Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => Omega Gallery => Topic started by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:50:38

Title: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:50:38
As some of you will already be aware, my 2004 Irmscher MV6 project has (finally) kicked off and is being featured in the 'Staff Cars' section of Total Vauxhall magazine. Each month, a detailed report will highlight the ups and downs that I experience as work progresses. Needless to say, I'm hoping for more good than bad!

I have a dedicated Facebook page and a Twitter feed active with sneak peeks and short updates (details that follow magazine publication). Follow/like 'em if that's your bag:

http://www.facebook.com/irmscherMV6 (http://www.facebook.com/irmscherMV6)
http://www.twitter.com/irmscherMV6 (http://www.twitter.com/irmscherMV6)

Click here for digital and print subscription options for the magazine. (https://pocketmags.com/viewmagazine.aspx?catid=1030&category=Aviation+%26+Transport&subcatid=189&subcategory=Automotive&title=Performance+Vauxhall&titleid=2287)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/facebook-cover2.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:52:28
Right then, let's get this showboat on the road... literally! #irmscherMV6

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/100920101801.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:52:43
Another sneak peek of The Dark Destroyer! The first full project update will appear in the brand new issue of Total Vauxhall magazine (in stores Thurs 10th April). #irmscherMV6

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000330.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:53:12
I was hoping that attacking the car with a bucket and sponge might reveal something like this lurking beneath the thick layer of mank that had settled on the bodywork. Close, but no cigar! #irmscherMV6

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/391940062.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:53:37
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! The first full #irmscherMV6 project update has been published in the brand spankin’ new issue of Total Vauxhall. Those of you already in possession of the magazine should turn to page 85, and those of you without one should nip to your local newsagent or supermarket, download a copy at http://is.gd/20gDTM (http://is.gd/20gDTM) or order one to be delivered direct to your door (at no extra charge) by visiting http://is.gd/mo5rqg (http://is.gd/mo5rqg). There are loads of fantastic motors in the new issue, so don’t delay – get yours today!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1010823.jpg)

Notwithstanding the Holden derived Monaro and its totally bonkers successor, the VXR8, the Omega B was the last full-size rear-wheel drive car to wear a Vauxhall badge. That’s surprising when you consider that the final example left Opel’s Rüsselsheim factory almost a decade ago! Unfortunately, a fashionable move towards compact, fuel efficient motors rendered the large barge all but obsolete, and it became the victim of ridiculous depreciation as fuel duty and road tax increased with startling regularity (I’m not sure much has changed in that respect!).

Consequently, the car that had been royally appointed as fit for a soon-to-be king – and one that had worked tirelessly for Her Madge’s law enforcement agencies – was to become a stalwart of the nation’s scrapyards as many owners considered them too cost-inefficient to keep on the road. Occasional sightings of the endangered species would be reported as caravan owners scanned the classifieds for cheap load luggers or as tyre burners tried their hand at drifting, but the Omega became a relic of a pre-global financial crisis motoring world and has yet to be officially replaced by the GM big-wigs.

I’ve owned three V6 Omegas to date, so you can rightly assume that I’m a fan. If you can stomach the fact that you’ll be heading to the pumps more often than you would in your 1.2-litre ADAM, then the Elite and MV6 models can be mighty rewarding thanks to huge amounts of torque on tap, close to 220bhp from the 3.2-litre variant and more cabin space than a 5-Series Beemer. More toys and luxury trim too, and all this from a car that you can pick up for under a grand.

The Omega B that trumps them all is the facelift 3.2 Irmscher edition. Although examples aren’t badged as such, Vauxhall/Opel’s official styling partner developed a wide range of trim including a bodykit, exhaust system, alloys and coil springs specifically for the car. Perhaps unsurprisingly, few punters emptied their wallets for these cost-option extras on top of the £32k that they’d already forked out for their new ride – the upshot being that Irmscher Omega goodies have commanded a premium in recent years due to their scarcity.

I’d always fancied an Irmscher-kitted facelift MV6, but with rare special edition bumpers and steering wheels often costing more than entire cars it seemed an unlikely prospect. That was until I spotted an ad for a black 2004-plate rocking almost every item from the Irmscher catalogue. One of the last Omegas registered, it was on sale for just £500 and available to collect from a Vauxhall dealer in the New Forest. There was the small matter of suspected head gasket failure to contend with, but that wasn’t going to put me off of buying a car that came complete with so many desirable components, an exhaustive service history and masses of potential!

Loading my brother-in-law’s Jeep with a set of pre-facelift Elite rims (to replace the MV6’s apparent mismatched steelies), I trailered up and set off on the 350-mile round trip to collect my new project car. Tune in next month to see what I’ve ended up with! In the meantime, you can follow the dedicated Facebook and Twitter project pages by searching for the hashtag #irmscherMV6.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000264.jpg)

Quality steelies. Ahem...

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000269.jpg)

I shouldn't scoff. The example above is pretty horrific, but Craig Evans has a nicely painted set of these same steelies on his wide body 4x4 Nova Turbo and they look great. Perhaps I should ditch plans for my staggered 18s after all?!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/TOV153nova.jpg)

Sod it.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000277.jpg)

Puny brakes for such a big car. Will be beefing these up in the not-too-distant future:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000278.jpg)

16-inch mini-facelift Elite five-spokes at the ready. Temporary rimmage:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000274.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/10092010801.jpg)

Looks pretty tidy under there...

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000259.jpg)

...apart from all that mayo! Here's a handy tip for the GM V6 owners and fans among you. Head gasket and oil cooler failure symptoms on these engines are often mistaken for one another, but as a rule, oil in the water is oil cooler failure and water in the oil is head gasket failure. So now you know! Guess which one I was presented with...

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000262.jpg)

Time to set sail for home:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000294.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000289.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:54:15
Are you planning to head out this weekend with the intention of taking some fresh photos of your pride and joy? If so, the boys at Fast Ford magazine have some top tips that might help you to get better results. Check it out: http://www.fastfordmag.co.uk/2013/06/25/27136/ (http://www.fastfordmag.co.uk/2013/06/25/27136/) #irmscherMV6

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/fastford-top10.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:54:38
Excellent service this morning (as usual) from the parts team at Murketts Vauxhall Cambridge. I ordered a new battery for #irmscherMV6 (among other bits) as two juice boxes between seven cars has proved to be a royal pain in the arse. Picked up a Z20C paint stick while I was at it. Everybody knows that a paint stick adds at least 20bhp to a car.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1010895.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:54:51
Here's a photo from the original #irmscherMV6 classified ad. Note the odd choice of 16-inch Irmscher Soft Star alloy wheels in place of Omega-specific 18-inch Sport Stars. I left these rims behind despite their fantastic condition (they were virtually new). This move also dropped the price of the car down to just £500. I was offered more than that for some of the car's limited edition trim before I'd arrived back home! That's a pretty impressive purchase price when you consider that the car was just six years old and had thousands of pounds worth of Irmscher gear bolted to it.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/omega002.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:55:20
This snippet (lifted from a recent issue of Total Vauxhall magazine) makes #irmscherMV6’s £500 price tag seem like even more of a bargain. And yes, that’s a photo of another one of my Omegas (details in my next post).

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/09112010887.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:55:38
A few pics of my first Omega. It's a mini-facelift 3.0 V6 Elite. I bought the car in 2004 and still own it today. I don't think I'll ever forget how exciting the test drive was; I'd checked out some real rot boxes, but this one was super clean, very quick and it felt as though I was cruising around in my living room. Such a lot of car for the money. It was low mileage, well maintained, only a couple of owners from new etc. Keeping that cream carpet clean was a bit of a challenge as time went on (and the V6 became expensive to run as petrol prices increased while my journey to the office exceeded two hours each way), but it was a great car regardless. I'm using past tense as I doubt that the ole barge is likely to see the road again now that the Irmscher project is up and running. A shame really, it was/is (delete as appropriate) a bloody good motor, but you've gotta draw the line somewhere.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMG_1974.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMG_1989.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMG_0358.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMG_0362.jpg)

Cheeky iPod integration on non-aux OE head unit:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMG_1992.jpg)

The council paid for a respray following my six month campaign to get them to shell out after the car suffered damage as a consequence of an encounter with a salt spreader. The front and side panels were battered with perfectly round holes spread across the otherwise mint paintwork. The incident was ruled as being totally avoidable and the car got a fresh lick of Jungle Green Mica. It looked fantastic:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMG_2031.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:56:07
Here, have an Omega cutaway diagram. You're welcome.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/cutaway.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:56:21
More pics of #irmscher MV6 at the point of purchase. Drab cloth upholstery, automatic transmission, crap in-car entertainment system. Each of these 'features' will be replaced with infinitely cooler upgrades.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000270.jpg)

Tailored mats have seen some action:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000322.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:56:39
Ditching weight from your car is the quickest way to make it go faster. Losing this V-badge somewhere along the line has, therefore, made a huge difference to potential 'Ring lap times.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000279.jpg)

Then again, adding a shark shaped badge to your motor should add at least 20bhp. Hmmn...

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000304.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:56:54
Facelift MV6 alu-trim is all present and correct. It's in need of a good clean, but the door cards, centre console and dash trim pieces are in tip-top condition. Note the cloth insert below the alu panel. Each of these will be replaced with leather effect panels to match the rare Recaros that I hope to source.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000326.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:57:10
Willow had a few suggestions for the direction of the #irmscherMV6 project following a read through the 'library'...

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/S7000184.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:57:24
Whoo-hoo! The new issue of Total Vauxhall magazine is out now and features the latest full #irmscherMV6 project report; find out what I’ve ended up with following an early evaluation of the black battle bus! Subscribe to ensure that you never miss an update (http://is.gd/sLShvy (http://is.gd/sLShvy)), have the new issue delivered direct to your door at no extra cost (http://is.gd/YcJ6nC (http://is.gd/YcJ6nC)) or download it right now to your digidevice (http://is.gd/20gDTM (http://is.gd/20gDTM)). Oh, and you can pick up a copy of the mag in all good newsagents and supermarkets. Don’t delay – get yours today!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1020857.jpg)

To say that I was excited about getting the MV6 home is an understatement. Not even the six hour drive caused by Friday afternoon traffic on the M25 could dampen my spirits, although damage sustained to that oh-so-rare front airdam as a result of the car shifting forward in transit and making contact with the trailer jack did its best to wipe the smile off of my face. Fortunately, Irmscher kit is made of strong stuff, and the seemingly destroyed front end popped back into shape once my new Griffin was back on solid ground (albeit with a little less paint than it had worn earlier that day). Phew!

The previous owner had shelled out for almost every item in the Irmscher catalogue at the car’s original point of sale – options amounting to thousands of pounds worth of updates when new and gear that is worth a small fortune today. Key items include the aforementioned front bumper/airdam with integrated mesh grilles and fog lamps, matching side skirts and a rear bumper designed specifically to accommodate the car’s special edition dual exit exhaust system.

A set of mint condition 16-inch Soft Star alloys also made an appearance. I’m not sure why these rims were picked in favour of the 18-inch staggered fitment Sport Stars that were fashioned exclusively for the Omega (wheels that feature an offset of ET30 and a width of 9-inches at the rear) as they look lost in the MV6’s huge arch cavities. Suffice to say, I left these at the Vauxhall dealership that I bought the car from in exchange for a heavily discounted purchase price. A set of Sport Stars are now on a rapidly expanding shopping list, along with the notably absent upgraded front grille and an uber-rare rear wing.

Inside the car, Irmscher reigns supreme thanks to an aluminium effect steering wheel, sill covers and door pins that are designed to match the standard issue MV6 centre console and door cards. In fact, I was offered more than I paid for the whole car for some of the cabin trim even before I’d set sail for home! Unsurprisingly, none of the special edition bits and bobs are for sale, but inherited interior items that I am happy to part with consist of a boot full of plastic forks, a lone glove and a split bag of mint imperials. Oh, and there’s a half-eaten Kit Kat if you’re interested? Call it a fiver and it’s yours.

The drab cloth seats were always living on borrowed time, and I whipped them out as soon as I’d finished eyeballing my new purchase; I’m now driving in and out of the garage using a ‘granny spec’ wooden stool for comfort until I can park my arse on minty fresh MV6 leather. I’ll add the rare Recaros to my wish list, along with a fault free 3.2-litre V6 engine and a manual gearbox to replace the automatic factory transmission.

Y’know, it sounds as though a donor car needs to join the party before my next project update – watch this space!

Off the trailer...

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000335.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000330.jpg)

...but not before discovering this. Not cool man, not cool:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000303.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:57:46
Cloth seats ripped out almost immediately. Irmscher steering wheel looking pretty smart:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000308.jpg)

Irmscher stainless steel sill covers:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000314.jpg)

Irmscher flat-top engraved door pins:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000319.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:58:00
The amount of crap that people leave in their cars when selling up never ceases to amaze me.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000431.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:58:12
Prototype Recaro 'granny spec' stool. Dya think it'll catch on?

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1010109.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:58:26
I had a couple of messages from members saying that pictures weren't displaying on this thread. I was linking them directly from Twitter, but have now uploaded the images to my domain instead. They should now appear here without fail :)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:58:56
#irmscherMV6 came with a mountain of service history, primarily as it was sold from new by the very same dealer that I bought it from (I was able to request a detailed print out of every nut and bolt purchased for the car, not to mention a list of every hour charged for working on it since new). Reassuringly, the previous owner would wheel it down to the dealer for any work that was deemed necessary, although the supplied documentation shows that the car was even taken to Vauxhall for replacement brake light bulbs! £85 well spent...?! Hmmn, you make up your own mind!

Despite the failure of the garage to cure the "coolant loss" issue that is mentioned in the recent service history (a fault that undoubtedly manifested itself as failure of the head gasket), recent additions to the parts pile include two new catalytic convertors, new springs and dampers, new fluid tanks, new gaskets, water pump, timing belt etc. The list is extensive. It's been kitted out with all genuine parts at significant cost to the previous owner. The cats alone were over a grand.

My understanding is that he'd had enough of throwing money at the ol' girl and fancied a new Insignia to use as a workhorse for his fledgling airport taxi business. The dealership took the car back (in part exchange?), furnished him with a new motor and left #irmscherMV6 to languish beneath a tree at the back of the dealership. I believe one of the parts desk guys had considered it as a potential project, but ultimately, I rolled up and took it away on the back of a trailer. Thanuverymush.

Stamped service book, MOT certificate with close to a year left on it, original manuals, car pass, brochures etc:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000361.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:59:10
Original Irmscher styling brochure and document wallet. This is my "prestigious styling" parts bible!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000362.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:59:25
Found some old tax discs buried away under the passenger's seat. Will bundle them with the rest of the history:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000511.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:59:38
Off to Nottingham to collect some parts for the #irmscherMV6 project. Couldn't have picked better weather for a leisurely cross-country drive. Ahem...

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMAG2333.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 10:59:55
Wahey! The latest full #irmscherMV6 project update has hit newsstands. Check it out in the brand spankin’ new issue of Total Vauxhall. The magazine features some cracking cars and is available to buy from all the usual retailers. You can get the digital version by clicking here: http://www.totalvauxhall.co.uk/newsstand (http://www.totalvauxhall.co.uk/newsstand). You can even have it delivered direct to your door at no extra cost by clicking here: http://is.gd/YcBaRk (http://is.gd/YcBaRk). You know what, you might as well subscribe! Click here: http://is.gd/sLShvy (http://is.gd/sLShvy)  8-)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160750.jpg)

Buying components for your project car on a piecemeal basis can make for a surprisingly cost-inefficient build. With that in mind, thoughts turned to getting hold of a suitable donor vehicle as I drew up my wish list of parts for #irmscherMV6.

The good news is that a lot of the features that I want to introduce to the car were available as cost-options back in the day. The bad news is that hardly anyone was interested in equipping their new motorway cruiser with a manual gearbox, limited slip differential, full colour integrated satnav and special edition Recaro sports leather. This makes their appearance in a single car virtually nonexistent (let’s not forget that the majority of Omegas were bought by an older generation of driver that considered the addition of a tow bar to be the cutting edge of modifying). Besides, the optional extras list changed following the introduction of the facelift model. With the odds stacked against me, I logged on to eBay and hoped for the best.

To my surprise, a mini-facelift MV6 appeared in the listings as a breaker. It’s leather looked to be in fantastic condition and I asked the seller for some detailed pictures of the bolsters to ensure that they were free of wear. The seats were still in-situ, and I couldn’t believe my luck when the requested photos revealed a manual gearstick in the cockpit. I immediately made an offer for the interior and transmission, but the owner wasn’t interested in getting his hands dirty and said that I could take the entire car at no extra cost. I was bowled over, especially as the Star Silver saviour had plenty of tax and test, a detailed history and a low mileage X30XE up-front. He even drove it down to my house for the cost of his train fare home!

I was even more surprised when the new arrival turned up on a set of Keskin staggered rims. The seller apologised for the "terrible" wheels, although he probably won’t want to hear that I’ve sold them to a keen VW Golf pilot for more than I paid for the entire car. That Kamei grille and the rare Irmscher rear spoiler went for a pretty penny too...

The silver car’s engine isn’t of much use to me as I plan to stick with the 3.2-litre drive-by-wire version of the six-cylinder lump. I did consider a complete rebuild of the poorly unit that sits under the bonnet of #irmscherMV6, but long term plans involve an entirely different powerplant and I don’t want to invest too much time in what is intended to be a temporary solution. Fortunately, another breaker registered its availability in the form of a low mileage facelift Omega Elite estate. I’ve since bought its engine, which I plan to treat to a light rebuild before bolting it into place alongside the early MV6’s manual gearbox.

Hopefully, there will be some significant progress to report in my next update. In the meantime, the leather has been extracted from the donor and is ready for its new home, and I’ve picked up a new GM battery. Who knows, I might even get around to washing the car at long last!

