Hi guys, another one of our cars, thought it might interest some of you!
Its a 1991 Daihatsu Charade GTti. For those who don't know much about them, its a 3 cylinder 12 valve 993cc DOHC Turbocharged intercooled hatchback. The engine was developed in the mid 80's to be used for Group B rallying. Semi forged internals meaning bulletproof reliability! The engine originally put out 99bhp making it the first car to break the 100bhp/litre mark. Furthermore, it is still the fastest accelerating 1 litre car ever made! Only around 20 left on UK roads. This car isn't quite standard, having an MRT downpipe, and 2.5" straight through exhaust system. Just these 2 mods have freed up the turbo, so now it is running 1.1bar instead of the standard 0.7bar. The power is approximately 140bhp when compared to other Charades with the same modifications. Coupled with the fact she weighs approximately 800kg it gives a very impressive power to weight ratio.
I want to keep the car as original as possible, whilst giving it my own personal touch, this build is more of a restoration.
I travelled around 8 hours to collect it from ours to Wales last november. I knew the car would require some work doing to it but nevertheless when there are so few on the road, I really can't be picky. Upon arrival it seemed as it did in photos, needing mainly bodywork and small bits and bobs (loose fitting HT leads, crack in windscreen). However it did have a few nice bits on it (MRT downpipe, 2.5" stainless system).
After getting it home, it was pretty obvious it would require a new turbo due to excessive play in the shaft and oil seeping through the seals. After weeks of searching I found a chap in Suffolk who had a brand new original turbo that he bought from Daihatsu 15years ago but never fitted due to scrapping the car! Collected that with a whole host of other parts. After fitting it made a huge improvement, as the previous wastegate port was cracked, so wasn't holding full boost properly. It was also due a fresh MOT so after doing a full check of the car, I decided it was time to renew the shock absorbers with new OEM items, however refitted the lowering springs. Also a new windscreen was fitted due to the old one being cracked.
I then set about restoring the old girl. The last owner was praising how low the mileage was, so I thought to be sure I best do a quick compression check. 150psi across all 3 cylinders indicated a very well maintained engine! Brilliant.
The car was fitted with a big FMIC which made things laggy, not to mention he had cut the front bumper out at the front to fit it. Grrrrr!!!
So I sourced an OEM intercooler and front bumper and all original pipework.
I also bought a new radiator as he had fitted a Honda civic rad as an upgrade, but the outlet ports were wrongly located.
Upon fitting this, the car seemed much punchier, spooling alot faster and harder. Proof that just because its big and made of aluminium, doesn't mean its better!
I then set about respraying her, the car was stripped of all panels and prepared. I cut out the old arches, new ones welded in and smoothed. Both bumpers were resprayed, along with bonnet, doors and tailgate.
and after:
Big pile of GTti parts ready to be refitted!
I also found myself a set of JDM Black Racing split rims that had been slaughtered in cheap satin black paint. I split them and repolished the lips. I blasted the centres, and set about spraying them in something a little different but not to OTT. I settled for black base coat with a gold pearlescent laid on top. I also ordered a set of red Muteki spline nuts. I rebuilt them myself, very happy, no leaks!
I have always preferred the look of the 88' spec rear lights with the grooves running across them, so sourced a set along with the 88' spec centre reflector which was fitted after spraying.
I also cleaned the interior up on a sunny day:
I have also sprayed a set of GTxx side skirts (JDM version) ready to be fitted this week! The wheels have Yokohama Advans on them currently and will only be used for track days/car shows.
This car has taken me 4 months so far due to using it everyday for work as well as sourcing parts is a nightmare. Nevertheless, she is near completion, I shall be replacing the clutch within the month, as well as replacing/upgrading all brake lines and brake pads/discs after the pads that are in at the moment are destroyed (not wasting money for the sake of it!)
