MY MKII Rebuild!!

[Valver]

Finally got round to sorting my photos out from rebuilding my MKII. After playing around on photobucket for half an hour they're finally on there, so if you fancy a nosey or you're just bored take a look. :)

I think it should be read only password protected so if you need the username and password they are:-
Username:- cabvalver
Password:- gte16v
that should work!!

The LET will be goin in soon, so more photo's to follow!!

http://photobucket.com/albums/e121/cabvalver/

[Tony K]

A LOT of hard work in the m8, well done. Look forward to seeing it at Retro.

[James C]

Nice motor - i like the subtle mods like the wing mirrors with built in flasher units - very modern lift

[Black Magic]

looks well smart. bet it cost u a fair bit on the work uve had done

[Valver]

It did cost a few bob and that was doing the work myself with a big help from my old man!!

[AstraPower]

i love that colour mate...very very nice!! you going to get leather door cars now? that would really complete it.

[MK2-Andrew]

hats off to you mate.

very nice motor

[richie00boy]

A lot of good work done there, lovely colour too. What are the mirrors? Are they electrically moveable?

[BazW]

very nice :applause:

just goes to show what a bit of hard work can get you

[Gteman]

Another mk2 saved.

Photo's are great I've done as much if not more bodywork on mine, but have only started prepping for paint.

Did you spray wings, bonnet etc off of the car ?

[Ben K]

brilliant mate looks excellent well restored

what seats are they ??

[the wicker man]

good pics chap :)

[rhydgte]

Excellent mate!

Tell me that isn't 'Saxo Blue' though!?

[rhydgte]

brilliant mate looks excellent well restored

what seats are they ??

Could be wrong but they look like bmw vipers

[Valver]

A lot of good work done there, lovely colour too. What are the mirrors? Are they electrically moveable?
Cheers!! I bought the mirrors from demon tweeks for the sum of about £125 for the pair including baseplates, the indicators are fully functional and yes the are electrically moveable.


very nice
just goes to show what a bit of hard work can get you
Cheers Baz, oh yes and for the seats too, should hopefully be sticking them in, if I don't find a leather rear that is!!


Another mk2 saved.
Photo's are great I've done as much if not more bodywork on mine, but have only started prepping for paint.
Did you spray wings, bonnet etc off of the car ?
Is there much more to do?? As for the painting, yeah the bonnet was done off, stood up, less chance of muck landing on it!! The wings were also done off the car, along with the doors, a little risky doin it this way as you can scratch them putting them back on, but as I de-roof barred mine, this meant painting the roof and rear quarters all in one go, so meant too much painting all in one go to do the doors and wings, plus the garage isn't big enough to get all the way around the car!!


Excellent mate!
Tell me that isn't 'Saxo Blue' though!?
what seats are they ??
Could be wrong but they look like bmw vipers
Cheers Ryhdgte and it certainly is not Saxo blue, it is Vauxhalls own Europa Blue as per MK4 Coupe/Cabs/Turbos (had to pick a vauxhall colour!!) and as for the seats, you're wrong again i'm afraid, they're out of a new age celica, but may be goin back to a decent set of dark grey/black interior that was kindly donated by BazW (think me owes you a drink or two there Baz - you at PVS/Retro??)

Think thats' all questions answered!! :)

[Black Magic]

what was the final bill :p

[Valver]

Do you really wanna know??

Stopped counting at 10k & i'm just starting the LET conversion!!

[BazW]

may be goin back to a decent set of dark grey/black interior that was kindly donated by BazW (think me owes you a drink or two there Baz - you at PVS/Retro??)

don't worry about it mate, good to see they'll be going in a very nice mk2 :) i'm definately at retro not sure about PVS yet

[GTE16v]

lovely car mate, hats off to you, thats some proper work!

[Defiance]

Bleeding Awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A truely beautiful job

Ciao

Def

[Tony25]

Top work, did you paint in 2 pack?? do you have all the breathing gear or did you use 1k clear??

[Valver]

Yeah painted it in 2 pack or my old man did I should say, breathing mask and a big extract fan!!

[Graham]

Top job looks great

[Black Magic]

thats good, ur 10k is far from my 20k :p

[Valver]

I can imagine, I stopped counting at 10 but I imagine there was 3 or 4 more on top of that, then theres the LET!! All good fun :)

[Valver]

Right quick update!!

