The New c20xe Chevette.

[bmw156]

Hello guys,

i spotted another XE chevette for sale at an unmissable price. i was giddy.

Went and viewed it/ picked it up today.
its a handful, a loud handful.
it shifts.
the pedal box is horrible
the gearbox is only 4 speed
it has some dodgy rev counter and temp guages.
did i mention its loud.

also, the throttle is like on/off and then you can progress to full throttle. would a remap on the MJ sort this out and make it more smooth?

copied from the advert:
Tax: June
MOT:12 months

2ltr 16v redtop running twin 40 webbers mega jolt programmable ecu
mk2 escort rear axle n brakes
tran x straight cut 4speed box
bias floor mounted pedal box
poly bushes throughout
mk2 escort rad
60mm springs
all ford wheels.
battery in the boot.


and one pic from just after i bought it.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/2cbb3d00.jpg



http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g443/sparkx84/SAM_0340.jpg
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g443/sparkx84/SAM_0339.jpg
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g443/sparkx84/SAM_0338.jpg
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g443/sparkx84/SAM_0337.jpg
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g443/sparkx84/SAM_0349.jpg
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g443/sparkx84/SAM_0348.jpg
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g443/sparkx84/Image0177.jpg
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g443/sparkx84/Image0145.jpg
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g443/sparkx84/SAM_0347.jpg

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g443/sparkx84/SAM_0352.jpg
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g443/sparkx84/SAM_0353.jpg
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g443/sparkx84/SAM_0355.jpg
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g443/sparkx84/SAM_0356.jpg
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g443/sparkx84/SAM_0358.jpg

[bmw156]

just quickly, i planned on putting it on a trailer. that ended up like this...

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/7637aab9.jpg

[Iain]

That looks really cool, what are you going to do with it?

[Danny s-p]

looks nice mate

[bmw156]

That looks really cool, what are you going to do with it?

lol the 1 million pound question.

im not sure yet, one of the two will go. probably the blue one.

[BENJIEGSI8v]

Very Nice!

[Connor]

Very nice pal, would love one of these myself, just got to convince my brother to give me his lol

[Southie]

I prefer it to your build lol

Sorry Martin lol

[peester]

saw this for sale, was a good price- cool motor.. think it was on retro-rides..?

[bmw156]

I prefer it to your build lol

Sorry Martin lol

so do i lol. at the moment.

and yeh was on retro rides. :)

im still non the wiser as to what to do with it/them

[Southie]

I prefer it to your build lol

Sorry Martin lol
Cough :p Well apart from the silly orange wheel stripe, will the wheels fit on my nova ;)

[bmw156]

i didnt mean i prefere it to your build. i meant i prefer it to my other chevette lol.

and no they are ford fitment :D
yeh the orange stripe is abit gay lol.

[MK1_Ben]

Really like this, wouldn't mind one as a project really. Not until the mk1's finished though unfortunately :(

[corsakid]

Nice car! I know it!

[bmw156]

Nice car! I know it!

ohhh you must, you are from the same place. pm on the way lol.

[blue_peg_16v]

how do mate in the sensce of the on off is the throttle realy heavy if so i had the same problem with my 48s when running a cheap linkage (looked similar to the one pictured) i bought a proper weber linkage and all was solved nice and progressive and very drivable, also if thats smooth check the venturi size was told idealy you want 36mm on a standardish xe but i ran 42mm on the 48s with out any problems

[bmw156]

Cheers blue peg. I would say the throttle was heavy just the pedal design is horrible.
I think I'm gonna get it on a rolling road and go from there.

[Edd]

Looks quite clean and you've finished the build

I quite like the wheels lol

[AlexW]

Cool, Bit of tidying up and it would be good.
What happened with the trailer then?

[bmw156]

lol a small update.

just had another blast in it.
temp guage is working. good times.
rad fan is working (i wasnt sure of it)
the suspension is SOFT as poo
one of the rear wheels rubs when under accelration on the outer arch.
it tramps when pulling away enthusiastically
it goes side ways
the exhaust scrapes when on slight camber (its a bodge of cuts lol)


edit - alex just saw your reply, the trailer had its wheel bearing go. it was on the way down, so unloaded. could of been worse if it was loaded lol. and yeh it needs the bay painting, exhaust sorting, like ya say, general tidying.

