My grey GTE

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Well thought it was time I uploaded some pictures.

Here's the bits on the drivers side arch that its going back for.

This is the one he's said looks to have been caused by a stone chip.


This one he's not sure whats caused it


Same with this one


Here's part of where I was tidying up the wires. Under the bonnets a little oily now really so need to pull my finger out. And finshs tidying the wires up.


Anyway thought I'd try the new cleaning products my Dad's got in his work. Not sure what it's the soap/wax is called its orange and cost's about £40 for bottle of it. You only need a cap full in a bucket and it seams to do a really good job. Seems to restore a bit of the colour to the plastic.


Next was the polish. Spray it on (pink in colour) and then buff off I'll let the relfection do the talking

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Going to have a go a refitting the wings tonight on the car as I've never been happy with the gaps/shape. Will post before and after pics later on. Anyways this is all for preperation for it going back to body work place on Monday.

Can't remember if I put in the diary or not that it passed the mot with out any issues. Last couple of weeks it's been fine done well over a 1000 miles now. The exhaust has started blowing so will need to track down the cause and fix it. Also not been able track the rattle it has every so often when accelerating or pulling away from the passengers foot well. It's had all the front suspension replaced drive shaft on that side. It's had a different gear box and engine. But the rattle is still there. Any sugestions welcome.

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Well carried out the work last night.

The before pictures didn't come out for some reason. Probably a case of user error and beer.

Anyway I'm happier with the panel fit now. Still not perfect but not as obvious as it was.

Here's the top half of the passengers side

Lower half. Can't get it to sit flush with the sil for some reason but the gaps apear correct


Drivers side was a lot worse to start with Here's the lower side.

and the upper half


Just before leaving my parents house one of the lads that work with my Dad had left his car. I know some of you like VW's so here a couple of pics next to each other.



Anyway will post pics of the rear arch when I get the car back from the body shop

[DarrenH]

Re: My grey GTE

good job, your cars looking great

[bigdrifter]

Re: My grey GTE

Certainly got a good shine on there John. Are your's pattern wings as mine aren't the greatest fit in the world either and keep meaning to adjust them?

[JoeMK2]

Re: My grey GTE

pattern wings are a little bit of a nightmare!cheap but do your head in

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Certainly got a good shine on there John. Are your's pattern wings as mine aren't the greatest fit in the world either and keep meaning to adjust them?

To tell the truth I'm not 100% sure id they are pattern parts or not. I picked them up as a stop gap from a lad on here that was breaking a GTE.

good job, your cars looking great

Cheers Darren, must be on the right track with it


Forgot to mention Whilst refitting the wings I had the skirts off. The sils are as they were when I got the car

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Got the car back from the body shop this evening.






Hopefully it last's this time.

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

No Pictures for the last few jobs. Just listing them really for the diary sake.

Tracked down a knock that had developed after catching a pot hole. Passengers calliper was lose. Tightened it up and the cars quiet over bumps again.

Picked up some EBC green brake pads from Richie00boy on Saturday morning fitted them tonight. Took the car for a quick test drive and the brakes seem to bite a lot more. (Could just be down to the pads been new will have to wait and see)

Saturday was spent fixing the exhaust where it had split. Only fixed it as a temporary measure till all the replacement bits arrive. As the Manifold from the Calibra and seems to catch on speed bumps etc. Also means I will be able to loose the cat thats been welded on to the manifold.

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

No Pictures at the minute Still on the camera.

Basically had an issue with the oil pressure gauge dropping randomly at tickover. This only started happening after changing the oil and finding small bits of metal swarf. Anyway booked last Friday off to investigate. Removed the sump to investigate further and found a few flakes in the bottom. Replaced the Big ends whilst they were accessable. There wasn't any real wear on them will post the pictures tonight.

Over the weekend the guy that does keeps the limo's and hurse paint in tip top condition had a look over the car he was impressed with the condition. More importantly he recons he'd be able to get the imperfections in the paint sorted out from where the body shop have resprayed it. He's coming back in the next month to finish of the work he was doing and offered to sort out if I bring the car round best of all he'll do it for free

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Just had a call from the local vauxhall dealler, exhaust parts are in stock so will be picking them up tomorrow morning. This means I will be able to get rid of the Calibra manifold and cat.

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Here's the big end bearings I removed the a week ago today. Car's done 350 miles so far and is running fine. Going to remove the sump tomorrow and check everythings still nice and tight.



Here's the replacement manifold thanks to DarrenH. I'll be fitting tomorrow with the rest of the exhaust. Finally getting rid of the Calibra manilfold and the cat. Gave it a quick paint with high temp paint.

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Well a quick trip to Vauxhall this morning. to pick up the following.

Spings, Rubber bush, metal insert for rubber bush, nut and gasket.


Heat shield for the either the front silencer or middle one (Can't remember which they said they could get) Others apparantly are NLS


Front pipe so I will be able to remove the Cat now.


Just letting the car cool down a little bit before I start on it. More pics to follow.

[DarrenH]

Re: My grey GTE

nice job!!! is that front pipe a germany item ? i know one out of the 3 is, might be the middle section.

i've noticed early cars didnt have that headtshield, my F reg didnt, but my J reg has whole underbody kit.

[johnl]

Re: My grey GTE

Well the works done let here's whats been done.

Out with the old oil.


Here you can see where the old Calibra manifold was cut and welded to the cat


The dreaded cat


Off with the old.


Here a comparison between the old one and the new manifold and front pipe. There's not much difference in the total length between them


Heat shield fitted.


Manifold bracket built up ready to be fitted to the mount.


Fitted to the rear engine mount.


Manifold fitted


And from under the car you can see where the bracket attaches to the manifold.


Here's two clips of it all running. Have to excuse the smoke it's from the paint. Also have to excuse the quality

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