How she stands at the minute with the skirts and wheels finally on:
More recent updates include a new more free flowing downpipe, and a fresh set of wheels i'm refurbing!
thanks for taking the time to read this thread
Its a 1991 Daihatsu Charade GTti. For those who don't know much about them, its a 3 cylinder 12 valve 993cc DOHC Turbocharged intercooled hatchback. The engine was developed in the mid 80's to be used for Group B rallying. Semi forged internals meaning bulletproof reliability! The engine originally put out 99bhp making it the first car to break the 100bhp/litre mark. Furthermore, it is still the fastest accelerating 1 litre car ever made! Only around 20 left on UK roads. This car isn't quite standard, having an MRT downpipe, and 2.5" straight through exhaust system. Just these 2 mods have freed up the turbo, so now it is running 1.1bar instead of the standard 0.7bar. The power is approximately 140bhp when compared to other Charades with the same modifications. Coupled with the fact she weighs approximately 800kg it gives a very impressive power to weight ratio.
I want to keep the car as original as possible, whilst giving it my own personal touch, this build is more of a restoration.
I travelled around 8 hours to collect it from ours to Wales last november. I knew the car would require some work doing to it but nevertheless when there are so few on the road, I really can't be picky. Upon arrival it seemed as it did in photos, needing mainly bodywork and small bits and bobs (loose fitting HT leads, crack in windscreen). However it did have a few nice bits on it (MRT downpipe, 2.5" stainless system).
After getting it home, it was pretty obvious it would require a new turbo due to excessive play in the shaft and oil seeping through the seals. After weeks of searching I found a chap in Suffolk who had a brand new original turbo that he bought from Daihatsu 15years ago but never fitted due to scrapping the car! Collected that with a whole host of other parts. After fitting it made a huge improvement, as the previous wastegate port was cracked, so wasn't holding full boost properly. It was also due a fresh MOT so after doing a full check of the car, I decided it was time to renew the shock absorbers with new OEM items, however refitted the lowering springs. Also a new windscreen was fitted due to the old one being cracked.
I then set about restoring the old girl. The last owner was praising how low the mileage was, so I thought to be sure I best do a quick compression check. 150psi across all 3 cylinders indicated a very well maintained engine! Brilliant.
The car was fitted with a big FMIC which made things laggy, not to mention he had cut the front bumper out at the front to fit it. Grrrrr!!!
So I sourced an OEM intercooler and front bumper and all original pipework.
I also bought a new radiator as he had fitted a Honda civic rad as an upgrade, but the outlet ports were wrongly located.
Upon fitting this, the car seemed much punchier, spooling alot faster and harder. Proof that just because its big and made of aluminium, doesn't mean its better!
I then set about respraying her, the car was stripped of all panels and prepared. I cut out the old arches, new ones welded in and smoothed. Both bumpers were resprayed, along with bonnet, doors and tailgate.
and after:
Big pile of GTti parts ready to be refitted!
I also found myself a set of JDM Black Racing split rims that had been slaughtered in cheap satin black paint. I split them and repolished the lips. I blasted the centres, and set about spraying them in something a little different but not to OTT. I settled for black base coat with a gold pearlescent laid on top. I also ordered a set of red Muteki spline nuts. I rebuilt them myself, very happy, no leaks!
I have always preferred the look of the 88' spec rear lights with the grooves running across them, so sourced a set along with the 88' spec centre reflector which was fitted after spraying.
I also cleaned the interior up on a sunny day:
I have also sprayed a set of GTxx side skirts (JDM version) ready to be fitted this week! The wheels have Yokohama Advans on them currently and will only be used for track days/car shows.
This car has taken me 4 months so far due to using it everyday for work as well as sourcing parts is a nightmare. Nevertheless, she is near completion, I shall be replacing the clutch within the month, as well as replacing/upgrading all brake lines and brake pads/discs after the pads that are in at the moment are destroyed (not wasting money for the sake of it!)
How she stands at the minute with the skirts and wheels finally on:
More recent updates include a new more free flowing downpipe, and a fresh set of wheels i'm refurbing!
thanks for taking the time to read this thread