The LET block has now been rebuilt with my gas flowed head strapped on, the f28 has been converted to 2wd (m-tech kit) and now they are living very happily in my engine bay :) All wiring is done and whilst the dash was out (swapped for a black one) all the loom was re-taped and the cav turbo clocks fitted which have the check control integrated into them, so guess where the oil and boost gauges are goin??

Sourced an intercooler from a saab 93 (so sort of GM related!!) re-positioned the radiator, sourced some twin fans from a rover turbo diesel, they now live in between the intercooler and the rad.
Just need to make the oil cooler fit, pick up my recon'd turbo tomorrow, exhaust (courtesy of mel on sunday) and sort out the coolant/turbo hoses, then it should be time to turn it over (fingers crossed!!)

Will sort out some pics soon (but saying that, once you've seen one LET conversion, you've seen them all!!)

[untouchable]

lovely pics, cracking car :D

[Kev Read]

Very nice mate. What seats are those?

[Ross_Mk2]

it will not let me view the pics mate, says need to log in as you???

[Valver]

Very nice mate. What seats are those?

Cheers mate,

The seats are out of a celica (latest model)

[Valver]

it will not let me view the pics mate, says need to log in as you???

If you look at the first post matey the username and password is on there!!

[Ross_Mk2]

If you look at the first post matey the username and password is on there!!

Sorry :D

[Valver]

Some photos of the LET transplant, started up for the first time tonight and started first time to!! Mel's old exhaust, modded to fit!! And Baz's seats

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e121/cabvalver/845e4a22.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e121/cabvalver/e0dcb73d.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e121/cabvalver/ebay013.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e121/cabvalver/ebay016.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e121/cabvalver/ebay018.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e121/cabvalver/ebay024.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e121/cabvalver/ebay027.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e121/cabvalver/b708750d.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e121/cabvalver/ebay030.jpg

[Tom]

Looking good matey :)

Got the intercooler all sorted now ?

[Valver]

Yep it's all piped up, just been out for a quick run around, feels ok and pulls good, not opened it up fully, but the power feels like it's all there :Banane47:

[astramike]

looks the bollocks that matey , wouldnt mind a trip out in that next time i see you ;)

[richie00boy]

Interesting exhaust route! Is that to gain more ground clearance?

[BazW]

looks a proper job there mate, look forward to seeing it up close :applause:

[Valver]

Interesting exhaust route! Is that to gain more ground clearance?

Not quite sure which bit you mean??

[Tom]

Yep it's all piped up, just been out for a quick run around, feels ok and pulls good, not opened it up fully, but the power feels like it's all there :Banane47:
Great stuff, although you could of used proper exhaust clamps on that fancy system :rolleyes:

[Valver]

Great stuff, although you could of used proper exhaust clamps on that fancy system :rolleyes:

That's only a temporary measure, as the exhaust was for the 8v shell it has a nasty dogleg in it to avoid the gear selector, so eventually i'll get the pipe from the downpipe to the middle box remade, I had to cut out the original middle box and replace it with the one shown as it was too big and wouldn't go up properly due to it hitting the strenghtening/exhaust mount piece underneath!!

[Tom]

That's only a temporary measure, as the exhaust was for the 8v shell it has a nasty dogleg in it to avoid the gear selector, so eventually i'll get the pipe from the downpipe to the middle box remade, I hade to cut out the original middle box and replace it with the one shown as it was too big and wouldn't go up properly due to it hitting the strenghtening/exhaust mount piece underneath!!
Ah right I see, will let you off then lmao !

Is it 3 inch from the turbo flange, it looks like it in the pic ?

Looking at that its tempting me to redo mine in stainless, hmmm money money :(

[Valver]

Ah right I see, will let you off then lmao !

Is it 3 inch from the turbo flange, it looks like it in the pic ?

Looking at that its tempting me to redo mine in stainless, hmmm money money :(

I'll let you off!! :confused:

Yeah it's 3" from top to tail even all the bends are true 3" diameter.
It looks a real quality system, almost cried when I had to take the angle grinder to it!!

Ahh it's only money, you know you want to!! :)

[Tom]

I'll let you off!! :confused:
lol as in how anyone can spend mega bucks on an exhaust and then hold it together with the crappiest exhaust clamps ever :duh:

[richie00boy]

Not quite sure which bit you mean??

The way it curves round the sump. My 8v one just runs straight under it so has no bends like that.

