Went to see a V reg 1.7 earlier for something to turn into a track car. I've got a price in my mind, but I'm unsure as to how sound it is mechanically, so am looking for some advice.
Body work is great, better than our thunder in fact. The drivers arch is all that needs doing, passenger side doesn't even have a bubble. Sills are straight and solid, doesn't leak etc etc. A few scrapes ad chips but nothing some hard work wouldn't sort.
It comes with a heap of paperwork, cambelt done 3 years ago which would tie in with the mileage etc etc, but I think the last couple of owners haven't really taken care of it, although it has been serviced when required.
It had been standing for a month or two, and wouldn't start without a lot of turning over however when it did fire it sounded smooth enough. I took it for a little drive but didn't really have the chance to change out of second, and noticed when sticking my foot down it would have a little delay and then kangaroo (but smoothly, not the 'sharp' feeling you get from misfires). The other thing I noticed was a bit of a graunching/whining noise from the power steering at any position. Fluid looked clean and was topped up, but guess the pump may have been going.
Oil was quite clean and was at the correct level. It all seemed a bit sticky from being stood but otherwise good and it did rev up to 6k but with said kangarooing, Id say about 3 times throughout the rev range. When I pulled up again I opened the bonnet, no funny smell or smoke, engine was quiet and wasn't tapping.
So given this little information, what could the kangarooing be and might it be worth turning into a track car without having to do much more to the engine than a service?
Body work is great, better than our thunder in fact. The drivers arch is all that needs doing, passenger side doesn't even have a bubble. Sills are straight and solid, doesn't leak etc etc. A few scrapes ad chips but nothing some hard work wouldn't sort.
It comes with a heap of paperwork, cambelt done 3 years ago which would tie in with the mileage etc etc, but I think the last couple of owners haven't really taken care of it, although it has been serviced when required.
It had been standing for a month or two, and wouldn't start without a lot of turning over however when it did fire it sounded smooth enough. I took it for a little drive but didn't really have the chance to change out of second, and noticed when sticking my foot down it would have a little delay and then kangaroo (but smoothly, not the 'sharp' feeling you get from misfires). The other thing I noticed was a bit of a graunching/whining noise from the power steering at any position. Fluid looked clean and was topped up, but guess the pump may have been going.
Oil was quite clean and was at the correct level. It all seemed a bit sticky from being stood but otherwise good and it did rev up to 6k but with said kangarooing, Id say about 3 times throughout the rev range. When I pulled up again I opened the bonnet, no funny smell or smoke, engine was quiet and wasn't tapping.
So given this little information, what could the kangarooing be and might it be worth turning into a track car without having to do much more to the engine than a service?