Ryan's Micra Blog

[flyboypuoi]

Roof seems to have dried up now. I've put it all back together. Need to look soon for a cause of the leakage.
Also, my air controls box lights were already starting to go faulty, this time however I bought some decent ones.

They didn't fit, but I cut them down, and modified the holders.
They're bright, maybe more than the cheapy ones, but it's only on 3 sides so it may look a little patchy. The film should help that though.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

There's a red second facelift back there with blacked out rear windows.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

Strut brace added.

Combined with higher tyre pressure, the car feels a lot lighter and more responsive.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

There's been a leak under my carpet!

I did notice a sound when washing the rear window, thought it was just bubbles or something but now I realise the pipe has split.
Expended an entire toilet roll and silica packet drying this up.

I don't have my tools here so I couldn't take off the seatbelt anchor, but I did get my hands in there anyway.

Wondering what the hell has happened here...

It looks burnt. My guess was some kind of weird chemical burn?
My friend theorised that when I put undiluted screenwash in it reacted somewhere. It also had dirt in the system at one point.
Come to think of it, I think the pipe has always been damaged.
Well, I'm handing in my notice at work tonight, so I'll soon have plenty of time to fix things.

Oh, and I have a confirmed date for the engine swap.
Just in time, my clutch has been slipping for over a year now!

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[nissan boy]

looks like the cars has been welded and its cought fire, same as the cable guild as its black and burned
may want to check the wirings ok

 

[flyboypuoi]

looks like the cars has been welded and its cought fire, same as the cable guild as its black and burned
may want to check the wirings ok

You're right! Yeah, the wiring is fine, luckily.
Good spot. I unfortunately get this car welded every year on the sills.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[nissan boy]

You're right! Yeah, the wiring is fine, luckily.
Good spot. I unfortunately get this car welded every year on the sills.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

done it before , had two of them were they needed welding badly and ended up setting fire to inside lol, but they were rotters tho
could use fish tank pipe and connectors

 

[flyboypuoi]

Got my parking even tighter than ever tonight (I often do this at work, people are clumsy and careless with their doors)

Drying progress:

Work were kind enough to donate a bunch of paper towels. Just kidding, I took them.
Luckily I'm at my girlfriends tonight. Not only does that mean I have my tools, but I have access to a hairdryer, which will greatly come in handy for carpet drying purposes.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

I've convinced my friend to get a K11. He has seen the light and is enlightened.
He's managed to pick up a Tornado Grey second facelift just like mine! Except, it's not rusty at all. Never seen such good sills.
Also, his car is very high spec. Sunroof, rev counter, pillar speakers, rear headrests, electric windows, parking sensors, etc.
Only missing front fogs, electric mirrors, and a spoiler.
Rims from a Clio apparently, 35mm lowering springs, and a fat exhaust.

You might notice he's the one in the back of my car ages ago when I said "who needs lows when you have friends" (or something)
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[LiamC]

I've convinced my friend to get a K11. He has seen the light and is enlightened.
He's managed to pick up a Tornado Grey second facelift just like mine! Except, it's not rusty at all. Never seen such good sills.
Also, his car is very high spec. Sunroof, rev counter, pillar speakers, rear headrests, electric windows, parking sensors, etc.
Only missing front fogs, electric mirrors, and a spoiler.
Rims from a Clio apparently, 30mm lowering springs, and a fat exhaust.
View attachment 56339
View attachment 56340

You might notice he's the one in the back of my car ages ago when I said "who needs lows when you have friends" (or something)
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

Looking good, always fun to have micra friends around who understand the brilliance of these little cars. Would you friend have any interest in these?

 

[Eddington]

Hi there! I've finally sorted out my account on here! I'm the friend Ryan enlightened about this wonderful machine. I would be yes, there are a few parts I'm wanting to try find, although I'm still waiting on the paperwork to come through.

 

[flyboypuoi]

It's snowing! Substantially. I've never seen it this good in this country.

Reverse donuts anyone?

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

The ride home was even more interesting. The snow had barricaded my car so I had to use my snow shovel.
More slippy but fine on the way home. Nobody was using the lanes on the road, just the track carved through the snow.
Right at the last bit though, onto my road, I got stuck.

