Corsa C C20LET

William · 14-05-2008, 07:31

Basically this was my very first car, it was purchased for me by my parents back in the day from new and I used it to get to college, see friends and go to shows. Started its life as a Corsa C LIFE model which basically is a 1ltr 12v engine with toys such as electrics, colourful seats, air conditioning and a CD player.

While I was driving it I did a couple of tasteful modifications, tinted windows, tinted side reps, dark/sxi rear lights, and a few alpine bits to bring joy to my ears inside

When the Red 2ltr sleeper was finally born in a barn like baby Jesus I decided to give away my black car to my sister, who put in pink Hello Kittay seat covers and generally abuse the **** out of it. She ended up getting t bar'd by a Ford Fiesta on a trip to Lakeside of all places, the other drive drove off so she was left to deal with it.

Which brings us up to now, my sister managed to get a new VW Polo and this car was left in the yard to be sold, I couldn't resist but offer my parents a cheeky amount for it and take it off their hands.

Enjoy the thread.

How I got her:

Removing inside panels ready to go to bodyshop:

'The Dent'

Stripping of the bay

William · 14-05-2008, 07:32

Plates been welded into the corners so it can be smoothed and painted, brackets removed and the odd stud angle grinded off.

William · 14-05-2008, 07:33

Things havent been easy so far with gearboxes...

Basically I had a look at an F40 gearbox, turned out you can't fit them to C20LET's so I took that back to the scrapyard in Essex. (this was earlier in the year)

I spotted a 'Astra VXR 6speed gearbox' on ebay from up north, now it is known that the M32 (astra vxr box) will fit the C20LET so I purchased it and got it delivered. Only to turn out it didnt fit!!!

I couldnt believe my luck. Anyway it was the Thursday before Easter weekend and with the help of Beardy I was able to find someone who had a different version of the M32 gearbox that fits onto the c20let.. no doubts about it.

Turns out the box is up in Yorkshire.. about 15 miles away from where I bought my second box from. After a few calls to the scrapyard (ebay one) I convinced them to meet me on Easter Good Friday and take the box back for a full refund.

Picture here shows the differences.. the one I wanted is on the left, the one i bought and took back is on the right

Anyway come Easter friday, I'm up at five ****ing AM. I burn up the A1 to meet Gordon from Vaux Bits and I get my full refund after showing him exactly what I meant about the starter motor position being different. He gets to sell the box on and I get my refund, both winners.

After counting my delicious monies I jump back into the Astra and go north for 15 miles to meet Adam from Nortech, he releases me of my cash and gives me the following:

One Astra VXR 6 Speed 'M32' gearbox with the correct bell housing to fit a C20LET.

One VXR gearstick assembly and cables

And some drive shafts!

Its the very same box they had fitted to their Corsa C VXR... and its done under 5,000 miles too!

As you can see in the pics, everything connects up correctly and can get all 6 gears and reverse sat on the garage floor, yum

Then I was offered some facelift parts:

Purchased some the MTECH mount for the engine side, I got my arse spanked tbh.

But got some very nice pistons from steve:

Got the shell back as its painted and we need to move on, I'm really impressed with the engine bay and the boot

Smoooth

Lack of sidestrips is quite something too

Gearbox is all painted and ready for the diff thats in the mail.

Spankee · 14-05-2008, 08:27

Looking good chap what no pics of your funny hats ....

i was using that gearbox for a seat the other day.....

jr@corsasport · 14-05-2008, 08:39

not bad i suppose

dearing5 · 14-05-2008, 08:56

looks good mate

Ste L · 14-05-2008, 14:40

cool project willay

pip777 · 15-05-2008, 08:27

lookin good mate its a fair bit of work to get a let in there not as straight forward as a nova or corsa but good luck

corsa_sport_let · 27-05-2008, 15:19

Are those some calibra equal length shafts i see?

rudd86 · 27-05-2008, 15:51

interesting how you said you can get all the gears on the garage floor, I didnt realise they used a cable type setup from the gearstick, nice project though.

super7 · 28-05-2008, 06:48

Hey you are doing a nice conversion !

jav786 · 29-05-2008, 12:29

Looking good mate. you should have asked mate I do the Mount kit for the Corsa C's

Aditi · 30-05-2008, 01:50

seems a wonderful project..
Good luck

and i wonder, why you not use the F28 gearbox ?>
it's jointly to the C20LET.

EY · 30-05-2008, 06:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aditi

i wonder, why you not use the F28 gearbox ?>
it's jointly to the C20LET.

Maybe he wants a gearbox that hasn't covered 100k miles already.

Excellent project thread bud, pic heavy just how i like 'em

Aditi · 30-05-2008, 23:13

why, it's hard to find F28 gearbox that hasn't did so much miles ?
and by the way, which more gearbox fit for the C20LET ?

EY · 30-05-2008, 23:29

Yes they're hard to find with low miles, I don't know if that was the reason for his choice though.

William · 18-06-2008, 06:58

Bits.

Sent the block away to get 87mm rebore, decked, crank regrind, balance, dipped clean. New core plugs etc, basically wanted it to look Brand New.

Pistons and rods find their new home

Head studs.

Pace Dry sump bits bolted on, few bits need changing but thats all sorted now.

Won't be needing the dip stick so nice little plate goes where the stick use to be

Also got my suspension back from Leda and got my arse truely spanked.

The Simps · 18-06-2008, 07:41

nice way to spend some beer money

William · 25-07-2008, 08:15

Leda Coilovers fitted, shes firm and low! Going to look even more low when I get the arches back on and the other half of the engine in :lol:

heres the science part

Engine is mounted, FYI the drivers side is an mtech over priced job, the gearbox mounts are a mix of custom ****ery and vauxhall mounts. Corsa SXI 1.2 rear gearbox mount which was filled with weld and new holes drilled into it. Top gearbox mount was a mix of the Corsa SXI 1.2 mount which goes onto the shell and the Astra VXR topmount cut and welded to perfection. couple of things to note is that we are missing the front mount as it hasnt been made yet and they all need cleaning up + powder coating before its allowed on the road

yes it is on backwards before you ask

ooh my reflection :lol:

William · 25-07-2008, 08:16

Headwork (substantial port and polish, bronze guides) and more progress on the cam cover.

Thanks to Martin for all his hard work on the cam cover.

rudd86 · 25-07-2008, 08:46

looks like some quality work,

just for future reference what is the difference between the m32's? isnt there a code on them?

**spanishfly** · 25-07-2008, 08:49

Nice work mate! Will be a cracker!

jav786 · 25-07-2008, 09:20

Who did your head work mate??

William · 25-07-2008, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudd86

looks like some quality work,

just for future reference what is the difference between the m32's? isnt there a code on them?

bell housing is different, I havent noted down any serials/codes if I'm absolutely honest as I never had both boxes at the same time.

William · 25-07-2008, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by jav786

Who did your head work mate??

some geeza Perfect Touch use/recommended.