#irmscherMV6 looking its absolute worst. I think the phrase is 'rags to riches'  :lol:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1020279.jpg)

Donor mini-facelift MV6. Questionable styling updates aside, it's a solid motor. A shame to break it really, but needs must:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000598.jpg)

I bought the car for its manual transmission and leather, but I'm sure I'll be robbing lots of incidental trim off of it along the way:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1020886.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000987.jpg)

Recaros out. They're in ace condition, but could do with a clean and some fresh colour. That 'spot' in the middle is where the rear armrest had been left down for a while. Nothing to worry about, just needs a wipe clean.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1020831.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:00:06
The brand new issue of Total Vauxhall hits newsstands on Thursday. In other words, you have just one day left to grab the current full #irmscherMV6 project report on the shelves of your local newsagent. Can’t be arsed to head into town? Then download a digital copy of the magazine by clicking the following link: http://www.totalvauxhall.co.uk/newsstand (http://www.totalvauxhall.co.uk/newsstand). You can even have it delivered direct to your door at no extra cost by clicking here: http://is.gd/YcBaRk (http://is.gd/YcBaRk). Heck, you might as well subscribe, thus ensuring that you’ll never miss another detailed #irmscherMV6 update. Hoorah! http://is.gd/sLShvy (http://is.gd/sLShvy) :)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160755.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:00:20
Went to collect some more parts for the #irmscherMV6 project. Satnav decided it would be fun to play that hugely enjoyable game, 'driving around in circles'. Thanks satnav, thanks.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160360.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:00:33
No, this is not my attempt at a rear-engined Saab 95 Aero HOT estate! Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the replacement 3.2-litre V6 lump for #irmscherMV6

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1100581.jpg)

Yup, there's definitely more than one way to lower a Swede!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1100585.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:00:46
I bought some heavy duty directional castors and bolted eight of them them into the bottom of a pallet. Hey presto! Instant engine trolley!   ;D 8)  The gearbox pictured is an automatic unit that came with the new engine (along with the key, ECU, immobiliser etc). I'll be using the manual transmission out of my donor car, so this was surplus to requirements and has since been sold on.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1100604.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:01:36
Saw this, fell in love, started thinking about colour options for #irmscherMV6. Also started thinking about buying a Monza. Again.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/irmschermv6-monza1.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:02:05
Oooooofff!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/irmschermv6-monza2.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:03:35
I stripped the Keskin wheels, Kamei grille, Irmscher rear spoiler (with integrated brake light) and a few other bits and bobs off of the mini-facelift donor MV6 and flogged 'em for more than I paid for the whole car. There are loads of other bits to come off of it yet, but I threw on a set of 16-inch PFL Elite alloys and a grille that I had knocking around to keep it looking semi-respectable before I kill it to death.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000981.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:03:47
The donor MV6's pre-facelift Irmscher rear spoiler with integrated brake light. It's now attached to a car in deepest, darkest South America!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1010001.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:03:59
Meanwhile, #irmscherMV6 waits patiently for a bucket and sponge!  :lol:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1020324.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:04:12
Getting the original interior out of #irmscherMV6 was straightforward enough, but I did encounter the classic ‘stubborn bolt’ when tackling the driver’s seat. Stuck fast, I ended up drilling its head off before hammering, tapping and applying heat in an attempt to shift it.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1010072.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1020265.jpg)

Eventually, the bastard broke free.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1020269.jpg)

The same occurred in the donor car. I guess these are never really supposed to come out, eh?!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1020301.jpg)

Fortunately, Megachisel™ was on hand!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/irmschermv6-thwack.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:04:27
Decided to give #irmscherMV6's carpets a thorough going over before equipping the interior with Recaro leather joy. They were in a bit of a mess tbh, but have cleaned up a treat. Stupidly, I forgot to take a pic before putting the new seats in place. Doh. You'll just have to take my word for it  :lol:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1020250.jpg)

An oldie, but a goodie!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1020909.jpg)

Does this qualify as snowfoam?!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1020913.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1020915.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:04:41
Huzzah! The latest full #irmscherMV6 project update has hit newsstands. Check it out in the brand spankin’ new issue of Total Vauxhall. The magazine features some cracking cars and is available to buy from all the usual retailers. You can get the digital version by clicking here: http://www.totalvauxhall.co.uk/newsstand (http://www.totalvauxhall.co.uk/newsstand). You can even have it delivered direct to your door at no extra cost by clicking here: http://is.gd/BEkGEd (http://is.gd/BEkGEd). You know what, you might as well subscribe! Click here: http://is.gd/sLShvy (http://is.gd/sLShvy)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1170645.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:04:55
Regular readers will have spotted the rare electrically adjustable heated Recaro sports leather pictured alongside the last MV6 project update. The seats were lifted from my donor mini-facelift MV6 and will be used in place of the drab cloth interior that the Irmscher car was equipped with at its original point of sale.

Before installing the upgraded upholstery, I gave The Scratch Doctor a call to place an order for the company’s leather rejuvenation kit. The included deep cleaning solution removed any age-old muck from the seats before they absorbed a liberal application of intense black colour restorer.  Once dried and buffed, I applied a thorough coating of conditioning leather protector and stood back in awe of what looked to be a brand new interior. Granted, the seats were in great cosmetic order before I’d started, but they’re now factory fresh and have made a massive difference to what was pretty dull cabin space. I’ve also given the outer ring of the car’s rare Irmscher steering wheel The Scratch Doctor treatment for good measure.

Unfortunately, I managed to rip a chunk out of the lower rear offside door card when removing the original seats. I’ve since bought a complete set of mint condition panels from a willing facelift Omega Elite, and I plan to swap their faux-wooden inserts with the MV6’s aluminium-coloured equivalents. Furthermore, I’ve just taken delivery of a set of leather effect lower door card inserts to complement the recently acquired hide. After all, the devil is in the detail!
   
With the old interior sold (and its successor waiting in the wings), I took the opportunity to snow foam the carpets and gave the remaining trim a thorough scrub. In the process, I discovered £2.46 in loose change buried away. Result! The leather was bolted into place a short while later, although I’m holding off of fitting the base rail covers in case I decide to remove the front seats in an attempt to create better workspace when swapping the gearbox and the questionable infotainment system (Vauxhall deemed it appropriate to plant a cassette player into the centre console of a car built in 2004!).

The finishing touch for the revitalised interior has come in the form of brand new genuine Vauxhall tailored floor mats. They’re embroidered with the same Omega logo that is stamped into the car’s Irmscher stainless steel sill covers. The mats look great, but the cabin is now so clean that I’m loathed to step in with my shoes on! Hmmn, I think it’s time to concentrate my efforts on another area of the large barge ripe for redevelopment...

THANKS
The Scratch Doctor
0151 480 4640
http://www.thescratchdoctor.co.uk (http://www.thescratchdoctor.co.uk)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160418b.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160015.jpg)

The seats look as good as new:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160463.jpg)

I can't recommend The Scratch Doctor enough. Its products are excellent value for money and get great results:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160063.jpg)

The Irmscher steering wheel didn't scrub up too badly either!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160543.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:05:09
I managed to tear the fabric of the offside rear door card when removing the original seats. I think I musta caught it with the driver's seat subframe. Bugger.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1020276.jpg)

Fortunately, I found a complete set of mint condition facelift Elite door cards. I'll need to swap the wooden trim on these badboys for my MV6-edition alu inserts.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160093.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:05:21
Taxi Al supplied a set of leather effect panels for my new door cards. These will sit beneath the alu strips (above the armrest) and will replace the fabric panels seen beneath the wooden strips in the pic above.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160236.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:05:38
Interior updates continue with brand new genuine tailored floor mats (front and back). These should add at least 20bhp   ;D

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160513.jpg)

"Ultimate luxury"  :roll:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160499.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:05:52
Its interior might be as clean as a whistle, but the outside of #irmscherMV6 leaves a lot to be desired! All in good time...  ;D

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1010835.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:06:05
Talking of which, I was on the lookout for a new pressure washer in advance of a blitz of ‪#‎irmscherMV6‬’s crud-laden exterior and thought I’d share my findings with you. Tesco Direct are offering the compact Karcher K2 reduced from £79 to £59, and there’s a further £10 reduction available by using voucher code TDX-PRKW. I was intending to buy a ‘bigger’ pressure washer tbh, but the K2’s £49 price tag was impossible to ignore (especially when the same unit has been retailing at £100 in Argos!). Anyway, it arrived this week and I thought I’d post details so that others might be able to take advantage of the offer while it’s available. Thanks to Joff for the tip! Link: http://www.tesco.com/direct/karcher-k2-compact-pressure-washer/580-9559.prd?sc_cmp=aff_2095323 (http://www.tesco.com/direct/karcher-k2-compact-pressure-washer/580-9559.prd?sc_cmp=aff_2095323)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160829.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:06:41
Oooh! What's in the box?! :P (No cheating, Dan282!)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160835.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:07:11
Did you know that a 5.7-litre LS1-powered V8 Omega was planned? The "V8.COM" was intended to be used as be a mobile office. Evidently, sitting in the back of the development/concept car would give passengers a hideous orange tan, and it seems that it was compulsory to use a keyboard lifted from the USS Enterprise (circa 1968) or a Commodore 64 when carrying out 'business' from within the confines of its cabin. Oh, and it appears as though an ATM was installed in the back of the offside front headrest. Nice.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/irmschermv6-v8com1.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/irmschermv6-v8com2.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/irmschermv6-v8com3.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/irmschermv6-v8com4.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/irmschermv6-v8com5.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/irmschermv6-v8com6.jpg)

Press release prior to the Frankfurt Motor Show (2009?):

The new Omega, to be launched in the autumn, is the basis for Omega V8.com - a concept study of the on-road communications centre of the future - which will be shown by Opel at next month's Frankfurt International Motor Show.

The Omega V8.com demonstrates how a fully functional network of mobile communications and other driver-support systems can be installed in a passenger car.

The multi-media mobile is equipped with Night Vision, the Advanced Frontlighting System, an on-board PC with Internet access and voice control as well as up-to-the-minute audio, navigation and mobile phone technology.

To create the Omega V8.com a new Omega estate was lengthened by 130mm. The bonnet of the silvery-green concept car conceals the 5.7-litre, V8 aluminium engine from the Chevrolet Corvette that will power the top-of-the-range Omega in Europe next summer.

Inside, four passengers enjoy the highest degree of comfort in adjustable, individual seats. There are separate pull-out video screens on the instrument panel and in the front seat backs, switches on the centre console and loudspeakers integrated into the head restraints for individual audio reception.

Passengers have access to an array of communications systems including a video telephone with separate microphones and cameras as well as audio systems like the digital radio, CD and cassette deck. They can watch television or video-CDs and the driver can operate various systems by voice command.

E-mails received by the on-board, multi-media computer via Internet can be reproduced in audio format. The keyboard is also extremely user-friendly: its infra-red interface makes obstructive cables obsolete. In addition to all this, the Omega V8.com features a new-generation navigation system.

The Omega V8.com demonstrates a host of modern driver-support technology, too. Instead of a conventional main instrument panel, there is a flat display screen which can be individually configured, allowing the driver to see the instruments and any information he needs in an optimised way. The Night Vision system provides extra safety in the dark. Images produced by an infra-red camera in the car's grille are projected onto the windscreen (head-up display) so that the driver can see the additional information without taking his eyes off the road.

This safety feature is supported by the Advanced Frontlighting System, with its variable headlamp beam. The light distribution of the headlamp beam alters depending on the road type, weather conditions and the driving situation. On curving roads, for example, the lights shine into the bend, improving visibility on the road ahead.

A miniature camera with a wide-angle lens located near the rear window wiper sends distortion-corrected pictures of the area behind the car to a driver display, making parking easier.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:07:52
Legend has it that Opel couldn't keep under-bonnet temperatures low enough when the car was travelling for sustained periods at high speed, ultimately forcing GM to ditch the idea. Long-standing rumours about a coalition of German executive express manufacturers encouraging Opel to halt the project in order to protect a valuable market monopoly remain unproven...  :roll: There was a 'regular' V8-equipped version of the car in the pipeline too.

Here's a video of the development vehicle on display. "Opel Motorcity 2009 Omega V8 Über-Omega 5,7l 315PS":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Orc0m4vEck (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Orc0m4vEck)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:08:04
From Wikipedia:

Omega V8

Opel was planning to upgrade its flagship Omega model with powerful GM LS1 V8 engine used in Chevrolet Corvette. Unlike V8.com which was the concept car, this model was intended to go into the serial production. Omega V8 was shown publicly for the first time at 70th Geneva Motor Show (March 2–12, 2000). The V8-engined version was to be put on sale autumn 2000.[12]

The reasons for cancelling production plans were concerns about whether the engine was vollgasfest (German, "Full throttle resistant") - the engine might overheat and be damaged if driven flat out on the Autobahn for long periods of time, although Holden equipped its Commodore (which was re-engineered Omega for Australian market) with the same engine.[13] A version of this platform was used for the Holden Monaro which was marketed in the US as the fourth generation Pontiac GTO and in the UK as the Vauxhall Monaro.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:08:19
Lazily copying status updates from social networking channels into forum posts wasn't really working, eh?! Hashtag fail. You have my apologies! I have retrospectively edited each of the posts on this thread to reflect 'proper' content with lots of new pics, new content, expanded detail etc. Please do have a flick back through the thread. I shall endeavour to make your #irmscherMV6 experience a more enjoyable one from this point onwards, hehe!  ;)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:08:59
"Two out of two mechanics recommend Mini-Ductor II"  ;D

Roll on Saturday...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=litvs7yX7RQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=litvs7yX7RQ)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:09:37
More detail to follow, but for the benefit of those who haven’t seen it already (and for those who want to know ‘what’s in the box'  :P ), the latest full ‪#‎irmscherMV6‬ project update has hit newsstands and can be found on page 88 of the current issue of Total Vauxhall. As ever, the magazine features some cracking cars and is available to buy from all the usual retailers. iFolk can get the digital version by clicking here: http://www.totalvauxhall.co.uk/newsstand (http://www.totalvauxhall.co.uk/newsstand). You can even have the mag delivered direct to your door at no extra cost by clicking here: http://is.gd/0N0iii (http://is.gd/0N0iii). You know what, you might as well subscribe! Click here: http://is.gd/sLShvy (http://is.gd/sLShvy)  ;D Thanuverymush x  ;)
 
(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1190417.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:10:55
Progress has been a little slower than expected this month following the busted kneecap that I suffered as a direct result of kneeling on gravel while installing the Recaro leathers that starred in my last project update. Ouch. A quick once over by my GP confirmed the damage, at which point I was instructed to give the pulverised patella a few weeks of rest. The fact that my other knee was also diagnosed as being in a poor state added insult to injury (literally!) and forced me to re-evaluate my immediate Irmscher shaped plan of action.

Down but not out, I decided to spend time sorting the MV6’s questionable cosmetic state. A thick layer of muck had formed on the bodywork, and time spent beneath a tree at the back of the Vauxhall dealer that sold me the car had encouraged sap and yucky green stuff to cake the outer panels. I’m not too fussed about a show quality shine at this stage, but it’s fair to say that a thorough exterior cleaning session was long overdue.

A chat with the car care detailing experts at Autobrite Direct would result in the tools for the job in the form of the firm’s heavy duty snow foam lance and a range of top quality decontaminants. The lance itself is one of the company’s best sellers and is claimed to be the safest pre-wash foaming tool on the market. It was a direct fit to my existing pressure washer, and I soon covered #irmscherMV6 in a thick Magifoam mousse in attempt to break down the stubborn grime before following up with a relentless assault of Citrus Wash degreaser, Purple Velvet high-gloss shampoo, Just The Tonic tar remover and heavy grade detailing clay.
   
The Autobrite products made light work of removing the filth, and the revealed paintwork wasn’t as bad as I was expecting it to be. Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said of the car’s damaged Irmscher front bumper. It’s a rare (and expensive) item, and I was about to pick up the phone to my local bodyshop to get a quote for repair when a suitable replacement appeared on eBay. I couldn’t believe my luck, especially as the duplicate bumper featured nearly new Cibie fog lamps, mint mesh grilles and had been painted in the required shade of solid black! Needless to say, it’s now decorating the front end of the MV6 – an aspect of the car ruined by that massive V-grille. Take a guess at what I’ll be buying in the coming weeks...

THANKS
Autobrite Direct
01782 623819
Autobrite Direct - Home (http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk)

Tooled up. Note the green crap stuck to the car's bodywork:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160865.jpg)

Autobrite Direct heavy duty snowfoam lance and Magifoam mousse in action:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160891.jpg)

This made me laugh!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160879.jpg)

Just the tonic? Just the ticket!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160928.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160925.jpg)

The new Irmscher front airdam/bumper, fogs and grilles:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1160394.jpg)

Bolted up where it belongs:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1170126.jpg)

#irmscherMV6 looking nice and tidy. Well, it was clean for about 24 hours (at which point Farmer Giles decided to let rip in the surrounding corn fields with his combine harvester. Ah well, at least I managed to take these photos beforehand  ::) ;D )!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1170320.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:11:47
Wahey! The latest full #irmscherMV6 project update has hit newsstands and can be found on page 88 of the new issue of Total Vauxhall. As ever, the magazine features some awe-inspiring cars and is available to buy from all the usual retailers. iFolk can get the digital version by clicking here: http://www.totalvauxhall.co.uk/newsstand (http://www.totalvauxhall.co.uk/newsstand). You can even have the mag delivered direct to your door at no extra cost by clicking here: http://is.gd/Kr1hbX (http://is.gd/Kr1hbX). You know what, you might as well subscribe! Click here: http://is.gd/sLShvy (http://is.gd/sLShvy) :)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1190761.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:12:27
The MV6’s poorly Y32SE and its accompanying AR35 transmission have finally been extracted from the car thanks to a day of frantic spanner-wielding from within the confines of my garage. My good friend, Seweryn Sidor (a fellow Omega nut and the proprietor of Cambridgeshire Vauxhall service and repair specialists, SOS Automotive), popped over to assist with the proceedings, and we took the opportunity to relieve the donor MV6 of its X30XE engine and R28 manual gearbox at the same time.

This is where things get a bit complicated; I now have four V6 engines sitting on the garage floor, all of which are in various states of repair. There’s the Irmscher car’s faulty lump, a remanufactured 3.2 that I planned to use as its new powerplant (but have since decided isn’t up to the job), the donor car’s 3.0-litre engine and yet another Y32SE that regular readers will recall seeing pictured weighing down the back of my Saab estate. That’s 12.6-litres of GM grunt awaiting some action!

To cut a long story short, the latter 3.2 will be inspected, refreshed and rebuilt before joining the five-speed manual gearbox from the donor vehicle. Both will be bolted into my ever-patient Irmscher MV6.

With Sew on hand to help, the engine and ‘box of each car was removed as a single unit. I’d already pulled the bumpers, bonnets, wiring and radiators in a bid to speed the process along, and we were able to withdraw the guts of both Griffins in a little under three hours. There were, of course, a number of stubborn bolts to contend with along the way, but that’s pretty good going in my book.