[bmw156]

ok just went and took some pics, of the good and the bad lol.

piss take badge lol
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/8e7b67f9.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/0da6b1f4.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/eda454f5.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/43008e4e.jpg



http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/6335a585.jpg

Temp guage and fan switch lol and old school radio
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/4a3492bb.jpg

crustyness in the boot.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/9a4f0312.jpg

battery in boot
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/51fd32ce.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/0c054994.jpg

[bmw156]

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/cb74d535.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/2703501a.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/839481fd.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/fe7fbf85.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/4ec0d18f.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/f62ada3b.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/a352a981.jpg

wheel rub
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/f15041e2.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/26737730.jpg

[Edd]

Doesn't look too bad

That peddle bid thingy looks very :tard: tho

What the plans then ?
Probably like when I had a few nova's at once, you've no idea lol

Could you not make one out of all the best bits and sell the other ?

[bmw156]

the pedals are abit better today, the accelarator is ok....
brakes im getting used to...
clutch is very on off still lol.

and the blue one, is being tidied, shipped of to a mates for storage i hope. then broken i suspect.

use all the good bits on the new one. inc engine, gaz shocks, other bits and bobs.

upgrade some bits, clean some bits lol.

[Mike]

Peddle box looks like it needs some rethinking lol

And get some bloody airfilters on them carbs!

[bmw156]

Peddle box looks like it needs some rethinking lol

And get some bloody airfilters on them carbs!

yeh stupid pedal box lol.

and air filter on them - so i set them alight lol.

i have a set of socks sitting in the shed, but it back fires a little and i dont wanna fry them lol.

[Connor]

That automatic badge made me lol

[bearbenuk]

Here you go Martin, a couple of the vids from the spin this morning!
Sorry about the dodgy quality folks..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcPLIWIHaoE


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5og8ANOX5XQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcPLIWIHaoE

[John]

Like!

[mk1nova_rich]

Nice vids, shame you never had the right stretch of road to open her up properly

[scott.parker]

personaly i would make one good one from the two, as for carb filters use some pf them meatel mesh type ones!

Ace buy, wish i had one!!

[bmw156]

Ben you legend, thanks. does sound nice lol.

and thanks lads, Rich, i wasnt going crazy as its only the second time i have driven it lol and the pedal box needs some getting used to.

thanks scott, i will look into them. was it you who i asked before on the blue one about the cooling, and mentioned about the feed from the inlet manifold to the highest point on the expansion tank. on this one the inlet has been blanked.

[scott.parker]

I did mention the water feed on the inlet, i feel it there for a reason, so i have always tried to keep it in use etc.

Scott

[bmw156]

Good news,
had the car took to a garage, and they kindly wrote me a letter with the engine number, reg and engine CC on it.

will take a pic later when im home.

good times.

just waiting on the V5 to come back from the DVLA, and then i can insure it correctly, and take a visit to the Local DVLA office.

then its legal :D

[bmw156]

got this today. now when i get the V5 back i can go to the local DVLA office and get it sorted.

feels good to do it proper.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/986a66a9.jpg

[bmw156]

Took Of the horrible gear knob and cleanedup the thread. M10 x 1.5. Will get a new nice knob soon.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/6db8b02a.jpg

[bmw156]

got this through today,

not sure if it "goes" but i have always wanted one lol.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/91e29702.jpg

[Southie]

What a lovely knob you have Martin lol

[bmw156]

how kinda Mr south, is even comes to a point. with a hole in it... lol

[Southie]

Phwoooooor lol

[Count Vaux Alot]

Much likey nice purchase!

