257 replies to this topic

[Ormes]

Update:

Undertook probably one of my biggest and most daunting jobs this week while off work.  Took a long time but enjoyed it and happy

 

Replaced:

Spark plugs - BKR6EIX

Timing belt - genuine Vauxhall

Exhaust roller - genuine Vauxhall

Intake roller - genuine Vauxhall

Timing belt tensioner - genuine Vauxhall

Water pump - genuine Vauxhall

Lower Timing belt outer cover - genuine Vauxhall

Inner Timing belt cover lower retaining bolts - genuine Vauxhall

Outer Timing belt cover upper and lower retaining bolts - genuine Vauxhall

Aux tensioner - genuine Vauxhall

Aux roller / idler - genuine Vauxhall

Aux belt - genuine Vauxhall

 

 

Refurbished:

-Engine mount bracket - stripped, ground/sanded, painted

 

 

As an aside, it is interesting what I found, given the belt was last replaced by a very trusted specialist!  Despite supplying a lower, outer Timing belt cover, they didn't replace it, probably as the inner retaining bolts came out connected to the outer cover and they couldn't be bothered to do anything about it.  The allen hole on the tensioner had been rounded and subsequently had a torx bit hammered into it, how and why I will never know, probably trying to tension clockwise rather than anti-clockwise.  Water pump had loads of silicone sealant on the back, as they clearly they couldn't be bothered to just clean up the mating surfaces.  Only smallish things in the scheme of things, but glad I've now added this job to my list and feel confident I can do it to a standard that I am happy with!

 

 

 

[Nev]

As an aside, it is interesting what I found, given the belt was last replaced by a very trusted specialist!  Despite supplying a lower, outer Timing belt cover, they didn't replace it, probably as the inner retaining bolts came out connected to the outer cover and they couldn't be bothered to do anything about it.  The allen hole on the tensioner had been rounded and subsequently had a torx bit hammered into it, how and why I will never know, probably trying to tension clockwise rather than anti-clockwise.  Water pump had loads of silicone sealant on the back, as they clearly they couldn't be bothered to just clean up the mating surfaces.  Only smallish things in the scheme of things, but glad I've now added this job to my list and feel confident I can do it to a standard that I am happy with!

 

 

I've found that the only way to do things right, is to do them yourself.

 

I've had several people contact me over the last few years to query poor quality/incomplete work done on their car's by so called "professional" members on here.
 

Edited by Nev, 29 September 2018 - 02:59 PM.

[hairy]

Update:

Undertook probably one of my biggest and most daunting jobs this week while off work.  Took a long time but enjoyed it and happy

 

Replaced:

Spark plugs - BKR6EIX

Timing belt - genuine Vauxhall

Exhaust roller - genuine Vauxhall

Intake roller - genuine Vauxhall

Timing belt tensioner - genuine Vauxhall

Water pump - genuine Vauxhall

Lower Timing belt outer cover - genuine Vauxhall

Inner Timing belt cover lower retaining bolts - genuine Vauxhall

Outer Timing belt cover upper and lower retaining bolts - genuine Vauxhall

Aux tensioner - genuine Vauxhall

Aux roller / idler - genuine Vauxhall

Aux belt - genuine Vauxhall

 

 

Refurbished:

-Engine mount bracket - stripped, ground/sanded, painted

 

 

As an aside, it is interesting what I found, given the belt was last replaced by a very trusted specialist!  Despite supplying a lower, outer Timing belt cover, they didn't replace it, probably as the inner retaining bolts came out connected to the outer cover and they couldn't be bothered to do anything about it.  The allen hole on the tensioner had been rounded and subsequently had a torx bit hammered into it, how and why I will never know, probably trying to tension clockwise rather than anti-clockwise.  Water pump had loads of silicone sealant on the back, as they clearly they couldn't be bothered to just clean up the mating surfaces.  Only smallish things in the scheme of things, but glad I've now added this job to my list and feel confident I can do it to a standard that I am happy with!

 

 

[hairy]

Useful information Alex, as usual a high standard job by yourself

[Ormes]

Useful information Alex, as usual a high standard job by yourself

 

 

Happy to offer advice / another pair of hands if and when you do yours
 

[The Batman]

name and shame

[chris_uk]

i have seen the same before, someone fcuking the tensioner bolt and just put it back in, took me fecking ages to get the fecker out.. 

[LeoD]

Wow. Have just read this thread from start to finish. Cracking workmanship. Just picked up my VXT last week and about to start on a similar path and really appreciate you taking the time to document what you have done, this will be invaluable for newbies like me. Thanks.