It helped that the Irmscher-kitted motor’s previous owner had spent thousands of pounds on a brand new exhaust system and genuine GM catalytic convertors a short while before I grabbed its keys. This made removal of the pipework a straightforward affair and demonstrates how well looked after the ol’ bus has been over the years. In fact, until now, the car has returned to the very same Vauxhall dealer that originally sold it whenever there was a service or repair to be undertaken.

I collected the car from the same dealership (it was chopped in as part-ex against a new Insignia) which meant that I could get a comprehensive service history printout detailing every nut, bolt, fluid, and repair that it has been subjected to since new. I was amazed to see that it had even been wheeled to Vauxhall for the supply and fit of brake light bulbs! I’m not sure that was £85 well spent, but I’m not complaining about the new suspension, brakes, timing and cooling components that were thrown at it in the run up to my name appearing on the logbook.

Not that any of those parts are staying; every aspect of the Dark Destroyer is in the process of being overhauled and upgraded. I guess that I’d better crack on with this engine then, eh?!

THANKS
SOS Automotive
01480 700655
http://www.sos-automotive.com (http://www.sos-automotive.com)

And so it begins...

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/P1180803.jpg)

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/P1180820.jpg)

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/P1180850.jpg)

No engine? No problem!

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/P1180857.jpg)

Time for the donor MV6 to undergo open heart surgery:

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/P1180526.jpg)

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/P1180858.jpg)

Sew steadies the donor MV6's 3.0-litre engine and manual gearbox. It's not as big as it looks, honest!  :lol:

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/P1180867.jpg)

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/P1190305.jpg)

Both MV6 engines and gearboxes plonked onto the garage floor (front: 3.2 auto, back: 3.0 manual). Note how much shorter the manual gearbox is:

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/P1190291.jpg)

Oh, and this was a tool that proved itself to be useful on the job ("two out of two mechanics recommend Mini-Ductor II"  ;D):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=litvs7yX7RQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=litvs7yX7RQ)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:12:51
These are my spare Y32SE engines (not be confused with the Y32SE and X30XE lumps in my earlier photos). One of them appears to have been bought/supplied direct from Vauxhall as a remanufactured exchange unit at some point in its life. I knew that there was something different about it due to the fact that its block-stamped identity has been replaced by an unusual GM plaque featuring an 'out of sequence' engine number. Interesting.

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/P1180596.jpg)

'603200' is the Y32SE's exchange unit part number:

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/P1180553.jpg)

Anyway, this arrived. Who fancies another game of 'what's in the box'?!  ;D

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/P1180639.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:13:26
There's a clue in the following picture... (and no, it's not Frontera suspension!)  ;)

The latest full #irmscherMV6 project update has hit newsstands and can be found on page 85 of the new issue of Total Vauxhall. Click here to find out what else in the magazine, and where to buy/download/subscribe etc: http://is.gd/PqepwH (http://is.gd/PqepwH)

 8)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200860.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:13:41
Bathtime for #irmscherMV6 :)

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/P1190896.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:13:56
Many of you will be sick of the sight of athletes such as Neymar, Messi, Hoy and Bolt thanks to the relentless coverage of their exploits during this summer’s FIFA World Cup and the subsequent Glasgow Commonwealth Games, so allow me to present you with some Sport Stars of the Irmscher variety instead!

I’d intended to equip the MV6 with the rare staggered fitment 18s from day one, but finding a set of 9-inch wide rears and their matching 8-inch wide fronts with the desired offset of ET30 is easier said than done due to the fact that so few were manufactured by Ronal for Irmscher back in the day. There are plenty of non-staggered Sport Stars out there (brand new wheels with offsets and widths suited to the Vectra and Astra), but I didn’t want to compromise by equipping the car with rims and rubber that fail to fill the arches as intended.

As the old adage goes, you wait ages for a bus and then two arrive at the same time. Well, the same seems to apply to Sport Stars – I’ve ended up with a couple of sets of the fantastic five-spokes! A quick call to the guys down at Irmscher UK resulted in a set of i-Line centre caps, locking wheel nuts and i-Line tyre valve caps with which to decorate them, and I was keen to trial fit the wheels as soon as time allowed.

Ordinarily, the car would sit pretty low and hug the tyres, but the removal of the engine and gearbox (as detailed in my last project update) has left its nose sitting ridiculously high in the air. You’d be forgiven for thinking that I’d installed raised height Frontera suspension! Fear not, balance will be restored to the force in due course as a replacement 3.2-litre V6 lump is undergoing a rebuild, a manual gearbox is being readied for action, and uprated dampers and springs feature on ever-growing shopping list.

Now that the wheels are in place, I’m not entirely convinced that their OE shade of silver shows them off at their best when set against the MV6’s solid black paintwork. I think that a colour change is on the cards, with a graphite finish currently my preferred choice of pigment. Oh, and there’s still that horrid grille to replace. It’s gonna be a busy month!

THANKS
Irmscher UK
01932 359290
http://www.irmscher.co.uk

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000377.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000389.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1190924.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1190967.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1180757.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1190941.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1190930.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200076.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:14:17
Who wants to play another game of 'what's in the box'?! I'll make it a little easier for you this time...  ;)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200118.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:14:33
Hehe, nothing gets past you guys, eh?! More here:

Wahey! The new issue of Total Vauxhall has hit newsstands, and with it comes the latest full #irmscherMV6 project update :)  As ever, the magazine features some brilliant builds and some cracking cars (this month's bounty includes a trio of Saab-powered Vectra Bs, a 443bhp Astra VXR, a concours Corsa B, a wide-arched Nova powered by a C20XE on carbs, a supercharged VX220 and much, much more!). Click here to find out where to buy/download/subscribe etc: http://is.gd/wAxBXz (http://is.gd/wAxBXz)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMAG0064.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:14:51
A stupidly busy month writing about the treasured Griffins of my fellow Vauxhall enthusiasts means that progress on the Irmscher MV6 project has been a little slower than I was hoping it would be, and the limited downtime that I’ve had at my disposal has been spent stripping the donor MV6 of its valuable parts in advance of its impending trip to the great scrapyard in the sky.

That’s not to say that the Dark Destroyer has been neglected; I’ve continued to add to a plentiful stockpile of tuning paraphernalia while I work towards spending some quality time with the large barge. As a matter of fact, I’ve been amassing some serious chassis upgrades that promise to transform its handling abilities.

The first major contributor to the cause comes in the form of a Bilstein B12 suspension package. Comprising perfectly matched B8 Sprint shortened shock absorbers and Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs, the set was developed by Bilstein engineers using technology tested at the Nürburgring and is designed to vastly improve fast road driving dynamics by reducing body roll, squat and dive while delivering a significantly dropped ride height. That’s music to my ears, not least of all because the nose of the car is currently sitting at a laughable altitude following the removal of its neighbouring engine and gearbox!

This is the first time that I will have used this particular combination of components, but plenty of my octane-obsessed friends swear by Bilstein’s superior monotube gas and oil damper design, and I’ve equipped enough of my cars with Eibach springs over the years to know how well they perform in a wide variety of driving environments. There’s no denying that this is a top quality suspension setup, and I can’t wait to fit it to the MV6. Besides, a European road trip looms large, and I’m sure that the B12 kit will come into its own as I attempt to navigate my way around a certain ‘Green Hell’...

THANKS
Bilstein UK
0116 289 8345
http://www.bilstein.de (http://www.bilstein.de)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200122.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200143.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200139.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200152.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200127.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200164.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200079.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:15:14
'Sup! The new issue of Total Vauxhall is sitting on newsstands, and it comes complete with the latest full #irmscherMV6 project update :) As ever, the magazine features some brilliant builds and some cracking motors (this month's bounty includes an awesome Mk1 Cavalier touring car, a 400bhp Corsa VXR, a V8-powered Opel Kadett C, a tidy Mk4 Astra cabriolet, an SR-badged Nova sleeper and much, much more!). Click here to find out where to buy/download/subscribe etc: http://is.gd/RmcKBt (http://is.gd/RmcKBt) ;)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210811.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:15:28
Regular readers will recall the Ronal Irmscher Sport Stars that I managed to get hold of for the MV6 project, and some may recall that I expressed a desire to change the colour of the staggered fitment 18-inchers from their factory shade of silver to a metallic anthracite. Tinted film pioneer, Foliatec, was also taking note, and the German company alerted me to the existence of its wheel-friendly spray film as I considered the various paint options at my disposal.

Sold as a single can or as a sub-fifty quid set that includes twin cans, cleaning wipes, masking tools and a fan nozzle attachment, the spray film is available in more than twenty different colours and can be used as a paint protector in addition to its role as a tinting tool. Best of all, removing the film is a simple case of peeling it off, which makes it ideal for those looking for cost-efficient temporary styling solutions, or – like me – those that are keen to try out colours in the hope of avoiding an expensive mistake at the wheel refurbishers!

The chunky five-spokes needed a thorough clean before any work could begin, and my Autobrite Direct wheel cleaner and 'Purple Rain 2.0' industrial fallout remover made light work of the traffic grime and road mank stuck to the inside of each rim. The arduous task of removing all sixty decorative bolts and masking their corresponding holes followed, and I left the bolts themselves in an acid bath while each wheel was furnished with Foliatec tyre protection cards that are designed to minimise the effects of overspray.

The film was applied thereafter, and I’m genuinely impressed with the results. Not only has it confirmed my belief that metallic anthracite was the right colour choice, but it has hidden the light surface scratches and paint irregularities that I inherited with the wheels when I bought them. It was easy to apply too, although a trip to the repair centre is still on the cards due to the discovery of slight kerbing on the inside lip of one of the rims.

The refreshed bolts were given a comprehensive cotton-bud clean before being reinstated, and the wheels should look fantastic when set against the solid black paintwork of the car. Talking of which, I’ve just offloaded a pile of exterior trim and various Irmscher bodykit components at the paint shop. Expect to see some cool cosmetic alterations pictured in the next project update!

THANKS

Foliatec.com
http://is.gd/vhZZrp (http://is.gd/vhZZrp)

Autobrite Direct
01782 623819
http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk (http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1190874.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210104.jpg)

Cleaned, masked and ready to roll!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210129.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210169.jpg)

An acid bath and a cotton bud clean for the decorative wheel bolts:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200906.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210181.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210183.jpg)

Tadaa!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210268.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:16:03
I visited Halfords in order to pick up some headlight bulbs for the Saab, and I remembered that the MV6 was in need of a new set of wiper blades. Flicking through the 'helpful' in-store booklet, I was surprised to see the same Bosch AeroTwin wiper listed for both the driver and passenger sides. I suspended disbelief by giving in to the benefit of the doubt; I bought them anyway, only to have to return to the store in order to buy the correct nearside wiper. Moral of the story: don't trust anyone!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200110.jpg)

Anyway, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you. And what better way to kick off the festive cheer than with the latest #irmscherMV6 project update?! Okay, there might be one or two other pursuits that spring to mind, but you can read all about the goings-on from 'camp MV6' by picking up a copy of the new issue of Total Vauxhall. As ever, there are some brilliant builds in the magazine (including a stunning Cavalier Turbo 4x4, a 365bhp C20LET-powered Corsa B sleeper, a 500bhp Nova sporting twin turbos, an Old Nail replica and much, much more!). Click here to find out where to buy/download/subscribe etc: http://is.gd/0mqKW7 (http://is.gd/0mqKW7) Thanuverymush!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220303.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:16:29
Regular readers will remember that the first MV6 project update outlined my intention to source every item listed in the facelift Omega/MV6 Irmscher parts catalogue. This is easier said than done; not even Vauxhall’s official press vehicle featured a full complement of the German styling firm’s products!

Irmscher sold the last of their Omega-specific components a long time ago (let’s not forget that the newest example of the model is a decade old), which means that there aren’t any off-the-shelf parts to take advantage of. Ultimately, finding these cool cosmetic updates requires a beady eye, plenty of patience and a constant scan of auction and owners club websites.

That said, there are long-forgotten hidden treasures to be found buried deep within the store rooms of the nation’s Vauxhall dealerships – parts that have been collecting dust for years and that are often available at knockdown prices due to their classification as obsolete spares. As if to prove the point, I’ve managed to acquire a ‘brand new old stock’ Irmscher grille that was hiding within the murky depths of a Griffin sales centre in Wales. It set me back the princely sum of £35, which is less than half of what a used equivalent in average condition tends to fetch on eBay. Top banana!

The version that I’ve bought features a detachable and paintable outer surround to enable colour coding with the host vehicle (the vast majority of genuine Irmscher grilles sold in period feature a solid black plastic outer trim or chrome effect detailing). I’ve sent it to the paint shop for a lick of OE Z20C Black II. It wasn’t finished by the time that we went to press, but I’ve just taken delivery of a stack of additional exterior styling parts that I chose to offload at the same time.

Among this black bounty sits a replacement set of Irmscher side skirts, matching end caps and a rare Irmscher rear spoiler. The latter features a much deeper lip surface area than the Prodrive item that was fitted at the factory when the MV6 rolled off the production line. I’ve also had the car’s special edition rear bumper painted because it was exhibiting a number of unsightly scratches and a couple of annoying stone chips.

Another former dealer-fit optional extra that I’ve managed to get hold of comes in the form of a seldom-seen Irmscher raised rear wing. Back in the day, this was offered as an alternative to the aforementioned lip spoiler, but I’m determined to get both sitting comfortably alongside one another. It means that I’m going to have to attack the boot lid with my power drill, although the impending modification to the tail end of the car that will allow for the application of rear end components that I’ve sourced from America – items that were originally found on the Omega’s stateside sibling (the Cadillac Catera) – means that this is the least of my worries. More on that in my next update, when I also hope to have the freshly painted parts firmly attached to the MV6.

THANKS
The Body Shop
01945 475444

Irmscher raised wing and extended lip spoiler:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200991.jpg)

Irmscher side skirts:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210012.jpg)

Irmscher side skirt end caps (plus a spare):

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210019.jpg)

The car's Irmscher rear bumper had a few stone chips that needed sorting:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200928.jpg)

Oh, and the previous owner appears to have nudged it into a wall at some point! It's nothing that The Body Shop can't fix:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200914.jpg)

Wahey! A brand new Irmscher front grille...

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210065.jpg)

...which should transform the front end of the car:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1170268.jpg)

Everything back from The Body Shop and covered in a fresh lick of Z20C Black II:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210782.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:16:52
Knees saved! My physiotherapist will be pleased   ;D

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1190585.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMAG0243.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 11:17:15
More to follow...  8) :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: omega3000 on 15 January 2015, 13:54:40
Excellent work , looks great matey  :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 15 January 2015, 20:36:30
Excellent work , looks great matey  :y

Thanks for the positive feedback :) There's still plenty to do, but it certainly feels like progress is being made. More updates to follow  :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: serek on 15 January 2015, 21:06:46
geat project  :y :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: gstylebaby on 15 January 2015, 22:20:25
Lovin this....Hey if you ever come across an opel irmscher grill for a mini facelift and at a good price please let me know as your doing a great job of finding parts....I can't find a fart in a bucket lol not that you would want one. ;D ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 16 January 2015, 07:20:44
Great update - again....

Whats the oblong piece of bodywork underneath the lip spoiler...?
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: MV6Matt on 16 January 2015, 08:56:21
.............hello again Dan, I've already told you that I like this thread and have meant to ask you frequently why none of the posts you made next door aren't on OOF.........

Having seen you OOF name, I realise you've been on this forum for ages anyway.

Keep the good stuff coming......

Matthew :y :y :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 16 January 2015, 11:11:59
Lovin this....Hey if you ever come across an opel irmscher grill for a mini facelift and at a good price please let me know as your doing a great job of finding parts....I can't find a fart in a bucket lol not that you would want one. ;D ;D

I got one for a Facelift with the chrome surround :)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 16 January 2015, 14:56:22
geat project  :y :y

Thanks Sew :y It's funny to think that I bought the car over four and a half years ago! Then again, £500 for a six-year-old MV6 kitted out with a load of Irmscher gear and a stack of brand new genuine parts was impossible to ignore, even if I didn't have the time to do anything with it ;D

Lovin this....Hey if you ever come across an opel irmscher grill for a mini facelift and at a good price please let me know as your doing a great job of finding parts....I can't find a fart in a bucket lol not that you would want one. ;D ;D

Thanks matey. I'll let you know if I stumble across the part that you're after.

Great update - again.... Whats the oblong piece of bodywork underneath the lip spoiler...?

It's a dismembered facelift Cadillac Catera 'trunk' panel. More on that to follow in my next update.

.............hello again Dan, I've already told you that I like this thread and have meant to ask you frequently why none of the posts you made next door aren't on OOF......... Having seen you OOF name, I realise you've been on this forum for ages anyway. Keep the good stuff coming...... Matthew :y :y :y

Mr Corbeau!  ;D :D Thanks again for the encouraging comments. I hadn't been posting updates on OOF as this forum doesn't allow for the retrospective editing of posts (unlike ABS, MIGweb, CavMk3OC etc.). In retrospect, I don't think it's going to be as much of a concern as I first thought, although it would be a handy bit of functionality for admin to introduce anyway  ;) ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 16 January 2015, 16:04:10
Aaaaah a little 'spoiler' alert there then :)

Watching this thread with lots of interest :)

Keep-up the good work :)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 16 January 2015, 17:27:38
Coming along nicely 8)

One question though... why go to all that trouble and fit an early rear seat instead of the facelift one :-\
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 16 January 2015, 17:53:45
Coming along nicely 8)

One question though... why go to all that trouble and fit an early rear seat instead of the facelift one :-\

Thanks Al! Regarding the seats: my donor car was a mini-facelift MV6  :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 16 January 2015, 17:56:51
Aaaaah a little 'spoiler' alert there then :)

The cat's out of the bag...!