[bmw156]

Much likey nice purchase!

thank you please.:d:d:d

[bmw156]

ok, nothing much to update, its at a friends house, waiting while i get rid of the blue one(currently on ebay).

have ordered a set of springs today. custom jobbies, 450lbs on the front, and 130lbs/180lbs progressive on the rear.

and also purchased a set of these, which are very rare and from the HS/HSR
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/ScreenShot017.jpg

[bmw156]

got the V5 back now,

will be posting it monday. lets see how long it takes to get it back.

[bmw156]

just collecting some parts while i wait for the blue one to sell.

two
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/cf365df4.jpg

become
one
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/6dd429ac.jpg

and also sourced a good condition windscreen rubber. as mines knackered.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/be547712.jpg

[bmw156]

hey guys, got this back today. over the moon and 3 weeks was quite quick i would say :D

i have a few more things to do before i tax and insure it. so will get those done and put up some pics soon.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/fe9307a9.jpg

[bmw156]

ok, finally this thread can get off the ground.

today this happened

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/ff260988.jpg

which allowed me to get this bad boy back.
gave it a wash
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/d9b3ae98.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/23bbda12.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/a03458f7.jpg

fitted some mooneyes
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/a937e5fd.jpg

as im fitting a HS rev counter, i will loose my temp gauge and petrol level, so i will probably fit them in here.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/feac603f.jpg

on the driver door, the door handle was in my way, while driving, so i replaced it with this..
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/c123f485.jpg

i need one of these lol, just blank is fine.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/f300cfec.jpg

and in my attempt to tidy the car up. i sorted around the gear knob, from this:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/91e29702.jpg

to this: - much nicer.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/05dd3e40.jpg

and last but not least i fitted a locking petrol cap.

Next on my list is.

attack this, and test my spray can i have
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/dff61857.jpg

have a go at this with some autosol

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/f1b46a0c.jpg

and then i have loads of small bits to do, which include:

heat wrap exhaust
fit shocks and springs
maybe raise exhaust.
chop of horrible exhaust tip
fit HS dash, wire in the rev counter,
extent wires for guages as pictured above.
buy and fit TPS sensor.
Remove wing and investigate wet foot well.

[scott.parker]

This has the potential to be an absolute beastly good car mate..

[bmw156]

thanks dude, i hope i can fulfil the potential lol,
any pointers in the right direction :)

[scott.parker]

I would do what ever money i cold afford, but in the mean time, i like the recessed type lights, and i would try maybe get the wheels repainted, try lower it more say coilovers?

[Derick-Sport]

what an animal, bet it sounds awesome on full chat

[bmw156]

what an animal, bet it sounds awesome on full chat

check out the videos on page one!

and yeh scott, recessed headlights are nice, but they require a different panel behind the headlight, so not simple.

and i have a set of gaz shocks, just waiting for some spings to arrive and then i will fit them.

[scott.parker]

Ever thought of running it bumper less like the mk1 scort guys do?

[bmw156]

lol me and a friend were having this debate.

i might have to do a chop of it with out bumpers. i dont think it will look right through...

[mowgli]

Ever thought of running it bumper less like the mk1 scort guys do?

the escort was a simple thing to do, they put rear van corner bumpers on the front, and they looked cool. but the chevette front end is designed round the bumper.. it would look wrong with it off.

[scott.parker]

Ok, heres an idea, wrap the front bumper in black gloss or matt finish vynal, an go bumperless on the rear??

[bmw156]

i was bidding on a set of quarter bumpers the other day for the front, but missed out.

and im sure some people have something against chrome lol. i will do some chops and put them up.

[scott.parker]

Well just in my oppinion your cars looks are hard core, so big chrome bumpers dont fit, but if you like them then keep em dude

[bmw156]

lol thanks dude, worst case i remove them, hate the look and refit them!

[MK1_Ben]

I say keep the Chrome full size bumper :) goes well with the colour of the car.

[bmw156]

ok got some done tonight, took of the wing to see if there was any rot, common place, and seeing as my foot well is getting wet i assumed there would be...

undone a few bolts and this appears..
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/b07c700b.jpg

Not to bad...
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/17422869.jpg

surface rust
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/b292912e.jpg

Mint
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/fe5d2e39.jpg

and a pic of it on its bump stops!
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/b857c13d.jpg

so now im confussed, the hole in the sill would be to low and closed to let alot of water in....