After probably more than half an hour of getting stuck, trying a different route and repeating getting stuck, I had no choice but to abandon ship.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

Another abandon, good effort this time though considering the inclines.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[LiamC]

You try reversing? Only way to get up the hill to my house

"It just looks like a scrotum" - Jeremy Clarkson on the K12

 

[flyboypuoi]

I didn't try reversing, but this hill is ridiculously steep.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

Pipe connectors have arrived for the rear wash repair. Borrowed the link pipe from the bonnet of the donor. Got some heatshrink and classic electrical tape to cover it once joined.
And at long last the small plastic trim piece!

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[LiamC]

Pipe connectors have arrived for the rear wash repair. Borrowed the link pipe from the bonnet of the donor. Got some heatshrink and classic electrical tape to cover it once joined.
And at long last the small plastic trim piece!
View attachment 56424

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

Blocked pipe?

"It just looks like a scrotum" - Jeremy Clarkson on the K12

 

[flyboypuoi]

Blocked pipe?

"It just looks like a scrotum" - Jeremy Clarkson on the K12

No, it split open. Got burned the last time the sill was welded.
All patched up and working better than ever now.

More progress on the donor car, radiator out and some AC stuff disposed of.

And also my newest attempt at keeping the rust away (especially since that snow decided to eat my underbody up)

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[nissan boy]

becarefull of some underseals as they are pores, and hold water, its what killled my datsuns chassis, absorbed and held water rotting the legs out,
since got a new chassis and waxoiled its held like new still, just abit of surface rust off sitting

 

[flyboypuoi]

Donor car work today. Drained the oil finally, removed the AC stuff and alternator, and exhaust. Surprising how much the AC bits weigh.

Almost there now. Will soon get the whole engine out.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

By the way, I bought some lowering springs. How do you take off the suspension top hats?
There's a nut on top that's 12mm or something, but I need to hold the middle bits from turning.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[Seb Stevens]

By the way, I bought some lowering springs. How do you take off the suspension top hats?
There's a nut on top that's 12mm or something, but I need to hold the middle bits from turning.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

Use a swan neck spanner and something appropriate to hold the piston from spinning. Make sure you've got spring compressors

 

[flyboypuoi]

Gave the right mirror a tidy up as its been getting slower, and keeps getting stuck. Seems good now.

I got a like from Nissan on facebook!


Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

Sorry about the quality. No matter what I would do, the picture wouldn't upload

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[LiamC]

Sorry about the quality. No matter what I would do, the picture wouldn't upload
View attachment 56478

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

That is goals right there

"It just looks like a scrotum" - Jeremy Clarkson on the K12

 

[flyboypuoi]

My new springs!

Hired out an engine crane for the engine swap.

And so the work began! Two friends here to help, but none of us had attempted anything like this before.

Pretty good profile picture on Facebook for me

And the engine was loose!

A whole bunch of Japanese vehicles out here this weekend, Nissan, Suzuki, Mazda...
Annoyingly, despite it being warm and sunny before and after, it snowed on the weekend.

And so since the driveshafts weren't coming out, we lifted the car instead.

And we got it out!

We decided that we couldn't also get the other engine out, and this one in, in time, so the next day we went to put the springs on.

Difference in the front. The rear was about as big. Maybe bigger.

Looks like one of the CV boots are broken.

The donor car had a front anti roll bar! Unfortunately, one of the bolts with the bushings on was too damaged to get off. I will fix this soon.

And the springs are in. Will settle down over the next day or two.

Now for some matching pictures!

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[LiamC]

My new springs!
View attachment 56511
Hired out an engine crane for the engine swap.
View attachment 56512
And so the work began! Two friends here to help, but none of us had attempted anything like this before.
View attachment 56513
Pretty good profile picture on Facebook for me
View attachment 56514
And the engine was loose!
View attachment 56515
A whole bunch of Japanese vehicles out here this weekend, Nissan, Suzuki, Mazda...
Annoyingly, despite it being warm and sunny before and after, it snowed on the weekend.
View attachment 56516
And so since the driveshafts weren't coming out, we lifted the car instead.
View attachment 56517
View attachment 56518
And we got it out!
View attachment 56519
We decided that we couldn't also get the other engine out, and this one in, in time, so the next day we went to put the springs on.
View attachment 56520
Difference in the front. The rear was about as big. Maybe bigger.
View attachment 56521
View attachment 56522
Looks like one of the CV boots are broken.
View attachment 56523
The donor car had a front anti roll bar! Unfortunately, one of the bolts with the bushings on was too damaged to get off. I will fix this soon.
View attachment 56524
And the springs are in. Will settle down over the next day or two.
View attachment 56525
Now for some matching pictures!
View attachment 56526
View attachment 56527

