humbucker's 2004 Irmscher MV6 #irmscherMV6

[humbucker]

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).

[05omegav6]

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

[humbucker]

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.



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

















Don't forget the new o-ring!







Some other bits and bobs:





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:





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



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



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):



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

[sjc]

If you ever need a loan of an Omega, mine could do with some detailing like that 

Seriously though, this is looking awesome.

[P6UL K]

Meh... All looks ok so far, keep it up. 

[baggedestate]

Absolutely love this fella can't wait to actually see it all together and running

[humbucker]

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.















Mount/cradle:



Fizzy pop on lockdown:



Rubber insert present and correct:



That all-important loom:



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.





This is how the loom attaches to the locking floor bracket:



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 :





Loom fed through from boot space and under seats/carpets:



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!



Rear brackets need extending, but otherwise all good!

[baggedestate]

that does look awesome dude

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Top work. Love the fact there's a flippy cover for the fittings/brackets too 

[Dan282]

loving the progress!

[Ever Ready]

Fabulous work just fabulous

[minifreek]

I would give my left testicle for one of these fridgey thingymebobs.... and all fittings etc....

[MV6Matt]

Top work. Love the fact there's a flippy cover for the fittings/brackets too 

...what he said
Great stuff

[biggriffin]

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    

[minifreek]

Im still looking for this kit too, with everything and not just the thing that sits on the seat....