[S@~+#0$#]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. Please bear with me on the long post below. This is because I would like to share my bottled-up thoughts here. Where else but t-bhp would people understand 'love for an automobile' better than on on t-bhp? May our tribe grow!!

Originally Posted by devrajman

Thats a real neat buy!

How much did you pay for this baby? She is really is a neat condition.

New rims look cool. How much did you buy them for?

Also you spoke about 2din player, can you tell us more about it.

Im sure you are eagerly waiting to come back & try all stunts :-D

However, you better enjoy your stay in Australia!! :-)

I paid 51k for this baby considering it is in great shape, has several original parts and IMO an accident-free one. I traded in my old ugly alloys + 3.5k for these auras. I did not fiddle with the 2din player too much, but I saw it has a B&W TV, plays radio and even has CD control. I don't know what brand it is, but definitely some good Japanese one IMO. This will go, I guess I'll install it in my car garage with a pair of old speakers to entertain myself when I am doing some automobile DIY. If anyone finds the original Clarion casette player, please let me know. Someone, please post a picture of the centre console with the clarion player please.

Originally Posted by Jai3033

Congrats S@~+#0$# ! Thats a good looking SS80. The car looks really nice with those Aura alloys, its good that you changed them. The bodyline also seems to be clean. Though the door pads and seats have been changed the carpet seems to be original (Correct me Ajay if Iam wrong). BTW how much did you acquire it for?

Yes Jai, the door pads covers and seat covers (are you saying seats are not original?) are not original. I don't like the color of the seat covers and door pads. They'll definitely be changed but sometime later. The carpet is brand new and the quality of material is very high. The pattern is like corduroy but much thicker and soft. But is it original? Eitherways, I'll let it stay and go in for a seat cover which suits both the dashboard and the carpet color. Also, JayD tells me that the black layer used beneath the carpet is very rare. These are brand new as well :-) .

Originally Posted by Jaggu

How much has she done kms? good pick, has lot of original parts intact.

Thanks Jaggu. The odo reads 38k, so in all probability she has done 138k km.

About the engine: The engine is a sealed engine and is in very good shape. The car feels much powerful compared to other Type-2 800s that I have driven. I removed the air cleaner to check the condition and found that it has many japanese parts including the SGP Mikuni Carb. The engine mountings have been replaced recently. The clutch needs replacing, the car will be thoroughly serviced and all fluids will be changed when I am back. The previous owner also claims mileage of more than 18kmpl in city driving conditions. I could do with good FE for a change considering my other vehicles are all mighty fuel guzzlers(read as Yamaha RD350 & Willys CJ3B) barring my humble Suvega....LOL.

A/C: The A/C is factory fitted original one and cools very well. The car does feel somewhat under-powered though, but thats fair enough considering it is only a 800CC engine.

The car will be used on a regular basis as a runabout.

Next Steps:
1) Get the car serviced
2) Transfer to my name (thats why I have blanked out the Number plates)
3) Get Freeflow exhaust done. Sorry originality buffs, this car will be fun to drive with a FFE. Don't worry, I only make mods that can be reversed without too much effort.
4) Seat belts are missing, will look for original ones. Previous owner admits having removed them because they were always getting in the way while closing the door. He donated them to the garage.
5) All indicator lenses need changing, will look out for tokai denso ones. From what I read, these are rare but not sure about the 'hard to find' bit because I haven't looked. Any help in sourcing these is appreciated. The tail lamps are alpha toyo. The indicator grill on the front fenders will go in time as the holes will need to be covered and touched up with matching paint.
6) I will have to source 'DX' badges, as the one on the front grille is missing as the grille is new. Rear has a 'deluxe' badge from the Type-2 800.
7) Some of the window glasses are scratched due to winding up and down and two have been replaced with non 'Suzuki Temperlite' ones. So, I'll scavenge Shivajinagar Gujari for a nice set.

Ongoing:
1) Scavenge Gujari and spares shops for OEM spares and stock up
2) Collect manuals and literature

Questions:
1) How different the mechanical parts are from the Type-2 800? Experts, please tell me which are the parts that are same between the two models. How about suspension, steering and engine parts that need replacement? How about electrical parts like points, cam and condenser? Leave out the cosmetic parts as they have been well documented by Ajay99. These well help me in planning and stocking up on parts that I will need in the future.
2) What other countries have the same model? What parts are similar?

