TT Aero Progress Thread

[tayr]

Hi All,

Thought I may as well post up a thread as it can be helpful for bits of advice etc as well as hopefully entertain some of you.

Background:

I had initially been looking for an S15 to place alongside my TT6 to have a little bit of fun with. When i was looking at the S15s the prices were around the 16-18k mark. I placed a deposit with Torque GT and after a year of looking, the prices were fetching around 30k for a half decent one. I wasn't really prepared to spend this amount of money for what is in essence a cool looking rust bucket with a dodgy engine + gearbox. (Obviously exaggerating, but you get my point)

As I was starting to think of other sensible places I could spend my money, I got in touch with a person looking to sell their 57k 2 owner GZ. I went to view the car the same day and ended up taking it home (for more than I intended, but I was happy with the purchase none the less).

Also - let me say I am hoping to use this Supra as a real way of learning different things to do with cars, engines, and removal of certain parts, whilst trying to make a great car. 

The progress:

So as you can see, the car is a little untidy, it has the marmite Veilside kit on it (actually grown on me) and although it has had engine oil + filter done most years, I think that is probably it. It had been dry stored for a lot of it's life (with receipt to show) but I believe the past couple of years it has been left to the elements. 

The underside is very clean, the control arms could do with a scrub but other than that, it is rust free and the jacking rails/sills are all nice and straight.

The paintwork does need attention and I am opting for a full respray. I am just not sure what colour to do.

With that being said, and with no real plan in mind I decided the best thing to do was to strip the car down as much as I could. Investigating a slightly damp rear footwell and just to give the car a thorough inspection really.

I am also in two minds as to whether to keep relatively stock body, or go for something a little more crazy.

 

Pictures of the day I got it home:

 

 

 

Things to note;

The OD + Slip Control lights are flashing. So that needs some attention.

The front Drivers wing hit the bottom of a road sign at low speed, but enough to damage the wing. So that needs repairing/replacing.

Other than that it appears good.

Day 1:

So first thing i decided to do was remove the side skirts (in the hope to not find any corrosion behind them) and remove the rear wing. I thought the rear struts were broken on the bootlid but luckily the veilside spoiler actually weighed a tonne so thats why it wasn't working. Annoyingly, the skirts were screwed into the sills, so i'll need to get the holes welded up. 

Day 2:

Today was starting to strip down the interior and give it a bit of a scrub in places that hadn't been touched in years. Few stains on the carpet which is a pain but nothing that can't be rectified I guess.

Day 3/4:

Removal of the rest of the rear trim, remove the dash panels, remove rear sun visor/spoiler, remove rear spats (screwed on again!!) remove front bumper and headlights, test fit active lip, fit new air filter (temporary) and remove the carpet for inspection of floors. Ignore the rusty looking parts on the floor - they are picture hooks that had obviously dropped under the carpet. I must say it's quite nice having the roof out as it gives a lot more space and light.  As you can see, a bit damp in the floor well so that's now been left to try out nicely. 

Anddddd the active lip test.. Although it needs some repairing on the actual lip.. Luckily i had the ECU and loom already in place.

 

I was also lucky enough to get in touch with the first owner from the UK (1998) who sent me through a photo of how it looked back when it was imported.

- So, next on the agenda will be to give the floor inside floor a good clean, purchase some bits that I need, remove the rear bumper + lights. I also need to remove the headliner and i haven't done that on an aerotop before so hopefully i don't break anything. I'm also going to try diagnose the Slip and OD light problem i have. Once that is done i will see where i'm up to. I will probably get the wings and bonnet off see if i can get them repaired. The bonnet looks like it's been hit with loads of golf balls or conkers over the years. I quite fancied a TRD Bonnet but alot of people are saying it's not worth the hassle for a fibreglass one..

 

 

[tayr]

Not sure why the last two photos are out of sync. I've tried editing but it won't remove them. Can a mod try and delete them please? I've tried multiple times

 

Also if anyone can suggest how to embed that video it would be cool

Edited May 24, 2021 by tayr (see edit history)

[Peter P]

Hi mate,

Nice build and good progress so far, doesn’t look like any major issues or concerns, but think you’ve approached this the right way in terms of the work you’ve done and plan to do.  

I’d look at dying the carpets black as think they look better personally, but it’s your car at the end of the day. 
 

Keep us posted on updates and changes.

[m12aak]

Great work so far, I'd personally go full OE aero (skirts, spats, roof and hatch wings) or a RIDOX wide body with the full carbon under panels. In any instance it'll be the best condition she's probably been in since import! Also I'd make sure to replace all of the old hoses, lines, radiator etc. (in addition to a full service – which I'm sure is on the cards anyway); the last thing you want is for a silly problem like that rearing it's head in the future. 