[bmw156]

just done some more, i thought i would great you with a video,

sounds like a bag of nails!
http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/?action=view&current=68c92c19.mp4

and had a play with the plug leads and managed to fit the plug cover
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/4f90c625.jpg

[bmw156]

cracked on with some more tonight.

got my TPS through today, so from this:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/63be44b2.jpg

to this
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/481813f3.jpg

and as someone has mentioned before, the coilpack is in a crap place and i agree. so it went from this:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/ee62370a.jpg

to this:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/67045ac8.jpg
and this
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/25d08423.jpg

Just for my reference:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/ada8cadd.jpg

and gave the alternator bracket a repaint and tidy

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/ed979dcb.jpg

[Grey]

its come a long way mart impressive. so what deal did you get a tps for then? may need one if mine fails lol

[bmw156]

its come a long way mart impressive. so what deal did you get a tps for then? may need one if mine fails lol

lol no bargins here, full on weber price of 70 quid!

[bmw156]

nothing more done just yet, just got some more parts through the post.

new springs - 450lb's on the front, 130/180lb's progressive on the rear all lowered 40mm.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/f6347726.jpg

combined with my shocks. it looks quite nice :D

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/01ca99fc.jpg

[bearbenuk]

looking good man! :)
cant wait to go for another spin.

[bmw156]

wont be long until its on the road!

[bmw156]

Ok a nice update.

got the car insured. all mods declared, 22, male, 2.0l redtop - £575 a year. WIN

so, now that i can drive it on the road, i thought it was time i pull my finger out lol.

a concern to me, this is how far the studs stick through the wheels. not very much and the bolts only screw on like 4 threads!
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/cd73c22f.jpg

The most important sticker!
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/84397e30.jpg

then onto fitting the rear suspension.
a little bit of rot i will sort later,
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/df77d51b.jpg

springs cable tied in...
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/05d2e663.jpg

some trick 4 link system????
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/3d6f196b.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/2c283c82.jpg

New vs Old

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/17f81249.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/b2160bb9.jpg

a few spanners later
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/24ef25d9.jpg

Results
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/8a43dbd0.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/4f6d705b.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/0dab9398.jpg

it sits higher, but it will settle abit, but i think it will be so much better at going in a straight line lol.

[Iain]

The amount of protruding thread is a little worrying! Did Chevettes have studs as standard or are they converted?

[bmw156]

Yeh it worries me lol. I have some longer studs so will fit them soon! And yes they are studs. If it was running steels it wouldn't be a problem lol.

[bmw156]

Ok - not an update i wanted to do.

driving along today after seeing a mate. not giving it any beans. and it went pop. i think compression in number 4 is knackered. all the other 3 suck very well, and number 4 has nothing. cambelt is fine, timing is fine. fuel and spark are fine.

annoyed.

[bmw156]

not really sure what i have done lol.

i think, i have skipped one tooth, and just made some piston/valve love. check out the pics and let me know :)

http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/?action=view&current=29937cc3.jpg (http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/?action=view&current=29937cc3.jpg)http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/29937cc3.jpg (http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/?action=view&current=90631237.jpg)

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/1d2f4cae.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/3ac53067.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/bece9a78.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/0d62e956.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/0bc28908.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/b5a47ac8.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/9d8d4d5f.jpg

[AlexW]

Is there any sign of skipping on the belt? Tensioner hasn't slipped has it?

Bit hard to see how bent they are in those pics.

[mowgli]

time for a head stripdown. then see if the valves spin in their seats easily.

also get the head pressure tested for cracks while you are at it.

[bmw156]

i have a coscast in the shed, which is freshly rebuilt, so ill probably chuck that on....

and yeh the pics are **** lol, it was very hard for me to see the bends in normal light lol, let alone iphone pics lol.

should i leave the bottom end like it is?

