Rebuild PtII - The Hybrid

[Black Magic]

well, spent pretty much all day at Lee's (Appitysers)doing this Big end Crank oil seal, which meant engine out unfortunatly, & also gave me the opportunity to fit this 16v Rear Engine mount.

As soon as i got there, Lees got called into work, so i started with out him, taking off the inlet manifold, radiator, hoses, plugs, wires manifold & all the other crap away from the main engine block itself, so we could hoist it outta there

heres the engine being pulled apart
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_176_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_178_full.jpg

engine out
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_175_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_177_full.jpg

Gearbox cleaned, thanks to Lee
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_179_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_180_full.jpg :thumbsup:

Ill put some more up tomorro, didnt have much time to take any more pics, not after the cursing that was going on, when the engine wouldnt line up, engine mounts would come undone, 20ft bars flying off for leaveradge & smacking my ear, i wasnt in the best of moods :mad:

i also think i have a hole in my gearbox, & what worse, i havent even driven the slut :hissyfit:

[Sipo]

All I can really say to you is fair play for not giving up, youve put up with more sh1t from your GTE than an average of 4 GTE owners would expect!

[richie00boy]

What he said. I've got a lot, of respect for you, moreso for sticking with the 8v against odds as well.

[Black Magic]

I know, there the easiest engines to work on & maintain, but the worst to put back into an engine bay. What a goddamn pain :mad:

but anyhows, i hear some of you are wonderring why the 16v linkage? well, mebbe this will clear things up.

here below is the 8v gear stick. a skinny thing, & has awful dash surroundings.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_182_full.jpg
out with the old, in with the New. 16v gearlever a bit more beefier
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_183_full.jpg
with the end result, ending with a dash like this.....
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_184_full.jpg

please note the Double Din Slot, as ill be coming back to this for my install... ;)

phat :cool:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_185_full.jpg

& with Lee fighting fires, i was left on my billie to finish some of the loose ends, manifold, brether pipe gasket, rad, ball joints & wheels to sort out in this blisterring heat.

please ignore this noobie bumper, that will be getting changed as soon as someone sells me a mk3 GSi bumper ;)
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_186_full.jpg

[richie00boy]

Dash looks good but how will you keep warm in winter and cool in summer? ;)

How bad a job was it to fit the 16V linkage? Does it really fit properly and the dash as well? Seems a bit off in the pic.

[Black Magic]

well, the cool thermostat never makes my car warm, & i wont be using it in winter. to keep cool in the summer, its sunroof open, windows down, & ****ttt it down the motorway :cool:

the linkage itself was is the easy bit. the hard bit, was fitting the rear engine mount. the mount itself is slightly offset, so its somewhat pushing the rubber bush over to oneside. If anyone else is gunna attempt this, make sure your other 2 mounts are on first, & use ramps/pit or lift.

the dash isnt 100% no, the reason that is, is cos the top half is from a Daewoo, & the rear ½ from the 16v, i shudda really got the daewoo lower part actually. i may do at some point.

Chavtastic also tells me my chrome inlet manifold is done, so with any luck ill be getting it next week :D

[traffman]

looking superb mate.

[rhydgte]

Yes mate 10/10 for dedication :applause:

[richie00boy]

So you reckon the Daewoo lower centre console and transmission tunnel setup would all fit the 8v shell perfect?

What about me finding a Nexia and robbing the whole console and gear linkage, do you think that would do it nicely? Just need to put a hole in the bulkhead and use the 16v mount (which I already have)?

[Black Magic]

ull need to drill the hole. make sure its dead centre, or it wont fit. yes, he nexia linkage, mounts, gear lever & dash pieces will pretty much guarantee it willall line up, butlike i said, the hard part is the mount itself.

u will also need to drill holes in the tunnel/chasis, to bolt the gear lever housing too, but im sure u lot have worked that out already ;)

[Black Magic]

right peeps, expect lots of pics in the next few weeks, as this is how my car looks at the bodyshop.

i expect it to be in there for about 4 weeks or so, & the mk3 front end conversion to take place, as well as the respray.

i can see this being a complicated transformation, so anyone with mk3 front end coversion experieince, please speak now, & tell me what problems u ran into. :thumbsup:

[rhydgte]

Best of luck with it mate :applause:

Does it drive yet?

