Pre-IVA check

I decided to get my car pre-IVA'd, however the cost to get it there, checked and back again was in excess of £600. So, Ive decided to do it alone. 

Instead ive done some investigation, emailed DVLA, VOSA and the pigs (or police as they prefer to be known) and I AM allowed to drive it on the road to an MOT station as long as the car is insured, and the work is pre-booked, and I take the direct route. 

So, Im going to do all the last few jobs this weekend and book it into my local centre for the headlights to be aligned, the emissions to be tested and finally the brakes to be checked.  While I'm there I think ill also get the wheel alignment done so I know everything is as it should be.  This should cost less than £100 so quids in from my original plan. 

Cant wait to do that drive.  Its only 6 miles each way but if it doesnt break down on that run, I should be ok for the hour long trip to Bristol. 

Final jobs...

So she runs, and everything works as it should - How have I done that?

Now its time for the final jobs prior to the IVA.

First up - tune the engine. Its running really rich which isn't good for either the engine, the exhaust or the polar bears so time to sort it.  I got a very kind bloke (Simon who used to work at GBS) remote in and tune it for me. Now runs very well, much quieter and stable.

Sort the tracking out. The wheels are now visibly straight (were only ever a few mm off) but it steers and drives much better and is also easier to push around the garage / drive.  It needs a proper tracking session but this will do for now.

Better secure a bit of wiring - specifically the nose indicators and rear lights wiring.  These have been done with some glue on cable tie blocks.

Fit the wing mirrors - Done although not sure I can see enough for IVA.

Fit the rear view mirror - another nice and easy job and think rear vision is ok.

Re-bleed the brakes - after fixing a weep from the brake pressure switch, they need a re-bleed.  Also need to move the passenger side front brake line as on full lock it just touches the wishbone. Ive bought a vacuum pump to help me as jobs like that are difficult with a baby.

Sort the ride height.  Currently about 10mm too high at the front. Ive bought some tools for the job but they are less than ideal.  Will try another method this weekend.

Stamp the chassis number on the chassis and fit the chassis plate onto the car somewhere.

Extend the cable for the start solenoid as ive got a LHD gearbox but a RHD car so the cable isn't quite long enough.  It fits but isn't quite right and don't think it will pass IVA.  While im there I need to tidy the oil pressure wiring.

Fit a bit more IVA trim around the wishbone mounts.

And finally just run through the IVA test manual and check for anything that I may fail for - then rectify it.

This week I sent off the IVA paperwork so just waiting for them to come back to me with a date for the test now - so excited.

First drive

Following the start up, I couldnt resist a small drive.  The first attempt was a failure due to the clutch cable needing a bit of adjustment.  30 seconds later I had another go and this is what happened...

IT LIVES!!!!

So the day after boxing day i did a bit of fault finding and turns out id forgotten to connect a cable so couldnt connect to the ECU.  After sorting that I loaded a map and the fuel pumps kicked into action! I primed the system by turning the ignition on about 6 times until the pitch of the pumps changed and could hear fuel in the engine and swirl pot. Then I turned the key to the final notch and.....

Somehow it started almost immediately with no problems at all.  I couldnt' believe it!

ECU fitted

Yesterday, for Christmas, I was lucky enough to get the ECU for the car. I spent a few hours titivating bits today and finally tried to turn it over.  I’ve not managed to get a map onto the ECU yet and there was no fuel onboard but it’s so close to starting up!

Headlight upgrade - already!

Having had xenon and LED headlights for years now, I’d never relished the thought of going back to halogen. I found a set of all LED lights online with a green background and halo DRL which has the indicator switch back feature.  They arrived this week and I’ve just fitted one. I love it!

The cars favourite visitor..

My Little nephew, Charlie, visited again recently and as always asked for a play in the car.  He loves it and can’t wait for a drive!

Chrome finishing strips

Another quick job I did this weekend was fitting a few parts from the finishing kit.

Added the floor, side and rear stainless steel strips. All fitted and nice and shiny.  Not sure if I’m happy with the side piece and may remove, reshape and refit.

 

Exhaust

I finally got the last few pieces of the car including the exhaust which my Mum deleivered on a recent visit.  I fitted it this weekend and we are now so close to being finished. Looks amazing...

Finished the wrap

I had about 2 hours free today so finished the carbon fibre effect wrap.  I cleaned the aluminium which I took the protective covering off a few weeks ago, drilled out all the rivets and set to work.

It went on perfectly and absolutely love the effect. Really glad I did it.  There are a few imperfections but I’ll cover those with black paint and nobody should be any wiser!

Before..

Before adding the rear wings back on...

And all finished, lights etc all back in place.

I think I’ll paint the aluminium shroud in a gloss black to finish the styling and leave the stainless steel finishing trim in shiny silver.

Carbon fibre wrap

Today I decided to attempt to wrap my car.  I’ve bought a 4D carbon fibre style wrap which looks really smart. I cut it to length from the big roll I bought and then stripped all of the fitted parts out of the way.
I then started at the back and made my way forwards.  It went on perfectly and love the effect. A bit trickier around the front wishbones but still managed it.
Before starting..

Once the protective film was peeled off...

During the fitting of the film...

A close up...

All done


Back panel and the other side to go!

My baby boy in the car

Now the car is quite heavy its a 2 person push from my garage across the road to my drive where I prefer to work on it. I got my wife to help today and she brought over Oliver - my 6 week old baby boy.  He hitched a ride in the boot while we pushed the car - can't wait to take him for a drive!

Fuel system

I made a start on the fuel system (before being cut short due to an unexpected storm).  I removed the long metal pipe that comes as standard on the zetec engine and fitted the new modified version from GBS.

All I need to do now is connect that to the high pressure pipe, the outlet of the fuel rail to the swirl pot and thats the fuel done.  So close to being able to start her up!