Corsa B 1.2 8v - It's a bit of a do-er upper-er

[Callum]

First (real) post, go easy

Yes, now I know a lot of people consider the 8v to be the worst engine, I wouldn't agree nor disagree.
I apologise for the lack of pictures as I wasn't recording progress until recently.

I'm trying to make it look as original as possible but secretly it shall be much better!

Car wasn't the best when we picked her up


The age was starting to show, a fair few scratches and the bonnet was peppered.


The rear bumper has had a knock and the rear right light was cracked.


First things I did was touch up the large scratches on the drivers door and replace the arch trims. I got the car in winter and so I ran to Halfords and upgraded my bulbs to white HID-Style ones which modernised dramatically and improved light output.
Afterward I found a set of perfect 15" Cesaro alloys in a bright silver from a cavalier, and trust me I rushed to put these on.


New rear bumper:

Also replaced the back right light.

Didn't get any pictures of this but:
I fitted a central locking system (Local - no remote - YET) which works brilliantly. I drilled through the current looms on the door carefully avoiding the speaker wires. A new hole has to be drilled ~60mm above the predrilled central locking holes for the upgraded Corsa B's for the solenoid and the control box is just under the steering wheel.

The speedo unit was the bog standard pre-facelift one with the 'wobbly fuel dial' which had no resistance, never knew what fuel I was on! It also didn't have a tachometer which I was curious about so I got one! Lost 3000 miles (69800 previously) by fitting this but completely worth it
New dials:

We had a problem where some of the lights didn't work - I got worried as I got this from U-Pull-it and thought it was knackered. Turns out all it needed was the pins behind the speedo - on the connector - bending out

Replaced both the indicator stalk and wiper arm stalk as they had little issues.

More coming later! Will try fill in the blanks where I have no pictures.


Things I'd like to do/fix/add:
Ambient Footwell Lights
High-level Brake Light
Colour Coded mirrors
Colour Coded door handle
Chrome interior handles(?)
Engine Cover
Colour Coded trims
Map Lights (Got a vectra B courtesy light on it's way! http://puu.sh/atzTa.jpg)
Brake upgrade (256mm)
Headlight upgrade (Crystal Projectors http://puu.sh/atzGI.jpg - worried these might modernise too much)
Rear light upgrade (LED, similar to original: http://puu.sh/atzOl.jpg)
Front and back GSI kit (or rear bumper like this: http://puu.sh/atzAZ.jpg)
Fiat rear wiper arm (Also on it's way! http://puu.sh/atzYd.jpg)

[coupe77]

Looks a nice car
I do think the 8v is better than the 16v as when I worked for vauxhall I had more 16vs on the ramps with running problems
Yes they don't have the power but are more reliable

[Callum]

Looks a nice car
I do think the 8v is better than the 16v as when I worked for vauxhall I had more 16vs on the ramps with running problems
Yes they don't have the power but are more reliable

Cheers mate, happy to know I got a reliable one, less money in the long run

[coupe77]

That's it less to go wrong

[stanc3w0rks]

I know my 8v takes abuse and seems reliable, then i've seen plenty 16v's woth heads gone.

Sent from my Nokia 3210

[JordanCorsaB]

The best colour IMO but I'm obviously biased haha, exactly the same as how mine started, look forward to seeing how this unfolds.

[Gand]

Subscribed to this! Same colour as mine, would love to see more

[Callum]

Update:

Mudguards now on!





Also installing the vectra light - it's in and works but also installing a relay which keeps the light on for thirty seconds after the doors are closed, also goes off if ignition is on.
GSI Bumper is in the works - getting a quote for a bumper sprayed.

Sidenote: Does anyone know where to get body coloured door handles and trims in my colour?

[Westley]

Another awesome project! Every thread I have read through just puts mine to shame xD I want the dials you have as I have the annoying wobbly fuel gauge and I need central locking so feel free to fit them both for me nice job anyway


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[stanc3w0rks]

Another awesome project! Every thread I have read through just puts mine to shame xD I want the dials you have as I have the annoying wobbly fuel gauge and I need central locking so feel free to fit them both for me nice job anyway


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My project wouldnt put any to shame lol

[Callum]

Another awesome project! Every thread I have read through just puts mine to shame xD I want the dials you have as I have the annoying wobbly fuel gauge and I need central locking so feel free to fit them both for me nice job anyway

Dials are easy, go to any scrappy and find a 1.2, has to be 4 cylinder if you have 4 cylinders, 3 if you have 3 etc, then there's a number on your current dials, probably 25***, try to find one relatively similar or the speedo will be miles out.

Central locking wasn't too difficult, I bought the kit from Hawk for 5 door cars, only have 3 doors. The only difficult part is drilling the wiring loom in a way you dont f**k the speaker cables up and pulling the cables themselves through the car is also a pain.

Try it, not much to lose

[johnny]

Only seen this project, car looks awesome always had a thing for a burgundy vauxhall they just look unreal when polished up

[Callum]

Well finally got around to posting a picture of the light, here it is with map lights working





Made a bit of a mess installing the relay, in hindsight I shouldn't have wired it up all the same colour haha

Wires from the Central Locking, needs tiding up, remind me later.

[DexterSinister]

Great project, some really good quality mods going on here!
Those 1.2 8 valvers have potential, I'm going to breathe on mine a little to pep it up because they're pretty slow otherwise (well mine certainly is )
Keep it up!

[Callum]

Managed to break my central locking today, so whilst fixing it I got some pictures


^ The basic principle on how this works.


The solenoid