[mikey g]

sel me the rear bumper it looks ace!! how far have you got with the mk3 front end convertion??

[Black Magic]

rhyd, no. its being gay (see general chat) & mikey, i havent started it yet, but i got all the parts tho. it gets started on monday

[mikey g]

nice how long till its all done?? hpe your going to put up some step by step pics im thinking of doing the same

[Sipo]

Good luck matey, the mk3 front end on the mk2 looks ace and I like the other styling that you have gone for so your car should look the nuts ;)

[Black Magic]

been a busy guy today people. First things first, ive had the entire Dash out, YET AGAIN!! :grumpy: & pull the frazzled loom out, to see the extent of the damage.

its not good, & its melted right the way back to a big solder joint, & the round plug is melted beyond repair.

so new loom it is.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_189_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_190_full.jpg

WE managed to get the mk3 bonnet on without any problems, & lined up quite well on the original hinges :bananajump:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_191_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_188_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_187_full.jpg

near the top of the wing (towards the windscreen), there was a slight gap, which narrows as it goes down, so i think the wings will need pulling out slighlty to make it even both sides.

the next problem, was the slam panel. the mk3 is about 2/3 inch wider both sides, & that will need cutting somewhere, & rejoining to narrow it.

which means the grill will also need cutting down, so the headlights fit where they should, & the wing pieces in the right place.

since no one seems to give us the heads up on how they've done the mk3 front ends before, im somewhat going in blind, but hey, its a learning curve, for us all!

[johnl]

Good luck with the project hope you get it sorted soon I'd be interested to see how it turns out.

[Black Magic]

right, next update ppl. went down last week to check the progress of the car, & seems the slam panel & the headlight surrounds are now on.

been busy putting (YET ANOTHER :mad:) loom in, but had to swop the fuse boxes over, as it was melted pretty bad under one of the pins. it was a tedious job, to say the least, but finished, & the dash is now back in none-the-less. also, put a couple of live feeds extra in the loom, & earths, going thro the fuse box itself, before taping it back up. a proper job well done ;)
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_196_full.jpg

its starting to take shape now. as u can see below, the welds where the mk3 wiing was cut, & welded to the mk2 one
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_192_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_193_full.jpg

the headlights in, measured up. not a bad fit, but the drivers side is a bit out, so thatll need fixing. http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_194_full.jpg

& heres with the grill in place. from the front, u'd never guess it was a mk2 ;)
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_195_full.jpg

when i get back from the states, ill check on the progess, if any, & post up the pics.

[mattc]

Nice one mate. Liking that will look good when finished :)

[braders]

looking good mate. What bodyshop you using this time then?

[mikey g]

starting to look the part now mate, that front bumper i had off you looks the part on mine now and iv got the same side skirts as you now, im just looking for a nice bk bumper now, something like yours (hint hint):thumbsup:

[vauxmad]

can't wait for the next update on this really interesting thread

[mutznutz]

looking really good mate, im pretty sure most bodyshops in germany that do the mk2.5 conversion use the mk2 bonnet, but just trim the front in line with the lights.
your going one step further, so should look ace, good luck with the rest of it!

[Black Magic]

thanks, well, i didnt know about the bonnet being trimmed down. i shall investigate, but i went the body shop yesterday, but turned up too late, it was shut when i got there.

too late out of bed, too mu ch jet lagg. With any luck, ill be on the net this week.

[Squig]

looking good mate, I'm thinking of doing this conversion myself get some more pics up mate :D

[Black Magic]

will do wen the bodyshop man actually starts sum work on it

[rhydgte]

Just had chance to catch up with this thread, looks good matey..:thumbsup:

[Dale]

looking good man, update use them the bodyshop starts work!

[Black Magic]

some bad news guys, the bodyshop the car is currently in, isnt going to do any more work. the fact hes got no more money left, & shutting up shop doesnt help, as well as his tone in his voice, he just cant be arsed.