[bmw156]

so today, i stripped down the spare XE to rob the coscast off it.

also cleaned up the pistons
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/9a434570.jpg

and on a side note, heat wrapped my exhaust, not quite finished yet, but i like it.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/141ef878.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/8e02810a.jpg

tomorrow im picking up some head bolts, and a new gasket, and i need to try and squeeze the head back in the hole!

[MK1_Ben]

Good to see it going back together buddy :)

[bmw156]

thanks.

today i went out. and done some bits, stripped the new water pump and a few other bits of my spare engine for the engine in the car.

then removed the same bits from the engine in the car lol.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/e6f37251.jpg

and refitted the water pump with new bolts.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/7fc28db5.jpg

and then i went to fit the coscast..... massive dilemma.
on the head that was on there. with bent valves. the guy has chopped a couple of bits of the dizzy end. which worked for him and made the engine sit further back in the bay. fair enough.
now my coscast wont fit.
do i:
rebuild the GM head with bent valves.
chop the bits of the coscast head and ruin it.
or persuade the bulk head by about an inch...

pics of GM head and coscast.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/d6b16e0f.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/b4390d26.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/9a2e9955.jpg

[Damo]

Martin id repair the gm head matey and save the other one no point in ruining two but its up to you mate.

[blue_peg_16v]

id rebuild the gm head pointless choping a head that would sell for £300 on gay bay, my last one sold for £350 kit car boys go mental for them

[Nova Baz]

i'd make the bulkhead submit

[bmw156]

ok, i went for coscast choppage, just need one bolt, then i can put the head back on, build up the timing elements. and then exhaust and inlet, and fire her up hopefully!

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/d95f20d4.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/b6856be3.jpg

[Southie]

Nice progress Martin, when's this being planned to be on the road ;)

[bmw156]

It was on the road when it died. Should be back by Monday hopefully.

[NathanSRi]

When's my passenger ride? :p

[bmw156]

still waiting lol.
let me do the front suspension and then i will take you out in it :D

[scott.parker]

So what hppend, what you doing to that head?

[bmw156]

Lol of you look back a few posts it shows. I chopped the coscast :). Fits now

[bmw156]

ok managed to do alot of work today and IT RUNS. well chuffed.

have a few small bits to do. but all is excellent.

:D:D:D:D

pic of timing
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/b88c134d.jpg

and a video :D

http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/?action=view&current=1ebe9682.mp4

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/th_1ebe9682.jpg (http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/?action=view&current=1ebe9682.mp4)

[bmw156]

stopped both my water leaks, one was the back of the head (dont ask) and one was the thermostat, where i hadnt used any sealent. so just chucked the old one back on.

the exhaust wrap smoked well when i first started it up lol.
and also raised the exhaust by about an inch as it was scrapping almost ALL the time on my test run.
also chopped of the horrible exhaust tip. will weld on something else sometime.
some pics - lovely day, my car is covered in pollen lol.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/75a6146c.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/7786afe5.jpg

exhaust tip chopped
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/c54868b2.jpg

and engine bay with new head - coscast an all.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/5d66f4b8.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/752b8a67.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/f62d5b26.jpg

[bmw156]

slight progress,

booked the chevette into a local rolling road on the 28th of april, with a legend who sets up carbs the old style way, he advised me to go to 36mm chokes, so they are on order as well.

just need to wire up the TPS and put in the new map for megajolt and its ready for the tuning session. looking forward to it.

[NathanSRi]

slight progress,

booked the chevette into a local rolling road on the 28th of april, with a legend who sets up carbs the old style way, he advised me to go to 36mm chokes, so they are on order as well.

just need to wire up the TPS and put in the new map for megajolt and its ready for the tuning session. looking forward to it.
Frost?