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

Nice progress. I've heard dropping the engine and box straight out the bottom is easiest if you're changing the whole lot. Are you going to have a go at the clutch while it's out? Nice collection of cars there too

"It just looks like a scrotum" - Jeremy Clarkson on the K12

 

[flyboypuoi]

Nice progress. I've heard dropping the engine and box straight out the bottom is easiest if you're changing the whole lot. Are you going to have a go at the clutch while it's out? Nice collection of cars there too

"It just looks like a scrotum" - Jeremy Clarkson on the K12

I'm considering the clutch. Since I have a new one. But at the same time it was suspiciously cheap, so it might be dodgy. We'll see!

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

I managed to bodge in the anti-roll bar! Seems like a decent enough fit. I've just driven down the hill and it sounds like it needs a little tightening still, interestingly enough on the non-bodged side.

New number plate bulbs, only around 60p so it doesn't matter that they only last half a year.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[LiamC]

I'm considering the clutch. Since I have a new one. But at the same time it was suspiciously cheap, so it might be dodgy. We'll see!

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

Luk on mine. Might as well change it while it's out I think

"It just looks like a scrotum" - Jeremy Clarkson on the K12

 

[flyboypuoi]

Magnetic sump plug for when I swap the engine.

Tried to tighten the left anti roll bar joint, may have buggered it, will think up some kind of greater bodge to repair. Until then it's only a bit noisy.
An unusual sight, usually the gauge only reaches around 3/4:

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

Time for some rust control, it's spreading everywhere, fast.
Rear looked a bit weird with the front right jacked up. I'm now using wooden planks with the jack, so I can raise it higher.

Time to get to work on those sills.

I got a temporary exhaust, it was £35 I think. Looks quite rough, some extreme bodgery going on there, but it was cheap, and nearby.

A clear gap seen looking into the pipe...

Some questionable welding, a threaded pipe as a hanger and some more pipe welded quite roughly on (I hit this off later as it was close to the wheel, only took a few hits with a ratchet)

Thought I'd use a gasket this time, didn't quite fit but with new holes it actually fit. It's from the middle section of the donor.

Started work on the sills. This is part way through. Sadly there's a huge hole on the right.

Tidied up.

Turns out, after I fitted the backbox, the middle section was splitting at the end joint, as usual.
So I took the one from the donor.
Better condition overall, but a couple of tiny holes on the silencer and a bit of a rattle.
Oh well, it works.
The bodged gasket didn't fit with the new middle section, but a chopped up manifold gasket worked fairly well.
(Usually I don't even bother)

That's the exhaust in, sounds much quieter than how it's been without. Thought this one would rumble a bit but it's quiet.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

I got fed up of my doorcard fabric falling out! And generally being floppy.
So I took the card off and took the top part off of it. Glued the fabric back down, looks brilliant now! Got it a little dirty, and a tiny bit of glue on it, but I'll probably change these when I get new seats.
Also tidied up bits in/on the door. Adjusted the window winder so it's faster.

I also got some flat green T5 LED bulbs for the indicator warnings. They look so much better, it's crazy!

Make sure if you do this, you use green ones, and that they're flat. Or at least flat domed.
Unfortunately I broke my front fog light warning light. Ugh.
Goes well with the blue LED highbeam warning light.

I recently got my friend some cabrio tail lights and fitted them. They look awesome.

And now a random nice picture.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

Just a quick update.

Left window was going up faster than ever but down slower today. Turns out the inside seal folds in on itself under the glass and causes issues. I'll try to fix it or find the donors one.
In fact all of the door seals are a bit bad. Will see there the donor ones all went.

New wipers (the whole snow thing finished the last ones off) and these ones are actually specifically for the K11! Rear one actually looks really cool being all styled correctly. A little smaller than the old one but still good.

Gave my friend my old front ones. His were actually worse somehow.
Also boot release was knocked recently and no longer worked. Bodge appears to finally be working. Picture mainly for me to remind myself when it inevitably breaks again.

Cars both cleaned and driven a bit today.

Tomorrow's plan is to do some more rust treatment, general maintenance, and possibly check out my friends car for rust underneath and add his rear wiper. Then hit the roads of south Wales.