£300 deposit, wants to give me £150. i told him to do 1, that just wasnt acceptable. I told him, how can u constitute, a £150 loss, on taking JUST the dashboard out, & fitting the mk3 bonnet?

he goes on to tell me, tha the electrics were done, & some solderring as well as orderring some paint. Hang on a minute, 1. i did the electrics MYSELF, 2: 4 wires were solderred in total, & as for the paint, hes got 2lires, unthinned.

he seems to reckon thinned, that would do my whole car, somehow i dont think so, any one else think different?

i told him, £250, but after more bullcrapin', ive settled for £200 & the 2lires of paint.

i know what it is, hes skint, & has spent my Deposit already. the welding was already payed for, to a 3rd party member, & even then, im no 100% happy with it

[richie00boy]

Gutted again. So basically if you take his offer you got the dash out and bonnet fitted, few little bits and some paint for £100? TBH mate that sounds fair enough.

What was welded?

[Black Magic]

the 2 coner light surrounds on the wings, & slam panel, but that was payed for separate, £200, & not to him

[GazJevs84]

sounds like a muppet to me fella

[vauxmad]

sounds like a muppet to me fella

just what i was thinking, you really aint having much luck with bodyshops are you mate

[Black Magic]

nope, there all timewasting knobs.

anyhows, its in the new body shop tomorrow (monday) & im going down every week to work on it myself, so i can see what is exactly is going on with these bodyshops, as well as keep an eye on things.

so plenty of pics to follow. :)

[Black Magic]

been up to the bodyshop today, & while i was up there took a couple of pics to show the progress on the semi-finished interrior.
finally dropped the GSi grille off, so the front end conversion can go full steam ahead now.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_197_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_198_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_199_full.jpg
now got the double DIN slot, so that'll be my normal headunit & TV screen in them slots.

seat rails needed modyfying, for my subframes to fit & required some cutting & grinding. Carpets in, as is the loom,& the engine working, (just) :)

[mikey g]

cant wait to come see this when its finished

[ANDYRACER]

You still not finished it yet u mincer :thumbsup:
Coming along now Taner, looks miles better with that front end and without that stupid bonnet vent :grinning-smiley-043

[GsiTurbo]

Oh wow, its looking great!!!

[Dale]

looking good, not too keen on blue seats tho, but thats just me!

[GazJevs84]

The bodyshop where the car is is there a lad called mark working there nickname bones he is quite tall and skinny??

[Black Magic]

i only know steweed, he has a brother, ~& yes, they are both very skinny.

mirage styling its called.

[braders]

Are you on about Bones with the green Vectra Estate?

[GazJevs84]

Are you on about Bones with the green Vectra Estate?

Erm not that i know of have not seen or spoke to him for a while tho he used to have a clio 16v in williams blue

[Black Magic]

that bodyshop is now closing that my car was at on monday, so for most of the week, i have been stressing on where to take it.

apparently, steweed has been threatened, so hes closing up, & not risking his customers cars getting trashed.

luckily for me, ive found somewhere else to take my car, & its ACTUALLY being worked on.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_200_full.jpg

im popping up today, so ill see what theyve actuallly done :)

so thats 3 bodyshops my cars been to..... :rolleyes:

oh, by the way, ill be selling that bonnet. i need to raise sum cash, & fast. itll need re-spraying, as not every car is black :)

[Sipo]

Oh man, will this car ever see the finish line?! Fair play to you matey, you have done VERY well to keep on perserveering with this motor - most people would have given up a long time ago with the amount of trouble you've had. It wouldnt even run for around 9 months of trying would it?

[Black Magic]

no, thats right. mainly due to the detieroated Loom on it, whcih has more transplants than ive seen novas lmao

anyhows, been to the bodyshop today, with poor running, that was down to plugs & leads, £45 later, & with a new set of Bosch super +'s & HT Leads, all is well.

to my suprise, & probably some of u, this car has more work done in 2 days, than it has in the 2 years its been stood for.

ABOUT ****ING TIME! :mad:

the wings are blended in nicely now :)
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_201_full.jpg

Grill ive bought off mig is also on, making it look like the mk3 lol
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_202_full.jpg

bumpers finally on......
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_203_full.jpg

the tailgate has a small crack in it, as well as some small minor dints all round the car, so its looking like a bit of a lepoard, but its finally got some progress.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_204_full.jpg
ill pop back next week to see, hopefully, the sideskirt back on.

[mikey g]

looking good now mate, what have you done with the old bonnet?? il have that if its for sale.

are you still getting those angel eyes you told me about??

