Taken the plunge

[richardg3.2]

Well, after following blr123,AJA and others on here from vectra-c.com it has certainly opened my eyes on how to look after my baby properly. Have done a lot of reading (hardly any posting as I just need to soak up some knowledge at the mo) and decided that a PC is a must have. So after a good couple of weeks at work I have just placed my order with Autopia. Gone for the SFX kit, additional flex plates, 4" spot pads, Sonus fine clay, extra Megs Wash Mitts, selection of detailing brushes and concours buffing towel. Already spent quite a bit on Megs and Poorboys stuff so hopefully enough to get started. Thanks to 182_blue for the discount code.:thumb:

Have got an Ultra Blue Vectra GSi and will be treating my mum's silver MR2 Roadster so any extra product recommendations specific to these would be appreciated.

http://www.forum.vectra-c.com/uploader/pics/pics1/Dscf0020smallest.jpg

I also have an R1 engined MK Indy kit car which is gel coat fibreglass. Anybody got any ideas on what to use on that :confused:

http://www.forum.vectra-c.com/uploader/pics/pics1/Dscf0001smaller.jpg

http://www.forum.vectra-c.com/uploader/pics/pics1/Dscf0002small.jpg

[182_blue]

hi mate, cars looking very nice, bet your looking ofrward to gettting you pc :-)

[Mike172cup]

http://www.forum.vectra-c.com/uploader/pics/pics1/Dscf0001smaller.jpg

...track-day heaven!! I want one!! :wall:

[Daffy]

Really like that kit car. Bet it shifts, no weight R1 engine about 160 bhp?. Cool as ****. Nice colour can you give us more details I am intrigued by it.

[AdyUK]

The latest R1 is 175 or 180 bhp I think. Very similar engine to that used in my Yamaha FXHO Jetski.

[JJ_]

The Gel Coat stuff is fine with Meguiars not sure about others.

[Brazo]

Wow nice R1 powered car!!!! Bet theres not much that troubles you in that!!

Most 'good' polishes are fine on gelcoats but do check the instructions, megs is fine as is poorboys ssr line.

[richardg3.2]

Thanks for the replies guys. Can't wait to have a go with PC on the Vectra. It's in lovely condition but as with probably every car on the road that hasn't had the treatment it has got the usual light swirls. Got Megs NXT wash, NXT wax, DC 1,2,3, samples of #7 and SSR2 and some Poorboys Natty Blue as well as Megs for glass, metal, wheels and tyres etc so looking forward to finding the right combo for me.

Regarding my little toy I will stick to the Megs then JJ. More a thrill machine than a detailers delight but would like to keep it nice after all the late night hours building it. This is how it started -

http://www.forum.vectra-c.com/uploader/pics/pics1/2small.jpg

It is a 2003 fuel injected R1 giving 160bhp and weighing 446kg as weighed at it's SVA test just before Christmas. Unfortunately they are a bit of a pain to set up for SVA emissions and mine failed on this. Got to book a retest shortly when the weather picks up. Can adjust the fuelling via my laptop as I have a power commander on it so should be able to tweak it when I am there. So far only driven it 20 miles to it's test and back and the performance is ridiculous. Power to weight is 360bhp/tonne which is supercar league and geared for acceleration with a 132mph max but with your bottom 4 inches off the tarmac that will probably feel like you have entered the 200mph club. Identical car and engine spec has been tested with Datron gear at 3.67 secs to 60mph. All for about £6200 with mostly shiny new bits.

[richardg3.2]

Wow nice R1 powered car!!!! Bet theres not much that troubles you in that!!

Most 'good' polishes are fine on gelcoats but do check the instructions, megs is fine as is poorboys ssr line.

I think the only thing that might trouble me is fear:D Bum on the deck, aeroscreen rather than a windscreen and 12000rpm screaming in your ear'oles should be a little scary. :eek:

[AdyUK]

What do you think to the Tiger cars? My dad thought about getting yours is!!

My brothers mate builds and race Caterhams, been in his a couple of times, 0-60 is just unbelievable!!

[richardg3.2]

Tiger are a pretty good company. The B6 or R6 are the one's to go for but are more expensive than the MK. The cheaper Tiger's weren't really my cuppa tea. The Avon model is comparable in price to the MK Indy but a lot less room and the body quality isn't as good. Check out www.locostbuilders.co.uk for more info. You will find Tiger Avon owners on there who agree with the issues regarding the bodywork. MK, MNR and Mac1 are manufacturers probably the most highly spoken of by owners on the site. Mk are a really good helpful firm and I would certainly build another in the future.

[blr123]

Hi Richard..........you made it then :thumb: ............that's a seriously nice set of cars you have there ;) it's goning to be a blast detailing them and the results WILL amaze you........really.........even just claying will amaze you :thumb:

Bryan

[richardg3.2]

Thanks - I like 'em. Love my Vec as it is pretty quick but so relaxing to do a long run in. My mate has a Signum like you - his is a 2.2 direct Design. I also have a 92 Clio 16v which I have had since 94. Couldn't bare to part with it in 1999 when I got a company car for a while as I had spent a lot on it - 17's, cams, coilovers etc and this is waiting until I build myself a garage this spring to have a complete overhaul. Got plans drawn up - 29ft square so plenty of room to store all my new detailing toys. If only I wasn't such a petrolhead I might have a few bob in the bank.:)

