I've been wanting to do this for a while, and it seems like today's the day. I've liked VL's ever since I was small, when I used to see some really thrashed ones on P plates driving up and down my street (poor things, they should never have been thrashed). I thought they looked pretty hot, and so ever since then I've wanted to own one. I lived overseas for a while, driving a 1991 Honda Accord, and moved back last years december, and as I needed a car, I thought the time would be about right, so I went out looking for one. Bloody vicroads wouldn't accept my overseas license, so I had to go for my P's here (at least they let me skip my 120 hours!). I had a pretty tight budget, but I ended up finding an 88 model, nice and clean in every way, completely stock, even without a sound system. It was also on dual fuel, which still suits me well. I'm pretty mechanically minded, so I do most of my own work, and I just want to say thanks to all you guys, CT has really helped me in a lot of stuff, it's a really useful learning tool. Some pics (got rid of the stupid stickers and grandpa spec stuff): So that's my intro, I've had it for about 7-8 months now, and I've been doing some things to it to have a bit of fun, I'll post some pictures of it as I go, as I'm planning on, and have been fixing it up a bit. The only disappointing part is that it's auto, but I got a complete mf5 manual conversion for $250, so I'm just waiting for the right time to drop it in. So far this is what I've done: wildcat extractors 2.5" redback exhaust (slightly regretting it, it's a bit drony on the long run) advanced timing (running around 18-19 degrees I think) http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/.../WP_000379.jpg (http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh629/AuSsIeBiGrOb/WP_000379.jpg) cold air intake 27mm 4 point adjustable whiteline sway bar (best money spent so far) So that's been what's happening so far, feel free to give your opinion and comment. I'm planning on soundproofing and lowering it soon, and then in the long run (once I'm off my P's) I would love to turbo it, with a goal of around 250rwkw in mind Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Car's been running a bit hot (a bar and a half above normal), I think my fan clutch has had it, so today I decided to try my hand at doing the AU twin thermo fan setup. Found a pair for $65, but I'm waiting on some spare time to drop them in, hoping it won't take too much cutting etc. How have people done the wiring for it? I got some relays for it, but I'm not sure whether or not to do it with a thermo switch. Would it be a bad thing to just keep them both on continuously as the car is on?

got twin AU thermo fans, and spent some time cutting them to fit. Got it all done nice, flushed and bled my cooling system at the same time, but I don't have a relay for them, and I still haven't decided on how I'm going to run them, so I ended up leaving them out. Because it's an auto, I also got around the transcooler piping that people seem to have trouble with by just fitting a 90degree rubber bit I found in my garage to the top pipe (the bottom one is fine, you just need to cut a little more from the shroud) and joining it by stretching it over the old one. It's a temp fix, but it'll work for a while until I find some proper piping to replace the whole thing with. Decided to run without an upper cam cover too for the time being, my adjustable gearing hits the cover, so I think I'll cut it out somehow, either that or reroute all the leads and leave it all open to show it off. Opinions?? (got the ignition leads out of the way of course) I also got a whole new plenum that I'm currently fixing an XF throttle body to, working on it whenever I have any spare time. Also planning on converting it to manual in the second week of Feb, here's hoping Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

It's all set, I have from the 13th of Feb till the 24th to get my manual conversion and whatever other work I want to do done, my girlfriend is going away and letting me have her car while she's away (stuck with an AU falcon :S). But hey, every little bit of time counts. Went out today and bought some front superlow kings (have a gas tank in the boot, and the rear suspension is holding up well, so I'll do it later) and the spigot bush I'll need, hope the stupid thing comes out easily when I do it! Replacing all my radiator hoses too (bought some blue silicon ones the other day), fitting my thermo fans, and fitting my new plenum with XF throttle body mod will also be happening. Still need to get a clutch line, is it worthwhile using a braided clutch hose?

Started the conversion, pics coming as I do it (I'll do detailed pics for everyone who wants more help on how to convert)

So for some reason CT isn't letting me post, and a few other things, hopefully someone sorts things out soon. Also, it kinda feels like I'm talking to myself, responses and opinions would be nice So Day 1 of the conversion. Only had like 3 hours to do anything, so I removed the console, auto shifter, shifter surrounds wiring etc, as well as the driver side kick panels and bottom panels in preparation for the pedal box. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Forgot to mention that I drained the gearbox oil yesterday too. Started day 2 off by getting the tailshaft out, and man do I hate universal joint bolts, mines were a 14mm bolt with a 15mm nut, wtf? Ended up getting out alright with a bit of mucking around, then proceeded to start working on the auto gearbox. I'm pretty much following the steps in the Gregory's manual to take it all out, so I removed the bracing for the gearbox, and the front plate too, then the stiffener, then got a trolley jack, jacked up the box itself, undid the rear bolts holding it up, and undid all but 2 of the ones at the front. I was left with the 2 bolts up the top that everyone says are a pain to get at, well I had stuff to do so I left it like that, jacked up. I also removed the wiring and cooler lines, and day 3 the box will be coming out. Everything should be a sinch from there, except the bloody spigot bush (not looking forward to that). Updates as I go Pics manual tailshaft on the right, needs a little cleaning up front bracing and plate off Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

please remove outside venetions ASAP Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