[Black Magic]

ive the angel eyes yes. as for the bonnet, its for sale yes. the vent alone cost me £200, & the bonnets in good condition, as well as getting it all blended in. will just needa rub down & spraying for urs.

so i dont wanna take less than £200

[mikey g]

oooo its tempting but i cant afford it at the mo, il try get the money together and give you a ring when iv got it to see if you've still got it

[Dale]

looking good, about time see few more pictures of progress!

[Tom]

Progress at last, glad to see its being sorted out finally :thumbsup:

[Black Magic]

ive got a cracked windscreen, so looks like im gunna need a new one of them as well now. This will give me the chance to stick the Daewoo seal in there.

anyone know how much one of these costs?

[mikey g]

i paid £40 for a second hand widscreen fitted but the lad owed me a few favours

[Black Magic]

went bodyshop yesterday before work, to drop the smooth Scuttle off. At Long last! ive finally Got ALL the parts now! :)

finally, the Sideskirt is Back on, fibreglassed back in, & NOT held on by screws! Much better.....
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_205_full.jpg

Front end pretty much finished. looking good...... can u tell its a mk2? or a mk3? :P
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_207_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_206_full.jpg

just got to put the lower skirt on the front bumper, do the scuttle, roll front arches, stop the rears from rubbing, then its ready for Paint.

ill pop down wed/thursday to see the progress again.

he reckons ill have it back in 2 weeks or so.

i so cant fukkin wait homies :)

[mutznutz]

getting there mate, just out of intrest how comes you never used the older gsi bonnet with the vents?

[Black Magic]

it cost too much!

im on a tight budget atm

[GazJevs84]

looking good fella :grinning-smiley-043

[Dale]

getting there, what size are those wheels?

[mikey g]

there 19"

[Black Magic]

right guys, went to view the car yesterday to check the progress, & what can i say? omgwtf its actually had work done!

heres this monster front end, almost done, sanded down n primered. theyve just got to neaten up the arches, then its work on the front bumper & grille
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_209_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_210_full.jpg[img] [img]http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_219_full.jpg

when i got there, they were sorting out the brackets for the rear bumper, as over time, they had deteiorated http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_212_full.jpg

Bonnet still needs work, but all in good time... http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_213_full.jpg

corner piece finally welded in smoothed down, & now looks the part! what do u guys reckon? http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_218_full.jpg

& being impatient as i am, & as u lot are to see it, i thort ibe measure up these angel eyes & the grill up for good measure
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_215_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_216_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_217_full.jpg

the grille is somewhat twisted & contorted, needs a bit of heat or summat to re-shape it, but we shall see. ive got the original should it cause too many problems

back next week with hopefully, a fibreglassed bumper!

[Ross_Mk2]

Good stuff mate, glad somethings going right for you and this car!

[GazJevs84]

Coming along nicely there fella :grinning-smiley-043

[vauxmad]

its getting really close now bet your well chuffed

[Tom]

Great news and great progress :thumbsup:

Are you not using a vented gsi bonnet then ?

[Black Magic]

no, i cant afford it. im very poor atm.

[mikey g]

looking good now mate, il be up friday with the rest of that money for you aswell

[Astranomical]

looks ace mate! scuttle panel is very nice haha!

[Dale]

looking good, bet it feels good knowing works being done this time around?

[Tom]

no, i cant afford it. im very poor atm.
Fair enough then

[Black Magic]

Dale, it certainly does!



looks ace mate! scuttle panel is very nice haha!


sure does mate, thanks for that. Its deffintaly a lot better than that hole i had for weeks

[richie00boy]

Looking good and nice to see things on the up for this project at last. Looks like they are doing a decent job.

[Black Magic]

went to see the car yesterday, as i had to drop off the GTE bonnet that i got off bumcake. The problem with the mk3 bonnet, is its too Narrow, & the curvature along the scuttle panel is at the wrong angles, so those wishing to do the mk3 front end conversion, will need to find a way round this.

