My Wheel's Progress - Mostly Electrics !

[robbie601]

Well I've done a fair bit with my wheels, mainly electrics as I haven't got the faintest idea about mechanics ! But I thought I'd share them in case anyone wants any words of wisdom.
Here's the wheel's, a mechanically standard 2.0 16v Ecotec on an R-plate, just done 60k and running well :

So far the external bits are my Mk3OC sticker and clear side repeaters (really adventurous eh) but I'm not a big fan of modding the outside although I've got plans for a twin bore back box.

As for the internal bits :

Built and fitted an fader for the interior lights (fitted rear reading lights) which fade on closing the doors like the modern vauxhalls. Also the interior lights come on when the doors are unlocked.

Remote central locking which triggers the f/f alarm and deadlocks all except the drivers door (this is still in progress).

Electric sunroof.

Replaced original headunit with CDR500.

90% of the way through putting electric mirrors in (just waiting on glass before fitting the drivers mirror). Had to add additional wiring into front doors as hi-spec door looms are rare as rocking horse sh*te. After finding the way of transplanting wires into to the loom the easy way it didn't take more than a few hours.

Front window closure on locking doors with the remote.

Next mod will probably be blue leds but the missus is expecting so I'm now about to be robbed of all funds .....

 

[robbie601]

Managed to get the bits together for a Vectra roof motor so now I have closure on the windows and roof on remote locking.

Rear headrests could be on the way !

 

[rickisgrate]

good idea this, making it top spec, has it got leccy mirrors?

 

[robbie601]

Yup, just waiting on driver's side glass to finish it off. Took a little while to do as I couldn't get the proper door looms which meant making my own and chopping all the original plugs off which was a shame but it's all sound and works fine.

 

[MattDaly]

Love the sound of fading interior lights, and them coming on when you unlock the doors, nice work!

 

[robbie601]

Yeah it's not too bad, I made a few faders a while ago, cost about £12 all in all to make and post. Once the fader's in you just use a relay via the central locking to switch the interior light on for a second and then it fades.
By the way the window and roof closure is done using the Falcon locking kit and a couple of relays ! I'm using that many relays the car ticks like Big Ben

 

[robbie601]

Just added a new feature to my car that stores all the oil when the engine is off. It's called the sump - before I had the rocker cover gasket done on Saturday my car used my driveway. Best 'mod' ever as it's probably just added value to my house

 

[jay26]

looks clean mate whats the plan

 

[robbie601]

It was nice and clean this morning chap, in fact pretty much A1 for a 10 year old motor. However :

The missus picked up the nipper from nursery tonight and the nursery manageress found it in her heart to confess she'd driven in to it when she parked next to it this morning at 08:00 as she came on to the car park a bit fast - I mean a nusery manageress driving too fast on the car park
Anyway had a quick look albeit in the dark and it looks scuffed on the rear bumper drivers side from the corner to the wheel arch and a tiny bit on the door strip too. Again she managed NOT to stop upon hitting my bumper but managed to go at least another 2 foot past the wheel arch into the door strip !! I'm not a happy bunny. But apparently she is willing to pay for any damage so I'm getting up early tomorrow, giving the corner a wash and try my best to polish it out although I can feel where it might have dug in a little bit into the plastic. AAAAAAArrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhh.

I can't believe I didn't see it this morning but the best bit is I remember thinking what a sh1thole her car was, scratches, dents, dodgy paintwork and the inside was a right mess considering she has to transport kids about. Then again if she has no respect for her car why would she respect any others.

Yes, I think I'm rather annoyed.

 

[robbie601]

Well gave it a massive wash and it came up really well, just a small scratch.

Anyway, fitted the latest mod. Changed my mind on the blue leds for the clocks and bought these plasma jobs instead (a bit out of focus) - they switch to green too :

Have a close up of the seperates :

 

[Andy_Mk3]

Those clocks look awesome! How much does it cost to do that?

 

[robbie601]

Just shy of £40. Going to colour the needles orange though as when the lights are off the white needles against the white dials aren't that visible.

 

[Andy_Mk3]

Brilliant. Is it easy to do?

 

[robbie601]

A question of getting the clocks out, fitting 3 white dials over the top of your existing ones. Each of the dials has a wiring coming from it which plugs in to a small transformer that you need to hide somewhere. Off this transformer is a small unit with a switch that toggles between blue and green and knob that adjusts the intensity. The interior fader still works too.

The knob/switch unit comes prefitted to a small right angled metal plate with 2 screw holes but I think I'm going to remove the from the plate and fit them into the blanking space next to the headlight adjust switch.

All in all just requires a few hours patience and 2 wires to connect. One to earth and one to the clocks illumination feed.

 

[Andy_Mk3]

Might just send it to you one day if you don't mind, I'd drop you a few quid of course But it does look awesome fella

 

[robbie601]

No probs, ta very much. Should look better with red needles though. I'll post the finished product.

 

[Andy_Mk3]

Cheers Once I get new clocks sorted (one with a rev counter) I'll get it sent to you hopefully. Roughly how much would you want for doing it? I'll let you buy all the stuff too, as you know what you're doing lol. We can come to some sort of arrangement anyway, you're only about an hour away from me.

 

[robbie601]

No probs. I was impressed with the delivery, ordered yesterday lunch, here this morning.

 

[Andy_Mk3]

That's very good!

 

[robbie601]

And now with orange needles courtesy of an OHP permanent pens :