The new issue of Total Vauxhall has hit newsstands, and with it comes the latest #irmscherMV6 project update! As ever, the magazine is filled with cracking motors and brilliant builds. This month's edition features a mint Manta, an Irmscher-kitted Nova, a C20LET-powered Silk Violet Corsa B and a veritable assortment of VXRs. Visit http://is.gd/SqxHFz (http://is.gd/SqxHFz) to download/subscribe etc., or pop along to your local newsagent. Well, go on then!  :D

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220570.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 16 January 2015, 20:03:58
Coming along nicely 8)

One question though... why go to all that trouble and fit an early rear seat instead of the facelift one :-\

Thanks Al! Regarding the seats: my donor car was a mini-facelift MV6  :y
Fair dos :y Rear leather is the same for both optional Sports and Elite, so the rear bench from a '99-'52 car will match the fronts (latest cars have grained leather), plenty of CD and CDXs left the factory with leather, but needs to be Elite if you want the heaters...
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: gstylebaby on 16 January 2015, 21:45:40
geat project  :y :y

Thanks Sew :y It's funny to think that I bought the car over four and a half years ago! Then again, £500 for a six-year-old MV6 kitted out with a load of Irmscher gear and a stack of brand new genuine parts was impossible to ignore, even if I didn't have the time to do anything with it ;D

Lovin this....Hey if you ever come across an opel irmscher grill for a mini facelift and at a good price please let me know as your doing a great job of finding parts....I can't find a fart in a bucket lol not that you would want one. ;D ;D

Thanks matey. I'll let you know if I stumble across the part that you're after.

Great update - again.... Whats the oblong piece of bodywork underneath the lip spoiler...?

It's a dismembered facelift Cadillac Catera 'trunk' panel. More on that to follow in my next update.

.............hello again Dan, I've already told you that I like this thread and have meant to ask you frequently why none of the posts you made next door aren't on OOF......... Having seen you OOF name, I realise you've been on this forum for ages anyway. Keep the good stuff coming...... Matthew :y :y :y

Mr Corbeau!  ;D :D Thanks again for the encouraging comments. I hadn't been posting updates on OOF as this forum doesn't allow for the retrospective editing of posts (unlike ABS, MIGweb, CavMk3OC etc.). In retrospect, I don't think it's going to be as much of a concern as I first thought, although it would be a handy bit of functionality for admin to introduce anyway  ;) ;D

Thanks that would be great. :y :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 25 January 2015, 10:47:34
GM’s enthusiasm for badge-engineering has seen many of its European models adopt new identities before offering themselves for sale in faraway lands. On the whole, this practice has been a huge (financial) success for the company. Contrary to its earlier efforts, however, the decision to slap a Cadillac badge across the front of the Omega before firing it at unsuspecting Stateside car buyers is widely regarded as one of the biggest fails in American automotive history.

Launched as the ‘Catera’, “the Caddy that zigs” was pitched as a sporty alternative to the Detroit motor giant’s portfolio of big, V8-powered luxury barges. Unfortunately, the demand for such a car didn’t really exist, and the Catera’s reputation as one of the smallest Cadillacs ever produced – coupled with the fact that it was ‘missing’ two cylinders – ensured that its future was over before it began.

Like its earlier incarnation, the short-lived facelift variant of the Catera included USDM styling features that separated it from its Omega sibling. The most pronounced of these updates could be seen on the model’s rear end, where a redesigned ‘trunk’ housed a Cavalier Turbo-esque boot panel and a super-wide integrated third brake light flanked by LED-illuminated light clusters with red and white lenses stacked in the reverse order to those seen on the Omega.

Fitting these Yank-spec components to the Omega/MV6 isn’t possible without heavy modification to both the European and American parts. This is primarily because the Catera’s boot lid includes a dedicated recess to house its decorative panel, not to mention the fact that its inner light clusters are much deeper and much narrower than those of the Omega. In other words, they just don’t fit!

That said, not being one to take no for an answer (and in spite of being told that “it simply can’t be done”), I imported a Catera boot panel and a complete set of accompanying LED light clusters from the USA in advance of formulating a plan of action that resulted in an attack of my MV6’s boot lid with an angle grinder, splitting the boot panel into four separate parts, smoothing its Cadillac badge recesses, colour coding the altered parts and plastic welding everything back together in an entirely bespoke arrangement.

The phrase ‘trial and error’ has never been more appropriate, and it took many long nights in my garage, lots of cursing and plenty of teeth sucking until I was happy with the fit of the reassembled pieces. I don’t mind telling you that I questioned my decision to cut up these rare and expensive parts on more than one occasion, but I’m glad that I kept going - the finished article looks fantastic!

While the back of the MV6 was stripped bare, I replaced its crash bar with a new genuine GM item, and I reinforced its Irmscher dual-exit exhaust system with new joiners and clamps. I also took the opportunity to swap its tired exhaust mounts with brand new Powerflex polyurethane parts. The improvement since fitting them is nothing short of extraordinary, with no vibration or movement of any kind where the OE rubber equivalents would encourage the pipework to bounce around under load. A highly recommended mod.

More Dark Destroyer project progress to follow!

THANKS
Powerflex
01895 460033
http://www.powerflex.co.uk (http://www.powerflex.co.uk)

An early (pre-facelift) Catera promotional poster:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/catera-ad.jpg)

My recently-acquired facelift Catera 'trunk' panel. The required recess is absent from the Omega's boot lid, meaning that the Catera part sits a few centimetres proud of the Vauxhall's metal. The only way to get around this is to break apart the boot panel, plastic weld it back together in a new arrangement, cut large chunks out of the Omega's boot lid and hope for the best!  ;D

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1190783.jpg)

Note the contoured Cadillac badge recess. The Body Shop did a cracking job of smoothing this on the finished panel:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1190792.jpg)

The individual 'Catera' letters also sit in their own recesses:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210027.jpg)

Time to split the panel:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200086.jpg)

And then some!  ;D

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210902.jpg)

Note how much wider the MV6's original inner light cluster is (left) when compared to the Catera equivalent (right). The rear housing of the latter is also much deeper than the Vauxhall's part (to accommodate the enlarged rear bulb housing etc). This is one of the reasons that the boot lid needs to be cut to suit. The light casing itself also needs to be cut and re-shaped to fit.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210769.jpg)

This was my somewhat conservative estimate regarding how much metal needed to be removed from the boot lid. Trial and error resulted in much more cutting than I had anticipated:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMAG0250.jpg)

There are lots of mounting points on the rear of the coloured centre panel that need to be removed in order to prevent it from sitting too far forward:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210749.jpg)

I removed all of the MV6's boot badges at the same time. A combination of Autobrite Direct 'Just The Tonic Glue and Tar Remover', plenty of elbow grease and a filler applicator did the trick:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210732.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 25 January 2015, 10:47:53
The exposed rear end of the car revealed a rotten exhaust clamp on the Irmscher twin-exit pipework. New for old:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220085.jpg)

The rear crash bar was showing its age. I managed to get hold of a brand new genuine GM replacement:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220007.jpg)

It made sense to replace the flexible factory exhaust mounts with uprated Powerflex polyurethane equivalents while I was fitting the shiny new exhaust clamp. The difference that these parts have made to the rear end is very impressive; the exhaust pipework barely moves (even when pulling at it) since fitting the new mounts. I can't wait to equip the car with Powerflex lower arm and anti-roll bar bushes in the coming weeks.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220060.jpg)

Unfortunately, the offside exhaust pipe had a hanger lip that prevented its mount from sliding on without issue. Powerflex do manufacture mounts to suit, but I'd ordered three of the type that fit the nearside hangers. Out came the angle grinder!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMAG0322.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220116.jpg)

New clamp, Powerflex exhaust mounts, new GM rear crash bar, Irmscher twin-exit exhaust system:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMAG0344.jpg)

The rear end was thoroughly cleaned before installing my resprayed Irmscher rear bumper, Cadillac Catera LED outer lights, modified and debadged boot lid, modified Catera boot panel (reshaped, smoothed and painted), modified Catera LED inner lights:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220201.jpg)

Here's a before and after comparison. First up, a photo of the rear end of my MV6 taken on the day that I bought it:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1000330.jpg)

And here's how it looks today:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMAG0353.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/hellyeah.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Jim on 25 January 2015, 11:30:39
Looken Good  8)

I have often thought of fitting the Catera rear end to my Omega
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 25 January 2015, 17:55:54
Very good write-up yet again fella... Like the rear panel :)

Well done for doing something different, very impressed with the way it turned out :)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 25 January 2015, 18:34:07
Importing the entire bootlid might have been easier... ::) hopefully the wiring will be more straightforward ;)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 25 January 2015, 21:09:26
Looken Good  8) I have often thought of fitting the Catera rear end to my Omega

Thanks for the vote of confidence! I added the Irmscher rear wing last night. The difference it has made to the look of the car's back end is incredible. Pics to follow!

Very good write-up yet again fella... Like the rear panel :) Well done for doing something different, very impressed with the way it turned out :)

Cheers, much appreciated! :y

Importing the entire bootlid might have been easier... ::) hopefully the wiring will be more straightforward ;)

I did consider importing a complete boot lid, but the Catera's third brake light spans the entire width of the 'trunk' and won't allow for the application of a lip spoiler. Futhermore, it forces the position of the rear wing to what seems like half way along the boot lid. It looks pretty terrible imho, so I decided to have a go at merging the USA and European parts! :)

As for wiring, I've got that sorted; I'm going to modify the existing loom so that it includes both USA and Euro spec plugs in case I need/want to revert back to the original lights at any point in the future.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: EMD on 26 January 2015, 13:45:07
Nice job mate , just what i was going to do  ;)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: B-Buster on 26 January 2015, 20:04:50
Nice to see you created a topic again here too. I am a follower of your FB page for quite a while now and really like seeing your efforts getting this MV6 back on the road. Got to give some credits for the nice photo's too.. makes it a lot of fun too. I've been reading through all these pages again.  :)

Interesting combination you are doing now with the Catera elements, liking the non-standard approach by getting it fit the way you like it. Best from both worlds.

Keep it up. :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 27 January 2015, 20:22:43
Nice job mate , just what i was going to do  ;)

'Great minds' and all that jazz...  ;D 8)

Nice to see you created a topic again here too. I am a follower of your FB page for quite a while now and really like seeing your efforts getting this MV6 back on the road. Got to give some credits for the nice photo's too.. makes it a lot of fun too. I've been reading through all these pages again.  :) Interesting combination you are doing now with the Catera elements, liking the non-standard approach by getting it fit the way you like it. Best from both worlds. Keep it up. :y

Thanks for the words of encouragement, and thanks for following the project on Facebook :y There's plenty left to do (is a project ever really finished?!), but things are starting to come together nicely. Onwards and upwards!
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 27 January 2015, 20:22:57
During its time cruising about the mean streets of the good ol' US of A, the nearside Catera rear light casing has attracted a fair bit of dirt and dust that has made its way into the lower part of the outer casing. It's virtually impossible to clean off, leaving me with no choice but to order a replacement light.

Here's the culprit:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220718.jpg)

Fresh from its overseas trip, here's the new light unit (protected by what looks like a box full of cheese-free Wotsits):

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220705.jpg)

And here's the new light sitting next to the original MV6 part:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220714.jpg)

In place:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220136.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: EMD on 27 January 2015, 23:34:43
Very smart and well worth it  :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: X30XE on 30 January 2015, 23:37:47
(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMAG0353.jpg)

^ This is just porn  :D :D 8) :-[
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 30 January 2015, 23:42:31
Woukd be a shame to use it after all this hard work  :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: ted_one on 31 January 2015, 18:36:43
This is going to be a car that we all need to see in the flesh to appreciate the attention to detail that's going into the build :-* :-*
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 01 February 2015, 10:11:42
Very smart and well worth it  :y

Thanks pal. Glad you approve :)

Woukd be a shame to use it after all this hard work  :y

Use it?! I guess I'd better get that engine and gearbox sorted, eh?!  ;D

This is going to be a car that we all need to see in the flesh to appreciate the attention to detail that's going into the build :-* :-*

Thanks for the positive feedback, Ken. I hope to take the car to PVS and Billing this year (with a European road trip squeezed between the two). Watch this space!  ;)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 01 February 2015, 10:12:31
^ This is just porn  :D :D 8) :-[

It looks even better now that the Irmscher rear wing is in place. Pics to follow :)  :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 01 February 2015, 13:46:36
Im hoping to be at Billing this year so will have a wander over if you take it.. I dont do PVS or the Euro trip that I think it might be, but a couple of mates will be going as they enjoyed it last year...
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 01 February 2015, 22:14:45
Im hoping to be at Billing this year so will have a wander over if you take it.. I dont do PVS or the Euro trip that I think it might be, but a couple of mates will be going as they enjoyed it last year...

The European road trip is one that Mrs Humbucker and I have had planned since I bought the car way back in 2010. Unfortunately (as far as the trip is concerned), we moved house and had a lot of upheaval regarding our jobs etc., meaning that the MV6 was thrown into storage until we were settled again. A lot of work on our new home followed, and the car was left to collect dust until I hauled it out of hibernation last year. I'm supposed to be doing another road trip in August (in one of my Cavalier Turbos) with my colleagues at Retro Cars magazine, but the MV6 will be hitting the 'Ring well in advance of that outing!  :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 02 February 2015, 07:23:03
Is it not Osch that you will be going to...?

The couple of mates that go every year usually do the 'ring on the way home and spend a couple of days there...
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 02 February 2015, 08:58:28
Is it not Osch that you will be going to...? The couple of mates that go every year usually do the 'ring on the way home and spend a couple of days there...

Nope, just a road trip / holiday with the missus (via the Green Hell, hehe!).
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 02 February 2015, 08:58:53
New toys from Autobrite Direct! I can't wait to get stuck in with my new DA-21 dual action polishing machine. The cars (and their paintwork) won't know what's hit 'em! Get yours here: http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk (http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk) :)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMAG0463.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 02 February 2015, 13:52:10
Try not to hoon it too much round the Ring mate, don't wanna see you or the car get damaged :)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 17 February 2015, 20:47:04
Try not to hoon it too much round the Ring mate, don't wanna see you or the car get damaged :)

Cheers matey  :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 17 February 2015, 20:47:26
The brand spankin' new issue of Total Vauxhall has hit newsstands, and with it comes the latest ‪#‎irmscherMV6‬ project update. Hoorah! As ever, the magazine is filled with cracking motors and brilliant builds (this month, we're treated to a 3.8-litre Opel Commodore, a slammed Vectra B, an XE'd Nova and a fantastic Mk4 Astra GSi on banded steelies). Visit http://is.gd/D1zItq (http://is.gd/D1zItq) to download/subscribe etc., or pop along to your local newsagent. Well, go on then!  ;D

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/TOV172.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: sjc on 21 February 2015, 13:22:40
Just don't do what the dude who won 'Project Thunder' in MaxPower donkeys ago did and put it through a chip shop window!  :D

Very interesting read mate.  What will we do when all the Omegas are gone?
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 04 March 2015, 20:24:55
Just don't do what the dude who won 'Project Thunder' in MaxPower donkeys ago did and put it through a chip shop window!  :D

Very interesting read mate.  What will we do when all the Omegas are gone?

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 04 March 2015, 20:25:20
"Hey, Sharon! I'm just nipping out to get some milk..." VrooOOOooom! :D

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/milk.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: biggriffin on 06 March 2015, 11:45:39
"Hey, Sharon! I'm just nipping out to get some milk..." VrooOOOooom! :D

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/milk.jpg)
Havnt seen one those for a few years
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 06 March 2015, 12:54:52
That would be quite a sight on the M25 with full battenburg and lightbar... ::)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 12 March 2015, 19:22:21
Powerflex is the first name in performance bushes, and it was with that in mind that I grabbed some of the firm’s purple polyurethane parts in a bid to improve the MV6’s suspension.

I’d already equipped the rear of the car with a trio of the company’s exhaust mounts (see last month’s project update), but it was the Vauxhall’s front end that became the focus of my attention following the purchase of a pair of new old-stock genuine GM lower control arms.

The factory wishbone bushes were reluctant to shift, but a trip to Cambridgeshire’s number one independent Vauxhall specialist, SOS Automotive, saw them squeezed out before they knew what had hit ‘em! I returned home to install the Powerflex parts a short while later, and those of you who are thinking of treating your own Griffin to this worthwhile upgrade will be pleased to know that the job was an absolute doddle.

With the wishbones taken care of, I decided to apply the same treatment to the car’s anti-roll bar. Regular readers will recall that I removed the MV6’s 3.2-litre engine and its accompanying automatic gearbox in advance of a planned manual transmission conversion. The resulting under-bonnet cavity provided easy access to the anti-roll bar, and it didn’t take long to replace the tired old bushes with the premium quality purple products.

Both sets of Powerflex bushes should improve the car’s road holding and handling characteristics by controlling the amount of flex in the suspension. Tyre wear should also be reduced, especially now that each corner is kitted-out with a Bilstein B8 damper and an Eibach Pro-Kit lowering spring.

In other news, I finally decorated the nose of the MV6 with my new Irmscher grille. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the straightforward fit that I was expecting, and the rear of the paintable outer surround required heavy modification before it would sit pretty. Nevertheless, it’s transformed the look of the front end for the better. It’s just a shame that the car is in need of a bloody good clean... again!

THANKS

Powerflex
01895 460033
http://www.powerflex.co.uk (http://www.powerflex.co.uk)

SOS Automotive
01480 700655
http://www.sos-automotive.com (http://www.sos-automotive.com)

Brand spankin' new genuine GM wishbones:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1200779.jpg)

Powerflex wishbone bushes:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220735.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220768.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220788.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220792.jpg)

Powerflex anti-roll bar bushes:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220804.jpg)

New and old alongside one another:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220819.jpg)

Purple reign:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220840.jpg)

The car's paintable Irmscher grille surround was an astonishingly bad fit. It required a lot of plastic welding, but the finished part has made a big difference to the front end of the ol' bus:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220917a.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 12 March 2015, 20:35:23
Sorry but polybushing brand new GM wishbones is sacrilege :o

They retail for about £250 a side and are good for about 100k...
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 12 March 2015, 21:40:19
And the polybushes will go on forever.....

I did the same to the Lamforders when I bought them new last year....
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 12 March 2015, 22:46:09
Misses the point... Lemforders won't last as well, but it's far more cost effective to upgrade cheap, but solidly constructed wishbones, especially if the rest of the suspension has been uprated :-\
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: amba on 13 March 2015, 07:54:20
This excellent rebuild doesnt seem to be a project that is "cost restricted" . :)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 13 March 2015, 08:05:59
This excellent rebuild doesnt seem to be a project that is "cost restricted" . :)
Which makes some decisions quite strange... fitting a mfl interior rather than sourcing a later one and faffing around with the bootlid to get the lights to fit rather than simply importing the whole thing :-\

Devil is in the details and all that :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 13 March 2015, 08:50:39
I should add, if it makes the OP happy and keeps another Omega from the crusher, then fair dos...