The length is fine. Now u can go either 1 of 2 ways. the first being artifically widening the bonnet somehow, maybe weld some thick-ish metal plates down the sides, & grind them flat for a smooth finish, & cutting up a GTE bonnet, & welding the top part to the mark 3 to follow the contur of the scuttle panel.

or the other way, taking the GTE bonnet, Cutting the front overhang off, & welding the front piece on. im going for the latter, so we shall see how this will turn out. :thumbsup:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_225_full.jpg

whilst i was there, i had a good snoop about on the underneath. a few minor problems, other than that, its pretty much solid. the Biggest upsetting thing to me, was that ƒucking sump is leaking oil again. wtf is with this stupid design? i mean, i cant have a car for 5 minutes, without it leaking.

last time it was leaking, i tok the engine out, re-did the crank oil seal, as i thought it was that, that was causing the problem. im almost convinced its not the sump gasket, so who knows....

the dampness can be seen on the flywheel cover. its not peeing out, just a small drip. any guesses?http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_226_full.jpg

anyhows, the car was in the air for a few reasons.

Exhaust Centre section has a hole in it, which needed welding up
Wire up the fuel tank sender unit
Engine mount needs doing that sits under the battery tray
that bloody sump gasket (if, at all, it is that)


the hole, was me, drilling thro the chasis a bit too much to fit the gear selector, so that was my fault. & TomGTE, i got that pic of that engine mount, it can be seen not sitting central.

oh by the way, check out the WANTED section, as the guy doing my car could do with a bonnet for free (posted by me, using my account)

ive told him to sign up..... :|

[stt]

the dampness can be seen on the flywheel cover. its not peeing out, just a small drip. any guesses?

Crank seal? oil could be dripping down and appearing on the sump, take off the cover plate and have a look up!

[Tom]

Post the pic of the mounting then so I can see what your on about lol.

Oil leak is probably the sump, cant see the crank seal leaking again after youve just changed it.

Could take the flywheel cover plate off and have looky see inside.

[Black Magic]

yea, but u know how it is up there, it splats all over the place : /

[Black Magic]

popped up today. nothing new, other than the mk2 bonnet on. i was a bit concerned it being on the road, not Taxed or MoT'd, but hey, if there aint no plates, then cant send me a ticket! :D

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_227_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_228_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_231_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_230_full.jpg

[Dale]

good see it still coming along mate, is that a OMP lower strut brace?

[Danny]

That's looking really nice Black Magic.
Can't wait to see it when it's finished.

[Black Magic]

Dale, it is mate. I cant wait for it to be finished either, so i can look at it in my garage.

as the way its going, i dont think i can afford to MOT & TAX it anytime soon.

as of tuesday this week, my runaround vectra, has bust. Cambelt problem, so im dreading the repair bill. I hope its not bent anything :(

so that leaves me now, without a car. Its so the wrong timing for that to break down ffs

[mikey g]

thats russes nova in the pic isnt it?? he is a member on midnightracing, is he doing the car for you?? its looking good now

[Black Magic]

yes, yes & yes

[GazJevs84]

looking good bud :grinning-smiley-043

[Black Magic]

ok, theyve been working on the car again, after having some "emergency" cars in for fotoshoots.

now there out the way, i got a snap of the front bumper.

im also awaiting a pic of the front end assembled, so soon as i get that, ill post it up.

enjoy low skirtage from Reiger ;)
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_232_full.jpg

[Black Magic]

been up to bodyshop today, to fit my short shift & alcantra gaiters i got from Sharon a.k.a vxl over on mig. think they look quite sexy tbh, what u guys think?
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_234_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_235_full.jpg

other than that, not much else has been done. theyve finished the bonnet off as u can see below, & i got the remainder of the parts, & "loosley" put it all together to give me an idea on how its going to turn out.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_239_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_238_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_237_full.jpg

[Black Magic]

went to the bodyshop yesterday, & all is looking good. its near completion, only thing left to do is the arches, before it goes off for painting.

theres a snag tho. :( it seems my wheels are too big, & me, being me, refuse to have a car that rubs. so, with that in mind, theyve got to re-work the rear arches.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_243_full.jpg

as u can see, the wheel is very close to the arch, & by pushing alone, u can hear it rub a little. I have no idea why this shot makes the camber out, but i assue u all, it is straight.

so what they are going to do, is pull the arch out a little, & rework it, so im probably going to have a little buldge (not what i wanted tbh, but some sacrifces have to be made :)) I was hoping to keep the standard lines, but seems thats going to be damn near impossible.


the Front bumpers done, ive got the right phase grille this time ;) & the badge & centre split will be getting removed, & turining into a proper de-badged grill

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_240_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_241_full.jpg

Rear bumpers on nice & firm now, & the Interior is coming along quite nice, with my Double DIN slot, & short shift from Tom over in canada, wrapped in lovely Alcantara from Sharon, over on Migweb.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_242_full.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_244_full.jpg

Seats, harnesses & Roll cage all in properly now, & the interior is going to look sweet when thats finished. cant wait for this car to be done, so i can finally go round driving in it :)

comments?