All in all, I am excited about this car more than any other before. This is because this car features in my list of 'small & cute' old cars - VW Beetle, Austin Mini, VW Golf 2-door and the Suzi SS80(in that order). Also, something to do with the way I found her when I was least expecting to. There was a fear in a corner of my heart that I will miss my chance to own this baby, given my overseas trip the next day. But to my good fortune, everything went on very quickly but smoothly. I have atleast two of my friends say "She is lovely, anyday you decide to give her away, I'll take her". I simply smiled and said to them "No way, this one is for keeps".

[ajay99]

alternator was made by MITSUBISHI,points and condenser were SGP(most likely DENSO) other distributor parts by NIPPON DENSO .Fuel pump by DENSO,carburretor by MIKUNI(both already mentioned).McPhaerson struts and coil spring suspension,KONI/Yokohama shock absorbers. many rubber bushes by YOKOHAMA

[S@~+#0$#]

Originally Posted by ajay99

alternator was made by MITSUBISHI,points and condenser were SGP(most likely DENSO) other distributor parts by NIPPON DENSO .Fuel pump by DENSO,carburretor by MIKUNI(both already mentioned).McPhaerson struts and coil spring suspension,KONI/Yokohama shock absorbers. many rubber bushes by YOKOHAMA

Thanks for the info Ajay. I understand your passion for a concourse car and original spares. I also share the same respect for the 'Made in Japan' tag, only other being 'Made in Germany'.

But, for most vehicles, the initial batch(s) come with imported parts, but the consumables are made locally by Lucas-TVS, Purolator-India, Lumax, BOSCH etc. While I will definitely look for the above mentioned SGP parts, I do not have much choice in the matter. Mine will be a daily driver, so I will not mind using the parts manufactured by the like of Lucas-TVS if DENSO is not available on time.

So, I would like to understand if consumable parts like points, condenser, carb packing kits, air filter elements etc from type-2 800 are the same for the SS80 as well? How about Steering and suspension parts like tie-rod ends, ball-joints, drive shafts etc? Are they the same between the two models? If yes, then which consumable parts are different? These would be the ones to stock up.

[ajay99]

Most of the above mentoned items are different from SB308IN models. But you can search for Maruti800 van parts.Being produced from the same era, they share the same parts in case of many items. MIKUNI carburretor rebuild kits are still available in HUNGARY and east europe

[ajay99]

today i received a piece of info from a former SS80DX owner(the car was sold way back in 1998!!) that the deluxe models came with a 'defogger'' in the rear hatch windshield!! sounds too good to be true and this is news to me also.

also the car had a warning buzzer which rang when the speed limit exceeds 120 km/hour.
I am still not convinced about both of these

[ajay99]

does the car have the original instruction manual, and service book?

[sudev]

Wow a nice thread reviving interesting memories from 1984 when i first drove one in Delhi and by March 85 paid a huge premium to become owner of one. Non deluxe model but got the original a/c fitted. Was amazed that the whole Jap package came with everything down to the last screw and "O" ring.

The next summers I took this car to Kashmir and back without having to open the bonnet even once! This when Fiats and Ambassadors needed constant radiator top ups every 50~100kms when traversing between Jammu and Verinag (Pir Panchal Mountains before Kashmir valley) without even the a/c.

Late in 1985 December I purchased three of the Dx version directly without any booking or premium 'cause people were not buying Dx version due to price - 88k~90k on road.

In 1988 I used one of these to enter the Himalayan Rally. And surprised a lot of people by going though terrains that were fit for Jeeps, Gypsy or Jonga's. Did not complete due to co-driver having high malarial fever on the fifth day. I continued to use the "old" model for Himalayan Rally for next few years and finally finished and won the class prize. Sadly next year while we were again ready, with good sponsorship to support us, the Himalayan Rally got canceled and never took place again.

Great car and much better handler than the subsequent model. It had front half chassis and that made for a strong chassis which could also be used for making an engine under-shield. Only thing that troubled us to no end was rims (Jap as well a Indian) which would bend. No alloys were on hand due to cost and quality issues. On the other hand each rally would see us back by six to eight tyre's. That is the amount of punishment this car and suspension would take. The tyre tread would be completely worn down.

[Sankar]

Santosh, i had an SS80 of the same colour with the same Aura alloys. Your car reminds me of mine which i sold to a freind who also happens to be aTbhpian.