[blr123]

Got plans drawn up - 29ft square so plenty of room to store all my new detailing toys. If only I wasn't such a petrolhead I might have a few bob in the bank.:)

Well Richard I hope the town planners round your way are more helpfull than ours.........my garage only takes the Clio with about 8" to spare waaaay to small for the Signum :mad:

And yeah we would all have a bit more in the bank eh..............and you will spend a LOT more when the detailing gets a hold of you :D

Bryan

PS the garage is only wide enough to take one and a half cars.........cool eh :mad:

[cosmos]

I love the MK Indy - It's like a locost brought bang up to date by using the sierra bits. I worked with a chap who built a Toyota 4AGE engined one and my own build has been on my virtual to do list ever since :o

But then again, so has a Pilgrim Sumo.....:D

[richardg3.2]

I love the MK Indy - It's like a locost brought bang up to date by using the sierra bits. I worked with a chap who built a Toyota 4AGE engined one and my own build has been on my virtual to do list ever since :o

But then again, so has a Pilgrim Sumo.....:D

If you get the chance to have a crack at building an MK I can really recommend it. I am certainly no mechanic but found it pretty straightforward and hugely satisfying. The Cobra replicas are nice too but a bit out of my price range at the moment. If you're going to do one of those it has to have the proper Yank V8, the Halibrand wheels, the chrome trimmings etc ££££££££££££££££££££££££££

[cosmos]

If you get the chance to have a crack at building an MK I can really recommend it. I am certainly no mechanic but found it pretty straightforward and hugely satisfying. The Cobra replicas are nice too but a bit out of my price range at the moment. If you're going to do one of those it has to have the proper Yank V8, the Halibrand wheels, the chrome trimmings etc ££££££££££££££££££££££££££

It is on the cards mate. I used to fix aeroplanes for a living but have been very bored in an office working in I.T. for the past two years. Consequently, I have quite a few specialised tools that lend themselves quite nicely to that type of construction.

I totally agree. A cobra has to be done 'properly' to look thepart IMO. Otherwise it just looks like what it is - a replica - and sounds the same if its got a pinto or cologne v6!

I might wait until one of the major UK kit shows comes up as thats where my mate ordered his MK and got total powder coating for free as a show deal.

[richardg3.2]

Stoneleigh show is the one to go to. Biggest in Europe and probably the closest for you. On 31 April/1 May this year. Sure MK will have some kind of deal on as this show is the biggie for them doing business. I should be there on the owners club area so come and say hello if you make it there. Cobra replica with a Pinto - like washing your car with emery cloth soaked in paint stripper. :D

[cosmos]

Stoneleigh show is the one to go to. Biggest in Europe and probably the closest for you. On 31 April/1 May this year. Sure MK will have some kind of deal on as this show is the biggie for them doing business. I should be there on the owners club area so come and say hello if you make it there. Cobra replica with a Pinto - like washing your car with emery cloth soaked in paint stripper. :D

Hehe lol.

I went to the Stoneleigh show in 2003 and been there many times for the Jaguar Spares day's. The kit car show day is good for getting generic bits and pieces with some good deals on tools too. I'll definitely go for a mooch around, will definitely give you a shout.......and may even strike a deal on an MK, who knows:)

How much to bike engines cost? I know their layout etc, but have no idea where you would buy a known sound one except for trusting someone from ebay!

[Daffy]

All for about £6200 with mostly shiny new

That has to be the four wheeled bargain of the century. 360bhp/ tonne, 12000 rpm and weighing less than half a tonne. That is awesome.

[richardg3.2]

That has to be the four wheeled bargain of the century. 360bhp/ tonne, 12000 rpm and weighing less than half a tonne. That is awesome.

Can't really think of a way to go faster on 4 wheels for the money. When I first got it driveable took it to a local airfield to check everything over, mate's brother turned up in his 911 (964) Carrera 4. Tried a side by side acceleration run, he was real cocky for the first 10 yards with his 4wd traction but as soon as I got good grip I absolutely mullered him :D :D

Cosmos - I paid £1200 for my engine with 3000 miles on it. There is a guy on www.locostbuilders.co.uk with user name colibriman (Colin) and he sources engines for lots of the guys on that forum and he will deliver to your door as he does a big delivery run round the country when he has got 4 or 5 orders. He is well experienced too so he knows all the bits you need to get one running in a car. He has an MK too.

[cosmos]

Can't really think of a way to go faster on 4 wheels for the money. When I first got it driveable took it to a local airfield to check everything over, mate's brother turned up in his 911 (964) Carrera 4. Tried a side by side acceleration run, he was real cocky for the first 10 yards with his 4wd traction but as soon as I got good grip I absolutely mullered him :D :D

Cosmos - I paid £1200 for my engine with 3000 miles on it. There is a guy on www.locostbuilders.co.uk with user name colibriman (Colin) and he sources engines for lots of the guys on that forum and he will deliver to your door as he does a big delivery run round the country when he has got 4 or 5 orders. He is well experienced too so he knows all the bits you need to get one running in a car. He has an MK too.

Top class!! Just the kind of contact I like - thanks mate. Does anyone make a kit for an F1 style gear change?

[richardg3.2]

Top class!! Just the kind of contact I like - thanks mate. Does anyone make a kit for an F1 style gear change?

Have a look at http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=38876 gives you an idea what some guys use. Ox would be the man to have a word with.