[GazJevs84]

Looking good mate

[Dale]

looking good fella! i can for see the seats getting very dusty :(

[Black Magic]

theyre covered, but yea, i agree. very dusty

[Ian T]

No way will 2 litres do a whole car including all the door shuts etc. 3 probably would.

I suppose it depends on how much paint he puts on, but I think I'd struggle. Having said all that a professional sprayer would do a better job with less paint I imagine.

My first 1.5 litres just managed to do both sides upto the roof channels, including the doors (including all the shuts). That left the bonnet, tailgate, roof and bumpers to do.

Ian.

[Black Magic]

yea, i want a deep shine, so im hoping/aiming for at "least" 7 coats.

20+ litres i'd imagine!!

Ill speak to Graham @ GM Clements in Ripley, & get him to finish, what others cant seem to do! :P

[b32-cabby]

this looks ace pal reeli nice looking car good work
it is lookin alot better than the last time i saw it down at lee's looking very sorry for it's self lol and again good job

[Black Magic]

might not have a car to come back to at this rate. Please read General chat guys....

[Black Magic]

This is how the car looks now, its in a bit of a state & im struggling to find anyone who wishes to take this on :(


but its nearly there, just needs finishing off. Arches are the last thing that needs doing, rear wheel wells need moving up higher, new windscreen as its cracked, crack in the bumper, then its ready for spraying.

someone must know someone that can point them to this topic??

[namkeaps]

getting there slowly but surely

hopefully bodyshop guy this afternoon will give us some good news!

[Black Magic]

a guy popped down yesterday to view my car. had a good lok round, gave me a "rough" price & a time to probably start looking into it.

September was the time he could probably work on it, & £2500-£3000 is what i was looking at.

suggestions?? :confused:

[Ronin]

To finish the job? I would hope it would be one hell of a job for that money!

[namkeaps]

To finish the job? I would hope it would be one hell of a job for that money!

it needs to be started again. where the other bodyshop has done filling its not straight etc etc and he says to make it show worthy most of it needs to be taken back and started again, especially the front end

:(

[mutznutz]

omg, the amount of filler on that rear arch is bad!!!

im not sure where abouts you live, but i could put you in touch with lee at l.a. paintworks
im sure he would take this on!!
he builds hot rods, custom cars and one off's etc
he did the bodywork on my cab, which is faultless!!!
and use's as little filler as is possible for the job!!

hes got his own place in ampthill, which is between bedford and luton.
pm me if your intrested and i will get him to contact you

[namkeaps]

black magic is in st helens ... luton is way to far unfortunatly :(

as per filler you have to remember the car was removed from bodyshop and they were half way through doing it so no doubt its not been sanded back etc etc

[mutznutz]

ok matey, pm me if he changes his mind!

[Black Magic]

.lol, the last bodyshop i was in, was actually called Paintworx & that didnt go too well.

altho i open to suggestions, ( & quite honsetly, anyone right now, im desperate!!) he's probably wanna come see it. getting it traliored down, isnt a problem, but i dont wanna be trailoring it down 4 him to look, to only bring it back up to book it later on in the year.

u think hell come up? maybe point him to this thread, to look at the pix, & yea sure, hes welcome to ring me. Im getting rather depressedd @ the moment, with too many ppl letting me down

[mutznutz]

i dont think he would travel to st helens matey!!

i know hes snowed under with work and would only really take it on as a favor to me!!
i will direct him to this page, its really up to him at the end of the day!

[braders]

Paintworxs has now been taken over mate and theres some good quality of work coming out of there, ive seen some of there recent jobs and its a big improvent to what russ was sending out of the door. Might be worth giving the new owners a chance?