I have tried to answer some of your queries. My replies are in bold

Originally Posted by S@~+#0$#

Someone, please post a picture of the centre console with the clarion player please.

There was no centre console on the original SS80. The Clarion player sits in the 1 DIN slot at the lower part of the fascia just above the TV you have now. New players will not fit properly in the slot and about an inch juts out of the fascia. This is because maybe the new players are longer (i had a JVC in my SS80)

Yes Jai, the door pads covers and seat covers (are you saying seats are not original?) are not original. I don't like the color of the seat covers and door pads. They'll definitely be changed but sometime later. The carpet is brand new and the quality of material is very high. The pattern is like corduroy but much thicker and soft. But is it original? Eitherways, I'll let it stay and go in for a seat cover which suits both the dashboard and the carpet color. Also, JayD tells me that the black layer used beneath the carpet is very rare. These are brand new as well :-) .

If the Black layer means the felt carpet then it indeed is rare considering the age of these machines. Even mine had the black layer.

Thanks Jaggu. The odo reads 38k, so in all probability she has done 138k km.

Don't be so sure about that man. When i bought mine the odometer read 42k and that were 42k genuine miles since the car had records to prove it. Like your car even that had Stanley sealed beam, but only on one side. The fender indicators were tokai denso and had stanley bulbs. The engine mounts were all original, upper torque rods and lower beds. What's in your car. If the car had indeed done over a lac kms then atleast the uppoer torque rods would be busted and in all probablility would be replaced with local items costing 200 change. The original is hard to procure and is expensive at about 1k each. How does the engine feel? If it had indeed done 138k kms then engine won't feel healthy.


About the engine: The engine is a sealed engine and is in very good shape. The car feels much powerful compared to other Type-2 800s that I have driven. I removed the air cleaner to check the condition and found that it has many japanese parts including the SGP Mikuni Carb. The engine mountings have been replaced recently. The clutch needs replacing, the car will be thoroughly serviced and all fluids will be changed when I am back. The previous owner also claims mileage of more than 18kmpl in city driving conditions. I could do with good FE for a change considering my other vehicles are all mighty fuel guzzlers(read as Yamaha RD350 & Willys CJ3B) barring my humble Suvega....LOL.

Ah.. okay so you have changed the engine mounts. Were the ones which got replaced original stuff? What about the new mountings. I'd say if the lower mounts were not that busted you might've retained it. The engine will of course feel peppy compared to the type-2 800s, because it is. The gearbox ratios are different between the SS80 and the type-2.


A/C: The A/C is factory fitted original one and cools very well. The car does feel somewhat under-powered though, but thats fair enough considering it is only a 800CC engine.

The car will be used on a regular basis as a runabout.

Next Steps:
1) Get the car serviced
2) Transfer to my name (thats why I have blanked out the Number plates)
3) Get Freeflow exhaust done. Sorry originality buffs, this car will be fun to drive with a FFE. Don't worry, I only make mods that can be reversed without too much effort.

If you're getting an FFE get a good one. I had an end can in the 800 which used to make a droning noise inside the passenger cabin. Finally got rid of it and replaced with OE mufler but with centre section removed. Which used to make a nice raspy sound when revved.

4) Seat belts are missing, will look for original ones. Previous owner admits having removed them because they were always getting in the way while closing the door. He donated them to the garage.

Mine didn't have the seatbelt, since only the DX model came with a seat belt. Seatbelt mountings were all there so i retrofitted the newer 800's auto retract seat belt in it. Anyways the older non autoretract seat belts are a hassle.

5) All indicator lenses need changing, will look out for tokai denso ones. From what I read, these are rare but not sure about the 'hard to find' bit because I haven't looked. Any help in sourcing these is appreciated. The tail lamps are alpha toyo. The indicator grill on the front fenders will go in time as the holes will need to be covered and touched up with matching paint.

Tokai Denso are almost impossible to find these days, unless you know someone sitting on a pile of NOS stock. The front fender indicators can be replaced with genuine ones belonging to the Omni side indicators. Front ones again OE maruti ones, with white marker lamp if you may please. The rear tail lamp assy has to be an aftermarket item since OE stuff is not available, alpha toyo is a decent brand.

6) I will have to source 'DX' badges, as the one on the front grille is missing as the grille is new. Rear has a 'deluxe' badge from the Type-2 800.