It does otherwise look smart :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 13 March 2015, 09:33:08
This excellent rebuild doesnt seem to be a project that is "cost restricted" . :)
Which makes some decisions quite strange... fitting a mfl interior rather than sourcing a later one and faffing around with the bootlid to get the lights to fit rather than simply importing the whole thing :-\

Devil is in the details and all that :y

As explained in an earlier post, I bought the MFL MV6 donor for its transmission (actually, I bought its transmission and the owner gave me the rest of the car for free!). Anyway, the car came complete with a near-mint leather interior. If this hadn't been the case, then I would have looked for the seats from a later model, but I'm quite happy with what I've ended up with. As for not importing a USDM boot lid, I wanted to fit the Irmscher lip spoiler and wing, something that I don't think would have been possible if using the Catera panel due to the width and position of its third brake light aperture. Besides, I like a challenge!

 :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 16 March 2015, 08:27:06
Misses the point... Lemforders won't last as well, but it's far more cost effective to upgrade cheap, but solidly constructed wishbones, especially if the rest of the suspension has been uprated :-\

I bought the Lemforders upon your recommendation....?




Anyhoo - The OP is doing a cracking job on this motor, importing the bootlid would have been extremely expensive to do... so he's converted the Omega bootlid instead as they are much more accessible in this country if a bad mistake was made in the conversion.... Id have done the same TBH - its what I did to my Vectras bonnet before commiting to weld in the extension it had fitted...
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 16 March 2015, 10:32:23
You're right, for the most part it will be a real stunner, but for what otherwise seems to be a money-no-object project, the work involved in butchering a uk bootlid must outweigh the cost of importing one :-\

Anywhoo it's his decision and he's kind of explained it... :y

As for Lemforders wishbones, I wouldn't recommend summat I have never bought :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 16 March 2015, 11:57:06
...seems to be a money-no-object project...

If that were the case, the car would have been up and running a long time ago!  ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: VXL V6 on 17 March 2015, 08:12:57
For the standard front bumper (non-FL MV6) I do like the FL Catera version with the double size foglights / DRL's. Although, ultimately I prefer the MV6 facelift bumper design to any other.

I did the same as minifreek and polly bushed brand new Lemforders for both of my current ones, to me it was a bit of a no-brainer. If only i'd had the foresight to refurbish the GM ones that came off our four Omega's over the years.  :-X

Keep up the project, looking good.  :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: joff on 17 March 2015, 10:34:39
...seems to be a money-no-object project...

If that were the case, the car would have been up and running a long time ago!  ;D

Slowly bringing my Irmscher MV6 back up to 100%. It was me you had the first set of wheels off. When I get mine back to top condition we will have to have some pics of both the cars side by side.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 17 March 2015, 18:22:09
For the standard front bumper (non-FL MV6) I do like the FL Catera version with the double size foglights / DRL's. Although, ultimately I prefer the MV6 facelift bumper design to any other.

I did the same as minifreek and polly bushed brand new Lemforders for both of my current ones, to me it was a bit of a no-brainer. If only i'd had the foresight to refurbish the GM ones that came off our four Omega's over the years.  :-X

Keep up the project, looking good.  :y

Thanks pal. I appreciate the positive feedback :)

...seems to be a money-no-object project...

If that were the case, the car would have been up and running a long time ago!  ;D

Slowly bringing my Irmscher MV6 back up to 100%. It was me you had the first set of wheels off. When I get mine back to top condition we will have to have some pics of both the cars side by side.

An MV6-themed photo session sounds good to me! Yeah, I remember buying the wheels. Surprisingly, they haven't seen any road action since I took delivery of them all those years ago ;D Moving into a 250-year-old farm cottage in need of a lot of work resulted in the car being mothballed almost as soon as I bought it. Even so, it still amazes me to think that I managed to get hold of a six-year old Irmscher-kitted MV6 for £500. Fast-forward five years, and it looks like the ol' barge might finally be about to hit the road!  :D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 17 March 2015, 18:23:09
The brand spankin' new issue of Total Vauxhall has hit newsstands, and with it comes the...

Oh, you know the drill. The latest ‪#‎irmscherMV6‬ project update is now sitting on newsstands. Hoorah! Pop along to your newsagent and buy a copy of the magazine. Feeling lazy? If so, click your way to MV6 joy by visiting the following link: http://is.gd/8uB1lH (http://is.gd/8uB1lH)

 ;)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/TOV173.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 17 March 2015, 19:33:30
What are those fitted to the wishbones....?

Are they the Irmy brake ducts that are usually found on Vectra's...?

Didn't know they was available for the Omega...
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 17 March 2015, 22:55:06
What are those fitted to the wishbones....?

You'll have to nip down to WHSmith  :D ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 18 March 2015, 08:11:31
I'll go to Asda, easier to get recovered from there if the Miggy breaks down LOL
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: x25dt on 25 March 2015, 18:12:52
Great wheels :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: EMD on 25 March 2015, 22:17:30
What are those fitted to the wishbones....?

Are they the Irmy brake ducts that are usually found on Vectra's...?

Didn't know they was available for the Omega...

Hmm ?  :)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: VXL V6 on 25 March 2015, 22:59:43
What are those fitted to the wishbones....?

Are they the Irmy brake ducts that are usually found on Vectra's...?

Didn't know they was available for the Omega...

Hmm ?  :)

Not sure they were Irmscher, they were produced originally for Police spec Vectra's to aid disc cooling, I think Courtenay Sport then reproduced them for the aftermarket.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 26 March 2015, 07:40:52
What are those fitted to the wishbones....? Are they the Irmy brake ducts that are usually found on Vectra's...? Didn't know they was available for the Omega...

Hmm ?  :)

Not sure they were Irmscher, they were produced originally for Police spec Vectra's to aid disc cooling, I think Courtenay Sport then reproduced them for the aftermarket.

Okay, let me put you out of your misery! I've modified and installed standard-issue Mk4 Astra GSi brake cooling ducts. These are genuine GM parts. Irmscher and Courtenay Sport sell/sold the exact same components (for use on the Vectra and Astra), but you can buy a pair from your local Vauxhall parts desk for around £20.

It's worth remembering that Courtenay Sport maps and tunes Vauxhalls, but the firm is essentially a reseller when it comes to physical goods e.g. TTV Racing lightweight flywheels, GM brake cooling ducts, Wahler low-temperature thermostats etc. A shiny sticker does not a manufacturer make!

Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 26 March 2015, 08:08:18
Hmmm... Scratches chin whilst pondering  whether they will be of any use/fit with Monaro brakes :-\
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 26 March 2015, 08:59:27
Hmmm... Scratches chin whilst pondering  whether they will be of any use/fit with Monaro brakes :-\

They don't fit Omega wishbones. I had to modify them to suit. You'll probably need to do the same to your own car (assuming that we're talking about fitting them to a Monaro?). Considering the low cost of the parts, it's worth a bash.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 26 March 2015, 11:16:16
Monaro brakes on an Omega ;)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 26 March 2015, 14:56:52
I tried to fit the Vectra 2.6 GSi brake ducts to my Omega wishbones but they just wouldn't fit without modification....

Wish I hadn't sold the buggers now LOL

I also had the Saab rear aero ducts fitted to the rear suspension arms too, dunno if they did anything but I had bragging rights with them fitted....

I still have the underbody Irmscher Aero package for the Ph2 Vectra GSi (Facelift), might see if they will fit with the Irmy bumper on the Miggy without much modifications... they're supposed to give another 2MPH top-end LOL

Might see if i can get hold of a pair of these type brake ducts, as they look bigger than the Vectra items TBH...
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: biggriffin on 29 March 2015, 20:32:19
Can you put the part number up please, :)
 also do they give any more horsepower ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 29 March 2015, 21:28:23
Can you put the part number up please, :)
 also do they give any more horsepower ;D
About 30bhp each, but only if they are black or red :D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: biggriffin on 29 March 2015, 21:57:04
Can you put the part number up please, :)
 also do they give any more horsepower ;D
About 30bhp each, but only if they are black or red :D
Best I get a pair of red and black ones fitted then..... Whoosh faster than a black car ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 04 April 2015, 07:23:06
After much in the way of procrastination, I finally grabbed my power drill and attacked the MV6’s already heavily modified boot lid in an attempt to fit the rare Irmscher wing that I’d managed to source. My intention was to position the freshly-painted part alongside the car’s rear lip spoiler, although whether or not it would sit pretty remained to be seen (dealer fit options at the MV6’s original point of sale allowed for one spoiler or the other, but never both!).

Fortunately, my caffeine-fuelled calculations were bang on the money, and I’m really pleased with how the rear end of the car looks now that the work is complete. That said, the nearside Cadillac Catera inner taillight lens was beyond filthy, and with no sure-fire way of removing dirt from the sealed unit, I was forced to import a replacement from the good ol’ US of A. Yeehaw!

In other news, I removed the car’s 18-inch staggered Ronal Irmscher Sport Star wheels in order to protect them while tinkering continues. This reminded me that ‘wrapping each rim in new rubber’ has been an item on my to-do list for a while, yet an online search proved that few tyre manufacturers produce a matching set of boots in the required 235/40 (front) and 265/35 (rear) profiles.

Thankfully, Japanese tyre giant, Falken, came to the rescue with its Azenis FK453 offering. Ideally suited to staggered applications, this fast-road rubber is claimed to be among the best tyre designs that the company has ever produced thanks to a silica-enriched compound and an asymmetrical variable tread pattern that has been influenced by the firm’s experience in competitive motorsport. For the MV6, that equates to excellent performance in all weather conditions, high-speed stability and a quiet ride – attributes that are perfect for my planned European road trip.

Needless to say, I popped down to my local tyre fitters without hesitation! Before long, the chunky five-spokes were being clothed in fresh FK453s, and I can’t wait to put them through their paces. In the meantime, however, I’ve opted to preserve them in a set of Richbrook wheel and tyre bags. Often seen at the nation’s racing circuits, this convenient wheel storage and transportation solution features a handy labelling system, carrying handles, tightening pull-cords and useful wheel nut storage pouches. Each bag is a super-snug fit and ideal for taking care of my Sport Stars.

Lastly, I was recently chatting with Total Vauxhall feature car owner (and all-round good egg), Carl Evans, regarding the benefits of using Mk4 Astra GSi brake cooling ducts. By the end of our conversation, I’d ordered a pair in the hope of being able to modify each part so that they would bolt to the bottom of the MV6’s wishbones without complaint. As you can imagine, a process of trial and error followed, but I’m confident that they’re in the right place and that they will channel cool air to the car’s front brake discs. Only time will tell!

THANKS

Falken
01962 794801
http://www.falkentyres-uk.com (http://www.falkentyres-uk.com)

Richbrook
01328 862387
http://www.richbrook.co.uk (http://www.richbrook.co.uk)

Bang tidy:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220855.jpg)

New rear taillight in place:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1220860.jpg)

My trusty Swedish workhorse hauled the new Falkens home:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1230032.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMAG0474.jpg)

A tower of Falken's finest! :P

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1230059.jpg)

Wrapping the Sport Stars in new rubber:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1230258.jpg)

Richbrook wheel and tyre bags should keep the rims out of harm's way:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1230369.jpg)

Modified Mk4 Astra GSi brake cooling ducts applied to my Powerflex-equipped new genuine GM wishbones:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1230425.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: andyc on 04 April 2015, 10:59:14
You really should have the proper Opel Tyre Bags, got them in stock :y

Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 04 April 2015, 15:33:11
You really should have the proper Opel Tyre Bags, got them in stock :y
That made I chuckle ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: VXL V6 on 04 April 2015, 15:57:17
Be interested to see how you get on with the Falkens in that size.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 20 April 2015, 20:56:47
Be interested to see how you get on with the Falkens in that size.

I'll be sure to keep you posted. The wheels are currently being stripped, dipped, blasted and powdercoated at the refurbishers. I can't wait to see the end results :)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 20 April 2015, 21:08:02
You really should have the proper Opel Tyre Bags, got them in stock :y

All donations gratefully appreciated  ;D :D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 03 May 2015, 08:01:53
As you may or many not be aware, Total Vauxhall has recently been reborn as 'Performance Vauxhall' magazine. The first-ever issue of the new title is sitting on newsstands right now, and it includes the latest #irmscherMV6 project update. Click here to download/subscribe etc.: http://is.gd/TlASEF (http://is.gd/TlASEF)  :y

(http://www.irmscherMV6.com/images/PV001.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: MV6Matt on 03 May 2015, 15:04:00
Hey Dan

Is it you that's changed your name - last issue of TV got me a bit confused? :-\

Matthew
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 03 May 2015, 16:15:21
Hey Dan

Is it you that's changed your name - last issue of TV got me a bit confused? :-\

Matthew

?
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: chuftsmv6 on 03 May 2015, 22:19:28
Wow the car looks great all your hard work is really paying off :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: MV6Matt on 05 May 2015, 12:07:45
Hey Dan

Is it you that's changed your name - last issue of TV got me a bit confused? :-\

Matthew

?

Dan White (editor?) says in the Last TV that he's getting used to the new name - wondered if that was you?

Matthew
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: P6UL K on 05 May 2015, 13:19:33
Hey Dan

Is it you that's changed your name - last issue of TV got me a bit confused? :-\

Matthew

?

Dan White (editor?) says in the Last TV that he's getting used to the new name - wondered if that was you?

Matthew

No mate, Dan White and Dan Furr are two completely seperate people.  And its PV now lol
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 05 May 2015, 20:07:21
Hey Dan

Is it you that's changed your name - last issue of TV got me a bit confused? :-\

Matthew

?

Dan White (editor?) says in the Last TV that he's getting used to the new name - wondered if that was you?

Matthew

No mate, Dan White and Dan Furr are two completely seperate people.  And its PV now lol

As opposed to partially separate people?!  :P ;D  :D

Aye, same mag, different Dans.  :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: P6UL K on 05 May 2015, 21:16:46
Well the operation was a success so i assumed you were now completely seperated lol
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 27 May 2015, 18:30:21
I’ve spent a significant amount of time sourcing genuine Irmscher body kit components, sorting the MV6’s interior, redesigning its rear end and introducing suspension and chassis upgrades since hauling the ol’ bus out of storage, but its most important features remain parked on my garage floor. Yup, I’m talking about the car’s engine and transmission.

My donor MV6 provided a healthy R28 five-speed manual gearbox (in addition to a propshaft, pedals and leather), and I managed to get hold of a low mileage 3.2-litre V6 powerplant. The time has finally come to refresh both units, and I’ve been collecting a variety of parts accordingly.

New genuine GM equipment to arrive at Château Furr includes a clutch kit, timing belt kit, thermostat housing, coolant transfer pipe, filters, water pump, water pipework, expansion tank, head bolts and studs, a spin-on oil filter convertor, radiator plug, sump gasket, various O-rings and sealing compounds. I’ve also bought a cylinder head refurbishment kit comprising valve stem seals and gaskets (heads, cam covers, camshafts, exhaust manifolds, upper and lower inlet manifolds, plenum etc.), a K&N air filter, a Courtenay Sport cool-running thermostat, a lightweight C20XE flat-type flywheel and a Retropower clutch spacer kit.

The car was treated to genuine dealer-fit parts including a new oil cooler, cam covers, breather box, downpipes, catalytic convertors and cat-back exhausts a few weeks before I bought it, and it’s nice to know that these items are more-or-less as good as new. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of my Irmscher Sport Stars; the process of equipping the 18-inchers with new tyres has caused some of the recently-applied wheel tinting spray film to peel away. In light of this, I’ve decided to have each alloy professionally refurbished and powdercoated. Wrapped in their Richbrook carrying bags, they’re en route to a facelift as I write this project update.

If all goes according to plan, my next progress report will feature an MV6 powered under its own stream and rolling on a stunning set of Sport Stars. Wish me luck!

THANKS

K&N Filters
01925 636950
http://www.knfilters.com (http://www.knfilters.com)

Autobrite Direct
01782 623819
http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk (http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk)

An initial stockpile of parts that is destined to assist with the overhaul of the MV6's powertrain:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240103.jpg)

My new cool-running thermostat arrived, but it was bent out of shape! As you'd expect, Courtenay Sport sent me a replacement the very next day. Bravo!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240134.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240128.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240132.jpg)

Time to crack on with the car's replacement Y32SE:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240190.jpg)

Filthy doesn't even come close to describing how much crud was stuck to the bottom of the engine. This picture doesn't fully illustrate how bad it was:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240226.jpg)

Fortunately, this arrived:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210325.jpg)

Tadaa! Autobrite Direct engine/engine bay cleaning solutions:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210336.jpg)

I also managed to coin a dealer-issue Kent-Moore V6 cam locking kit for the bargain price of just £40:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240204.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240208.jpg)

Did somebody say 'cam cover leak'?!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240225.jpg)

And now, on with the stripdown:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240215.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240223.jpg)

I'm going to fit new valve stem seals and change the head gaskets while I clean up the engine's cylinder heads. I might as well do the work before the lump finds its way beneath the car's bonnet. Off with its heads!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240419.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240237.jpg)

LOTS of scrubbing, Autobrite gear, carb cleaner and a whole lotta patience later:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240330.jpg)

And now to treat the car's new gearbox to some love:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240369.jpg)

Before the pressure washer had attacked it:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240372.jpg)

Lots more scrubbing, cleaning and brushing followed. Eventually, it was time to crack open the Hammerite! Two or three coats of silver/black just about did the trick (silver for the gearbox casing, black for the brackets, propshaft, inner bellhousing, block etc.):

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMAG0644.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240406.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240395.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240405.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 27 May 2015, 18:30:40
I left it at that and decided to begin stripping the cylinder heads. Meanwhile, parts continue to arrive thick and fast!

