[h14]

Next set of works were completed for the S10. Never touched the brakes so far and the rotors had to be replaced. So decided to change rotors and pads for the front along with shoes and cylinder for the rear.

















P.S: The radiator hoses and fan belt are for my Select whilst the AC belt and alternator belt are for JayD's S10 that's getting ready

[h14]

Time for the next set of works on the S10

I'm sure many of you would be amused on the continous works being done, well that's how it is on a project car and especially if you want the car to be on par with the rest of the exclusive cars!

I reached Coimbatore on a week long vacation and was even more excited simply because my free flow exhaust was arriving the very next day. Nimish's brother would be making one for me in Bangalore at Raj and carry it with him and will drop it to me in Coimbatore on his way to Cochin.

Sunday morning around 6:30 he was there and I went upto the L&T by-pass road to collect it

An S10 carrying exhaust for another!



The kit transferred to my MJD



Same day, around 11 am my Mech arrives. Works to be done were:

1. Brake booster change
2. Steering box inner ball joint to be replaced
3. FFE installation.

Brake booster change

The brake booster I collected from a Donor Palio 1.2 NV that was available with Murugan. It also had a new mass cylinder. My booster seemed to have failed as the pedal felt rock sold. It was surprizing to find booster failure in a Palio for all of us.

Trust me guys, the booster replacement is a herculean task. Took several hours after removal of complete dash board along with pedal set and steering column. The position of the booster is complicated and tough to reach and remove it











Steering Ball Joint

The inner ball joint was the one who was making noise over rough patches. It was very irritating and used to be occational sounds which started increasing. The steering box had to be removed for this job. Also changed was the tie-rod end.











Also thrown in was the F1 style blinkers for the brake light! Thanks to JayD for the light

To be continued

[funkykar]

Excellent! How does the replaced booster feel? All resolved.

One suggestion: Move the F1 type blinking light to the end of right side, it may look even better

[h14]

Originally Posted by funkykar

Excellent! How does the replaced booster feel? All resolved.

One suggestion: Move the F1 type blinking light to the end of right side, it may look even better

Brakes are much better now! But definitely not in the league of the Palio MJD. Will try out the position as you said Kar, coz another friend has fixed exactly same as you said in his punto and it looked awesome. Let me try next time


FFE Installation

With brakes and balljoints done, it was time for the exhaust. This needed a ramp and also facilities to weld and naturally cannot be done at home. Was confused on where to get it done in Coimbatore and thought of why not check with FASS!

Called up the service manager of CAI FIAT, Mr. Harish and he was glad to do the job. So sent the car with the exhaust hit to CAI. I was very impressed with them when I had taken the Linea previously for some works and had the trust and confidence, but was not sure if they would do the exhaust work for me. Them accepting the job was a pleasent surprize and were positive signs for Palio owners in days to come.

Since I was not availabe for the next few days, they offered for a pick up of the car from my place. The following day being monday, they picked up the car around noon. I did not pressurize them but told that I need the car by Dec 27 friday since Dec 28 I was supposed to leave to Kodai for the FIAT meet and they agreed.

But due to heavy volume of vehicles, they started work on the car only by tuesday evening.















Finally the car was ready on Dec 27 and took delivery around 3 pm. Along with exhaust, coolant leak was arrested, radiator flushed along with general checkup. Took delivery and drove out happily and at the least expected place, the car stalled and refused to start :(

Luckly my driver was available near to the place where the car stalled and he was there in 5 minutes and we pushed the car aside. Also called CAI and they rushed to the spot.

The issue was due to the water wash done in engine bay

Well it was a lesson learnt the hard way. The car then started after cleaning a few fuses and they took the car back to CAI while I had some other work to be done.

Since I was supposed to leave to Kodai the next day, CAI team worked over time to clean and fix the car. Finally the car was deliverd at 8pm with the issues resolved.

Oh yes, the exhaust sounds sweet! Its not an outright loud one but a sweet note which would'nt irritate fellow human beings.