7) Some of the window glasses are scratched due to winding up and down and two have been replaced with non 'Suzuki Temperlite' ones. So, I'll scavenge Shivajinagar Gujari for a nice set.

Ongoing:
1) Scavenge Gujari and spares shops for OEM spares and stock up
2) Collect manuals and literature

Questions:
1) How different the mechanical parts are from the Type-2 800? Experts, please tell me which are the parts that are same between the two models. How about suspension, steering and engine parts that need replacement? How about electrical parts like points, cam and condenser? Leave out the cosmetic parts as they have been well documented by Ajay99. These well help me in planning and stocking up on parts that I will need in the future.

Engine block and associated parts are interchangeable. Points is not interchangeable and if you're keeping the car it is worth it to convert to Autoescort points replacement kit, but it's possible to put a newer 800's distributor assy. Clutch is same. Gear ratios are different, box is same.

If your fuel pump is the original one, keep a spare ready. I was once stranded on the highway, alone, for a night when the fuel pump's rocker arm broke. If the alternator is the original one then that too might be a weak point, since the RR unit of the Mitsu unit in mine went bust.

Front strut is different so are the strut bearings. Lower arms are interchangeable with new 800's, but if you're replacing the lower arms replace it with old Zen's LAs as these are a bit more sturdy. If you want to tighten up the handling change the stock stabiliser/antiroll bar with newer 800s it will stiffen up the front end and wil make it handle great. The rear leafs are SPuA compared to the newer 800s SPoA. So if it needs changing you'll have to get old springs reset or buy local ones. The rear damper can be replaced with a newer one though, go for Zen's gas charged dampers if it needs replacement.

2) What other countries have the same model? What parts are similar?

Australia has a similar model there, but it's a pickup (yep ) version on the same platform. It's called Suzuki Mighty Boy, so you can have lots of information if you visit their very active mightboy forums.

I just noticed that you're in Melbourne You will be able to source some goodies for the SS80 if you know where to look.

All in all, I am excited about this car more than any other before. This is because this car features in my list of 'small & cute' old cars - VW Beetle, Austin Mini, VW Golf 2-door and the Suzi SS80(in that order). Also, something to do with the way I found her when I was least expecting to. There was a fear in a corner of my heart that I will miss my chance to own this baby, given my overseas trip the next day. But to my good fortune, everything went on very quickly but smoothly. I have atleast two of my friends say "She is lovely, anyday you decide to give her away, I'll take her". I simply smiled and said to them "No way, this one is for keeps".

Originally Posted by S@~+#0$#

So, I would like to understand if consumable parts like points, condenser, carb packing kits, air filter elements etc from type-2 800 are the same for the SS80 as well? How about Steering and suspension parts like tie-rod ends, ball-joints, drive shafts etc? Are they the same between the two models? If yes, then which consumable parts are different? These would be the ones to stock up.

Steering parts i believe are a direct replacement, but not entirely sure since i've been out of touch with this car for a while. Drive shafts are a direct replacement. Suspension components as i have mentioned before can be used, but not all. Air filter is same as in type 2.

Originally Posted by ajay99

Most of the above mentoned items are different from SB308IN models. But you can search for Maruti800 van parts.Being produced from the same era, they share the same parts in case of many items. MIKUNI carburretor rebuild kits are still available in HUNGARY and east europe

The original carb can be rebuilt using Type-2's carb rebuild kit. I did the carb rebuild once.

Originally Posted by ajay99

today i received a piece of info from a former SS80DX owner(the car was sold way back in 1998!!) that the deluxe models came with a 'defogger'' in the rear hatch windshield!! sounds too good to be true and this is news to me also.

also the car had a warning buzzer which rang when the speed limit exceeds 120 km/hour.
I am still not convinced about both of these

SS80's owner's manual doesn't mention anything about a warning beeper and rear defogger. Owners manual for both DX and the ordinary SS80 was the same. I got the OM from the previous owner when i bought the car, i handed over the manual to the new owner when i sold the car.

Originally Posted by sudev

Great car and much better handler than the subsequent model. It had front half chassis and that made for a strong chassis which could also be used for making an engine under-shield. Only thing that troubled us to no end was rims (Jap as well a Indian) which would bend. No alloys were on hand due to cost and quality issues. On the other hand each rally would see us back by six to eight tyre's. That is the amount of punishment this car and suspension would take. The tyre tread would be completely worn down.