[namkeaps]

Paintworxs has now been taken over mate and theres some good quality of work coming out of there, ive seen some of there recent jobs and its a big improvent to what russ was sending out of the door. Might be worth giving the new owners a chance?


they did look at it mate but refused to carry on the work that russ has started. they said they wouldnt want to put there name to it. personally i can see there point BUT come to think of it, there is no reason why they couldnt have looked at it and maybe tried to sort it out ... start again or something like that

[Black Magic]

story of my life & bodyshops. **** it

[Black Magic]

pictures for Mikey & of my new bumper. For those of you that have been living under a rockfor the past 2 years, Bodyshops dont wanna know, as with the last one ive just gotten back from

it was booked in for November, & "may" take it in in March/April LoL? I sure as hell cant wait then for a 50/50 chance.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_250_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_249_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_248_full.jpg

might be worth cecking this out too mikey http://www.cardomain.com/ride/598970/15 :thumbsup:

[johnl]

Hows this getting on now? Any joy with getting the body work done?

[mikey g]

me and my uncle are going up tomorro to set the wheel alignment and fit the petrol tank, then the thursday/friday after xmas im taking a lad up there to give him a price on the body work. the lad owns the bigest bodyshop in the area and does a mint job, but is a bit pricey. so hopefully not long and itl be finished. and if he want i could ask my uncle to go over it to get it ready for an MOT.

[braders]

me and my uncle are going up tomorro to set the wheel alignment and fit the petrol tank, then the thursday/friday after xmas im taking a lad up there to give him a price on the body work. the lad owns the bigest bodyshop in the area and does a mint job, but is a bit pricey. so hopefully not long and itl be finished. and if he want i could ask my uncle to go over it to get it ready for an MOT.

Give us a shout if want a hand with the bodywork. Now mines finished ive time free to do a bit more :thumbsup:

[mikey g]

not me doing it, im takein lee from wrexham auto craft up there to see about it. i would ask you for a favor tho if thats ok??

[braders]

not me doing it, im takein lee from wrexham auto craft up there to see about it. i would ask you for a favor tho if thats ok??

Yes mate whats that? PM me if you want.

[bumcake]

any progress ?

[Black Magic]

nope, no progress as of late


me and my uncle are going up tomorro to set the wheel alignment and fit the petrol tank, then the thursday/friday after xmas im taking a lad up there to give him a price on the body work. the lad owns the bigest bodyshop in the area and does a mint job, but is a bit pricey. so hopefully not long and itl be finished. and if he want i could ask my uncle to go over it to get it ready for an MOT.


Oh? i sent u numerous txts, u never came that day. i know that. Wanted to rescedule, but like everyone else, dont want to know, no one does.

Mate this saturday was meant to come to do it with me the fuel tank that is, again, never bothered. what is it with u lot? :grumpy:

[bumcake]

have you seen sense and started something else yet ?

[5 door sx 2.0l xe]

have you seen sense and started something else yet ?

why wuld ethis astra will be stunning its diffrent n looks mint

[bumcake]

ive seen it close up obviously you havnt

[5 door sx 2.0l xe]

well it dosent look that bad thats all im saying

[Ian T]

Bit of lateral thinking perhaps, but why don't you contact Total Vauxhall?

Send them some photos, and a story of your woes and see if they'll run a feature of the car that might never be... get the word out that you're looking for a bodyshop and are prepared to pay to get it sorted properly.

Can't see that doing any harm, plus they can claim some success at the end of it when the car is show material.

Ian.

[GazJevs84]

Bit of lateral thinking perhaps, but why don't you contact Total Vauxhall?

Send them some photos, and a story of your woes and see if they'll run a feature of the car that might never be... get the word out that you're looking for a bodyshop and are prepared to pay to get it sorted properly.

Can't see that doing any harm, plus they can claim some success at the end of it when the car is show material.

Ian.

I think that's a class idea

[bumcake]

still no news ?

[Black Magic]

all im going to say, is watch this space in the upcoming months. Ive yet to put the new fuel tank on, & im buying the rear structbrace off Thomas GTE LOL

once that tanks on, its gunna get fired up, & once its running, its bodywork time.


all i need is money now, so im trying to save, but it really is hard with this credit crunch atm

[GazJevs84]

How's it going bud, Was talking to someone who knows you the other night from northwich said his car was on his drive for ages he was looking at my vectra can't remember his name now tho.

[khaos]

Is the mk3 GSi bumper plug & play?