Genuine GM heater bypass valve:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240326.jpg)

Genuine cabin/pollen filter. Thinking about it, I've had this kicking about for a while:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240367.jpg)

Retropower clutch spacer to enable the use of a C20XE flat-type flywheel:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240115.jpg)

K&N panel filter (cue a sea of posts about the likely death of my MAF):

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240964.jpg)

New header tank. I'm not entirely sure why it was necessary for the supplier to decorate my tidy new tank with his favourite Sharpie?! I'll wipe off his scribblings before fitting the new part:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240967.jpg)

V6 throttle body valve seals, coolant bridge temperature sensor, spin-on oil filter thread joiner:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240969.jpg)

And lots of other stuff that is waaaay more exciting than the oily bits pictured above. More updates to follow. Keep 'em peeled!
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: VXL V6 on 27 May 2015, 18:36:44
Great progress  :y

You have the wrong pollen filter though for a facelift, it needs to be a carbon impregnated version.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: P6UL K on 27 May 2015, 19:02:14
Looking good boi! Love collecting masses of parts and then cracking on  :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Terbs on 27 May 2015, 20:02:26
Oh.. How I wish, I wish, I wish I was as clever and knowledgeable as you....
What a project :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: DrAndyB on 27 May 2015, 20:04:58

New header tank. I'm not entirely sure why it was necessary for the supplier to decorate my tidy new tank with his favourite Sharpie?! I'll wipe off his scribblings before fitting the new part:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240967.jpg)

Where did you get new header tank ? And did come with cap and level sensor ??? (My sensor keeps telling me fluid is low when its not !!!)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Terbs on 27 May 2015, 20:20:37
Slight hijack...sorry
Andy...on a temporary basis....stick you finger in the header tank (when cold) and try giving the float in the tank a good wiggling and twisting.
Ironically it has worked and still is working on two of my Omega's !!!!
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: VXL V6 on 27 May 2015, 21:14:11
Slight hijack...sorry
Andy...on a temporary basis....stick you finger in the header tank (when cold) and try giving the float in the tank a good wiggling and twisting.
Ironically it has worked and still is working on two of my Omega's !!!!
Worked on one of mine too. Strangely though, smashing a three month old one repeatedly with a lump hammer made it worse.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 27 May 2015, 22:45:40
Thanks for all the words of encouragement! I'm grabbing a few hours here and there in the hope of making as much progress as I can in the time that is available around my punishing work schedule, but you know how it is - not enough hours in the day etc.  ::)

Where did you get new header tank ? And did come with cap and level sensor ??? (My sensor keeps telling me fluid is low when its not !!!)

I bought the tank from Autovaux. It includes the level sensor, but not the cap. I've got a new filler cap kicking around somewhere (as well as a few spares) so not a problem.

Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: joff on 27 May 2015, 22:52:49
Oh.. How I wish, I wish, I wish I was as clever and knowledgeable as you....
What a project :y

It's only nuts and bolts Terry ::) ::) ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Terbs on 28 May 2015, 00:01:58
Tony, joff...Tony ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: korum on 28 May 2015, 09:30:46
so jealous >:(  but are you fitting original plastic cam covers? they will only warp again :D fit some metal ones from a 2.6 vectra and then you wont have to worry about it ;)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 28 May 2015, 09:38:21
so jealous >:(  but are you fitting original plastic cam covers? they will only warp again :D fit some metal ones from a 2.6 vectra and then you wont have to worry about it ;)
Whilst totally ignoring the fact that this will relocate the oil filler to an utterly inaccessible position and also blow the crank seals due to the completely different breather/air management arrangement of the Vectra lump ::) :-X
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Dan282 on 28 May 2015, 10:52:57
Looking good as usual Dan. Loving the latest progress!
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: korum on 28 May 2015, 11:00:59
so jealous >:(  but are you fitting original plastic cam covers? they will only warp again :D fit some metal ones from a 2.6 vectra and then you wont have to worry about it ;)
Whilst totally ignoring the fact that this will relocate the oil filler to an utterly inaccessible position and also blow the crank seals due to the completely different breather/air management arrangement of the Vectra lump ::) :-X

While he will need to use a longer neck filler to top up oil its not a big deal as for the breathers if they are cleaned often enough (and lets face it to the effort this guy has gone to im guessing he isnt going to neglect it) there is nothing wrong in fitting them to an omega.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: tunnie on 28 May 2015, 12:55:22
/panto mode

Ohh yes there is  ;D

/panto mode

Plastic is best, with gaskets fitted right way they will easily last 100k/10 years.

Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: mka306 on 28 May 2015, 21:47:04
spent a while and a few cups of coffee reading this project thread and to say the least i'm not only inspired but impressed with the work gone into this :y

I have just bought a 2001 Elite 3.2 and I intend on stripping it and replacing as many parts as needed to make it as good as it can be, thanks to this thread I've got a few tips and a lot of encouragement so thank you and keep up the good work.

Will you be making it to PVS this june or are you not quite finished? I'll be there with another club but I would love to see yours and may be get a few tips.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 28 May 2015, 23:02:34
so jealous >:(  but are you fitting original plastic cam covers? they will only warp again :D fit some metal ones from a 2.6 vectra and then you wont have to worry about it ;)
Whilst totally ignoring the fact that this will relocate the oil filler to an utterly inaccessible position and also blow the crank seals due to the completely different breather/air management arrangement of the Vectra lump ::) :-X

/panto mode

Ohh yes there is  ;D

/panto mode

Plastic is best, with gaskets fitted right way they will easily last 100k/10 years.

While he will need to use a longer neck filler to top up oil its not a big deal as for the breathers if they are cleaned often enough (and lets face it to the effort this guy has gone to im guessing he isnt going to neglect it) there is nothing wrong in fitting them to an omega.

The car was equipped with new dealer-fit cam covers just before I bought it, so I'll rob its original engine of the 'new' cam covers and fit them to the refreshed 3.2. I did, however, fit metal cam covers to my Mk3 Cavalier CDX V6. They're a great dress-up tool for a V6 engine bay, but I don't subscribe to the idea that they should be treated as a solution for preventing cam cover leaks. That said, I agree with the suggestion that metal cam covers shouldn't cause a problem providing that your engine's breathers are regularly cleaned out (thus not causing pressure build up elsewhere). As for the oil filler location...  :-X  ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 28 May 2015, 23:09:47
spent a while and a few cups of coffee reading this project thread and to say the least i'm not only inspired but impressed with the work gone into this :y

I have just bought a 2001 Elite 3.2 and I intend on stripping it and replacing as many parts as needed to make it as good as it can be, thanks to this thread I've got a few tips and a lot of encouragement so thank you and keep up the good work.

Will you be making it to PVS this june or are you not quite finished? I'll be there with another club but I would love to see yours and may be get a few tips.

Thanks for the positive feedback! I was hoping to have the car ready for PVS and/or Billing, but I've spent quite a bit of time toying with my other automotive projects - as well as working seven days a week - which has resulted in slow progress on the MV6 (not helped by the fact that I'm spending a lot of time trying to do every job as thoroughly as I can). The car is supposed to be ferrying me around Europe in August, so that's my new deadline. Even so, I'm picking up yet another motor on Saturday, and I'm already resigning myself to the fact that the new arrival might be stepping in for the trip if things don't go according to plan in MV6world!
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 28 May 2015, 23:11:34
Bugger

(http://irmschermv6.com/images/P1240971.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: VXL V6 on 28 May 2015, 23:16:11
Recently had one replaced on my 2.6 as mine had cracked from both sides, looks like yours has suffered when clips from the scuttle have been removed judging by the position.

At least you can now get a Heat reflective, Rain sensor compatible screen fitted  ;)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 28 May 2015, 23:25:53
Recently had one replaced on my 2.6 as mine had cracked from both sides, looks like yours has suffered when clips from the scuttle have been removed judging by the position. At least you can now get a Heat reflective, Rain sensor compatible screen fitted  ;)

Yeah, 'every cloud' and all that...! The 'screen fitters are supposed to be coming tomorrow. I've opted for Pilkington rain-sensor-compatible glass to give me the option of retro-fitting the system at a later date.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 28 May 2015, 23:50:26
Looking good as usual Dan. Loving the latest progress!

Backatcha!
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 29 May 2015, 00:11:54
Recently had one replaced on my 2.6 as mine had cracked from both sides, looks like yours has suffered when clips from the scuttle have been removed judging by the position.

At least you can now get aHeat reflective, Rain sensor compatible screen fitted ;)
Currently on backorder from Vauxhall... Waiting for one for mine... Autoglass were threatening mid to late June :-\
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 29 May 2015, 10:56:12
Recently had one replaced on my 2.6 as mine had cracked from both sides, looks like yours has suffered when clips from the scuttle have been removed judging by the position.

At least you can now get aHeat reflective, Rain sensor compatible screen fitted ;)
Currently on backorder from Vauxhall... Waiting for one for mine... Autoglass were threatening mid to late June :-\

Mine was supposed to be fitted this morning (windscreen fitter was able to get hold of Pilkington green-tint, blue sunstrip, rain-sensor-friendly glass at a moment's notice). It's hammering down, and my garage is currently inhabited by an engine in bits, so I've rescheduled the appointment for next Weds.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: VXL V6 on 29 May 2015, 13:04:44
Hmmmm if it's Autoglass they won't obtain the genuine screen from Germany (three left), they'll fit a Pilkington 3rd party screen. As said I currently have a Pilkington heat reflective rain sensor screen in my 2.6 Elite (Obviously it's an Elite so has rain sensitive wipers), it took Autoglass three weeks to obtain - I believe Pilkington make them to order now.....

Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 08 June 2015, 10:43:15
A new Pilkington heat-reflective, rain-sensor compatible, tinted windscreen was ready to install within hours of my order being placed (there seemed little point in going through my insurer, only for me to have to stump up an excess that wasn't a million miles away from the total cost of the windscreen when bought privately (and then there's the threat of an increased premium as a result of the claim etc.). IMHO, insurance companies are often more hassle than they're worth!):

(http://irmschermv6.com/images/P1050390.jpg)

The cause of the quickly-spreading crack in the original glass was identified as delamination stemming from a hidden/broken chip. Dirt, dust and leaves had settled on the car's windscreen wipers prior to removal!:

(http://irmschermv6.com/images/P1050396.jpg)

My local windscreen fitter set to work:

(http://irmschermv6.com/images/P1050394.jpg)

(http://irmschermv6.com/images/P1050397.jpg)

(http://irmschermv6.com/images/P1050400.jpg)

(http://irmschermv6.com/images/P1050402.jpg)

Tadaa!

(http://irmschermv6.com/images/P1050413.jpg)

(http://irmschermv6.com/images/P1050412.jpg)

Rain sensor kit mounting point (the original rear-view mirror will happily sit here until I get around to sourcing the parts required for the update):

(http://irmschermv6.com/images/P1050426.jpg)

(http://irmschermv6.com/images/P1050437.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Phil L on 21 June 2015, 17:36:44
Makes fascinating reading, thanks
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 22 June 2015, 12:46:25
Makes fascinating reading, thanks

Thanks Phil. Apologies for the lack of update over the past couple of weeks (I've been laid up with flu-like symptoms and my 'puter blew up). Normal service will resume shortly! :P

BTW, I see that you're a Hitchinite. I assume that you enjoyed Riddims over the weekend?! ;)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Phil L on 22 June 2015, 20:36:52
Hitchin Yes, Rythyms no - although my 3 kids went so we had a bit of peace & quiet at home !
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 25 June 2015, 18:40:15
The new issue of Performance Vauxhall is sitting on newsstands, and with it comes the latest #irmscherMV6 project update. Grab the mag in WHSmith/Tesco, or click here to download/subscribe: http://is.gd/i0TWgl (http://is.gd/i0TWgl)  ;)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/PV002.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Phil L on 25 June 2015, 19:20:32
Do you have a planned completion date or is it a project for life ?  ;)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 25 June 2015, 19:44:56
Do you have a planned completion date or is it a project for life ?  ;)

 ;D  ;D  ;D

Believe it or not, I was hoping to have the car back together by now in order for it to ferry me around Europe in August. Unfortunately, work and my other automotive projects (Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II, classic Saab 900 Aero S Turbo, Cavalier Turbo 4x4) have been keeping me from making decent progress on the MV6, but I'm sure all will come good in the end. Anyway, what's the rush?!  :D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Phil L on 25 June 2015, 19:54:14
Quite. Be nice to see the finished article though...
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 05 August 2015, 10:12:42
Apologies for the lack of recent project updates, but rest assured that work has been continuing 'behind the scenes'. Proof, if proof were needed, can be found in the new issue of Performance Vauxhall magazine (which comes loaded with the latest goings-on from the #irmscherMV6 camp). Raid the newsstands in WHSmith, Tesco etc., or grab your copy by downloading/subscribing here: http://is.gd/lLkpR5 (http://is.gd/lLkpR5)  ;)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/PV003.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: MV6Matt on 11 August 2015, 14:55:23
Got PV yesterday and smiled when I saw the article.
 :)
I've had several chats with Sew about brake upgrades (and of course the manual conversion). ::)

Are you hoping to add the extra 2 cylinders like Chris? 8)

in admiration,

Matthew
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 21 September 2015, 22:55:05
Got PV yesterday and smiled when I saw the article.
 :)
I've had several chats with Sew about brake upgrades (and of course the manual conversion). ::)

Are you hoping to add the extra 2 cylinders like Chris? 8)

in admiration,

Matthew

Hi Matt. I'm not planning on heading down the V8 route, but never say never...!  :P
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 21 September 2015, 22:55:52
With plans to fit a more powerful engine further down the line, I was keen to source a hefty set of anchors for the MV6. My first instinct was to look at off-the-shelf solutions. Discussions with various companies at home and abroad revealed a number of bolt-on options that I could take advantage of, but I couldn’t help but get the sense that I was being offered ‘show brakes’ in place of some serious stopping power.

Anyone interested in motorsport will know that professional racing teams tend to equip their cars with Brembo, AP Racing or Alcon brake kits. If the output of these manufacturers is good enough for contesting championship title races, then I’m pretty sure that it will be fine for my trusty ol’ Vauxhall! Needless to say, I began to draw up a list of OEM brake kits as supplied by ‘the big three’ to European premium car makers.

BMW E38 four-piston Brembos and Lotus Carlton AP Racing calipers quickly appeared at the top of my hit list, but a chat with Seweryn Sidor (a fellow Irmscher-kitted Griffin owner and proprietor of Cambridgeshire-based Vauxhall specialist, SOS Automotive) opened my eyes to the giant six-piston Brembo stoppers fitted to Porsche Cayenne Turbos. Furthermore, Sew reckoned that he could supply me with suitable caliper brackets made out of aerospace grade billet aluminium. Top banana!

An eBay search produced a reasonably priced – if badly painted – pair of Cayenne Turbo six-pots, and I made contact with EBC Brakes when sourcing pads and rotors. The British firm is a world leader when it comes to the supply and manufacture of precision discs and performance pads, and the EBC team couldn’t have been more helpful when it came to selecting parts that would suit my custom brake kit.

EBC Ultimax Audi A8 Quattro 360mm slotted discs and Cayenne Turbo Yellowstuff pads landed on my doorstep a short while later. As expected, the MV6’s hubs needed to be modified in order to accept the discs (another trip to Sew’s was in order!), but I’m pleased to report that everything bolted into place without issue during a subsequent first fitting session. Well, almost without issue...

The Porker runs 350mm discs, and its six-pot Brembos have a tolerance that will allow for 356mm discs under 18-inch rims. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I was pushing my luck with 360mm rotors! I’m determined to get the parts to work alongside one another without complaint, though. A trip back to the machine shop will follow this update. I’m confident in my assumption that success will be the order of the day, and I’ll start overhauling the rear brakes as soon as I’ve got the fronts behaving and painted in a fetching shade of yellow. Watch this space!

THANKS

EBC Brakes
01604 583344
http://www.ebcbrakes.com (http://www.ebcbrakes.com)

SOS Automotive
01480 700655
http://www.sos-automotive.com (http://www.sos-automotive.com)

Yup, they should stop it:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1050766.jpg)

Custom caliper brackets:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1050751.jpg)

Koyo front wheel bearing assemblies. These were modified in order to allow for the use of Audi-fitment EBC discs:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1050755.jpg)

Talking of which...

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1050752.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1050799.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1050791.jpg)

Test fit with new pad fitting hardware:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1050840.jpg)

I'm really pleased with the outcome of this part of the project. Well, apart from the whole 'disc too big for the caliper' bit! Further modification will follow, and the front and rear calipers will be stripped back and powdercoated yellow before being rebuilt with all new seals etc.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1050844b.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: SMD on 21 September 2015, 23:49:01
I first noticed this project 2-3 months ago and have been following it since. It's a serious amount of money going into this project! Is there a finish in sight? What are your plans for it when it is finally 'complete'?
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 22 September 2015, 20:41:00
I first noticed this project 2-3 months ago and have been following it since. It's a serious amount of money going into this project! Is there a finish in sight? What are your plans for it when it is finally 'complete'?

I've just returned from a 'seven countries in seven days' tour of Europe in Mrs Humbucker's modified classic Saab 900 S 16-valve turbo convertible. My intention is to pilot the MV6 along the same route. I have plans for the car after that event, but I have a total of five automotive projects on the go right now - plus an ever-increasing workload and a house renovation - meaning that MV6 project progress is at the mercy of whatever challenges my other motors see fit to throw at me! Watch this space! :P
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 11 October 2015, 22:38:28
The latest Irmscher MV6 project update has hit newsstands. Hoorah! I've been busy beavering away with VXR suspension bits, upgraded rear brakes and an in-car refrigerator (of course), but I did get the MV6's fuel injectors reconditioned before attempting to keep my coke cool. Ahem.

Read all about my fuel-related fun by picking up a copy of the latest edition of Performance Vauxhall magazine. You can raid the newsstands in WHSmith, Tesco etc., or download/subscribe at the following link: http://is.gd/Ns0PRD (http://is.gd/Ns0PRD)  ;)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/PV004.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 11 October 2015, 22:43:20
.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 21 October 2015, 09:39:58
Courtenay Sport protective seat covers. Each one adds at least 20bhp to the host vehicle. That's 5bhp more than if they had 'Regal' printed on them.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMG_4398.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 31 October 2015, 21:11:24
Buying car parts through necessity rather than choice can be a frustrating exercise, but almost every failed, tired or broken automotive component presents an opportunity to upgrade with a vastly improved replacement item (that’s what I’ve been telling myself, anyway!). A prime example of this train of thought comes in the form of my MV6’s nifty new windscreen.

I noticed a hairline crack stemming from a delaminating nearside bottom corner of the car’s factory glass while I was tidying its neighbouring engine bay. Spreading at an alarming rate, the damage was soon making its way up and across the body of the windscreen. As I had no choice but to source a suitable replacement, I softened the blow by getting hold of new glass complete with fittings for a variable speed windscreen wiper rain sensor kit. A kindly Vectra C donated its rain sensor, interior mirror, wiring and plastic housing to the cause, and I’m looking forward to seeing this novelty feature in action as soon as the car is up and running.

Talking of which, I’ve been sourcing plenty of new parts for the MV6’s Y32SE engine; both cylinder heads have been stripped, cleaned and rebuilt with new valve stem seals, and I enlisted the assistance of the guys at Injectortune when it came to refreshing the 3.2-litre lump’s Bosch fuel injectors.