[Valver]

The way it curves round the sump. My 8v one just runs straight under it so has no bends like that.

I can't take any credit/critism for the exhaust as it's mel's old one off her GTE turbo, I can only imagine that is why it was done like that, as it's 3" bore, it would be very close to the floor and getting to the sump plug would be difficult, saying that it follows the original route of the turbo downpipe anyhow!!

[Valver]

lol as in how anyone can spend mega bucks on an exhaust and then hold it together with the crappiest exhaust clamps ever :duh:

Tom i'll buy 3 proper T bolt type stainless exhaust clamps at £12.50 a pop just for you matey!! :)

[Treebeard]

Wow that is one nice car emerging from your rebuild, That will surely look the Dan Gliballs by the time your done.

I love a Mk2 in blue.

[Defiance]

Hiya Valver,
Cheers again for help on other post :)

Just a Q or two about your rear quarter panels ..........

Where the new panel will fit to the cut shell area around the vent + window do you think it would be ok for me to spot a fixing plate at the back and onto the areas so the new panel would be able to spot on then seam weld along ??

Or is it best to joggler the new panels on ?? (bought a joggler and can i find it !!! lol)

Car looks beautiful in that blue btw
My valver is some rover blue colour but is darker not by much though, Think blues of that colour suit the GTE's imho
fiancee won on colouring my rebuild and luckily it's the champ colour (i love it too :D )

Uuuooooohhhhhhh and a Let, Another member i can pester when i get to put mine in lol

Hope mine looks like that when it's done

Cheers

Have Fun

Ciao

Def

[Valver]

I'm sure it will Def,

And you're spot on with regards to where the new panel joins to the old, we spotted on a plate about 2" wide to the old panel then spotted on the new panel, at the sill, b post, in between the window & C post, then once we were completely happy with everything it was seam welded up, took a few attempts, basically screw the panel on with a few self tappers and grips to you get it spot on, you have to have that backing plate there, then grind down the welds, very little filler to be used too, so win, win situation! Oh and don't cut the old panels off until you have the new ones and undercut it first so that you have a bit to play with, probably teaching you to suck eggs, but anyway!!
The rest just needs spot welding on as per original, they are pretty straight forward, easier if there is two of you, just someone to hold on to things!! Just take your time with them and it'll all be worth it in the end. :)

Any questions about the LET feel free to ask, if I can't answer it, sure there is plenty of people on here who can.

[Defiance]

Hiya Valver,
Cheers for info

Unfortunately in some regards i cannot have anyone on the farm to help
Kind of great to keep my over-eager (polite terminology for him lol)
But i will be armed n dangerous with assorted welding clamps lmao

Thanks for the tips

Cheers Again

Ciao

Def

[Valver]

Finally back down on it's wheels and built back up, finished for now, but need to redo the roof, passenger door and new bonnet once the weather warms/dries up a little!! Oh and paint and fit the morettes. Glad to report it doesn't look any different, even managed to keep the bumper as was even with the FMIC :) Would like to thank various people for their help, opinons and guides, keep up the good work chaps! Don't think these Yoko's are gonna last very long!!

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e121/cabvalver/Picture001.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e121/cabvalver/Picture003.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e121/cabvalver/Picture004.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e121/cabvalver/Picture002.jpg

[Defiance]

Hiya Valver,
What a beauty

Looks soooooooooooooooo spankingly shiney and fresh :)

You've really done your GTE proud there m8

Take Care

Have Fun

Ciao

Def

[BazW]

we like that :Banane47:

you'd be tricked into thinking it was an 8v with the single back box as well :cool:

[Valver]

Looks soooooooooooooooo spankingly shiney and fresh

Yeah that's thanks to my old man painting it, you wouldn't believe this was done in the garage and not at a bodyshop! Think the new trim helps keep it fresh too.

Cheers :)

[vauxmad]

absaloutly mint that, real tidy example now that is!!!

[richie00boy]

we like that :Banane47:

you'd be tricked into thinking it was an 8v with the single back box as well :cool:

Exactly what I thought straightaway.

Done a good job there, like it.

[untouchable]

looking goooooood, its nice to see bits of my car going to good use :D

[James C]

I'm also liking the Oval tail pipe. Its a little bit different! Nice car - are we to be seeing it at the shows over the summer. Also quality efforts on the painting!

