Unit Nr4: TANK rebuild: new paint and first facelift retro conversion

[Seb_]

Hi
got this car as a gift last year, almost ended in a recycling bin but somehow managed to save it.
Made a video about the process (10min):

Hope you like it!

 

[Seb_]

Next step is to fit some 1.3 or 1.4 cams to gain a few HP. Don't want to mess with an engine swap nor to find a whole ECU set with the transponder and the transponder reader.
If anyone has some to sell don't hesitate to send me a PM.

 

[James]

Salut mon ami! Glad to see you posting on here again, I was wondering if you were still about the other day, didn't think to actually check on the forums!

 

[Seb_]

Hi James! Still in the K11 game! Hope you’re doing great! When do you buy another one?

 

[James]

Hi James! Still in the K11 game! Hope you’re doing great! When do you buy another one?

I actually had another one last year, but engine troubles and rust got the better of it in January

 

[Seb_]

I actually had another one last year, but engine troubles and rust got the better of it in January

View attachment 87504

Almost there

 

[Seb_]

Did some due maintenance on the front brakes: new discs, anti rattle clips and pads. Wire brushed surface rust and brake dust, Cleaned and regreased caliper pins. Only a few mm left on boht pads and discs.

 

[Seb_]

Also I installed a cheap 7” Android double din stereo, mostly to use wireless Apple Car Play, it works great!

Relocated the headlights height setting switch inside the ash tray.

 

[Seb_]

Well, « randomly » passed by a an ad for a CGA3 with only 54000KM and impulsively bought it
New clutch, stock 1.0 gearbox and CGA3 might be fun after all.

 

[Seb_]

Started to take care of the new low mileage 1.4 engine whom will replace the old 180 000KM 1.0 one.

Unbolted both the flywheel and clutch (the cheap fake Makita electric ratchet clearly struggled but made it), checked the main seal, degreased everything, fitted a new NGK O2 sensor (engine came without it), cleaned both the airflow meter and the throttle body, removed the old spark plugs (no trace of oil in the spark plugs wells), checked the coilpacks (they are in good condition too, no cracks or bent tips.) The exhaust manifold gasket is not damaged.
Bought a new LUK clutch and the PS / alternator belts. I will use my GA16 airbox with a green airfilter.

So far everything is working according to the plan, a cheap, comfy and reliable daily driver with 90ish HP.

Still havent decided about a few things tho:

Should I lightly sand the 1.0 flywheel surface? Some people say do it, some say don't

Should I remove the engine with the gearbox attached, or remove the gearbox first and then the engine. (I plan to use the 1.0 flywheel and gearbox with the 1.4 engine)

Should I use the Z10 Alpha exhaust manifold or my Frankspeed exhaust manifold?

Should I buy regular BKR5E11 NGK sparkplugs or cop the BKR6E11 colder grade ones?

Should I keep the stock 1.0 ECU or will it cause underfueling issues?

Any advice appreciated !

 

[Seb_]

Tyding up some old parts stock I found an old shift knob made by @markbognor in 2010

Unique Brushed/Satin Aluminium Gear knob with allen bolt detail - £20 Posted

Here's a one of a kind aluminium gear knob to suit a K11 gear leaver shaft. It features a countersunk allen bolt detail. £20 posted to your door.

micra.org.uk

I did install it and it’s still looking dope!

 

[.Maarten]

I would remove the engine with the gearbox attached. And use the alpha manifold with the bkr6 spark plugs.
I would also swap in a 1.4 ecu.

 

[Seb_]

I would remove the engine with the gearbox attached. And use the alpha manifold with the bkr6 spark plugs.
I would also swap in a 1.4 ecu.

Appreciated Maarten! Ryan whom did that video:
also told me it was the best way, removing the whole unit engine+gb .
I did order a set of BKR6 plugs a few days ago I will check if they don't turn too soot black after a few hundreds of KMs!

 

[Seb_]

Some updates on what I gathered / left to do:

Done:
Gave the block a good clean with some degreaser and elbow grease
Removed the old clutch and flywheel on the CGA3,
Removed the heavy AC models specific alternator bracket plate and pulley.
Gave the MAF a good clean

Bought or found in my spare parts stock:
Bought a cheap engine lift crane 149 euros + won a 10 euros discount coupon= 139 euros
Bought some cheap plastic centering tool for the clutch install 3euros
Bought a brand new LUK clutch 80 euros
Bought a brand new NGK first lambda 41 euros
Found an old 100NX airbox FREE
Found my old Z10 Alpha ex manifold FREE
Found some spare new OEM exhaust manifold gaskets FREE
Bought a CGA3 first catalizer because when I got the manifold 10 years ago I ditched it to mount the CG13 shorter one instead, thinking "I'll never have a facelift) (...) 50 euros
Bought Monroe front shocks 35x2= 70 euros minus 10 euros coupon = 60 euros
Bought KYB rear shocks 24x2= 48 euros
Bought 2 new MAPCO belts 3x2= 6 euros
Bought some cheap -20c green coolant 4 euros
Found 4 spare liters of ELF 10W40 engine oil FREE
Found 1 spare liter of Dextron for PS pump FREE
Found a spare OEM Nissan GA16 air filter to fit on the 100NX airbox FREE
Bought a dry air filter because the Nissan one was oily and I don't want to foul the cleaned CGA3 Bosch MAF 4 euros
Bought a set of colder grade spark plugs NGK BKR611 3x4= 12 euros
Found spare gearbox oil 1Lx4 75W90 FREE
Bought MAPCO ARBs links and bushes set 25 euros
Found a spare facelift speedometer with rev counter FREE
Brand new K11 parts are definitely becoming harder and harder to find, and there is less and less manufacturers choice for most of the parts...

Need to buy:
Rear main seal (changed my mind and decided to change it while I'm at it)
Spare low mileage OEM alternator because the one on the 1L engine is 180K KM and thanks to @pollyp I know they can't be fully serviced:

PollyMobiles Rebuild

Ebays mostly the cheapest option. Other than local b&q at arm ripping rates, nothing i searched in north east sells tubes and/or cheaper than ebay or online. Can't wait to make this frame n see if it works

micra.org.uk

Spare low mileage OEM starter
Cheap device to clean the CGA3 injectors


Need to do:
Swap the 1L crank pulley onto the CGA3
Swap the 1L gearbox onto the CGA3
Swap the 1L flywheel onto the CGA3
Ship the ECU to Mark from Tornado Systems whom replied he was still provided ECU flashing and NATS removal, he also confirmed to me that both 1L and 1.4L ECU can be sent and flashed.

 

[Seb_]

Well, I was looking for guides/infos about swaping the lighter 1L crank pulley but just found a post from @frank not recommending doing it:

Pulleys

Does anyone know if the OE pulleys can be lightened in any way? Or know were they can be brought ready done?

micra.org.uk

Also well decided to clean the stock injectors as both @Ed from Fusion and Mark from Tornados say it's a useless mod without big power/turbo:

Injector upgrade

What's the best injector upgrade anyone's tried? I have a large flatspot in third so think its running lean so want to increase the fuel to air mix. Looking into what injectors to run alongside an afpr! Thanks Motty

micra.org.uk

Mark basically said the same thing to me by email about CGA3 injectors.