2003 Vauxhall VX220 2.2

[svensktoppen]

Disable the abs. You don't need it and it just gets in the way on track. I've never missed it in mine, not even on an icy December morning on slick race tyres (roof down too, don't ask, lol ). These cars are so controllable.

Nice mats do make a difference!

 

[pablo]

I have an abs disable switch under the bonnet

 

[FM155]

Dunno what the pump is like on those but it weighed 6kg on the MX5 and the bracket that held it was another 1kg.
To put that in perspective, that's just over a stone, worth junking if it's mostly a track car, which it is of course.

 

[pablo]

front clam off this morning to do some tidying up. Awkward b**tard to handle

 

[mikerd4]

Saw a silver vx220 pop up on the forum ads and assumed it was yours for sale

 

[pablo]

I’m not done with it yet

 

[pablo]

bottom of the clam was like swiss cheese a bit so did a bit of fibreglassing then will add some filler on the underside. you cant see it but will be more secure. Also drilled holes for some rubber nut inserts to screw the splitters into rather than using self tappers.

 

[ChrisL]

Nice work pabs ...

Are you painting the whole car by any chance?

 

[pablo]

Given my record with small job escalations who knows lol

 

[pablo]

Got a “proper” cv boot which is a much better job than the emergency boot I fitted last week. To be fair it held up for the track day so did the job but much more confidence in the Kia Sedona (lol) one. Used my own grease and did the wee straw mod to let it breathe. Clip also much more secure due to buying the correct tool. New hubs have arrived so time to start buttoning up and get it back on its feet.

new mats also arrived which are fantastic compared to the tatty old ones.

 

[pablo]

More clam fun. So many stone chips and scrapes on it it was awful looking. Someone had rattle canned the bottom section too so overall very tatty. Someone also reversed into me a couple of weeks ago and scuffed the top of the clam so with all that decided to take it off and spray it. Forgot just how much prep involved. So many hours in getting it ready to primer. Awkward old shape of a thing too. Great news is it’s actually in brilliant condition with no signs of any accident damage etc in the past.

clam is sitting primed and guide coat on ready to sand but before that I need to flip it over and fill the other side of the holes I fibreglassed from the inside. Then rattle can primer the inside and spray base on the underside. After that flip it back over and start to paint it proper. Joy.

 

[pablo]

Got sidetracked on the mechanicals.

new nitron springs fitted. Bit shorter than the other ones so god knows how they will sit. Look pretty though.

also got the gearbox breather fitted and the header tank/charge cooler tank refitted.Breather works by taking the oil vapour up one pipe into the tank then it drains back down into the filler hole via the other pipe.

gearbox oil in so just need to put some antifreeze in and mechanically car back to good.

 

[pablo]

ok been a lot going on but here goes.

Front clam came off to get tidied up and sprayed. Ive always fancied a colour change so thought Ill spray it Nardo Grey and see if I like it. If I dont Ill spray it silver, throw it back on and be done with it. Should have done that.

But, it looked cracking so though feck it Ill crack on. Ended up doing the whole car while fixing up the chunks out of the fibreglass etc. Pics will say more so here goes:

Next up were the doors. They were in bad condition with multiple blemishes and chips.

 

[pablo]

Silver wheels were a worry but think they look super and actually glad I didnt go black now

 

[_James_]

Fair fecking play!

 

[pablo]

More supplies, @Woodcutter been a champ here getting me all I needed. Only got a litre to do the front bits so needed more.

then onto the bootlid as it was handy

Sills were a mare, had to be painted on the car on my back on the ground. Got a couple of runs but the paint is direct gloss (base and laquer mixed) so lot more forgiving. Sand it back and go again.

Next up, the biggest and final piece, the rear clam. Had a mare with this as my gun wouldnt play ball so couldnt get a nice smooth finish. Threw a heap of coats on so will flatten it back and buff it to get a nice gloss. Super awkward to work with given the size.

 

[pablo]

Once the clam was back on I got most of the stuff bolted back on and all done. Bar the buffing session that needs to happen.

V still to go on
Rear spats to go on rear lower wheel arches
rear vx220 badge to go back on

 

[Deezer-D]

That’s class

 

[FM155]

Brilliant, is this two pack? Been thinking of doing similar on the MX5 as it's about 10 shades of silver.

 

[pablo]

No idea I just took what @Woodcutter gave me lol

 

[acsmyth]

Jesus, that escalated quickly. Looks amazing in nardo

 

[pablo]

All my jobs escalate quickly lol

 

[weeloaney]

Brilliant, is this two pack? Been thinking of doing similar on the MX5 as it's about 10 shades of silver.

I would say so, he says direct gloss which to me would be 2K

 

[FM155]

Yeah, I have 2.5l of two pack Rosso Red that I was thinking of using because it's there.

 

[big_pete]

Amazing! Your the Ed China of RMS lol