427 replies to this topic

[theolodian]

Slowly getting somewhere on this after more than a year. What are definites for upgrades while it is all apart? The bent donor had about 60K on it. Alloy rad? Bump steer plates, or should I just fork out on a rack? Braided lines? I want to get it through inspection before I spend wads on suspension, wheels, etc. This is about the stuff that is annoying to get to for replacement later. Also, anyone used the MVS racing sills? Wondering if they are a lot more work than the factory ones to install. Oh, any suggestions on paint colour? Thinking Rabiatta red with black stripes down the shoulders, but maybe it could be something that didn't come on a VX . . . Cheers, Theo

[mandarinvx]

I think the MVS sills are around the same price as the pukka Vauxhall ones, so may be worth calling Autovaux for a price before plashing out Definately get an alloy rad fitted - there are two versions, if you can stretch that far go for the thicker pro-alloy one As far as the steering goes, what makes you think you need a new rack, is there play in it? Even if you did get a new one you'd still have to consider whether to get the raiser plates Braided lines will be worthwhile whilst the car is apart If I had a blank canvas I'd go for Lotus Chrome Orange, or Lotus Krypton Green Have you got any photo's would be great to see it progressing

[theolodian]

Thanks for the advice on the sills, will check into it. Got scared off VX after what they quoted for the chassis and for the wiring loom . . . Yeah, pretty sure on the rad. Need to check prices. Not so sure on a new Rack, thinking plates and leave it for now. Chrome Orange, hmmmm. Not a complete blank canvas, but with the rear clam, both sills, touchup on the doors, and the stonechips it isn't too crazy to consider it. Was the normal red, so not hard to do a dark red. As for the photos, I think it'll be easier to set up a page for them.

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

Thanks for the advice on the sills, will check into it. Got scared off VX after what they quoted for the chassis and for the wiring loom . . .

Yeah, pretty sure on the rad. Need to check prices.

Not so sure on a new Rack, thinking plates and leave it for now.

Chrome Orange, hmmmm. Not a complete blank canvas, but with the rear clam, both sills, touchup on the doors, and the stonechips it isn't too crazy to consider it. Was the normal red, so not hard to do a dark red.

As for the photos, I think it'll be easier to set up a page for them.

There's a group buy on alloy rads at the moment. Forge I think.

[theolodian]

Thanks, I've been following that. I'm still trying to get the old rad out to see how bad it is. Trying to keep the budget from spiralling. On that note, should I get both sills from MVS and get a bodyshop to sort out what extra work is required to fit them, or get one sill from Vauxhall and try to get the other one off of the old car without destroying it? Cost is almost identical in both cases.

[MrSimba]

A Pro-Alloy extra capacity fuel tank would be on my list Save filling up every 150 miles... *Edit* Oh and Renault 'Liquid Yellow'

Edited by MrSimba, 07 May 2009 - 08:30 PM.

[theolodian]

A Pro-Alloy extra capacity fuel tank would be on my list

Save filling up every 150 miles...

*Edit* Oh and Renault 'Liquid Yellow'

I already have 2 perfectly good fuel tanks!

Alloy rad, balance shaft delete, lightened flywheel, Meriva tranny, anything else?!?

I think that there is going to be a lot of experimentation with rattle cans and coloured duct tape.

[theolodian]

I splurged and ordered the Cupra R spoiler today. Backing off on doing engine work for now; Milltek backbox, timing chain, balance shaft delete, water pump, clutch, light flywheel, alloy rad - that all adds up to Nitrons and a full fat geo!!! I am still trying to find room in the budget for the alloy rad and Milltek though. Vauxhall want £1,200 for the fiberglass sills and door seals though.

[theolodian]

Old pic of the new tub, before I prepped it:  new_tub1.JPG   129.91KB   42 downloads

[theolodian]

Made some more progress today. Pulled the front suspension, rad, and ABS. Next I need to pull the pedal box, rack, and column.  IMG_4723.JPG   103.01KB   37 downloads

[theolodian]

Pulled the fuel tank, shifter and cables tonight. Getting close to having the donor stripped.

[theolodian]

Gotta love power tools! But my hands are so numb that I can barely type. Starting to remove the crash box. Wndscreen saw makes quick work of what a 5cm blade can reach, which is almost everything but the top beam. Then hours of cheese wire unless I can get hold of some hot wire.

[siztenboots]

I'd run the extra pipework for a chargecooler rad , replace brake vacuum hose, put in several extra multicore cables front to back remove head rests change the heater box , and make good seals

[theolodian]

I'd run the extra pipework for a chargecooler rad , replace brake vacuum hose, put in several extra multicore cables front to back

remove head rests
change the heater box , and make good seals

Yes on the pipework, plan to do hard lines.

Yes on the brake vacuum hose for sure.

I will definitely look into the multicore wires.

Not planning to remove the headrests.


What do you mean by change the heater box? I was hoping to make one good one out of the two that I have.

Cheers!

[leevx2.2]

Made some more progress today. Pulled the front suspension, rad, and ABS. Next I need to pull the pedal box, rack, and column.

 IMG_4723.JPG   103.01KB   37 downloads

you got lots to do mate need a hand give us a shout are the cars in your garage looks prity spacey me want

[theolodian]

you got lots to do mate need a hand give us a shout are the cars in your garage looks prity spacey me want

How's this weekend for you?

Yeah, don't have access forever. Need to get it done and out of there.

[theolodian]

For the doubters (Lee ) I am making progress. Column, rack, engine mounts, and subframe off so far this morning.  IMG_4800.JPG   116.82KB   27 downloads Not so far to go on taking it apart. Putting it back together is another issue.

[theolodian]

Almost there. Very little left to remove before the wiring harness comes out. Mainly the black plastic piece where the harness goes between the cabin and the front of the car. (Also has the footwell heater outlets in it.) It is a royal PITA to get out though because you can't reach the rivets with a drill, so I am going to see how much a new one is before I spend any longer on it. If a new one is cheap then I'll just break it out.

[theolodian]

Well, at least it will be very clean - and very little rust. Have spent a major amount of time on this project on rusted fasteners, and to a lesser extent on generally cleaning everything before putting it back together. No, not polishing.

[theolodian]

Well, it is starting to go back together. Subframe is cleaned, rusty spots painted, and mounted on the new tub. Of course 3 of the 4 bolts lined up perfectly. Getting the 4th to line up required a fair bit of effort by my lonesome. I was worried that it got bent in the wreck for a while, but it was fine. I cleaned the motor side mounts to put them back on, and then I could see that they are moderately cracked. Wiring harness also laid back in loosely. There are 3 main branches, need to refer to my pictures to make sure that the main intersection is oriented correctly. Then I can proceed with permanently mounting it. Steering column and fuel tank can not go in until the wiring harness is in. Easier to put the tank in before the engine, so that is the general order of things to come. The main goal is to get the engine in, after I do the cam chain et al, pick up a new transmission, get the rest of my engine bits that never showed up at the stealership, etc. I might have used too much WD40 on the new tub. Every time I touch it I leave dark smudges of dust.