise control, but the parts look tough to get.

Here's the interesting thing, I've already done a couple of long distance trips and if not driving like a tool, it's getting roughly the same distance out of a tank (340 miles = 32mpg) as the 1.4 (550km). Perhaps because the 1.4 needs to be pushed to 4200rpm to roll at 130kph. The 180 chews the motorway way more comfortably. I expect the comparison in city/traffic will be less palatable!

Here's the fleet. The 1.4 is insured until end Decemeber. I have a couple of things to fix on it, then will sell it on.

talkingcars · 08-09-11, 06:06 PM

Good to see it has gone to a good home.

I am working on a cruise control using parts mostly sourced from a ZT/Rover 75, there may even be a how to when I'm done, when I have proved it works.

pheelay · 08-09-11, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talkingcars

Good to see it has gone to a good home.

I am working on a cruise control using parts mostly sourced from a ZT/Rover 75, there may even be a how to when I'm done, when I have proved it works.

Was hoping for a response like that! Definitely interested to know how it goes so keep us posted..

Dan1971 · 08-09-11, 06:57 PM

Looking good .... Glad it's gone to a member on here.

pheelay · 08-09-11, 07:08 PM

Catch tank emptied and cleaned. A lot of gunk came out, good to know its doing its job!

Dan1971 · 08-09-11, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pheelay

Catch tank emptied and cleaned. A lot of gunk came out, good to know its doing its job!

If ever there was a picture to tell people that they need to fit one - that is it !

MG ZS STE · 08-09-11, 07:16 PM

interesting tank that. can you throw up a pic of it in situe. also, check none of your breathers are blocked before you put it back together. i had a blocked [squashed] silicon hose and my tank filled up with a condensation and oil mixture.

oh yeah, great looking 180 btw.

pheelay · 08-09-11, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan1971

If ever there was a picture to tell people that they need to fit one - that is it !

lol. True! And it was fitted, I believe at around 28k so that's only 5000 miles worth

lawrence-zs180 · 08-09-11, 08:58 PM

Great to see its gone to a good home.. hope you get the high oil in the catch tank issue sorted.

stamford · 09-09-11, 07:20 AM

Good to see it is still around. Hope the frenchies look after it when parked, not a car I would take into the capital for sure! You sure that's 5k's worth of oil captured? Seems excessive as I don't think I've had anywhere near that much in the couple of years and several thousand miles done. Get some photos up of the complete installation and pipe runs.