Providing it really is sunny tomorrow.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

And so begins the left side rust control. Luckily most of this side was just really bad surface rust. A little hole or two, but not as bad as the other side.

I also finally got around to painting some of my model March G#! Spraying it Tornado Grey BW3.
[Picture failed, app doesn't let me add again anymore...]
Still the left door inner seal is folding in on itself when the window goes down. Annoying.

Friend came over, got him sorted for his rear wiper, but didn't have it with us. I sprayed the wiper bung from the donor in BW3 and put it on.
We also put a new badge on the front as his was badly painted. Sprayed it black properly. From a first facelift so it's much smaller.
Then went for a good cruise in Wales.

Had some issues before with his air controls box and some huge LEDs we got. Turns out the glue on the cover was burning. We got it off and I applied my foil technique for extra brightness.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

The G# model

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[LiamC]

And so begins the left side rust control. Luckily most of this side was just really bad surface rust. A little hole or two, but not as bad as the other side.

View attachment 56788
View attachment 56789
I also finally got around to painting some of my model March G#! Spraying it Tornado Grey BW3.
[Picture failed, app doesn't let me add again anymore...]
Still the left door inner seal is folding in on itself when the window goes down. Annoying.
View attachment 56790
Friend came over, got him sorted for his rear wiper, but didn't have it with us. I sprayed the wiper bung from the donor in BW3 and put it on.
We also put a new badge on the front as his was badly painted. Sprayed it black properly. From a first facelift so it's much smaller.
Then went for a good cruise in Wales.
View attachment 56791
Had some issues before with his air controls box and some huge LEDs we got. Turns out the glue on the cover was burning. We got it off and I applied my foil technique for extra brightness.
View attachment 56792
View attachment 56793

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

My app is doing the same with not being able to edit and add pictures it's really annoying because usually I do an update and then realise I've forgotten a key part of it.

That green interior is amazing, hardly have a link? I want to do mine seeing that

"It just looks like a scrotum" - Jeremy Clarkson on the K12

 

[flyboypuoi]

My app is doing the same with not being able to edit and add pictures it's really annoying because usually I do an update and then realise I've forgotten a key part of it.

That green interior is amazing, hardly have a link? I want to do mine seeing that

"It just looks like a scrotum" - Jeremy Clarkson on the K12

The lights are pretty simple.
Dash clocks use T5s. Four for the backlight and one more for the LCD screen.
Make sure to use flat LEDs. They give best light distribution and are also brighter. Domed LEDs are terrible, also less reliable.
Also bear in mind the flat ones are often a little too wide to fit the hole, but you can just force them in. Careful if you take them out again though.
If they're in the wrong way, just pull the holder until you can rotate the holder itself, no need to remove the bulb.
For the centre console you need two T10s. We used 3x1 LED bulbs. They're too long to fit, so we poked through the holder to the back and put them in at an angle. If you do this you'll need to loosen the air controls box so you can hold the back of the bulb holders, otherwise they'll disappear into the void behind.
As with my car, I lined the box with foil (held by doubling over electrical tape). Doesn't need to look good.
Extra green from the radio and the USB charger.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[LiamC]

The lights are pretty simple.
Dash clocks use T5s. Four for the backlight and one more for the LCD screen.
Make sure to use flat LEDs. They give best light distribution and are also brighter. Domed LEDs are terrible, also less reliable.
Also bear in mind the flat ones are often a little too wide to fit the hole, but you can just force them in. Careful if you take them out again though.
If they're in the wrong way, just pull the holder until you can rotate the holder itself, no need to remove the bulb.
For the centre console you need two T10s. We used 3x1 LED bulbs. They're too long to fit, so we poked through the holder to the back and put them in at an angle. If you do this you'll need to loosen the air controls box so you can hold the back of the bulb holders, otherwise they'll disappear into the void behind.
As with my car, I lined the box with foil (held by doubling over electrical tape). Doesn't need to look good.
Extra green from the radio and the USB charger.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

That's perfect I'll have a look for them. Thanks for the info about the centre console lights.

"It just looks like a scrotum" - Jeremy Clarkson on the K12

 

[J450n]

The G# model
View attachment 56794

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

From where to get this?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[flyboypuoi]

From where to get this?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

Not sure, it was a gift. I think you can find some on eBay though.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

The Micro March construction began!

Bear in mind that the last model I made was as a tiny kid. So I'm not very experienced or good.
First of all, one of the greys I picked was this one..:

The fact that it's IJN grey is pretty cool.

