Gsi_Ire
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Republic of Ireland
User status: Offline
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Hi Guys,
So here it is... The project thread! I am not sure what the requirements are for a "project", but it’s my project. I know it’s more of a "cheque book" car due to the fact I will be doing very little work on it myself (I have no mechanical skills!)
Many people will wonder why I am going to so much trouble for a 15 year old Corsa. Especially once you see the pictures of its current condition. But its a car I have wanted from the moment I saw it. I pressured and pushed a good friend of mine to sell it to me. Finally convincing him to sell after my 1l Corsa was robbed leaving me without a car.
The Car :
1994 Opel Corsa GSi 1.6 16v
100k Miles
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The car its self has been parked up since 2005 sometime after experiencing a number of mechanic issues, mainly due to water leaks at a time when I neither had the time or finances to have it sorted. In retrospect I could have probably gotten it sorted very quickly and cheaply, but I didn't know the people I do now!
The past 4-5 years have taken their toll. Rusted discs, scratches & marks & dints from various different things and lots & lots of moss....
So after a number of different attempts to get this project going I started again back in November of last year.
First on the list was an engine. Not knowing what condition mine was in I took a few different avenues before Kieran replied to one of my threads on Driver.ie about a C16XE for sale. A rebuilt C16XE I should have bought maybe 18 months earlier but I stalled too long and missed out.
So with an engine sourced it was time to have a closer inspection on the car
[Edited on 14-03-2009 by Gsi_Ire]
[Edited on 18-03-2009 by Gsi_Ire]
[Edited on 24-03-2009 by Gsi_Ire]
[Edited on 18-05-2009 by Gsi_Ire]
[Edited on 18-06-2009 by Gsi_Ire]
[Edited on 24-06-2009 by Gsi_Ire]
[Edited on 25-01-2012 by Gsi_Ire]
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Gsi_Ire
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Republic of Ireland
User status: Offline
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Progress from November till start of February was slow.
On first inspection it was obvious that although she had faired well considering, there was going to be a lot to do.
So after a couple of inspections with a mechanic neighbour of mine we found the electrics to be in good order. The rear lights flash a bit, but we reckon new bulbs and cleaning the connections of any corrosion should do the trick.
Mechanics
* New rad required. You can see mine was leaking (was this the cause of all my problems?? I wish I knew what to look for 5yrs ago!)
* New coolant expansion tank (the top is gone off mine, and the tanks its self is coated in a bronze colour, probably from inside the corroding rad?)
* Front Disc's and Pads (it needed discs before it was parked up, add a lot of rust to the major lip on the disc)
* Rear drum brakes need sorting (new brake shoes, wheel cylinders and wheel bearings for the rear end of it, maybe drums too if I feel like splashing out)
* Front/rear shocks and springs (once the car was running)
Cosmetics
* I will let the pictures speak for themselves
The guy trimming the trees where the car was parked up got a bit too close..... But has offered to pay to have it repaired.
Add to this a requirement for a driver’s seat, mine literally rolls around inside the car.....
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Gsi_Ire
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Republic of Ireland
User status: Offline
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So here we are in February. While waiting for the engine to become available I was lacking motivation. But with news that it would be ready to be sold soon I got myself in gear.
While getting my list of parts ready I decided to put on post on Driver.ie for a drivers seat and was quickly contacted by John H. Remind me never to talk to him again.... I think the phrase "able to sell ice to the Eskimo’s" was written with him in mind!
So added to the shopping list :
*Fresh standard GSi interior interior, including heated front seats! (mine had a few rips in it front and rear)
*4 x Koni top adjustable shocks
*4 x Eibach springs
*2 x courtenay lowered tie bar mounts
*1 x whiteline rear anti-roll bar
*1 x 26mm front anti-roll bar (from combo van) polybushed
*2 x polybushed wishbones
*2 x polybushed tie bars
I don't really remember the conversation very well, I just remember being told "it will hand like its on rails"[/I} and myself saying, without thought "I will take it all.
The ordering of parts has begun with a new radiator on the way and a call into Opel today to order a timing belt kit and various bits for the brakes.
With the car due to go to Kieran in the next 2 weeks I thought it might be an idea to clean her up a bit.
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Gsi_Ire
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Republic of Ireland
User status: Offline
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So with not much else for me to do while I get some parts together and wait to drop the car down to Kieran I decided it might be a good time to show that the car was in fact Black and not green....
Before :
During :
Half the drivers door done
After the first wash :
Still a lot of mould to take off (THIS IS NOT RUST!!)
Some obvious paint fade
But with the car cleaned up there is no obvious rust except for some surface rust along a scratch on the drivers 1/4 (see above)
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Adam-D
Member
Registered: 11th May 02
Location: Cheshire
User status: Offline
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looking good so far, i would actually want to buy it from you dunno why 
a good polish and itll be gleaming 
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evans_corsab
Member
Registered: 23rd Sep 08
Location: Cheshire.
User status: Offline
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  looks like its been through a swamp !
[Edited on 23-02-2009 by evans_corsab]
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Gsi_Ire
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Republic of Ireland
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Adam-D
looking good so far, i would actually want to buy it from you dunno why
a good polish and itll be gleaming
once its finished I just might have to sell it! bloody bank balance is crying already 
quote:
Originally posted by evans_corsab
looks like its been through a swamp !
[Edited on 23-02-2009 by evans_corsab]
sitting under tree's
the inside it much cleaner!