Over time, dust particles and other contaminants can cause injectors to run below their full potential, and spray patterns can be vastly affected by loose matter floating around a car’s fuel system. Injectortune stripped, ultrasonically cleaned and rebuilt each of my injectors (complete with new filters and o-rings) before shipping them back to me with a ‘before and after’ report highlighting the improved static flow of each unit. Better still, a forward leak detected on injector number two has now been completely eradicated thanks to this excellent cleaning process, and I already know that smoother engine operation and quicker response is a given thanks to the exact same work carried out on the injectors of my V6-equipped Mk3 Cavalier CDX a few years ago. Nice!

Meanwhile, parts continue to pile up as I tinker: a new GM header tank, oil cooler kit, throttle body gaskets, oil filter screw plug, coolant temperature sensor, triple layer steel head gaskets and various performance filters and fluids are ready to roll, as are the car’s Falken-wrapped refurbished 18-inch staggered Irmscher Sport Stars. I’ve also been amassing a collection of interior upgrades (including a Signum Elite in-car refrigerator, a factory-option double DIN head unit with integrated satellite navigation and a full-colour information dash display) and I’m determined to fit a variety of trick Monaro VXR suspension parts to the car. I suppose I’d better crack on, eh?!

THANKS

Injectortune
http://www.injectortune.co.uk (http://www.injectortune.co.uk)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMG_3611.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1150549.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/mv6-injectortune-report.jpg)

Old filters and o-rings were returned with the refurbished injectors:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1150546.jpg)

Yuk:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240962.jpg)

Old and new valve stem seals. Can you tell which is which?!  :p

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060312.jpg)

Job done:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMG_3634.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 01 November 2015, 20:15:05
Heads during the cleaning process:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060318.jpg)

Fitting the stem seals:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060322.jpg)

A small socket was used to push them into place:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060323.jpg)

Refurbished fuel injector spray nozzle(s):

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1150553.jpg)

Triple layer metal head gasket(s):

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060878.jpg)

New genuine sealants:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060378.jpg)

New oil cooler kit:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060360.jpg)

And fitted:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060867.jpg)

New water pump and seal:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060390.jpg)

Cleaned coolant bridge bolts and new seals (right):

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060379.jpg)

Courtenay Sport cool running thermostat in brand new genuine GM 'stat housing:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060870.jpg)

New genuine coolant pipe and sealing rings:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060873.jpg)

New head bolts:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060337.jpg)

Heads on:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060885.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 01 November 2015, 21:22:47
'Scooz me for being a bit fick here but ..... metal headgaskets....? Is there a reason as to why you are fitting these or is it that they are just 'better' than the other type...?

If theyre better than the other type and are a good upgrade..... any chance of a link as to where to purchase them from...?

BTW - why fit the cool running thermostat...? no need for fitting that in this country unless you are planning on taking it to warmer places regularly...?

All looking good BTW and I wish I had your contacts for parts....
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 01 November 2015, 22:01:02
'Scooz me for being a bit fick here but ..... metal headgaskets....? Is there a reason as to why you are fitting these or is it that they are just 'better' than the other type...?

If theyre better than the other type and are a good upgrade..... any chance of a link as to where to purchase them from...?

BTW - why fit the cool running thermostat...? no need for fitting that in this country unless you are planning on taking it to warmer places regularly...?

All looking good BTW and I wish I had your contacts for parts....

Multi-layer steel head gaskets usually consist of two to five sheets of sandwiched spring or carbon steel. They are claimed to offer higher sealing potential than composite gaskets (which is why they are present on the majority of modern engines). For improved sealing of gasses and liquids, beads around the combustion chambers and oil/coolant passages increase the local sealing pressure (macro sealing), while full-surface or partial elastomer coatings provide additional sealing tightness (micro sealing).

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/mls-hg.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Steve B on 01 November 2015, 22:39:52
I find this thread better than watching porn  :D :D :D :D

May i ask how much its cost so far on this great project  :y   
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 02 November 2015, 07:11:17
Thanks for that, bit where do I get these from...?
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 02 November 2015, 09:28:59
3.2 left the factory with multi layer metal gaskets fitted, so hardly a new idea ::)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 02 November 2015, 09:32:27
Thanks for that, bit where do I get these from...?

I bought mine from http://stores.ebay.co.uk/THE-GASKET-SHOP (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/THE-GASKET-SHOP)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 02 November 2015, 09:33:07
I find this thread better than watching porn  :D :D :D :D May i ask how much its cost so far on this great project  :y

Thanks for the positive feedback. And yes, you may.  ;) :D ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: P6UL K on 02 November 2015, 10:18:43
3.2 left the factory with multi layer metal gaskets fitted, so hardly a new idea ::)

I was gonna say that  :P
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 03 November 2015, 08:17:05
New idea or not, this may help with mine constantly needing HG's replaceing... cheap parts etc... go me out of a ruddy rut when I needed it to...

Will they fit a 2.5....?
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 03 November 2015, 12:21:47
New idea or not, this may help with mine constantly needing HG's replaceing... cheap parts etc... go me out of a ruddy rut when I needed it to...

Will they fit a 2.5....?

I don't know the background to your problem, but you might want to check for imperfections on your block and cylinder head surfaces if you're getting through HGs at a rate of knots?
I might be wrong, but I think I'm right in saying that these particular gaskets won't be suitable for your engine due to bore size differences. Look for equivalent gaskets that are specifically for the 2.5-litre engine.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 03 November 2015, 14:26:31
Mine is using water again, which can only be the HG's need replaceing - again...

It doesn't overheat, but does use water...

I think next time I get around to replaceing them, I might get the heads skimmed...

Thanks for the input though fella :)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 03 November 2015, 19:01:49
With one of my donor engines becoming the MV6's new powerplant, I decided to start stripping the car's original Y32SE. It kindly donated its 'G' cams and enough perfectly functioning hydraulic lifters to ensure that I had exactly 24 fully operational parts laid out in front of me. Lucky, huh?!

Let’s get stripping!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060305.jpg)

OOF cambelt video proved useful as a point of reference:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060818.jpg)

Ugh! That is one horrid milky mess!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060821.jpg)

Never mind. We all know what we’re here for!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060826.jpg)

Both ‘G’ cams removed and cleaned:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060841.jpg)

These are the lifters that were taken out of the car’s new engine. As you can see, I have put the working examples in the tub on the left. Clearly, there were more bad than good:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240394.jpg)

This is what I was left with after raiding the car’s original engine – 24 good and 24 ‘sticky’ lifters. A close call! At one point, it looked as though I was gonna have to raid another of my spare Y32SEs!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060850.jpg)

Squeezing the old oil and milky mank out of each of the good lifters. This took an absolute age:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060845.jpg)

With each lifter finally free of any obvious/readily removable contaminants, the parts were left to soak in petrol in an effort to break down any remaining deposits. I’ll prime each lifter with fresh oil before installation. Pics to follow.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060865.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Bojan on 04 November 2015, 12:50:11
Hi,

this is one fascinating thread, especially on the amount of effort put in this project.
I really like the 'while it's out, let's do all' approach to the engine replacement. Although it's demanding in parts and labour at first, it's a very comforting to know that you will not need to work in a tigh engine bay for a while. IMO, replacing all parts that usually can fail when the engine is out, is the best way to do it.

What did you use to paint the engine block? How many miles the replacement engine has? Is there any wear noticable on the bores?
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 04 November 2015, 14:31:08
Hi Bojan. Thanks for the positive feedback. Yes, it makes sense to swap out every part that might cause problems later down the line, but I have to balance that with the fact that I have incredibly limited free time at my disposal, meaning that the project drags on that much further each time that I decide to play about with it. There is definitely something to be said for the 'rough and ready' approach that sees a car up and running without concern for the quality of its component parts (worry about it later and just enjoy the thrill of driving!), but then again, I'm not under pressure to get my MV6 on the road by any particular deadline. Besides, I'm having a lot of fun with the car and I'm learning new things along the way, which I'm sure you will agree is the point of a project like this. For those that have been kind enough to show an interest, I'll continue to post updates whenever evenings and weekends allow me enough time to tinker.

I used Hammerite 'Direct To Rust' paint for the block, gearbox, propshaft etc. Each part needed a few coats (four in the case of the propshaft) to ensure complete coverage.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 04 November 2015, 15:17:18
Humbucker, I have read this thread with great interest, and sorry to say it makes what I'm trying to do with my old girl look like wiping over Monet's Waterlillies with a damp rag, in comparison.  :) However, I try and do the research where I can, in case budget allows it. Along the way I found (and have used) Rustbuster 121 Mastic. The name sounds both 'JML Shopping Channel' and 'flash in the pan gimmick' at the same time, however it really is high quality stuff. Just wondering if you'd heard of, or considered it on your travels, as it is speifically formulated to work in areas prone to stone chips, salt erosion etc. Basically the underneath of a car or the an offshore oil rig  :y

Keep up the good work,  :)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 04 November 2015, 21:48:03
Hi DBG. Thanks for the kind words.

Yes, I know of Rustbuster. The company advertises in Retro Cars magazine (one of the other titles that I write for). I think I'm right in saying that Rustbuster's workshops are in Spalding.

I'm admin over at the Mk3 Cavalier Owners Club forum http://www.vauxhallcavalier.com (http://www.vauxhallcavalier.com). One of our members, Telegram Sam, recently took his pre-facelift SRi hatchback to Rustbuster in order for the car to be subjected to one of the firm's in-house multi-stage rustproofing treatments. He is very pleased with the results, so much so that I'm tempted to take a wander to over to Spalding as soon as the MV6 is up and running. The 121 epoxy mastic that you mention gets great reviews.

"It gave the best anti-corrosion results with no visible signs of rusting along the panel or the score mark - tough enough for a stand alone chassis coating" - OnTest Verdict in Practical Classics
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 04 November 2015, 22:35:08
A sneak peek of what's been happening at The Wheel Genie. Yup, you're looking at my staggered Irmscher Sport Stars getting a lick of BMW E39 M5 Chrome Shadow paint following a comprehensive restoration procedure. More to follow :)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/wheelgenie1.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 28 December 2015, 19:45:05
I'm currently sifting through a load of photos in advance of updating this project thread. In the meantime, my latest published progress report can be seen in the new issue of Performance Vauxhall magazine. Pop along to Tesco, WHSmith etc. or download by clicking here (https://pocketmags.com/viewmagazine.aspx?catid=1030&category=Aviation+%26+Transport&subcatid=189&subcategory=Automotive&title=Performance+Vauxhall&titleid=2287&issueid=108819).

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/mv6-PVDecJan16sm2.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: chuftsmv6 on 03 January 2016, 22:51:56
Hi there it's Looking very impressive I can't even imagine how many hours of hard work
Is going into this project well done mate  :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 03 January 2016, 23:33:27
Hi there it's Looking very impressive I can't even imagine how many hours of hard work
Is going into this project well done mate  :y

Cheers mate. Most of the time that I'm with the car seems to be spent cleaning mucky engine and chassis components! Fortunately, my other motors are on hand to keep my spirits up whenever I sense the onset of boredom, hehehe!
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: ted_one on 04 January 2016, 18:30:22
Am planning to take all three cars up to Rustbuster in the coming months, and possibly I'll be able to report back as to the results on the Omegas.I have done some underbody treatment with Bilt Hamber S80 but for me the Rustbuster method seems thorough and they have repair facilities for that unseen problem once the strip down is done.Also I hope to possibly incorporate a visit to Sereks place on the way back after each treatment if the need for his services arise.Looking forward to a busy summer and getting all the last bits of fettling done :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 04 January 2016, 23:32:47
Am planning to take all three cars up to Rustbuster in the coming months, and possibly I'll be able to report back as to the results on the Omegas.I have done some underbody treatment with Bilt Hamber S80 but for me the Rustbuster method seems thorough and they have repair facilities for that unseen problem once the strip down is done.Also I hope to possibly incorporate a visit to Sereks place on the way back after each treatment if the need for his services arise.Looking forward to a busy summer and getting all the last bits of fettling done :y

Good shout. I'm probably going to give them a call regarding the underside of my Silver Shadow II. Did I mention to you that one of the lads at http://www.vauxhallcavalier.com (http://www.vauxhallcavalier.com) recently had his SRi's chassis protected by Rustbuster? I think he's heading back in March for another round of whatever it is they did to his car during his previous visit.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: chuftsmv6 on 05 January 2016, 19:55:12
Hi there it's Looking very impressive I can't even imagine how many hours of hard work
Is going into this project well done mate  :y

Cheers mate. Most of the time that I'm with the car seems to be spent cleaning mucky engine and chassis components! Fortunately, my other motors are on hand to keep my spirits up whenever I sense the onset of boredom, hehehe!

Hi yeah I definitely no what you mean I spent 5 years doing my conversion
And nearlly gave up on it a few times lol it was hard spending all that time and money
And not being able to drive and enjoy it. I'm glad I percivierd and finished it. I'm looking forward
To seeing yours all finished good luck with it :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 05 January 2016, 20:46:01
Hi there it's Looking very impressive I can't even imagine how many hours of hard work
Is going into this project well done mate  :y

Cheers mate. Most of the time that I'm with the car seems to be spent cleaning mucky engine and chassis components! Fortunately, my other motors are on hand to keep my spirits up whenever I sense the onset of boredom, hehehe!

Hi yeah I definitely no what you mean I spent 5 years doing my conversion
And nearlly gave up on it a few times lol it was hard spending all that time and money
And not being able to drive and enjoy it. I'm glad I percivierd and finished it. I'm looking forward
To seeing yours all finished good luck with it :y

Yours is a tidy conversion. You must be dead chuffed that it's up and running without fault. I need to get into the habit of posting pictures of my progress at the point that I'm doing the work. I've got a trillion photos to sift through now. Sheesh. Oh well, here goes...!
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: chuftsmv6 on 05 January 2016, 20:57:49
Thanks it's been a lot of graft thow lol.
Yeah i to have loads of pictures to put together sometime in the near future lol.
it has been surprisingly very reliable I am really happy with the progress. it's stored away at the moment while I Make a new full exhaust system for it because the original is to small
And it's in desperate need of a new suspension. it will be back out in a couple
Months I reckon and hopefully will be running alittle more boost so that will be exciting lol  ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 05 January 2016, 23:28:42
As you can probably tell from one of my previous posts, I didn't realise that the engine's hydraulic lifters could be dismantled! Anyway, after squeezing all of the cak out of them, I ended up pulling them apart and giving them a wipe clean for good measure. If only I'd known that was possible before I started getting busy with them! Doh!

I decided to remove the car's rear brake calipers so that they can be stripped and powdercoated to match the six-pot Brembos at the front. The pipe nuts were having none of it and registered their disapproval by snapping my brake spanner. Sheesh. I ended up cutting the brake pipes to get the calipers off! I'll make some replacement pipes when the calipers are ready to go back on.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060295.jpg)

What a mess!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMG_3695.jpg)

I added a new genuine fuel filter while I was digging around at the back of the car. And why not, eh?!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060291.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 06 January 2016, 00:12:36
I've got loads of genuine GM screw-on oil filters in my arsenal of service parts due to the fact that I've owned a succession of Cavalier Turbos. It made sense to ditch the MV6's permacanister and convert the filter type to that of the Cavaliers.

Canister removed:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070093.jpg)

Spin-on connector and permanent threadlock:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070053.jpg)

Fitted:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070055.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070125.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070085.jpg)

I also installed a TX Autosport magnetic sump plug. Tried and tested on my Cavaliers:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070075.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: chuftsmv6 on 06 January 2016, 03:10:24
Wow that must of been one hell of a seized bolt lol  ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 06 January 2016, 07:34:52
Wow that must of been one hell of a seized bolt lol  ;D

No amount of lubricating fluid, heat or 'gentle persuasion' would shift it. Bah!
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 06 January 2016, 07:50:00
Cam caps were left to soak before being cleaned.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070044.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070064.jpg)

Cam cap bolts were given the same treatment:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070070.jpg)

Hulk juice:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070086.jpg)

New exhaust manifold studs:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070046.jpg)

G cams, cam seals, cam caps, cleaned alternator, exhaust studs, new water pump, new 'stat and new coolant transfer pipe in place:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070088.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 06 January 2016, 08:10:21
More breakage!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060890.jpg)

Gawd bless the lifetime guarantee that Halfords applies to its tools!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070094.jpg)

A very mucky rear timing cover. It cleaned up a treat with a bit of elbow grease.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070041.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070042.jpg)

New genuine GM timing kit. Let the fun and games begin...   >:(

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070095.jpg)

Success, but only after what seemed like a zillion attempts at getting each and every timing mark lined up correctly. Thanks must go to Serek for providing me with reassurance when I contacted him for a sanity check!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070100.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070101.jpg)

The car's previous owner bought brand new cam covers direct from Vauxhall shortly before he sold up in favour of a new Insignia. Time to give 'em a clean before fitting all new gaskets.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070060.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070134.jpg)

The original cam cover bolts were a beyond their best. I bought replacements in the form of nifty caphead bolts and matching washers.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070225.jpg)

Hey presto!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070237.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Muroman on 06 January 2016, 08:27:08
This is like my dream project really :) It's so nice follow up what you do and see some new things that I thought couldn't be possible. Absolutely nice everything  :y

It's the thing that you do for yourself and it comes up just as you want, that is so nice feeling when you do that and that's why I do it myself too :)

-Mika
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 06 January 2016, 09:26:10
This is like my dream project really :) It's so nice follow up what you do and see some new things that I thought couldn't be possible. Absolutely nice everything  :y

It's the thing that you do for yourself and it comes up just as you want, that is so nice feeling when you do that and that's why I do it myself too :)

-Mika

Hi Mika. You're right, although the problem with doing it yourself is finding the time, something which seems to be in short supply these days!  ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 06 January 2016, 09:30:29
Airbox opened up, cleaned and equipped with a new K&N panel filter.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070246.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070248.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070249.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 06 January 2016, 10:02:17
A set of new spark plugs gifted to me by OOF member, Tomoco:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070120.jpg)

The coil pack rubber sleeves (or whatever you want to call them) were bit grubby. Degreaser at the ready!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070255.jpg)

Nicely done:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070259.jpg)

New zinc-plated bolts and washers for the coil packs:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070270.jpg)

The donor engine's exhaust manifold heat shields were really filthy. I scrubbed them with a sponge and degreaser before testing some Autobrite Direct 'Metalworx' polish to see if the parts could be restored in any way. There isn't much that can be done about the pitting in the metal, but the heat shields are now a lot brighter than they were before I started playing with them. They would probably look even better if I'd had more time to spare. Meh!