I wanted a popped out sunroof:

The end result was pretty cool. I messed up a few of the decals though. Also the glue damaged the paint. Especially the sprayed paint.
I modified it a little and didn't really use the instructions.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

Some new black paint, as it's hot, dry, and calm today.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

The next day, after cleaning it up a bit..:

Thought I'd chuck on some heat resistant paint on my engine. The paint is going to be used on the drum brakes later.
The exhaust will be replaced when the engine is swapped anyway.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

ECU and SRS modules removed, just in time too.

Because the donor car is finally gone!

The first time it's seen proper sunlight in over a year...

The best thing is that it's actually going to be used as a project for someone else, so it'll likely be driving once again. Rather than getting squashed.


Now there's so much room in the garage!

Enough room (just about) for Cassie.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

Made an attempt to fix the horrible noise that the front anti-roll bar was making as it wasn't tight enough. This seems to sort-of work. It creaks a tiny bit but it's much better now.

Used a seatbelt spacer.

Rust found in the boot...

Which turned into a hole.

Which turned into a bigger hole.

Thought I may as well have a go at the huge rust bubble under the window. Just a temporary treatment. Doesn't have to look good.
I was on a bit of a time limit but I had a go.

There were other little patches too.

Not bad really. I'll clean it up later.

Boot a little tidied. I put some foamy stuff over the hole before I put the carpet back.

Genius solution for the front fog warning light situation: I drilled through (carefully) a spare plug/cap from another set of clocks. Should work well, waiting for some coloured T5s for the dash.
I also have some plans for improving the dash. Will keep you updated!

Overall, the coating looks okay. I'll polish it up some time.

I'm also considering putting my rear speakers in my original parcel shelf, it's a darker, slightly blue grey.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

Forgot to add these pictures, from a few days ago.

Expect to see a mid-spoiler and power folding mirrors on my friend's car some time soon.
Oh, and there are more.

And a fun one. For some reason I got Hitler hair. (It's been cut since then)

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[LiamC]

Use the black plastic surrounds to mark the holes for the opposite side. For example, this is the passenger side one, so flip it upside down and use it to mark holes on the drivers side of the shelf. I put a bit of tippex around the holes just to mark it out easier

Sent from my SM-G903F using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[flyboypuoi]

It finally happened!
I hired the engine crane once again, and was able to get a free pallet from the recycling centre. Moved the new engine into place.

And so began dismantling Cassie, taking off parts that I've never taken off before. Being much much more careful this time as I actually care about this one, a lot.

Pretty soon I got to this stage. Surprising how little time it takes once you've done it before.

The old clutch... It's pretty easy to see why it was slipping. It's worn down the rivets on both sides.

New cat has been grinded and painted!

And the next section too.

It seems after this I didn't take many photos. Here's some from a friend.
The old engine out!

I can't believe how well it went, it started up right away, even though it had been sat for a year and a half. New filters and belts in there (and fluids of course). See the video!:



And then it even moved!:



New one in place! Broke the coolant expansion tank, so temporarily added a bottle.

Back to my pictures...
I bought a new coolant tank and a new air filter. It looks so clean!

Had a minor fuel rail issue, so I swapped it out with one with bigger injectors.

The old engine...

Swapped the airbag modules over so I can have a functioning passenger airbag.

Swapped the ECU over for correct fuelling.

Swapped the key chip reader so that it matches the ECU.

And swapped the key chip so it matches the reader.

Initially I had an issue with the SRS...

But after resetting it (doing the on-off timing thing to go into diagnostic mode), it worked!

Thought I would respray these since I was taking everything apart. Did a much better job compared to last time.

Also about time I swapped the cigarette lighter socket. The old one kept pulling itself out of its mounting. Also wasn't the best connection.

Might as well paint the mudflaps again, since they're off. (Did the bumper strips later too)

And finally a chance to do two things with the wings off:
Put little orange LEDs in the side indicators to work as side markers,
And adjust the doors as they were sagging.

Kinda happy with the result. I think. We'll see.
Made a little error, on one side the lights are at the back of the unit, and on the other they're at the front. But you'd never know.

Bumper partially fitted.

Cable ties holding it on in a few places, as it had broken quite a bit. Very JDM.

New badge going on, from a first facelift. Much smaller. I like it.

The side markers in the dark.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app