196 replies to this topic

[BenH]

New build thread for my vaux project.
Hoping to get it finished towards the back end of the year.



Right then,
We start here, although the car looks finished the rust was starting to come through, seam strips,boot hinge panel and under the rear lights were starting to bubble, so time to attack it before it gets worse





Boot was also in a sorry state. Decided that il go with a fibre one this time.

Also the webasto roof (the 2nd one in 2 years) was showing signs of shrinking around the eges so this will be replaced with a carbon roofskin



Will be updating more tonight

[BenH]

So then How did i get from that to deciding on a vaux build!

Managed to get 6 points in my first 2 years of driving so had my licence revoked,
Id spent 2 months off the road and it was painfull.
Managed to get back on the road but i just didnt like the car, it was heavy, full of filler where the scuttle meets the wings which was cracking and lifting, the engine was fine but it was messy, messy wiring messy looking etc
Id always wanted a fibreglass frontend so i decided to take it off the road for a month
So chopping began,
I have more pictures of the engine but to be honest i want to try and keep the a series stuff out of it as there was a seperate build page for it.
You can see the filler in most of these pictures, it was almost held together with it rather than welds!










So while the engine was out i decided to send it away to have it bored out.
Started at a few hundred on a rebore and turned into a complete fast road 1330 costing a couple of thousand!

Edited by BenH, 09 March 2011 - 09:22 PM.

[BenH]

Engine came back almost a year later, dont ask!
didnt even make the journey home and it went straight to a garage to be told it was a scrap engine.

Money refunded and having a slightly healthy bank account i went throught my options

standard 1275 and keep the change pay bills etc
another 1330/1430
supercharged 1275
or a vaux conversion

Id always wanted a vaux conversion but 2 years ago i couldnt do anything with cars! so id chickened out! But with 2 years of tinkering and a stroke of luck as when my refund came through a full small block setup was for sale on here with literally everything with it including 2 engines a perfect E16se and a sorry looking c16se

soo...










Weighed up my options and decided to flog the servo bar and stick with the better condition E16se.

Quick cambelt and water pump change just for piece of mind and a paintjob and ready for dropping in. Minus a decent cam/head and carbs but they will be come later.

[BenH]

Picked up my conversion bits and obv the first thing anyone wants to do is see if it all fits!

On with progress!

Old Subframe gone





Frame offered up



Then Painted before fitting


Wollah




Trial fiited the servo but decided to bin that idea and run a pedal box without a servo

[BenH]

Nice order of lightweight panels to start work on the rear end, Decided to go with a carbon rear valance but havnt got a picture

[BenH]

Right bought myself a welder and compressor fun now begins but need to learn how to weld and spray so practice practice practice !out with the grinder and out with the parcel shelf, Will be replaced with a carbonweazel shelf.


was a bit of flex so decided to weld a bar in place until the shelfs fitted


Off with the valance and rear lip, replacing with Carbon again


Then needed a repair section in the boot corner and under both rear lights



started prepping

[BenH]

Have done loads more work but will update tommorow as its late but look what i have to play with tommorow may even have a go at getting it running!

[BenH]

Boot floor cut out for the new fibre one to go in, regretted not going carbon weave to be honest but hey ho!



Then boot hinge holes welded up and bonnet pin corner pieces welded in place to be trimmed down later


Then onto prepping the rear end





Bonnet pin corner pieces trimmed down

Edited by BenH, 09 March 2011 - 09:25 PM.

[BenH]

Pretty much finished now and ready for paint, although i made a decision to tub the arches after all of this!

Used Barcoat as i was having problems with reactions and it leaves a nice big fat coat

[BenH]

Sound system removed which weighed in at a hefty 80kg, just a few kg over what i weigh so its a massive saving! Too chavy for my liking!







Then rear bench cut down and rear bins removed/nice bit of rust along the way!

[BenH]

Then out with the webasto sunroof which was just under 20kg
Will be replaced with a carbon weazel roof



Out with the rooflining and switches


More rust found, going to need outer and inner sills and a bit of floor pan for the drivers side and both side door steps doing and the scuttle panel! glad iv got myself a welder now!

Edited by BenH, 09 March 2011 - 09:26 PM.

[BenH]

Picked up my new omp 6point cage of B18C MINI, nice long trip and we just about fitted it in the back of my brothers saxo with the legs poking out of the boot!

Had to cut the roof to fit it in the car but didnt matter as it needed doing anyway!
Will be sanded down and painted green like the old cage but at least this one isnt a showcage and will actually save me!

[BenH]

More progress and onto the arch tubbing,

Old suspension Setup


Subby removed, impressed with how easy all the bolts came undone and i cant believe how much weight il be saving from having a rear beam and coilovers. Radius arms need rebuilding as the rubbers perished on them both.

Was expecting to see alot of rot but so far so good





Arch work

[BenH]

[BenH]

Then the passengers side which turned out much better then my passenger side attempt.