I also fitted all new exhaust manifold nuts and cleaned the heat shield bolts before installation:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070264.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070265.jpg)

Coil packs and shiny bits in place:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070275.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 06 January 2016, 10:58:45
I love that, though this is a project that's no doubt being pretty cruel to your bank balance, there's a squillion things which many, many a restorer would simply not care about or bother with. You're cleaning bolts before, bulling up shields, getting everything as good as it can be, not as good as it needs to be. An absolute inspiration, and keep keeping us updated with the progress.  :)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 06 January 2016, 13:16:49
I love that, though this is a project that's no doubt being pretty cruel to your bank balance, there's a squillion things which many, many a restorer would simply not care about or bother with. You're cleaning bolts before, bulling up shields, getting everything as good as it can be, not as good as it needs to be. An absolute inspiration, and keep keeping us updated with the progress.  :)

Thanks for the words of encouragement! Knowing how long scrubbing and cleaning these parts has taken (so far), I'll probably send all of the bits and bobs for my LET build off to be blasted/powdercoated/tidied/plated. That plan of action will result in a better finish too (not that I'm going for anything other than a fairly clean car this time around).
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 06 January 2016, 13:20:42
Guinness 'Death Star' chocolates. An essential 'tool' when it comes to tinkering with V6 engines! WIN!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060828.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060925.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 06 January 2016, 13:26:11
I scrolled straight to the bottom of the page and saw what I thought was part of a nylon ball and socket joint... didn't recosnise it as being from an Omega...maybe part of the heater flaps system..... scroll up a bit - oh, hang on, it's Guinness Chocolate  ::) ::) ::) ::)  :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 06 January 2016, 13:48:14
Hahahaha!
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 06 January 2016, 13:48:38
Oil filler neck and cap spruced up and fitted:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070280.jpg)

Time to sort the lower inlet fanimolds and fuel rail. Lower induction flange cleaned and treated to new gaskets (both sides):

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070258.jpg)

Fuel rail stripped of its injectors, loom and fuel pressure regulator before being cleaned:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070288.jpg)

Done:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070290.jpg)

VAG 4bar fuel pressure regulator:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070296.jpg)

Cleaned and painted lower inlet manifold:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070286.jpg)

Reassembled with ultransonically cleaned and serviced fuel injectors:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070297.jpg)

New genuine lower manifold gaskets:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070301.jpg)

All bolted into place with freshly cleaned bolts, a cleaned loom, cleaned injector plugs etc.:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070303.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: chuftsmv6 on 06 January 2016, 17:37:14
You can eat your dinner of that engine lol excellent work you must have
Loads of patience it is truly amazing how much effort you are going into
It will be one hell of clean car. It would make a gorgeous show car and pretty rare especially
With all the extra trim aswell I look forward to the seeing finishing product  :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 07 January 2016, 09:23:15
What paint did you use for the lower inlet manofold? It looks exactly like freshly cast alloy, absolutely bang on OEM look (which I very much like/aim for myself)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 07 January 2016, 15:27:43
What paint did you use for the lower inlet manofold? It looks exactly like freshly cast alloy, absolutely bang on OEM look (which I very much like/aim for myself)

I cleaned all surfaces with either carb cleaner or Hellshine 'The Fire' degreaser (depending on surface type) before painting with Hammerite 'Direct To Rust'. I used the same stuff on the engine block and the car's soon-to-be-installed manual gearbox. Incidentally, yellow DTR is a perfect match for Bilstein's OE paint! I'll post pictures to prove my claim later today.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 07 January 2016, 18:13:14
What paint did you use for the lower inlet manofold? It looks exactly like freshly cast alloy, absolutely bang on OEM look (which I very much like/aim for myself)

I cleaned all surfaces with either carb cleaner or Hellshine 'The Fire' degreaser (depending on surface type) before painting with Hammerite 'Direct To Rust'. I used the same stuff on the engine block and the car's soon-to-be-installed manual gearbox. Incidentally, yellow DTR is a perfect match for Bilstein's OE paint! I'll post pictures to prove my claim later today.

My mistake. It was Hellshine 'The Demon' that I used on oily/mucky bits  :y

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1210336.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 07 January 2016, 18:23:26
DTR silver and black metal paint used on/in the gearbox and propshaft:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMAG0644.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1240406.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 07 January 2016, 19:35:04
I’m going to go out on a limb and make the argument that the Monaro is essentially a high-powered Omega coupé (after all, the Aussie brute was based on the Omega’s antipodean siblings, the Holden Commodore VT and VX). A similar train of thought led me to consider the possibility of fitting Monaro parts to my MV6, and it ultimately resulted in the purchase of Whiteline polyurethane front top mounts designed for the VXR edition Monaro and its successor, the utterly bonkers VXR8.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060400.jpg)

My pondering paid off – the brilliant black bushes are exactly the same shape and size as my car’s factory top mounts. Hoorah! Whiteline claims that installing these performance parts improves the host vehicle’s steering response and handling abilities under load, primarily thanks to top-notch build quality, a strengthened integrated bearing and polyurethane’s resistance to fatigue. I look forward to putting the parts through their paces.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060413.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060402.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060404.jpg)

I promptly removed the MV6’s Bilstein B8 Sprint shortened dampers and Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs in order to fit the seriously solid top mounts, and I took the opportunity to replace my car’s tired top mount covers with freshly powdercoated parts at the same time. The sparkly silver stunners were intended for my Cavalier Turbo 4x4 (http://www.vauxhallcavalier.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=14720) (http://www.vauxhallcavalier.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=14720)) , but I was encouraged to make use of them sooner rather than later after noticing that GM had used the same factory parts on the Omega.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060424.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060421.jpg)

The Bilstein kit’s nearby drop links had seen better days, and they certainly didn’t want to be budged without putting up a fight. This gave me all the excuse that I needed to free them with a hacksaw before contacting TFS Motorsport with a request for a pair of the firm’s ‘Aluminati’ anodised adjustable drop links. These made-to-order components offer a 40mm adjustment range with a larger-than-OE uprated ball joint in a bronze housing designed for smooth, precise steering transition on lowered street or track cars. Hardened cap head bolts, anodised washers and nylock nuts are also key features of these radiant red parts, and full adjustment can be applied after fitting without the need for removal. Top banana!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060399.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMG_3946-tfs.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060430.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060431.jpg)

The keen-eyed among you will have noticed the chipped paintwork at the top of my offside front Billy (pictured in an earlier post on this project thread):

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1050840.jpg)

For anyone that is looking to tidy their own Bilstein dampers, Hammerite 'Direct To Rust' yellow metal paint is a perfect match for ze German manufacturer's signature colour. I've used silver and black DTR to great effect on various engine and transmission components (see my earlier posts), and I thought I'd take a punt on the yellow variant in the hope of it being a good colour match for the chipped paint. I wasn't disappointed:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060440.jpg)

Front Bilstein dampers built back up with their powdercoated top mount covers, Whiteline polyurethane top mounts, Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs and TFS Motorsport anodised adjustable drop links. Oh, and nice new yellow paint:  ;D

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060473.jpg)

THANKS

TFS Motorsport
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/TFSMotorsport (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/TFSMotorsport)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 09 January 2016, 10:25:24
Reassembling the B8s also allowed me to remove the car’s new front wishbones and refit the Mk4 Astra GSi brake cooling ducts that I attached to them a short while ago. I wasn’t happy with the way that the Astra parts were sitting, resulting in a 12.5mm drill making its way through each wishbone so that I could hold the ducts in place with heavy duty stainless bolts, washers and nylock nuts.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060770.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060776.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060481.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060477.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: MV6Matt on 11 January 2016, 06:41:12
Continue to really enjoy this, and loking forward to seeing in the flesh.
Will you be at Billing or PVS this year?

Keep up the glorious work! :y :y
Matthew
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 11 January 2016, 09:00:41
Thanks for the info, the silver has a lovely 'matt' look to it, which is very pleasing on the eye, and I'll be looking into it when I come to my silver underneath bits  :)

Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 11 January 2016, 19:25:02
Continue to really enjoy this, and loking forward to seeing in the flesh. Will you be at Billing or PVS this year? Keep up the glorious work! :y :y Matthew

Yes, that's the plan (although I'm not sure what I'll be bombing about in due to each of my cars racing to be finished first!).

Thanks for the info, the silver has a lovely 'matt' look to it, which is very pleasing on the eye, and I'll be looking into it when I come to my silver underneath bits  :)

Glad to be of service. The silver works particularly well on mottled finishes (like that of the lower inlet manifold). I've just painted various pulleys, the car's a/c pump, mounts etc. in the same stuff. I think you can buy DTR in rattle can form too.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 11 January 2016, 19:25:24
My recent spat of suspension fettling finished with the addition of more polyurethane joy in the form of Powerflex exhaust mounts. Subscribers to this thread will recall seeing the rear end of my car already littered with these red bushes, but I noticed tired factory rubber located half way along the MV6’s exhaust system while I was working underneath it. The reduction in pipework movement after fitting the Powerflex parts is extraordinary, so much so that I’ve decided to continue the theme of playing with polyurethane bushes and parts for V8-powered Vauxhalls by ordering a set of Pedders Monaro VXR rear subframe mounts and a matching set of rear offset camber reduction bushes. Bonza!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060780.jpg)

Old and new side by side. Can you tell which is which?!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060795.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060808.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 20 January 2016, 08:52:52
Judging by the number of forum, text and Facebook messages that I've received from interested parties who want to know how to equip their pride and joy with a fridge, my guess is that many of you are already aware of the fact that my latest Irmscher MV6 project progress report has been published in the new edition of Performance Vauxhall magazine. For those that haven't seen it, click here to download/subscribe (https://pocketmags.com/viewmagazine.aspx?catid=1030&category=Aviation+%26+Transport&subcatid=189&subcategory=Automotive&title=Performance+Vauxhall&titleid=2287&issueid=121598)  :)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/mv6-PVFebMar16sm2.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: MV6Matt on 20 January 2016, 12:41:56
....blimey! Where on earth did you get that from? :o :o ???

Catera? (it looks like somethingh the americans would do.........)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 20 January 2016, 13:16:11
The fridge etc? Simply found in (some) Signums. Some clever person in marketing thought they could replace the Omega with a Vectra with an Astras bum. They were wrong.  :D

Definitely the best thing to come out of the Signum project from a design perspective. (Not knocking the Signum per se, just suffered from over-hype. If they'd called it the Vectra mini-estate, or Vectra Lifestyle, or something and priced it as such, then I'm sure it'd have sold well, instead they touted it as some kind of Lexus-beating super-luxury limousine to tempt people from their E-Classes - which simply did not happen.

There's a how to on here somewhere about wiring it in. Very nice bit of kit, with cupholders, tables etc...perfect for keeping back seat passengers entertained.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 20 January 2016, 15:03:37
The travel assistant is relatively readily available, however, the fitting kit is not. This fitting kit is essential as it contains the means of securely mounting it to the floor...
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: biggriffin on 23 January 2016, 10:31:39
The travel assistant is relatively readily available, however, the fitting  :D is not. This fitting kit is essential as it contains the means of securely mounting it to the floor...

Couple self tappers and a cable tie should do  ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 24 January 2016, 05:38:21
The travel assistant is relatively readily available, however, the fitting  :D is not. This fitting kit is essential as it contains the means of securely mounting it to the floor...

Couple self tappers and a cable tie should do  ;D
Right upto the point when it becomes a 15kg missile in the back of your head... ::)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 24 January 2016, 08:47:22
The fitting kit is no longer available to buy from dealers at home or abroad, but its component parts are available to order individually. If memory serves, kit equipment varies depending on application (Signum or Vectra C).
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: 05omegav6 on 24 January 2016, 09:41:12
The fitting kit is no longer available to buy from dealers at home or abroad, but its component parts are available to order individually. If memory serves, kit equipment varies depending on application (Signum or Vectra C).
That's correct... The floor mount is common to both, the rear mounting is different,  as are the bases ;)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 05 February 2016, 00:12:15
Not a huge amount to report since my last update. I've been grabbing an hour or two here and there to dismantle, clean and paint parts in advance of their return to active duty, but most of my free time has been spent working on the Cavaliers, Saabs, VXR, Roll-Royce etc. Still, progress is progress (however slow it may seem!).

The plastic of the front timing belt cover belonging to the engine that is going into the MV6 was cracked. I nabbed the same part off of one of my spare 3.2s and started scrubbing. Here's a photo taken before work began. Rank.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070251.jpg)

Various brackets, lift hooks, mounts and ancillaries were stripped, cleaned and painted. Here are some 'before and after' shots:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070392.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070544.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070395.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070496.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070340.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070389.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070315.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070316.jpg)

Don't forget the new o-ring!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070319.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070336.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070546.jpg)

Some other bits and bobs:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070536.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070406.jpg)

As a consequence of the work that I do for Japanese Performance magazine, Mrs Humbucker and I were whisked away to the Nurburgring by Honda in order to witness the celebrations surrounding the launch of the FK2 Civic Type R. We were treated to a three day binge of unlimited food, drink, World Touring Car Championship action, 24hr endurance racing, a chance to hit a lap of the 'Ring in between WTCC races, a loan of a Type R and bags full of Honda merchandise that included energy drinks endorsed by works driver, Tiago Monteiro. As Serek will tell you, I'm not a fan of energy drinks, but I thought I'd give this one a go as it was getting in the way on my workbench and I was out of coffee. Boy, did I get a lot done that afternoon!  :lol:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070547.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMG_0401.jpg)

New coolant bridge o-rings. These aftermarket items have a wider rubber gasket surface area than their OE counterparts:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070310.jpg)

Painted coolant bridge, brackets etc. Cleaned coolant pipe in place:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070330.jpg)

With the tidied parts (finally) attached to the engine, I couldn't help but feel that the previously-cleaned alternator housing looked a little scruffy... so I painted that too! The scrubbed front timing belt cover was fitted at the same time (complete with all new zinc-plated bolts):

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070545.jpg)

Powerflex purple polyurethane keyfob. This will provide the car with an additional 20bhp:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1070550.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: sjc on 05 February 2016, 09:13:16
If you ever need a loan of an Omega, mine could do with some detailing like that  :y

Seriously though, this is looking awesome.
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: P6UL K on 05 February 2016, 09:51:59
Meh... All looks ok so far, keep it up.  :D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: baggedestate on 17 February 2016, 08:03:57
Absolutely love this fella :) can't wait to actually see it all together and running :)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: humbucker on 09 April 2016, 20:10:11
I’m a sucker for factory cost-options. Whether its colour-screen infotainment systems, styling upgrades or equipment that has no apparent use, I’ve been keen to retrofit these oft-awesome accessories to each of my motors (even if the parts in question are for models other than those sat on my driveway). With that in mind, you can imagine my surprise when serial Performance Vauxhall feature car owner, Tom Cowles, showed me the genuine GM refrigerator that sits between the back seats of his Signum. There was no doubt about it – I had find a way to equip the rear of my MV6 with the same bit of kit!

In addition to its food and drink cooling capabilities, the Signum’s fridge includes retractable fold-out tables, multiple storage compartments, a duo of 12-volt power points and handy cup holders. Originally available to order in tan or black with cloth or leather-trimmed lids (and an option of integrated audio controls), this unusual component represents a feature that few Signum owners saw fit to request before collecting their new cars from dealer showrooms in period.

Fortunately, MIGweb forum user, Melv, had a tidy leather-clad example of the rare refrigerator collecting dust in his shed. He agreed to sell me the part, and he was also able to supply the required wiring loom.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060518.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060484.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060507.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060517.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060515.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060510.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060570.jpg)

Mount/cradle:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060523.jpg)

Fizzy pop on lockdown:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060494.jpg)

Rubber insert present and correct:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060497.jpg)

That all-important loom:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060525.jpg)

Of course, positioning a fridge that was designed to sit between Signum seats atop an MV6 rear bench proved tricky, not least of all because I had to be sure that the unit was secured firmly in order to prevent it from flying around my car’s cabin in the event of an accident! To that end, I ordered a genuine mounting bracket, bolts, screws and other Signum fitting equipment from my local Vauxhall parts desk before engaging in a process of trial and error that involved attacking my long-suffering Griffin’s carpet, underlay and middle arm rest hinges, as well as the drilling of bolt holes into the car’s transmission tunnel.

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060528.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060530.jpg)

This is how the loom attaches to the locking floor bracket:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060546.jpg)

Carpet and underlay cut, transmission tunnel drilled. I crawled beneath the car and sealed the holes and bolt ends that were showing after the work was complete. The MV6's propshaft acted as a bit of an obstacle (something that I guess Signum owners don't have to worry about!), but I got there in the end :

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060548.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060549.jpg)

Loom fed through from boot space and under seats/carpets:

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060554.jpg)

I’m delighted to be able to report that my MV6 is now fully fridged-up! And in case you were wondering whether or not the super Signum gear is removable, the use of a flip-down mounting-point lid conceals the main bracket and electrical connector that I’ve buried deep within the car’s carpet, allowing me to extract the refrigerator without leaving any mess behind. Neat!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060556.jpg)

Rear brackets need extending, but otherwise all good!

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMG_3993.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/IMG_4034.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060580.jpg)

(http://www.irmschermv6.com/images/P1060584.jpg)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: baggedestate on 11 April 2016, 14:39:04
that does look awesome dude :)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 20 April 2016, 16:31:12
Top work. Love the fact there's a flippy cover for the fittings/brackets too  :)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Dan282 on 22 April 2016, 16:52:48
loving the progress!
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Ever Ready on 23 April 2016, 17:39:40
Fabulous work just fabulous :y :y :y :y :y :y
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 26 April 2016, 20:57:47
I would give my left testicle for one of these fridgey thingymebobs.... and all fittings etc....
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: MV6Matt on 26 April 2016, 21:18:35
Top work. Love the fact there's a flippy cover for the fittings/brackets too  :)

...what he said
Great stuff
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: biggriffin on 27 April 2016, 16:04:53
I would give my left testicle for one of these fridgey thingymebobs.... and all fittings etc....

Stemo is actively looking, and will want your offer ;D   ;D
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: minifreek on 02 July 2016, 18:02:47
Im still looking for this kit too, with everything and not just the thing that sits on the seat.... :)
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: baggedestate on 02 July 2016, 19:05:03
ive got one for sale but only the fridge and base in cloth lol
Title: Re: humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6
Post by: Muroman on 18 July 2017, 11:58:16
Where is our updates? :)