[Ormes]

Wow. Have just read this thread from start to finish. Cracking workmanship. Just picked up my VXT last week and about to start on a similar path and really appreciate you taking the time to document what you have done, this will be invaluable for newbies like me. Thanks.

Very much appreciate the kind words

Edited by Ormes, 28 October 2018 - 08:10 AM.

[Ormes]

MOT just about to expire so took it on a good run out today... the first since doing the service in September.

 

Everything seems as it should... no leakage from the water pump area, engine temps all OK, coolant level normal, no strange sounds and performs like it's timed correctly.  Forgot that I'd even changed my brake pads, as they seemed to require no bedding in at all, you got to love CL pads

 

So, I'm not going to get her MOTed this year, and going to SORN again... main reason being that I'm trying to decide whether or not to do a full suspension refresh, and the extent I go to if I do!

 

I already have new rear calipers, a refresh kit for the front calipers, plain 308mm front discs (Saab 9-5), front caliper spacers, CL6 pads, plain 288mm rear discs... all ready to fit.

 

This is the possible full extent...

 

Seriously Lotus refresh kit:

1x full set of Seriously Lotus wishbone bushes
8x Suspension Ball Joints
2x Track Rod Ends
1x Suspension bolt kit including damper bolts.

2x Drop links (won't be fitted as recently changed)

 

Elise Parts/Shop:

Steering Rack
Camber Shims
Caster Shims
Hub Carrier Bolts
Wishbone bearing fitting tool
GT Hubs and Bearings Front
Bearing Pack Rear
Bolts for Rear Bearing Pack
Inner toe links
Outer toe links
Ball Joint Replacement Tool

New Coilovers

 

...and of course any iron will be blasted and coated.

 

Hopefully nothing I've forgotten in terms of a 'full' refresh.  Main point of debate for me at the moment is whether to do... front GT hubs (expensive), Steering Rack (possibly unnecessary), Coilovers (already have NSS so possibly unnecessary).

 

Watch this space

 

[Aerodynamic]

MOT just about to expire so took it on a good run out today... the first since doing the service in September.

 

Everything seems as it should... no leakage from the water pump area, engine temps all OK, coolant level normal, no strange sounds and performs like it's timed correctly.  Forgot that I'd even changed my brake pads, as they seemed to require no bedding in at all, you got to love CL pads

 

So, I'm not going to get her MOTed this year, and going to SORN again... main reason being that I'm trying to decide whether or not to do a full suspension refresh, and the extent I go to if I do!

 

I already have new rear calipers, a refresh kit for the front calipers, plain 308mm front discs (Saab 9-5), front caliper spacers, CL6 pads, plain 288mm rear discs... all ready to fit.

 

This is the possible full extent...

 

Seriously Lotus refresh kit:

1x full set of Seriously Lotus wishbone bushes
8x Suspension Ball Joints
2x Track Rod Ends
1x Suspension bolt kit including damper bolts.

2x Drop links (won't be fitted as recently changed)

 

Elise Parts/Shop:

Steering Rack
Camber Shims
Caster Shims
Hub Carrier Bolts
Wishbone bearing fitting tool
GT Hubs and Bearings Front
Bearing Pack Rear
Bolts for Rear Bearing Pack
Inner toe links
Outer toe links
Ball Joint Replacement Tool

New Coilovers

 

...and of course any iron will be blasted and coated.

 

Hopefully nothing I've forgotten in terms of a 'full' refresh.  Main point of debate for me at the moment is whether to do... front GT hubs (expensive), Steering Rack (possibly unnecessary), Coilovers (already have NSS so possibly unnecessary).

 

Watch this space

Does your Saab 308mm discs take the air from the outside into the vents?

Mine does and I´m not sure how I should cool the discs?

 

I don´t want these big rim scoop. Maybe it does helpt som to blow air into the middle of the disc even tho not as effective as for the std disc which take air from the inside.

 

Br, Per

[Ormes]

 

MOT just about to expire so took it on a good run out today... the first since doing the service in September.

 

Everything seems as it should... no leakage from the water pump area, engine temps all OK, coolant level normal, no strange sounds and performs like it's timed correctly.  Forgot that I'd even changed my brake pads, as they seemed to require no bedding in at all, you got to love CL pads

 

So, I'm not going to get her MOTed this year, and going to SORN again... main reason being that I'm trying to decide whether or not to do a full suspension refresh, and the extent I go to if I do!