As Peter said, keep the updates coming!

[Peter P]

Damp footwell likely to be failed aerotop seal I would imagine? Probably best to replace the seals on the roof section given the age/lack of cosmetic maintenance. Not surprised the boot wouldn’t stay up with that spoiler weighing it down, I’d forgotten how huge they are!

Any thoughts on colour? A clean silver is always nice and would maintain originality, but it’s your car mate so go with what you want. Any colours catch your eye? 
 

I do think Ridox is the only kit I would run, but does depend on what you want from it at the end of the day. Think I chose it because it’s subtle and understated (looks almost OEM especially with the side skirts and rear spats blended in like on mine).

 

[tayr]

15 hours ago, m12aak said:

Great work so far, I'd personally go full OE aero (skirts, spats, roof and hatch wings) or a RIDOX wide body with the full carbon under panels. In any instance it'll be the best condition she's probably been in since import! Also I'd make sure to replace all of the old hoses, lines, radiator etc. (in addition to a full service – which I'm sure is on the cards anyway); the last thing you want is for a silly problem like that rearing it's head in the future. 

As Peter said, keep the updates coming!

I am torn between oem and ridox but it does depend on the colour as i think Ridox on silver doesn't quite do it for me. Yep basically anything i'm taking off that looks a bit knackered i'm replacing. At the start i wanted it to be a budget rebuild but now i think i may aswell just do it properly. Yep full service on the cards too. The engine / box will be coming out so i just need to decide wether i'm going single + built auto box or something different. 

5 hours ago, Peter P said:

Damp footwell likely to be failed aerotop seal I would imagine? Probably best to replace the seals on the roof section given the age/lack of cosmetic maintenance. Not surprised the boot wouldn’t stay up with that spoiler weighing it down, I’d forgotten how huge they are!

Any thoughts on colour? A clean silver is always nice and would maintain originality, but it’s your car mate so go with what you want. Any colours catch your eye? 
 

I do think Ridox is the only kit I would run, but does depend on what you want from it at the end of the day. Think I chose it because it’s subtle and understated (looks almost OEM especially with the side skirts and rear spats blended in like on mine).

 

Yep, i think so too, although the seal didn't look in bad nick.. as the car will be re-sprayed it will get new seals anyway. I need to look at dying the headlining or having it reupholstered as it's grey at the moment and i'm not a big lover of it. 

Colour wise, i was thinking Nardo grey but then again that's more of a fashion colour which is likely to come in and out. I always wanted a black supra but think spraying from silver to black could just be a bit of a waste. The silver is growing on me but i guess it just depends on the overall kit/styling plans. 

I bought the car as i wanted to have fun with it, but my serious head is taking over 

[tayr]

So some progress today..

First I started off plugging back in the rear abs sensors I had unplugged without realising oops..

 Then the door cards came off and speaker pods out. 

Then I decided to take the rear lights out and the rear bumper off. I spent two hours trying to get there bottom clip off by the exhaust, it just wouldn’t come out. Had to drill it out in the end. 

the rear crash bar is a bit crusty so I think it will need a good wire brush, bead blast and some spray / wax oil.
 

Monday hopefully diagnose the slip control and OD Flash issue, take the headliner out and remove both front wheel arches and wings. Remove the bonnet insulation and potentially remove the bonnet and rear hatch depending on time.

[Pudsey]

Great to see you saving the car, and bringing back.

Super amounts of progress to date.

Well done.

Nb. Loving the mustangs.

Edited May 31, 2021 by Pudsey
Nb (see edit history)

[tayr]

9 hours ago, Pudsey said:

Great to see you saving the car, and bringing back.

Super amounts of progress to date.

Well done.

Nb. Loving the mustangs.

Thanks mate. Tbh if I liked the kit I could have probably just had some smart repairs done and called it a day but I just think it deserves more than that!

 

More progress coming up..

[tayr]

So today I started off taking off the wheel arch liners, and taking the front wings off.. 

once I had done that I thought I’d turn my attention to take the rear badge, third brake light, aerial and wiper arm off.. 

Then back to the front,  unplugged the washers and took the bonnet off, including the insulator. Do most people Put these back on or keep them to one side after a respray??

then it was on to tackling the headliner, what a pain in the backside.. the rear one came out fairly easy. The middle one was held in with all sorts of glue. The seals were hard to take off, in the end just basically cut them off. Do most people buy complete replacements for the sides or re-use the black and metal tray thing? Was losing Patience so employed the help of my dad.. 

 

then I proceeded to take off some of the seals around the front windscreen / door / aero earlier. A little bit of surface rust there that needs to be sorted. 
 

then the wiper cowling and front wipers came off.. 