End of the day huge thanks to the entire team of CAI FIAT for their support and care and making the car road worthy in time for the meet.

More to follow.

[h14]

Once the car was out of CAI on friday night, went on a 10 kms drive just to ensure things were fine and also filled up fuel and nitrogen for the wheels at SSS fuel station. Easily the best pump in the country. They were the first to introduce free nitrogen and also the very few who sell fuel at older prices when price hike is announced. They always sell at the old price until their old stock is cleared. Not to mention the fuel quality and qualtity which is highly regarded.





The above is a pic of the extended nitrogen/air filling area of this pump!

Satruday morning started from Coimbatore towards Dindigul to join with the Chennai team and then proceed with them to Kodai for the meet. It was three cars from Coimbatore, My S10, Dr Senthil's Linea and SenthilRaj in a Palio MJD recently aquired for another friend which would be delivered at Dharapuram enroute!

Initially I was taking it easy and not pusing her and gradually started to revv it up and she responded beautifully! The exhaust note was music and the throttle response and output was amazing!

Dheena joining the CBE gang at Dharapuram and the MJD delivered to the owner.



Clicked during the breakfast stop enroute, Doc had just swapped his Linea and got his Punto




Tea break some 10kms before Didigul



Waiting for the rest of the Chennai gang to arrive



Assembled infront of the resort in Kodai



The uphill journey was nothing to write home about! The roads were pathetic and had a tough time with idiotic cabbies and buses rushing downhill.

Few clicks with the other cars in the meet!















Started back from Kodai and reached CBE late night. Was an enjoyable drive along with JayD's BEB. Next morning I was slightly worried to spot engine oil leak. A closer investigation revealed oil leaking from the sump. I was sure that the sump did not take any hit. The leak was from the side of the sump and I suspected the sump oil seal.

Headed back again to CAI and they inspected and found the leak to be from the sump. They confirmed that the sump does not have oil seal but rather use a paste to seal. They also suspected leak from another area and requested some more time to investigate. There was again a minor coolant leak from the same area they fixed before the Kodai trip.

So left the car in there and headed back home. Evening got a call back stating that the front end oil seal also needs to be changed and the part needs to be ordered. That was the time when the plant was shutdown and waiting for the plant to resume and to order the part will be a long wait and so I offered to get the part from the ourside market and they were co-operative for the same.

So headed to Dhanam auto stores, they had almost all the other seals and packing kit but this one was not available. They took my ordered and promised to arrange in a couple of days and delivered the part in the said time.

So with the above works done and the radiator top hose changed, the car was back home, but I'm in chennai now and haven't driven it. Dad said that the work was neat and no signs of any leak. Have asked him to drive and let me know the feedback.

More to follow once I'm back home in the first week of feb.

[h14]

Update time

Back to Chennai after a long weekend in Coimbatore which resulted in some more works done and now I can safely say car is mechanically complete with almost everything taken care of. Its taken 1 year for me (got the car last April) and I've been doing the works slowly with a special monthly budget alloted to the s10

Got the head lights aligned at Manatech



Then got the o2 sensor and central lock relay replaced (I got the parts from Ramkay Fiat Chennai). I visited CAI to check on dad's Linea which is there at present for some body work and so got the sensor and relay replaced in CAI.







The job was done in minutes without any fuss.

Next was the rear shock absorbers. I have not changed them earlier. Was intially planning to source used ones with help of Anupam and finally ended up going for new ones of the same brand that I got for the front last year. The brand is Excel Power a korean make. Purchased them as usual from Dhanam Auto stores coimbatore and then got them fitted at home.














Now for the question of why the o2 sensor is changed? Well, people recommend changing the same every 50-60k kms. A faulty o2 sensor leads to sending incorret signals to the ecu which in turn would hamper the fuel delivery to the engine.