Yeah! It was a very hardy car indeed!! And a lot better handler than the subsequent models.

[Jai3033]

Sankar!! Iam amazed by the kind of knowledge you guys (including Ajay) have. It feels more assuring now to own a SS80. Hats off to you.

[sudev]

This is my car in 1988



And this is what we used in 1990

[JayD]

Originally Posted by ajay99

today i received a piece of info from a former SS80DX owner(the car was sold way back in 1998!!) that the deluxe models came with a 'defogger'' in the rear hatch windshield!! sounds too good to be true and this is news to me also.

also the car had a warning buzzer which rang when the speed limit exceeds 120 km/hour.
I am still not convinced about both of these

No Ajay, I'm pretty sure that the Indian SS80 Dx did not come with the defogger nor any buzzer. The defoggers were present on cars in other markets though.


@Sudev, That's some great stories and experiences that you've got with the SS80, pls share more of the with us. Maybe even a seperate thread!

[Sankar]

Originally Posted by Jai3033

Sankar!! Iam amazed by the kind of knowledge you guys (including Ajay) have. It feels more assuring now to own a SS80. Hats off to you.

Thanks , but knowledge is gained as a part of ownership experience, the car will teach you. There will be a need to learn.

Originally Posted by sudev

This is my car in 1988

And this is what we used in 1990

It looks like a proper rally car Btw what all mods were done to the engine and suspension to make it rally ready?

SS80 was the best 800 ever made in India.

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by S@~+#0$#

Thanks for the info Ajay. I understand your passion for a concourse car and original spares. I also share the same respect for the 'Made in Japan' tag, only other being 'Made in Germany'.

But, for most vehicles, the initial batch(s) come with imported parts, but the consumables are made locally by Lucas-TVS, Purolator-India, Lumax, BOSCH etc. While I will definitely look for the above mentioned SGP parts, I do not have much choice in the matter. Mine will be a daily driver, so I will not mind using the parts manufactured by the like of Lucas-TVS if DENSO is not available on time.

So, I would like to understand if consumable parts like points, condenser, carb packing kits, air filter elements etc from type-2 800 are the same for the SS80 as well? How about Steering and suspension parts like tie-rod ends, ball-joints, drive shafts etc? Are they the same between the two models? If yes, then which consumable parts are different? These would be the ones to stock up.

This is the problem with people who get hold of top notch original vehicles

Congrats S@~+#0$# BTW, I must get the honours since i drove it first. Thank you.

Suddenly theres this craze started about owning a SS80. Certainly not the recession effect, since these cars demand a high asking price.

Just recently my friend got hold of one beautiful SS80.

[ajay99]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

This is the problem with people who get hold of top notch original vehicles
Just recently my friend got hold of one beautiful SS80.

what problem do you mean? searching/stocking original spares??

the blue ss80 seems to be a nice one. Is it a DX?
how much your friend paid for it?

[S@~+#0$#]

Originally Posted by ajay99

today i received a piece of info from a former SS80DX owner(the car was sold way back in 1998!!) that the deluxe models came with a 'defogger'' in the rear hatch windshield!! sounds too good to be true and this is news to me also.

Even I doubt it. It was common (atleast in Bangalore) however to sport imitation ones made of vinyl\reflective sticker.

Originally Posted by ajay99

does the car have the original instruction manual, and service book?

No Ajay, it does not have the instruction manual or the service book :-(

Originally Posted by sudev

In 1988 I used one of these to enter the Himalayan Rally

Hmm, so your travelogues and motorsport activities started way way back. Would be interesting if you can share some of your old travelogues with pictures in a new thread.

Originally Posted by Sankar

Steering parts ....... Air filter is same as in type 2.....
The original carb can be rebuilt using Type-2's carb rebuild kit. I did the carb rebuild once.

Thanks Sankar, for the useful info about the Aussie 'Mighty Boy' ute. I saw pictures of both Edmund's and your car in one of the forums. This is the kind of hands-on information I was looking for buddy. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by Sankar

Santosh, i had an SS80 of the same colour with the same Aura alloys. Your car reminds me of mine which i sold to a freind who also happens to be aTbhpian.

When I was at the Alloy Wheels shop, I tried to imagine how it would look and it was your car's picture that came to my mind. Interesting, how our brains are able to do such a quick image search. However, my memory only works this well on Automobiles.....LOL