Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?

[trevtubby]

Hey Everyone,

I`m going to look at an FB today, just wondering if there are any buyers guides etc with things to look for on these cars?


Also, whats the going price for a 1984 car with 70k ish miles but no tax or mot. But appears to be in above average condition.

I know about FD`s after owning one for the past 3 years, but FB`s are a total new animal to me.

What sort of BHP do they have by the way? Ive seen the 0-60 is around 9 seconds,..which isnt too bad.

[THE MAD KIWI]

have a good look around the radiator support panel/front chassis rail and the under side for rust

[trevtubby]

Will do, thanks.

Anything else?

[AndyGen3]

Sill\'s and Arch\'s. . Rust will be bad here. .

Quick little cars. . Had 3 of them. . Looking to get another one soon!

[A7RXY]

Make sure that the engine runs smooth at idle, and revs freely through the rev range, and most of all good luck.

[trevtubby]

Thanks guys.

Depending on the overall condition, im either going to restore and sell it, or turn it into a drift car.

Can these cars make a good drift car? Or are they lacking the power needed?

[AndyGen3]

Very light and have plenty of power. . I was very surprised with the power when i got one first ! And so was my mate in his Type R civic when we went to collect it . . . :Giggle Did a bit of drifting in my first one and it handled really well. . 10 times better with a proper diff and suspension tho. . If you get it for good money you wont regret it. .

[trevtubby]

Very light and have plenty of power. . I was very surprised with the power when i got one first ! And so was my mate in his Type R civic when we went to collect it . . . :Giggle Did a bit of drifting in my first one and it handled really well. . 10 times better with a proper diff and suspension tho. . If you get it for good money you wont regret it. .

Excellent news, thanks.

Would welding the diff be a good idea for budget drifting? Not sure about how to sort the suspension, some lowering springs maybe? Coilovers probably wont be available or be a touch expensive lol.

This is all hyperthetical though, if its in good condition and mechanically good...I shall be looking at restoring it anyway. Wouldnt want to ruin one of these rare cars by drifting it, if shes a good`un. :cool

[AndyGen3]

Diffs get very brittle when you weld them and cud snap anytime but i know a good few lads that welded diffs and even in FB\'s and they were fine. . Not the best tho if your gonna drive it on the roads. . Only for messing only really. . You\'ll get away with springs as long as your not competing pro like

[Ian65]

If you\'re looking to mot it then check carefully for chassis corrosion. 1st gens hide their rot quite well and its not unusual for tidy looking cars to have rot underneath.
They tend to go aound the back ends of the sills, the rear radius are mounting points and around the rear inner wheel arches where they join the body. Any rot within 300mm of a mounting point is bad news.
Having said this, they seem less prone to serious body rot than other cars of the era.
 
It\'s the old story, mechanical parts you can just bolt on or off but if there\'s rot to the chassis, it means getting out the mig or putting your hand in your pocket.

[shaunwil]

Just dropped mine off for some bodywork but the underside has been ok. If you can get it jacked up to look for rust then all the better.

If engine is an issue you can always upgrade to a 13b

Shaun

[trevtubby]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the advice, been to look at the car and it wasnt good. Rust was very bad, sills were in a real state unfortunately.

Shame though as the engine seemed to have good compression and the gearbox/clutch etc all seemed good.

Would be a good car to break for parts, but the chassis was a gonner.

Ah well, i`ll keep looking.

[A7RXY]

Trev, did you note the Reg No and colour for Dave ?

[trevtubby]

Oh no sorry I didnt, its on ebay though

[A7RXY]

Was it the blue A reg in Lincoln ?, if so he has it