In my case I was experiencing inconsistent fuel delivery and we were suspecting the fuel pump to be faulty, that's when my mech suggested to check the o2 first as the o2 would alter fuel delivery if unburnt fuel is detected. Similar to what he said, on changing the o2 I drove extensively for 3 days and the previous issue of fuel supply getting blocked never cropped up.

Pending would be to try and fix the fuel guage issue without replacing the pump, minor rattles from the dash, replacement of wheel bolts (rusting found) and finally on the interiors.

[S_U_N]

While I do not have a Palio, it is one car that I always admired. The yellow color looks good on it.
I am curious to know about the headlight alignment/ adjustment workshop. Is that the only one in India to do it with proper machines?

[h14]

Originally Posted by S_U_N

While I do not have a Palio, it is one car that I always admired. The yellow color looks good on it.
I am curious to know about the headlight alignment/ adjustment workshop. Is that the only one in India to do it with proper machines?

Don't think this is only place. I was told MRF tyre drome in Chennai does similar work.

There are places doing but not known to us maybe!

[chandrda]

Originally Posted by h14

Update time

The brand is Excel Power a korean make. Purchased them as usual from Dhanam Auto stores coimbatore and then got them fitted at home.



In my case I was experiencing inconsistent fuel delivery and we were suspecting the fuel pump to be faulty, that's when my mech suggested to check the o2 first as the o2 would alter fuel delivery if unburnt fuel is detected. Similar to what he said, on changing the o2 I drove extensively for 3 days and the previous issue of fuel supply getting blocked never cropped up.

@h14

Would you mind sharing the price of the rear shock price from Dhanam Auto. I have a palio GTX 1.6 2003 Model. I think its time to replace the front and rear shock, but the original spare prices exceed the car value.

Also what are the symptoms of inconsistent fuel delivery. My palio kind of chokes very often. When I am driving and have to lift the foot of the accelerator pedal and press again, the car almost chokes and then moves forward. Not able to resolve the issue. I have kind of estimated it must be related to fuel supply

Regards

[h14]

The rear shocks I got for 1950 each.


Mine was sort off chocking as well, but wouldn't die. Foot off and on the pedal would resolve it.

If you would have never changed your o2 sensor till date the consider changing that before touching the pump.

[swiftnfurious]

So another S10 thread. Loved reading thru! It's a beautiful restoration process painstakingly done. Congrats!

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by Nimish anthony

...

I found this video of yours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NVNq5lWz6U

Loved the way it sounds. Could you provide the details please? I believe there is an FFE?

Also loved the exhaust note on the first S10 - one with blue wheels / OVRM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1w4uUwSJ2I

Any idea on the details?

Believe the second ones belongs to @JayD.

[Nimish anthony]

The first video posted is mine and car runs on leela tuned spec with FFE. It's a bit loud for daily use and can give you all the wrong attention.

The second video was of our fiat meet in ooty and the car uses raj Hingorani side exhaust. The same is extra loud for daily usage

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

I found this video of yours.

http://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=1NVNq5lWz6U

Loved the way it sounds. Could you provide the details please? I believe there is an FFE?

Also loved the exhaust note on the first S10 - one with blue wheels / OVRM.

http://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=f1w4uUwSJ2I

Any idea on the details?

Believe the second ones belongs to @JayD.

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by Nimish anthony

The first video posted is mine and car runs on leela tuned spec with FFE. It's a bit loud for daily use and can give you all the wrong attention.

The second video was of our fiat meet in ooty and the car uses raj Hingorani side exhaust. The same is extra loud for daily usage

So what's a good one for a daily run? Something which does NOT give you a headache on a long run?

I found the below one which can be muted?

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifi...m-muffler.html

Do we have a better choice?

[Nimish anthony]

The 1.6 fiat engine can produce the most aggressive FFE note and it can be mellowed to an extent by having a bigger resonator. I have a Honda city vtec done with Raj Hingorani and it's been tuned with a mellow beat and Honda engine produces a lighter note.
Based on your car the note can differ. So do u mind telling me your ride so I could share my inputs.