 

I already have new rear calipers, a refresh kit for the front calipers, plain 308mm front discs (Saab 9-5), front caliper spacers, CL6 pads, plain 288mm rear discs... all ready to fit.

 

This is the possible full extent...

 

Seriously Lotus refresh kit:

1x full set of Seriously Lotus wishbone bushes
8x Suspension Ball Joints
2x Track Rod Ends
1x Suspension bolt kit including damper bolts.

2x Drop links (won't be fitted as recently changed)

 

Elise Parts/Shop:

Steering Rack
Camber Shims
Caster Shims
Hub Carrier Bolts
Wishbone bearing fitting tool
GT Hubs and Bearings Front
Bearing Pack Rear
Bolts for Rear Bearing Pack
Inner toe links
Outer toe links
Ball Joint Replacement Tool

New Coilovers

 

...and of course any iron will be blasted and coated.

 

Hopefully nothing I've forgotten in terms of a 'full' refresh.  Main point of debate for me at the moment is whether to do... front GT hubs (expensive), Steering Rack (possibly unnecessary), Coilovers (already have NSS so possibly unnecessary).

 

Watch this space

Does your Saab 308mm discs take the air from the outside into the vents?

Mine does and I´m not sure how I should cool the discs?

 

I don´t want these big rim scoop. Maybe it does helpt som to blow air into the middle of the disc even tho not as effective as for the std disc which take air from the inside.

 

Br, Per

 

 

Yes they do... unlike the OEM discs, air passes from the wheel side of the disc rather hub side.  For this reason, I am still considering whether to fit them, or whether to buy some ally belled discs.  I have some pipe in the garage, ready to replace the fog lights!
 

[Ormes]

Seriously Lotus refresh kit:

1x full set of Seriously Lotus wishbone bushes
8x Suspension Ball Joints
2x Track Rod Ends
1x Suspension bolt kit including damper bolts.

2x Drop links (won't be fitted as recently changed)

 

Elise Parts/Shop:

Steering Rack
Camber Shims
Caster Shims
Hub Carrier Bolts
Wishbone bearing fitting tool
GT Hubs and Bearings Front
Bearing Pack Rear
Bolts for Rear Bearing Pack
Inner toe links
Outer toe links
Ball Joint Replacement Tool

New Coilovers

 

 

Added to list...

 

-ABS Sensor brackets

-Steering arms
 

[Ormes]

UPDATE: Door Cards v1.1

OK, so... I don't like coming back to a project, as it shows I didn't get it right first time, but... the door cards needed some amendment...

Firstly, the velcro that was holding them on needed some assistance, as the door cards fell off in the heat.  Solution to this was to slightly enlarge some existing holes and fit jack nuts. (Yellow/Red) I also used an existing jack nut that was seemingly doing nothing! (Green).

 

 

The top fixing points (Yellow) needed spacers and the bottom fixing points (Red) needed a totally different kind of spacer!

 

 

Next, the fit could have been better (Blue), and more space was required underneath the handle (Yellow), so got the dremel out again!  Finished off the handle with a little red vinyl stripe

 

 

Finally... the finish of the plastic wasn't 100% so used some gloss black vinyl wrap to finish them off

 

 

[Ormes]

Update

Mid-way through an epic refresh... some of the jobs I've done so far/got on the list:

 

-Change fuel filter - DONE

-Change Apexi air filter

-Change Aux water pump - IN PROGRESS

-Add wiring for a switch for Aux water pump

-Carry out full suspension, drive shaft and brake refresh - ALL STRIPPED AND IRON AT THE BLASTERS

-Replace the fog lights with brake cooling

 

Full details and pictures to come in due course.

 

A picture below as a little taster

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ChrisS1]

Wishbones etc look pretty clean already in that photo.

How many miles have they done?

[Ormes]

Wishbones etc look pretty clean already in that photo.

How many miles have they done?

They aren't terrible Chris, the shiny bits you see are the rear lowers covered by the tray... Uprights look like they have been stored in the sea.

Done just shy of 40k miles.

Edited by Ormes, 18 January 2019 - 11:46 AM.

[Ormes]

Not updated for a while but she had a full and comprehensive suspension refresh, an MOT and a setup by Back on Track, and then she was sold to Jon Seal.  This is the end of the line for this project thread... by me anyway... unless the next owner wants to adopt the thread... which he or she is welcome to do.  I'll stay an active part of the community and share knowledge where I can... it's been a great journey