[Black Magic]

it was probably pete, & yes, the mk3 3 is semi plug n play, but the sides are different, & need clmaping in/affixing somehow. i think the bolt holes line up perfectly

[Tom]

Got that brace fitted yet ? :p

[Black Magic]

well, i been working on the car this afternoon, as well as pete, soting out my new fuel tank, & yes Tom, that brace is not yet fitted, but i got a pic of it in place, for u to check out.

enjoy pix peeps ;)

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_251_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_252_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_253_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_254_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_255_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_256_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_257_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_258_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_259_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_260_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_261_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_262_full.jpg

:Banane44:

[Mr-G]

Please dont tell me thats rust i can see on the arch :(

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_260_full.jpg

[Black Magic]

It is, but isnt. its been cut, ground down, & pulled out away from the wheel. its only surface rust, so its all good.

but im having new arches put in anyways, as the inner arch is coming over too much, too early, & is rubbing on them phatwheels of mine :(


theres still alot to do, but the majority of the work now is the front end, prep & spraying before its back on the road.

few weeks time, & im gunna fill this empty tank, & fire it up. As for the old tank, i was pouring the old fuel out, is fuel meant to be like a yellowy-orange colour?? :confused: cant say ive ever looked at fuel, other than green diesel when i fill the truck at work.

[Mr-G]

sounds like the fuel has rust in it maybe?.

Good news on the arches then, ive got a bubble on mine that gets bigger everytime i look at the car :hissyfit:

[Ian T]

Petrol does have a slight colour to it yes, pale yellow sounds about right. I never see enough of it to get a good idea of the colour as it's either in a dark tank, a black pipe or a green jerry can...

Ian.

[richie00boy]

Is the tank galvanised? May have been worth sticking some sound deadening on like the original as it tends to help stop it vibrating against the car.

[Frisco]

Petrol is a yellow colour when you have a bucket full

[Black Magic]

ok guys, thanks. Richie, it is a glavanised tank. I do remember sourcing all the parts for it was quite a challenge. Vaux said to me, that the fuel level sender was no longer in production, but there were a few left in germany he managed to source out for me, so had to wait 2 weeks for that to arrive. Its cos its such an old car, these things were to be expected.

As for the fuel, i was wonderrring if sum 1 had pee'd in it or something :confused:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/598000-598999/598970_263_full.jpg

Some Blue carpeting left overs that i used to cover my Sub box, was folded over & used for the sound deadening :thumbsup:

[astramad]

its coming on well mate, good work

[richie00boy]

Cool where did you get the tank from/what make? They are usually just painted.

[Black Magic]

cant remember, it was last october, i had it for a b'day present. i think TomGTE found me the link in the end for the tank, & just passed it on to my mum

[Tom]

Getting there now matey, another step closer to it being back on the road !

Im sure the link I gave you for the tank was from Hadrians: http://hadrian.dominohosting.biz/hadrian/hcpdb01.nsf/Plookup2/62-04-387VAUXHALLASTRA10-84-10-91!EditDocument&Ret=TANKS

[Black Magic]

yes, that was the sucka!!!

next job is to fill the tank, & fire it up. & maybe the electric windows, as they have stopped working again. it aint the fuse this time, so dunno wot it is!

[GazJevs84]

good work mate

[carl p]

Ive just read through this thread and looking nice,does anyone know whats happening with it?

[GazJevs84]

He aint been on in a while, Hope he's still going at it tbh

[carl p]

Me too i really like what hes been doing to it!

[Black Magic]

i'd give an update, but there really isnt one. i dont have any money left to do anything to it, my New car ( Vectra ) has been sucking all my money away to fix the problems it had when i bought it like head gasket plus oil leak from somewhere that wont stop leaking. :thumbsdown1:

Im seriously thinking on going on facebook asking for £1 donations via paypal or something to get it kick-started. 3000 donations plus would be nice :box2:

a basic summary on what needs doing:

Internal Rear arches/Wells need reshaping, cos the wheels are rubbing.

Front End needs a general tidyup, & the Bonnet re-aligning so it stops fouling the Smoothe scuttle ive got. the brackets are already at the maximum

Front bumper Needs a proper bracket making for the side walls, & the front lower lip has been damaged by stones & scuffage.

Respray

& thats about it. once all thats done, itll be ready to drive about. a bloody good donation/feature/sponsorship from some of these rich-ass mags would be a bonus (shock)