 

that’s pretty much it as to where I’m up to at the moment. I tried to diagnose my Slip control and OD flashing but the diagnostic way showed no error codes even though half the car was apart. I tested all sensors and all came back as reading ok so back to the drawing board..

 

going to speak to my trimmer and see if they can change the headlining and clips to black. I don’t even want to attempted to take the clips off as they’re plastic riveted in or something.. 

 

plans for next week will be continue to diagnose the fault. Remove the rear aerotop seal, remove all the door seals, remove side mirrors and door handles, then potentially cut the rear quarter glass out which I am dreading..

Edited May 31, 2021 by tayr (see edit history)

[tayr]

300 mile round trip yesterday for an impulse buy.. still not sure on stock front with active lip or TS. So thought I’d buy a TS incase I wanted one later.

already has the sidelight holes covered which saves me a job but it does need a little repair work.

On the hunt for a TRD bonnet now so that should be fun 

Edited June 2, 2021 by tayr (see edit history)

[tayr]

Not much progress this weekend as been really busy but here is where I am up to..

picked up a TRD rep bonnet in need of some love. If anyone can help me find another latch for the bonnet I’d appreciate it as this only came with one.

Got the mirrors and door handles off, I just need to work out wether I’m supposed to separate the top from the bottom on the mirrors or not. Also, do you remove the gaskets or keep them on and mask them off? 
 

I then mocked up the bumper and bonnet for a bit of fun. Decided I’m going to have a bit of fun with this one.

Next weekend I’ll look to take off the remaining seals, and attempt to cut the rear glass out which I am dreading, so if anyone has cut and re used the rear aero glass, any tips are welcomed.

 

[scottyt]

Getting there I would say that’s pretty good progress

[m12aak]

https://www.supraforums.com/threads/how-to-use-rhd-power-folding-mirrors-on-a-lhd-vehicle.895634/ This guide shows how the mirror comes apart; I'd split them and remove the gasket before paint. I've not done it myself, but it looks pretty straightforward . Can't help re. the glass or the bonnet latch unfortunately!

[tayr]

Thanks Izaak, thats great will attempt that today then.. I had a look at the door surround one and the gasket is riveted on which is annoying

[tayr]

So I think this is probably the most stripped down it can be, as it’s not power folding there is a giant compressed spring which I don’t think can be removed. Hopefully bodyshop can still get a good finish on them..

 

[m12aak]

Fair enough, I've just looked at that thread and they broke the stalk to get the spring off, so I wouldn't go any further either! 

I'm sure any decent bodyshop will be able to work around it and get a great finish now the glass and gasket are off anyway. 

[Frank Bullitt]

Might be worthwhile speaking to @baldy iirc he was stripping these down his bodyshop 10+ years ago and should be able to advise you if you can go further than you have.

[tayr]

@baldy help a brother out! Any tips on wether I should go further with these and how to attempt the door handle??

[baldy]

On the mirrors for non power fold you cant get them apart easily, but it can be done. Getting it back together is the drama though, so i’s leave as is.

handles are pretty easy, theres a rivet, grind off the smaller end till flush with the handle part it goes through, then punch the rivet out taking not of the spring location for reasembly. Once back together use a center punch between the rivet end and handle to create a bur. done

 

ive done loads and never hand one come apart

hope this helps

[Noz]

Good advice. Sounds a lot of work.

I'd leave it. Didnt take mine apart when I done them. Also smoothed the horrible feature line on the top of the mirror body.

[tayr]

Perfect thank you !

[The Raven]

Only just seen this thread. Nice to see another Aero getting worked on. 

I will be doing my aero seal swap soon to.

[tayr]

1 hour ago, The Raven said:

Only just seen this thread. Nice to see another Aero getting worked on. 

I will be doing my aero seal swap soon to.

thank you, i'm having fun doing it but its hard keeping track of all the bits i need to buy haha. 

Been looking on amayama obviously as well as others but i cant work out half the time if i need to buy the nuts bolts clips etc on top of the main items. or if it already comes with everything (if that makes sense)

[m12aak]

Quite often they won't come with the clips and nuts etc., if it shows the clips as a separate part number or it isn't a full assembly you'll have to buy them separate. The part diagrams that show multiple parts in a big box or connect multiple parts together (see the water pump diagram for an example) include all the items under the one part number. If I'm ever unsure I like to search the part number in google and see if there are any photos of the items as I know Amayama etc. don't have many.

Obviously don't feel obligated to order all of the nuts/bolts OEM, as it can soon add up when they're just bog standard zinc plated items in normal sizes anyway, so they can be bought locally for cheaper. Suspension bolts etc. are a different kettle of fish IMO, I'd be buying OEM bolts for items such as that (if yours are in need of replacement).