[Edited on 23-02-2009 by Gsi_Ire]
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Butler
Member
Registered: 2nd Jun 05
Location: London
User status: Offline
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You should get the whole thing mopped proffesionally
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evans_corsab
Member
Registered: 23rd Sep 08
Location: Cheshire.
User status: Offline
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yeh mopping it would make it pretty shiney 
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Gsi_Ire
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Republic of Ireland
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Butler
You should get the whole thing mopped proffesionally
quote:
Originally posted by evans_corsab
yeh mopping it would make it pretty shiney
I provisionally have it booked in for a full respray.
This initially started off as a budget build, get an engine into it and get it back on the road.
With the budget being shot to pieces with the likes of the suspension I have decided to go "full throttle" as it were, and try and make it spanking.
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aaronc190
Member
Registered: 19th Aug 08
Location: ireland
User status: Offline
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wel lad..were you from??not many ppl from ireland on this
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Gsi_Ire
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Republic of Ireland
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by aaronc190
wel lad..were you from??not many ppl from ireland on this
Carlow, you?
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corsa_godfather
Member
Registered: 6th May 03
Location: Greenock,Scotland
User status: Offline
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looks like its goin to be a good build/resto ;0
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Craig P
Member
Registered: 9th Mar 08
Location: Carlisle,Cumbria
User status: Offline
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This is looking promising Mate,Keep up the Work and Updates
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john_c20xe
Member
Registered: 10th Feb 08
Location: Eastbourne, EastSussex
User status: Offline
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is this an actual gsi?
didnt think they did a black one?
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ChrisBoom
Member
Registered: 6th Dec 06
Location: Highland
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by john_c20xe
is this an actual gsi?
didnt think they did a black one?
They did in ireland
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Gsi_Ire
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Republic of Ireland
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by ChrisBoom[/i
They did in ireland
quote:
Originally posted by john_c20xe
is this an actual gsi?
didnt think they did a black one?
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aaronc190
Member
Registered: 19th Aug 08
Location: ireland
User status: Offline
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longford
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john_c20xe
Member
Registered: 10th Feb 08
Location: Eastbourne, EastSussex
User status: Offline
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i want one
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Gsi_Ire
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Republic of Ireland
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by aaronc190
longford
Are you on Driver.ie?
They have a good Ope/Vaux section and are planning a meet for the 15th of March.
Thread is here
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Gsi_Ire
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Republic of Ireland
User status: Offline
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Well ordered today for delivery by the weekend
1 x New Rad (Spurious)
1 x Oil Filter (OEM)
1 x Air Filter (OEM)
1 x Pollen Filter (Spurious)
2 x Brake Disc kit incl. pads (Front)(OEM)
1 x Timing Belt Kit (OEM)
1 x Water Pump (OEM)
2 x Brake shoes (Rear)(OEM)
2 x Wheel Cylinders (Rear)(Spurious)
2 x Rear Wheel Bearings (Rear)(Spurious)
1 x Battery (Spurious)
The car is being loaded up an sent down to Listowel to be sorted by Kieran on Sunday! Should have it back in a week
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Gsi_Ire
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Republic of Ireland
User status: Offline
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Latest Update.
Getting ready to sort out the car tax. I contacted the local tax office. The cars last tax expired 03/2005. Exactly 4 years off the road!
The car is being loaded onto the trailer tonight so I decided to go out and see if I could get it to start to make life a bit easier.... did it what!!!!
Fitted 4 new spark plugs, a new battery and 1 gallon of petrol.
I tried to start it a few times to little effect, with each attempt seeming to drain the battery. I decided to leave it and check and see if the electric mirrors etc work, they all work but I need to replace the electric mirrors switch.
So after checking the windows I decided to try on more time to start the car.... POP and she fired...... I got about 10 minutes of tapping as the oil got back up around the engine and into the lifters and the car the purred...... I am wondering do I need an engine at all!!!!!
So the car stood for almost an hour running perfectly.... The temp gauge barely topped 90. No warning lights etc on the dash..... So I decided on a short test drive. The car seems to be running perfect! Go one the C16XE
The car is still going to Listowel to have all the suspension and brakes sorted and we are going to wait and see on the engine.
As previously posted all my problems might have just been down to a leaking Rad. Time will tell
And some updated pictures..
[Edited on 28-02-2009 by Gsi_Ire]
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NeilGSI
Member
Registered: 14th Jun 08
Location: Northern Ireland
User status: Offline
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very clean, looks a good car mate
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philip2
Member
Registered: 1st Oct 06
Location: n.wales/chester
User status: Offline
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get those door shuts cleaned
fair play though come up very well, i want a black gsi wank vaux/opel didnt do black or any other gsi colours over heres! coonts!
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Gsi_Ire
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Republic of Ireland
User status: Offline
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Well if looks like the decision has been made.... I am not fitting the engine.
After 10 miles of driving and running for almost 2hrs in total the car seems to engine seems to be running just fine. No obvious knocking or oil burning.
There is a small about of white smoke, but that has been put down to condensation in the CAT.
So after a 4:30am wake up call and a few delays we left Carlow on the 300km trip to Listowel where the car was delivered to my man Kieran.
Murphy's Law. The car started without any issues and idled well.... Along with a nice shiney Engine Management Light.....
I was only 20 minutes out of Listowel when the cause was diagnosed. Throttle Potentiometre Low Voltage We are hoping its a bad earth.
All going well the car will be back next week with all the lovely suspension bits and the breaks done.
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