I actually like the outsides. They're staying until I can find some inside ones somewhere at a reasonable price because I value my speakers, and don't really fancy the sun screwing the cones up too soon shady Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Gearbox dropped, taken out. It was a massive pain to take it out, I used a massive extension to undo the top bolts behind the firewall, pictures at the bottom. I ended up having to twist the gearbox at some weird angle to take it out. Didn't have much time so I left it at that ---------- Post added 17-02-12 at 00:54 ---------- Day 3 Pictures: ---------- Post added 17-02-12 at 01:15 ---------- Got the stall converter off, flywheel off, auto spigot bush out. Flywheel I got off easily putting the bottom left bellhousing bolt back in (facing the front of the car from behind the engine) and balancing a crowbar on it with one hand while undoing the bolts with the other. Dynobolts are the way to go with the spigot bush, it's an M20, went down to bunnings, bought one, hammered it in, tightened it, then gripped the top with some pliers, braced the bottom with the crowbar to get some leverage, and hit to crowbar. Out in less than 10 minutes, and it's in perfect condition, completely reusable if necessary. Left the manual bush soaking in some oil, then left it at that and went to pick up a set of 'ceptors with 80% tires for $90. Bargain. Tomorrow, the manual spigot bush goes in, going to get some new bolts for the manual flywheel, and then put that and the clutch on. I'll wait for another day, because there's a chance I may have an exedy heavy duty lined up pretty cheap, so it's worth the wait so I don't have to drop the box again, but I'll do the pedal box, and then try and source either a new clutch master cylinder, or a spring that goes in it (the one I have is broken anyone got either to spare??) Pics: using a crowbar and the bolt as a lever M20 Dynabolt absolutely perfect and reusable But serious, if you have a spring or a master cylinder, PM me or call/text [phone removed] Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Loving that trick with the dynabolt! Well done so far! How long was that extension in total haha

Quote: Originally Posted by xAsh- [View Post] Loving that trick with the dynabolt! Well done so far! How long was that extension in total haha agreed, very good idea with the dynabolt!

Quote: Originally Posted by xAsh- [View Post] Loving that trick with the dynabolt! Well done so far! How long was that extension in total haha cheers, around a meter and a bit, it reached all the way to the end of the box so I had full rotation on the ratchet ---------- Post added 18-02-12 at 11:23 ---------- Put the manual bearing in after soaking it in oil overnight. It was a little harder than I expected, ended up putting the handle of a screwdriver on it and hitting the tip with a hammer to get it in. Went and got some new flywheel, clutch housing and gearbox to engine bolts, bolted up the flywheel, put the clutch on and aligned it all up nicely (clutch alignment tool is well worth the price, I borrowed one), only to find that I had forgotten to put the metal gasket thing between the box and the motor on, many tears Oh well, I left it at that because I had other things to do, I'll take off the clutch and flywheel as soon as I can and put the damn thing on, then all that's left will be to put the box in and pedals, and then source a clutch master cylinder. I'm not sure what's up with mine, the piston keeps freezing in the cylinder, but if I take it out and put it back in again, it moves totally fine, the way it should?? Just after 10 minutes it's frozen stuck. Maybe I just need oil in it for it to work properly. Anyway, pics: manual bearing in shiny new bolts aligning clutch plate that oh sh*t moment when you realise you left something out ---------- Post added 18-02-12 at 11:27 ---------- Also painted my rocker cover, wire brushing my hand at the same time. Smart me. Came up nice though, I'm going for a blue theme in my car, got blue water hoses too that are going on soon. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Lookin good man, you will love the manual once you get it all in!

put the gasket plate in, put flywheel and clutch back on today in half an hour's spare time that I had, then put the rocker cover back on, along with upper and lower blue water hoses. Got a mate coming over tomorrow arvo to help me put the box in. What's the best way to fill it with oil, any suggestions? Do I have to tip it on its side to be able to do it? Pics: mmm pretty... Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Hey mate, good work with the conversion. I did a oil change in my calais yesterday and all I did was get a hose and feed it through the engine bay into the fill hole, and put a funnel on the end and poured till it overflows out the fill hole. The fill hole is in a **** place on the mf5. :P

As above, run a hose out of the fill hole into the engine bay with a funnel on the end. Fill the gearbox until the oil starts coming out of the fill hole.

Quote: Originally Posted by SYKO3L [View Post] As above, run a hose out of the fill hole into the engine bay with a funnel on the end. Fill the gearbox until the oil starts coming out of the fill hole. cheers boys! I'll be putting the box in tomorrow hopefully, sourced a clutch master and slave cylinder today, so all that I have left is to put in the box and the pedals, and fill her up with oil and coolant and I'm rolling. It's a lot easier job than I thought

Whered you get the master cylinder mate? Also i think the gaskety thing your reffering to is known as a sandwich plate

Quote: Originally Posted by xAsh- [View Post] Whered you get the master cylinder mate? Also i think the gaskety thing your reffering to is known as a sandwich plate Yup that thing Ebay. Got to the guy's place and he asked me whether I was the Rob off CT doing a manual conversion, he was just looking at my thread. Whaddaya know. Gearbox going in today, going out to buy some gearbox and clutch oils and some antifreeze. I'm hoping to have it going by tomorrow Some original photos have not been recovered yet.