[Valver]

looking goooooood, its nice to see bits of my car going to good use

Took a little bit of modding mel, but it got there!! :)


I'm hoping to get down to PVS next weekend but will be in the car park, booked for retro tho and should be attending billing also.

[GazJevs84]

that looks ace mate

[Ben K]

hiya valver looks excellent

where did you get the new header tank from?? been trying to get one
also if you put quads on do you want to sell the headlights as mine are all rusted and cracked and they look in good condition ?

cheers ben

[Valver]

Cheers Ben :)

Header tanks are £19 from your local friendly vauxhall dealer

And the headlights are in good condition, one is new ish and the other is 12 months old or so, will have a think, still not sure about putting the quads on yet??

[Ben K]

ok mate thanks for that :)

[Tom]

Hi matey have you got any info on how you piped up that oil cooler please ?

[Valver]

Hi matey have you got any info on how you piped up that oil cooler please ?

What would you like to know matey? It's basically a cut and shut between the old rubber pipes and the new, joined by two 90 degree bends, not a lot to it really!!

[Tom]

How youve done the cut n shut bit lol, and how much pipe did you need ?

[Valver]

How youve done the cut n shut bit lol, and how much pipe did you need ?

I got all the bits i needed from www.merlinmotorsport.com 7x230mm oil cooler, 4 x 90 degree union bends, 2 x joiners and about 3m of pipe, I probably used less than 2m but always best to buy more, basically routed as shown, runs down the inside of the inner wing, drops to where it meets the 90 degree unions, used the old pipe line bracket that used to mount the lines to the bottom of the inner wing, made a small stad off brack and bolted it up to the back of the bottom X member, had to trim a little of the back of the bumper, basically for the unions to fit.

You can have a nosey if you want at the meet!!

[Tom]

Cheers that sounds like the way Im going to do mine. :)

Do you think a 7 row cooler is enough ?

Im thinking a 10 row would be better ?

[Valver]

Cheers that sounds like the way Im going to do mine. :)

Do you think a 7 row cooler is enough ?

Im thinking a 10 row would be better ?

The one thing you must make sure you do is to have the outlets either on the top or on the side, never on the bottom, if you have the outlets on the bottom it'll be very hard to bleed the air out and have correct flow thru the cooler.
My choice was limited to what I could have, the original vauxhall coolers @ £240 a pop are a 7 row type and are only 190mm wide by 35mm deep iirc, so the 7 x 230mm x 50mm was an ideally replacement, plus i needed to make sure the cooler saw the proper airflow, where it's mounted was the only position i could ideal fit it, any higher and it would foul the top of the bumper plus the middle cross member part of the bumper would sit in front of a cooler, or anything that was any higher than a 7 row one, so it seemed pointless getting a 10 row one as 3 or 4 rows would not see air.
The 7 row seems to work fine and remember the oil coolers are thermostatically control anyhow, so they will only cool when they need to. They do advise that for every 500rpm increase in engine speed you go up a size, as my engine is standard and will be staying this way there was no point goin to the hassle of fitting anything bigger. If you can fit a 10 row then knock yourself out, it can only do more good than harm!! :)

[Valver]

Not posted on here for a while, but things have been making progress!!

The gte has needed some tlc over the past couple of months, dodgy starting!! but mainly issues with the de-railed roof, but that has been all welded up now properly and the car has been treated to a new bonnet and another paint job, complete with brand new sideskirts so at least all my plastics match!! It also now resides with a full champ black leather interior too, finally!! And i'll be starting the 5 stud conversion this weekend now i've found some non-abs 5 stud rear hubs (so can keep the gte rear beam!!)

[richie00boy]

Nice one dude, was wondering the other day where you had got to.

[Valver]

Finally got round to taking some pics of my gte finished!!

[mick g]

Just gone through your photo diary chap, it is marvellous to see what can be done. :grinning-smiley-043

[BrightSpark]

:applause: lovely job on the restoration looks the dogs in standard guise
Not sure with the grey turbo rims or lights but who am I to say ....
It still looks great!!! :grinning-smiley-043

[GazJevs84]

Not to keen on the colour of the rims but hey not everyone's got the same taste

You have done a lovely job fella :grinning-smiley-043

[Dale]

looking good, great car imo. well done

[astramike]

was wondering where you got too lol , looking good matey the turbo rims in anthersite go well with the blue imo looks the dogs , i was thinking about turbo rims or allesios in anthersite for mine but decided to keep the 17s, loving the steering wheel same as mine;)