[bmw156]

T&M in colchester. :)

[bmw156]

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/a61692ab.jpg
not sure if you can see but they are 36mm Ones
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/76f1ff58.jpg

[bmw156]

ok, today i managed to get the megajolt talking to my PC so was able to calibrate my TPS and upload the 3D map which i have. took it for a spin and its much smoother up the rev range and has a 7500 limit now also.

a before and after of the megajolt.
before
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/ScreenShot022.jpg

after
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/ScreenShot023.jpg

[blue_peg_16v]

Meh 36mm are for girls i ran 42mm in my 48s lol

[bmw156]

36's are the biggest I can get in the 40's

[bmw156]

done some this morning,

found abit of pipe and just welded it onto the back box, bit of a laugh!
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/4bef61a6.jpg

investigated this patch with a sander.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/bc4d4403.jpg

to test my spray paint. Colour is ok match wise. not going for concourse though lol.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/390880b1.jpg

and while doing an oil change i had a look on the under side. some pics for your viewing pleasure lol.

Bellhousing - should it have holes in?
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/c6b60a0e.jpg

bottom of GB
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/32d2e6ef.jpg

GB mount
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/9777924b.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/89aebe11.jpg

clutch cable arrangement
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/076d93b3.jpg

and a video of it, after the map. sounds alot smoother IMO - Ignore the budgie sound lol.

http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/?action=view&current=22c9860d.mp4

[bmw156]

ok, done quite abit today, not much that i can picture really.

fitted my 36mm chokes ready for the set up day tomorrow. always the same, the last one refused to come out, so i had to remove the whole carb and bash it from the other end. it gave up finally and all the 36mm's are in. runs lumpy now and back fires alot lol. so hopefully i will be able to limp it down to colchester and get it set up with out any melted pistons!

wired in my fuel guage, rev counter and clock finally. a task i have been regretting. the rev counter doesnt read right. so im investigating that one!

and last but not least, i got these through today
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/4709afa8.jpg

and went about fitting them, out with the old
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/b7f42634.jpg

in with the new

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/0afd7dec.jpg

[Iain]

Did I miss it or have you fitted the longer studs to sort that issue out?

[bmw156]

not yet!
its on my to do list :)

they havent snapped in a year the boy drove it lol. i am taking it easy though!

[bmw156]

ok, just returned from my outing to the rolling road. the chevette made it, small success and made it onto the rollers. as soon as he started it, the tweeting sound was mentioned and discovered to be a leak on the inlet gasket, thus he couldnt do any tweaking, so he just balanced the carbs and made it abit smoother for the drive home, didnt charge me and advised me to change the gasket and come back.

all in all, im abit gutted, but at least i know the noise isnt a pulley and "only" the inlet gasket. so, i will book it in sometime around mid may and get it set up then. until then i have some other bits to do.

[maddogdaz666]

at least its quite a simple fix then, surely you can get it done before the sun goes in!?

[bmw156]

I ordered one today. Will pick it up Saturday or Tuesday and then do the work one evening next week. Only 8 bolts lol.

[bmw156]

Ok, ignoring the inlet manifold for the moment, thats for tomorrow.

today i cracked on with the front suspension. been dreading this for ages due to my experiance with my previous chevette on standard springs!
all went perfect though and was done with in the hour.

pics.
started - note the new holes for the 4x108 PCD
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/106af722.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/e9074482.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/d6775f44.jpg

nice surprise of polybused top rubbers i like.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/72148cb4.jpg

All Done
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/efe549fa.jpg

fitted like a glove, thanks TJM
overall it drives lovely now, handles really well. maybe a tad stiff, but only on some harsher roads and i can have a play with the dampers.

also, i took the chevette down to the felixstowe run today, made it there fine no hassels, forgot to turn the fan on in the carpark. think it over heated and burst a water pipe read bodge. and so i had a fun 45 mins on the side of the road fixing it with the spare pipe i had in the boot. all fixed and got me home again. thank you god.

[MK1_Ben]

Suspension looks good :)

Hurry up and get it running spot on so you can take some videos!

[Ron]

quite like chevettes as four doors

[NathanSRi]

You shoulda told me you were going felixstowe, my parents went but i couldn't be arsed lol

[bmw156]

Suspension looks good :)

Hurry up and get it running spot on so you can take some videos!

lol patience my young padawan

it will be there sometime soon!

nathan sorry lol. the chevette died on the way back, but its fixed now!

