well, I've finished prepping the 1200 for next weekend's hillclimb. Last weekend I fitted my old gearbox back in there - a much bigger job than it sounds with the L series in such a small body. Its ratios are much better suited to MtCotton's incredibly steep hills.

Today I replaced the LH rear axle. It was suppossed to be just a bearing replacement after the altercation with the gutter at the last event, but the axle was twisted more than 1 spline's width... a left-over from the axle tramp problem I had earlier this year when the proper race tyres went on, which broke the other axle.

Now it just needs a wash...

Good luck Harry.
Keep that datto flag flying high

Hey L18,
just about to start building the next race coupe and will be using a L20 / 5 speed / H190. Did you have to modify the tunnel a lot? ie, was it a little cutting & stretching or should I cut the tunnel out of my bluebird parts car and graft a lot of it into the coupe?? Any hints or suggestions greatly appreciated !!
Cheers
P.S. Good luck with the hillclimb - I hear Mt Cotton can bite !

yeh mate, good luck, no pressure, but u HAVE to win...
lol jks, have a good day, and yes, the datto flag flying high!

Heys guys whilst we are on this subject what do we need to do to enter Bathurst Hillclimb?

Thanks guys. I'm hoping for a new PB (currently 50.02), somewhere approaching the class record would be really nice :), but I'll settle for just breaking the 50 second barrier - finally. The club class record is still held by Paul Gray's awesome L20 powered 1200 coupe at 47.89!

MtCotton has a bit of a reputation but its really not that bad as long as you're sensible about it. Really does get the adrenaline going though, as a couple of other members here are about to find out with their first run at the hill - steveo and nopsi. They're going to have a great time I think! I still remember the first time I went there...

R-fastmotorsport,
there's not much of a trick to it. mine is the smaller manual tunnel, and all that done to make room for the stumpy skyline 5spd is to cut/pick the x-member mounting brackets of the inside of the tunnel, and a bit of massaging around where the tunnel meets the firewall for a bit of extra room to get to the bellhousing bolts.
There is not enough room in the tunnel to get the box out without moving the engine forward. The bigger auto tunnel would be great, and wouldn't have any of those problems. If you're building it for IPRA, I don't think you're allowed to modify the floorpan, except for 'minor reshaping' and removing unnecesary brackets, so the bluebird tunnel would be a no-no.

Thanks L18,
good to hear only a little massaging is required . Of course we will stay within the rules but try to find any grey areas if we can (lol). Many thanks for your input - appreciate it heaps!
Cheers

Spot on L18, Minor reshapiong only, no cut and shut type stuff alllowed.

What I have done with mine is cut two holes in the transmission tunnel (at the front) to give access to the top two bellhousing bolts. A socket and an extension can now reach the bolts.

I have the same problem with removing the gearbox (that happens when you mount everything as far back as possible!) What I do is drop the engine crossmemebr using extra long bolts - that gives enough clearance to get the box out.