Calibra z20net install

[Tomo195]

brilliant project mate nice to see a calibra having some tlc instead being stripped for parts. loving the work you put into the power steering pump/air con compressor

[RodOGW]

Thanks mate - it's time consuming but I want to get most of the pre-engine fit jobs done before actual engine fitting so they don't get passed over or missed. I can imagine the scenarios where a) the block is in and firing and all other jobs get bodged to get the car back on the road. Or b) the engine is in and countless time is spent finishing off with enthusiasm waning.
There is no set timescale and I'm enjoying the time spent doing it - plus the car is still being used every day and will be after conversion so I don't want it off the road too long and I want it reliable... and finished to a decent standard so that I'm not continually revisting parts that are a bit suspect or bodgy..

[Tomo195]

Thanks mate - it's time consuming but I want to get most of the pre-engine fit jobs done before actual engine fitting so they don't get passed over or missed. I can imagine the scenarios where a) the block is in and firing and all other jobs get bodged to get the car back on the road. Or b) the engine is in and countless time is spent finishing off with enthusiasm waning.
There is no set timescale and I'm enjoying the time spent doing it - plus the car is still being used every day and will be after conversion so I don't want it off the road too long and I want it reliable... and finished to a decent standard so that I'm not continually revisting parts that are a bit suspect or bodgy..

that the best way to go about a project. do once and do it properly. my calibra project has been off the road for ages now. not due to suspect or bodge jobs it just seems to taking me forever to get the way i want it

[RodOGW]

it just seems to taking me forever to get the way i want it

I know what you mean Tomo -it's the hour of free time here and there and not being able to get a good run of time at it that seems to make most jobs appear endless. I am doing very little at work at the moment and could be doing so much down in the workshop everyday but have to sit at a computer and look busy. That would mean I'd get about 6 hours a day working on the car and I would get paid and the company would be no worse off...... but that is not going to happen.

[paddy>gsi/turbo]

rod that the intercooler you had of me? looks mint now

[RodOGW]

rod that the intercooler you had of me? looks mint now

Sure is - stripped and then a clean up with fine wire wool and the core sprayed black. I'd hoped to have it fitted by now but real life keeps getting in the way.

[thedondy]

nice project you got here. top work on the pump housing hows it coming on now?

[RodOGW]

nice project you got here. top work on the pump housing hows it coming on now?

Thanks mate - pump housing now complete and sprayed and brackets made up but need spraying for old style non ECU regulated alternator. A lot of jobs are in that sort of ongoing stage - I'm currently making up an additional loom for new gauges and the links to the standalone ECU etc. Cam covers are cleaned down ready for black crackle finish and the block is just about ready for spraying/detailing, inlet manifold is off ready to weld flange on for new 80mm throttlebody.
I'd like to get those jobs completed before moving on....

[RodOGW]

Here's how the cam and spark plug cover turned out - home sprayed and home baked.



Finish welding to alternator and steering pump brackets happens next week along with new flange onto inlet manifold....
Nearly time to haul the gearbox out of storage and get it bolted up to the block and finally start designing some mountings..

[Todi-Corsa]

looks nice n intresting this glad I decided to have a read, like the gauges and love the cam cover, keep up the great work

[RodOGW]

looks nice n intresting this glad I decided to have a read, like the gauges and love the cam cover, keep up the great work

Thanks for comments - looks like you've been pretty busy on yours too - some real 'hard labour' stripping that underseal off... the joys of car restoration..

[Todi-Corsa]

Thanks for comments - looks like you've been pretty busy on yours too - some real 'hard labour' stripping that underseal off... the joys of car restoration..

Haha yea its all good fun , glad I decided to re-start it again tbh looking forward to your update on the mountings

[RodOGW]

The mountings are going to be like entering the Twilight World or certainly unchartered territory as nothing lines up with what's there - and vice versa. At the moment I'm planning on cutting and shutting to combine a Calibra subframe with a Vectra one to carry the gearbox and rear engine mounting. Then working out the upper block mountings once the engine is in place...... piece of cake.lmao
On a more certain note the flange is now welded on the inlet manifold to take the new 70mm throttle body. I'll post a picture once I get it bolted up.

[Todi-Corsa]

good idea on the subframe, can see that being the best option tbh, think the tapemeasure will be getting a good workout lmao, all trial and error thou, part of the enjoyment although admittedly not always at the time lmao , look forward to seeing the throttlebody

[RodOGW]

Certainly part of the enjoyment - when things go right - a pain when they don't but overall it's what I really enjoy doing. I don't know anything that gives me the same degree of satisfaction as problem solving on cars. Going through the sketch design stage - to the cardboard template - and finally getting to see something I've made - whether it's just an alternator bracket or a complicated engine mount.

[Todi-Corsa]

Certainly part of the enjoyment - when things go right - a pain when they don't but overall it's what I really enjoy doing. I don't know anything that gives me the same degree of satisfaction as problem solving on cars. Going through the sketch design stage - to the cardboard template - and finally getting to see something I've made - whether it's just an alternator bracket or a complicated engine mount.

Same here, Couldn't of put it better myself

[Paul]

Just reading up on these the other day.

A Vectra is in the FS section, £1200 with the same lump. About £600 for the engine on ebay.

[Paul]

Z28NET looks a nice lump

VAUXHALL VECTRA 2.8 V6 TURBO 2007 Z28NET ENGINE | eBay

[RodOGW]

£600 is about the right price - given the time and money that then has to be spent getting them to fit and work I wouldn't spend more than that - you might as well get a LET.
I think £1200 for that V6 is a trifle high - nice looking engine but considering it's got nearly 112K miles on it and they are not selling it with the turbo.

[Tomo195]

good idea on the subframe, the cam cover looks really smart to

[RodOGW]

good idea on the subframe, the cam cover looks really smart to

Thanks mate - time to start measuring and cutting......