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[John Lewis]

Hiya guys

I'm just about to inherit a V6 Elite (auto, 97/R) and already own a V6 reflection (manual, 97/R) in the same colour (gold, hopefully same paint code, will find out in a  few hrs) - which brings me to an ambitious project!!

I am seriously thinking of using the Elite as a donor car to up the spec of my reflection, inside and out whilst I take some other bits off it.

I'm even thinking of changing all doors/panels as mines a bit scabby in comparison, but in terms of engine and reliability mine wins hands down. The Elite has too many engine issues to keep on the road, whereas I am almost done getting my engine back to health thanks to Elite Pete and have 11 months MOT, 6 months insurance. I'm a bit skint so need to do most bits myself. 

If the paint code matches I will be laughing, if it doesn't and its a different gold, I was thinking of taking every panel and getting the roof sprayed to match. Too much?

Are you ready for the list..

- Leather interior including door cards (top priority)
- Bumpers/side skirts (top priority)
- Wheels (4 good tyres on both cars but Elite wheels have the edge)
- All 4 doors so back windows become electric/I lose rusty doors/dodgy window winder
- Electric window switches from centre console to accomodate back electric windows
- Switches for heated seats etc
- Wings (would get away with rear ones only if paint code matches)
- Bonnet - it looks like robots have been breakdancing on mine!!
- Boot - mines debadged but rusty round the lock
- Sound system including CD changer
- Steering wheel controls (maybe)
- Rear blind (maybe)

I've just spent a fair bit of money on my current cars engine/exhaust system etc, hence it deserves the upgrade IMHO. Plus its about 40k miles less travelled.

So...

Will the wiring loom have all the necessaries in the Reflection to cope with the Elite electrics?
Do all the wings/side skirts bolt on, or are they a beeatch to change?
What bits am I gonna have nightmares with?
Do I need my head examining?

Any advice would be tip top. Thanks dudes!

 

[2woody]

rear wings not bolt-on !

expect some harness problems, but not insurmountable

[Welung666]

Why do you want to do that? After all that hard work you'll still only have a reflection!! Is it because the Elite is an auto?

[John Lewis]

Aye I see what you're saying mate.

Long and short of the matter is its an auto with 140k on - I've had one auto Omega before, and when the box went it traumatised me for life.

Also I can't afford to fork out for another MOT - I have 11mo on mine and I'm pretty skint at the mo. Also on the Elite, the HG and Crank sensor aren't what they should be, better the devil you know I say!

Just maximising my gain from the scrapper really mate before I get shot of it.  All jobs are optional I only need some lil bits off it

[John Lewis]

rear wings not bolt-on !

expect some harness problems, but not insurmountable

I can live without those, its the doors/bonnet/boot that need attention - ta mate!

[pedroMV6]

The bolt-on stuff isn't difficult, but you'd need another pair of hands.
Does the Elite have a Bose stereo? If so, you'll need all it's components AND wiring.

IIRC, the electrics you need will be all there, tucked up somewhere, switches blanked out, or simply unplugged in the doors, but you'll need the door looms as well as switches for the lecky windows and rear blind.
*EDIT* I see you want to swap the doors complete, so wiring shouldn't be a problem.

Fit the rear blind before the rear seat goes back in though.

[jonnycool]

Why not put the better engine in the elite? If it's better body-wise, I know what I'd rather be doing rather than bodywork

Jon

[John Lewis]

Why not put the better engine in the elite? If it's better body-wise, I know what I'd rather be doing rather than bodywork

Jon

See first post:
11 months MOT, 6 months insurance (and a few months tax). I'm a bit skint so need to do most bits myself. 


That did cross my mind Jon, but alas its out of my price range and would require the car to be undrivable for a while, so also out of my time range 

@pedro:

Didn't know that about Bose wiring, and door swap is pretty much dependent on paint code - cheers for the info though that's what I was after! 

[mantahatch]

If it was me I would change the engine/gearbox, 2 people one hoist 2 ramps one trolley jack one scissor jack.

Should easily do it in a weekend.

But then I would rather attack a mechanical problem head on. Bodywork problems I have to rely on the bodyshop.

Just my opinion. 

[tunnie]

just buy an Elite, lot easier! 97 model year is pre mini facelift too, so going to be missing some looms for steering wheel controls.

[Agemo]

I do understand about your 11 Months MOT, but you are looking at a great deal of work, and that's IF all goes well!  At the end of the day, you will still have a very low spec Mig with some good spec added. I would ignore the 40k extra miles. Your choice totally of course, if you do hit problems, you are in the right place.

[TheBoy]

You'll never be able to make it Elite spec. Some things are non-trivial (wiring to mirrors for full memory seats), some are as close to impossible as you can get (retro fitting climate control)

[John Lewis]

Aye all valid comments, thanks a lot people.

I've just been to see it, and its well worth having for parts, but I am gonna strip some key bits off it then scrap it I think. There's a great car there but has its own set of problems - dings, suspension, crank sensor, power sounder, solenoids, possible HG issue etc etc!

When its MOT comes up it will fail, so I don't think I'm gonna risk keeping it for the main car, not after all the work that's been done on mine getting it right.

So bumpers, trim, grille, seats, wheels etc coming out asap!

Don't the plastic door trims break off when you remove them? Anyone got any gold ones? 

[Agemo]

The door trims bend when you try to get them off, far easier to go for Facelift ones. 

[John Lewis]

Aye yep, I've just been reading this