[xe Dan]

comming along martin. i have my car set up at t&m's to, ray is a really nice bloke and very fairly priced cannot fault him

[bmw156]

hey gents.

yeh dan, he is a legend. such a nice guy, and was really understanding about the leaky gasket.

done some more work today, got the inlet gasket changed, and all went fine. runs alot nicer now, and no budgies under the bonnet :D no pics though.

also, fitted a passenger mirror,

marked out
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/4b6d7ac5.jpg
chopped
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/374bd399.jpg

bunged with rubber and holes drilled.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/27c1c02d.jpg

and mirror fitted
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/37b234d4.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/96cc44dd.jpg

polished the rear bumper, before and after
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/d83d09a8.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/fe5f9cfa.jpg

also, removed the rear badges, so i can give them a repaint.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/3cfd9c9d.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/5c1c0ed6.jpg

[Damo]

lol @ the automatic badge class.

[ward]

good work so far mate,hope it all goes well when you bring to back to get tuned

[bmw156]

cheers guys, should be booking it in tomorrow. so we will go from there hopefully.

[bmw156]

got the badges repainted and back on. and had a spare FPR so swapped it over as it was smaller.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/366fcce0.jpg

as one of the studs had broken of the "GL" badge, it was hanging on the piss

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/c1e9e59a.jpg

so i sorted it with some foam tape.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/a76244b6.jpg

Ok done abit more just now, not seeing the missus tonight, so can crack on lol.

had a new pressure reg sitting in the shed, and thought it was worth the swap as its smaller.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/792869bf.jpg
Done.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/eeedadf6.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/4f29bc29.jpg

and then, i have had the best moment with this car yet. being my self, i split some petrol, rubbed it to dry it. and this happened
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/cb444f17.jpg

OMG. THE BEST NEWS. i wanted the bay to be silver. so i carried on.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/bf3e55ee.jpg

and done a test on the other side.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/4221e2df.jpg

PROPER WIN. saves me stripping the bay and spraying it all. thank god for pikey spray jobs. comes up like it left the factory ;D ;D ;D ;D

going to buy some thinners tomorrow as i think it will be more appropriate.

[bmw156]

Ok carried on with the stripped over the past few evenings.

at this stage now, very happy with the results.

so for comparison. a shot from when i got it.
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g443/sparkx84/SAM_0349.jpg

and the pics now

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/e9b72613.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/6c58347e.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/5f5dc2be.jpg

a rough area
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/d69beb31.jpg

and some more i still have to do.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/07f75cee.jpg

[bearbenuk]

omg, glad that crappy black paint came off!

looks 100x better mate!

:)

[scott.parker]

Just wondering, is there any difference on the delivery of pressure with them FPR's as in due to the size??

Looking smart though mate, glad the bay can be cleaned up..

[bmw156]

Just wondering, is there any difference on the delivery of pressure with them FPR's as in due to the size??

Looking smart though mate, glad the bay can be cleaned up..

cheers ben.

and Scott, i investigated this, they come in two sizes, like 40 and 68mm i think. 40 is fine for most things. and the bigger is for like v8's etc etc.

i bunged it on and took it for a drive and all seemed the same. when i have it out on the rolling road i will mention it to the guy and get him to fiddle if its needed.

:)

[scott.parker]

Cool, I'm sure he will need to fiddle with it, should make a nice difference then when all tuned up..

[bmw156]

yeh he should be sweet.
i took the chevette out today and it managed to cope fine with driving in general lol. the coolant system hasnt been great lately, trying to drop its guts all the time lol. but today has given me some hope about making it to the national day.

and i have a mate at work, who told me about the guy, said they took a beetle in, popping and banging. came out like a totally different car.

this friday the chevette is booked in. 8.30. i will try and get some pics
:D

[bmw156]

ok, after the car show today i have some motivation to do the wheel studs. job i have been dreading!

had a mare getting the drums off. got them off finally.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/dcc4d25c.jpg

studs came out easily thank god.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/c11b641c.jpg

bit of a difference! - might need to be trimmed abit
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/89688316.jpg

and half shaft out to get the new studs in.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/4647186d.jpg

having some problems getting the new studs in. as the holes are about 1mm to small, so im going to borrow a drill tomorrow and open them up by 1mm to 13.5 and the new bolt is 14.2 so pleanty to crush still.

