Project advice

[Fraggles Rock]

Right, have found a car which should fit the bill... It's a manual estate, with MoT but needs some love...

Good points, it's a Cdx, so I guess that's a pretty good basis for adding goodies like heated rear seats as it already has a sunroof and Xenons... Also, am I right in thinking that it won't have self levelling suspension, which will make it more straightforward for firming up:-\

OK bits... MoT is only until the spring, it doesn't look too shabby. It's done around 130k... It's a 2.2 petrol, so whilst it won't set the world alight, it will go ok, and will be the most straightforward to upgrade... Will cross this bridge later.

Bad bits...

The interior looks like a bomb has hit it, and although the body work is generally ok, it clearly has some rust growing on the osr quarter... Expecting to find a hole behind the bumper trim, although this shouldn't be a big issue to fix

Have asked the seller a few questions before I go and see it...

[TheBoy]

Only things difficult to retrofit into CDX are the cabin looms for full memory functions and Bose.

Not sure how easy a 2.2 to v6 engine swap would be, if any cabin looms needed, could be tricky. I suspect retrofitting any v6 goodies like servotronic will be a pain, and I bet you will have to replace the entire ABS unit due to TC, and the other ECUs will expect to see a TC ABS unit.  Dash clocks and MID will also need replacing.

[zirk]

No offence, but, wouldn't have been easier to get hold of a 3.2 MV6 or Elite Estate and convert it to manual, if that is what your after?

[anV6]

No offence, but, wouldn't have been easier to get hold of a 3.2 MV6 or Elite Estate and convert it to manual, if that is what your after?

And...here...we...go.

[Fraggles Rock]

I'll start at the beginning...

No offence, but, wouldn't have been easier to get hold of a 3.2 MV6 or Elite Estate and convert it to manual, if that is what your after?

And...here...we...go.

I actually know exactly what I want...

And to address Zirk and TheBoy...

Drivers seat will still have memory, cosmetically, it only requires a spoiler and wheels.

As for the rest, I'm not looking for a V6 end result, want to go down the blown 4 pot route. TC might simply be an ecu swap, but not worried about that at this stage. Equally, not fussed about servotronic as the 2.2 has nicely weighted steering, especially with the Sport chassis... it's a preference thing
Equally, whilst Bose is nice, thinking CCRT2008. Heated rear seats and reversing sensors would finish it off.

[anV6]

I'll start at the beginning...

No offence, but, wouldn't have been easier to get hold of a 3.2 MV6 or Elite Estate and convert it to manual, if that is what your after?

And...here...we...go.

I actually know exactly what I want...

I think either you misunderstood my reply or I'm misunderstanding yours.

[ronnyd]

I'll start at the beginning...

No offence, but, wouldn't have been easier to get hold of a 3.2 MV6 or Elite Estate and convert it to manual, if that is what your after?

And...here...we...go.

I actually know exactly what I want...


And to address Zirk and TheBoy...

Drivers seat will still have memory, cosmetically, it only requires a spoiler and wheels.

As for the rest, I'm not looking for a V6 end result, want to go down the blown 4 pot route. TC might simply be an ecu swap, but not worried about that at this stage. Equally, not fussed about servotronic as the 2.2 has nicely weighted steering, especially with the Sport chassis... it's a preference thing
Equally, whilst Bose is nice, thinking CCRT2008. Heated rear seats and reversing sensors would finish it off.

Doesn,t your profile state "at least 6 cylinders"

[Fraggles Rock]

I'll start at the beginning...

No offence, but, wouldn't have been easier to get hold of a 3.2 MV6 or Elite Estate and convert it to manual, if that is what your after?

And...here...we...go.

I actually know exactly what I want...


And to address Zirk and TheBoy...

Drivers seat will still have memory, cosmetically, it only requires a spoiler and wheels.

As for the rest, I'm not looking for a V6 end result, want to go down the blown 4 pot route. TC might simply be an ecu swap, but not worried about that at this stage. Equally, not fussed about servotronic as the 2.2 has nicely weighted steering, especially with the Sport chassis... it's a preference thing
Equally, whilst Bose is nice, thinking CCRT2008. Heated rear seats and reversing sensors would finish it off.

Doesn,t your profile state "at least 6 cylinders"

Nope...

[ronnyd]

I'll start at the beginning...

No offence, but, wouldn't have been easier to get hold of a 3.2 MV6 or Elite Estate and convert it to manual, if that is what your after?

And...here...we...go.

I actually know exactly what I want...


And to address Zirk and TheBoy...

Drivers seat will still have memory, cosmetically, it only requires a spoiler and wheels.

As for the rest, I'm not looking for a V6 end result, want to go down the blown 4 pot route. TC might simply be an ecu swap, but not worried about that at this stage. Equally, not fussed about servotronic as the 2.2 has nicely weighted steering, especially with the Sport chassis... it's a preference thing
Equally, whilst Bose is nice, thinking CCRT2008. Heated rear seats and reversing sensors would finish it off.

Doesn,t your profile state "at least 6 cylinders"

Nope...

Not now anyway

[TheBoy]

Drivers seat will still have memory

That's why I said full memory , which if more than one driver, is surprisingly useful

As for the rest, I'm not looking for a V6 end result, want to go down the blown 4 pot route.

Sorry, my bad, assumed v6.  The issues still apply, but sure you can overcome if seriously prepared to put in a non standard donkey.  Likely you'll never get fuel computer working though...

Equally, whilst Bose is nice, thinking CCRT2008. Heated rear seats and reversing sensors would finish it off.

The standard audio is a bit wanting TBH. You may see improvements with decent aftermarket speakers, but the standard HU's don't have great amps built in.

Heated seats are very trivial - less than 30mins. Rear sensors also not too taxing, but worth getting a pic of factory bumper locations. The factory Bosch system is a million times better than cheapo egay tat.

[Fraggles Rock]

Full memory isn't impossible, it's only wiring... but as the only driver, can't see it being a big deal. Besides, if anyone else driving it is unable or unwilling to adjust the mirrors themselves, I will gladly do it for them 

Agreed re the rear seats/parking sensors. Both pretty much plug and play.

The idea being to get a nice daily driver just right, be easier to sort the engine side of things with the car on the drive, especially from a willitfit perspective, and with a modest MoT on the proposed car, makes sense to get it up together and through the next Mot, leaving the summer to ponder the engine options

[Fraggles Rock]

Been having a root around and have had and idea or two re the engine...

Firstly, the supercharger route is probably out... the Z20NET engine won't fit the Omega gearbox, which, when coupled with the plumbing and mounting considerations, rules that out... be a good way to reinvigorate a 2.2 Vectra C though

However, the Z20LEx engine will fit the Omega, and as near as can be seen on tinternet, the head and head gaskets as fundamentally the same as the Y22XE. Can anyone confirm?

So, thinking: fit Z20LEx head and manifolds from a 2001-5 Astra/Zafira GSI along with loom and ecu to the Omega block. If at some point more power is needed, then the various bits from the later Astra VXR all bolt on, and if the block has a fit, it too can be replaced or rebuilt as required. All rounded off with a nice stainless exhaust...