[bmw156]

Ok, after finding out my bolts i had were the wrong size. (ford have two sizes of splines on the studs, 13.1mm and 14.2mm, i think its abit of a lottery. maybe english and atlas differences.) i ordered some new ones, slightly shorter as i think the new ones i had were going to be to long.

comparison
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/2e8b24f1.jpg

New ones went in like a glove.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/2f618233.jpg

all bolted back in
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/39b97d2c.jpg

and wheels now on with some studs showing!
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/4d44fd58.jpg

i can now sleep at night lol.

rolling road on friday :D

[bmw156]

Ok so this morning, i went down to the rolling road. and had the car set up. Ray, the guy who works magic is amazing. he done 4 runs and got it spot on.

He also mentioned the exhaust is restricting it, and one rear brake was binding, so lowered the at the wheels figure.

It made a healthy 177bhp at the flywheel and 143bhp at the wheels.
on the chart below, you can see the 4 colours of lines, the first is purple, second green, 3rd blue, 4th red. notice how the curve was and is now.
for any of the geeks out there, on the left it read kw's, times that number by 1.364 to get the BHP figure. Very hapy with what he did, after the first run he changed some bits and gained 26bhp :O. love it.

while i remember - he changed the pilots (i think) from 30's to 40's, main jets were drilled out from 115 to 140 which he said was a big jump, and also the chokes were put up from 30 to 36.


pics and video!
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/1198c4ae.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/d7c2516d.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/4a7d4f18.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/2362dd19.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/th_eef4204d.jpg (http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/?action=view&current=eef4204d.mp4)


and this is how my morning ended! lost spark :(
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/0e86ac2d.jpg

[bmw156]

Ok update, just checked if i was getting fuel - NO. and my pump isnt clicking, got a spare pump, so chucked it on and up it fires. turns out the spare pump also leaks so im picking up a good spare pump this afternoon hopefully

i will jump every hurdle to get to the national day lol.

[maddogdaz666]

wanna swap it for a brown nova saloon?
ive always fancied one,

[bmw156]

no lol.

[scott.parker]

That is a very very impressive figure, and I'm sure with some refinement more you have your self a wicked car for a track day there, Dave young said thats about the BHP to expect from a standard XE with Carbs/TB's on and thats why he said Ive got a good engine to get 185 from mine.

Scott

[Adam]

Sounds nice on the carbs

[bmw156]

Thanks guys. Ray said it should make about 170 and it got 177 on his rollers. So I'm chuffed with that. It's back up and running now with new fuel pump. All ready for national day. If it makes it lol.

[scott.parker]

Best do, i want you to take me out in it sideway's on them derbyshire lanes! lol

[bmw156]

LOL, i want some big open space before i do any sideways action, ill take you out for a spin going straight lol.

p.s i want it to get me home again lol.

[scott.parker]

Your being daft due to a few teathing issues, its an XE not a ford cvh lol

[bmw156]

lol yeh yeh i know, this XE is determined to die i think.

[bmw156]

new pump
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/8caf6862.jpg

what do you people think to this - the AA badge, will sit in the middle of the bumper.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/ee748660.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/681e8195.jpg

edit.

also just done a quick chop. hmmm

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/df71ebffedit.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/32694bccedit.jpg

[Iain]

Debumpered looks awesome IMO! Much smoothing/paintwork to do to get rid of them easily?

[bmw156]

on the front, there would be 4 holes. two wouldnt be noticable at all. and two are in the wings. not to bad.

the rear, i think is similar. ill dig out some pics of the blue one with a naked front lol. im not sure of it.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/DSC_4869.jpg

[Connor]

debumpered looks good imo, but also looks good with the bumpers lol