Calibra Turbo Rebuild

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Steva
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Joined: Mon Jul 29, 2013 3:00 pm

Calibra Turbo Rebuild

Post by Steva »

I have been asked to put up my Calibra Turbo Rebuild thread as a lot of the parts are relevent to a cavalier so might be of interest to someone :D

It all started when i thought id take my engine out to fix a couple of oil leaks as theyve been slowly winding me up and then decided to take the gearbox and transferbox out to clean up!!

So with the running gear out i thought id look behind the foam for a peek and i wish i hadnt lol found some rust just at the bottom of the drivers side just below the brake reservoir had a bit poke as you do and made a hole so thought fudge!!!!!! basically all those years of bleeding brakes fluid has ran down and took the paint off and filling up the header tank with water and spilling it has basically sat there and has been slowly eating the car away!!!!

So i would advise all calibra/cavalier owners to have a look and repair if necessary as you could leave it to late!!!!!

Luckly mine wasnt too bad and ive had it all cut out and replaced by a good friend of mine :D

So with it all repaired ive decided to go mad and weld all the seems up and fill them as im going for the smooth look its going to take a while but sod it if your going to do a job do it right :lol:

so thats how it stands heres a couple of pics of the work so far!!!


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Went up to see my mate to see what he had getting done and im impressed to say the least he has got 99% of the welding up done he just needs to dress it up and get some filler in to smooth it off for me

Heres a couple of pics

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First coat of filler
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Filler rubbed down and final coat of stopper
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Will take more pics as I progress. I must be bloody mad!!!!

Well the cars all prepped and off to the bodyshop for a lick of paint!!!

Heres a couple of pics of the cally ready to go!!!


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Cant wait to get it back then the fun begins!!!!!!! :D


Heres another pic i got of it in the booth ;D

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Ill let the pic do the talking!!!! :D :D :D

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Well got some more bits done had the subframe and engine mountings etc powdercoated Red

Got another batch of bits off being done. :D

So its coming along nicely!!

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Well picked some more bits up from the powdercoaters!! :D

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Just got the front struts to get sent off to get blasted and coated when i get the car back!!!

Then hopefully start putting it back together!!

Progress is a little slow with having to clean and paint everything before putting it back together!!

Its starting to take shape!! :D


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Just need to get a gearbox sorted and then engine will be goin back in!!

Got some more powder coating done think thats about it now on the front just the bottom arms to do and a few odds and sods

waiting for my gearbox to arrive then i can start putting it all together :D


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Well not much done at the mo waiting on parts arriving!

Was bored so built up my alternator today with the powder coated cover and alloy pulley!!

Pure pimp!!!! lol

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Got alittle bit more done. Powerflex bushes arrived so started to build the subframe and suspension back together.

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All coming together nicely!!
Need to get more motivated lol

Decided to paint the gearbox and transfer box then bolted on the bits that were powercoated. Looks mint the pic doesnt do it justice!

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Just busy putting the engine together waiting on my inlet manifold and timing belt backing plate coming back from the powdercoaters

Managed to build my front legs back up bought new hubs bearings and bilstein shockers and had my springs powdercoated black

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Think they look quite cool lol

Picked up a couple of more things from the powercoaters!

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Finally I can start putting my engine back together!!

Got abit more done the engines all built up and ready just have to take it off the stand fit the lightened flywheel, clutch and fit it to the gearbox and hopefully it will be sitting in the bay this week :D

Oh and before you ask yes the engines in my dining room lol

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Well got a bit more done to say im happy is an understatement :D

A big thanks to Gar, Lee and Shaza!!! :D

Its in at last!!!!

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Oh and a pic of the underneath! 8-)

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Got some more bits back from the powdercoaters

Boost pipes and the bells and brackets for my brakes!

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Well spent the morning putting a bit more on the engine and fitting my brakes its all starting to come together nicely :D

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Fitted the superpro bushes to my steering arms torqued up the subframe and fitted the wheels and removed my sideskirts so shes looking a little better just trying to find the time to do it

Just trying to decide what radiator to put on!

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Well back in the bodyshop having some paintwork done! Called down to see my mate Graeme to see how my car was getting on and its all painted no more bodykit!

Had enough of bodykits now just going for a more standard look ! :D


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Its been a while since ive touched the calibra but ive had other projects on the go my combo and now a cavalier turbo but Billing gave me the push to get my finger out my arse

So i dusted the calibra off spent the whole day sorting the wiring out and soldering broken wires etc and even fitted the dash back into the car really enjoyed tinkering on with the car so hopefully more updates to follow soon :D

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Steva
iangsi
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Re: Calibra Turbo Rebuild

Post by iangsi »

WOW impressive amount of work gone into this :thumb, how long has it taken ? :cool ,
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Envoy CDX
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Re: Calibra Turbo Rebuild

Post by Envoy CDX »

Loving the contrast on the car - that is bloody epic!
I don't understand all the filler in the engine bay, but still - the results are outstanding :)
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Chip Pan Dan
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Re: Calibra Turbo Rebuild

Post by Chip Pan Dan »

amazing,love it
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Cavalier342
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Re: Calibra Turbo Rebuild

Post by Cavalier342 »

I don't think I've ever seen that many painted parts on a car before! That's what I call dedication. Dread to think what the damage on the wallet is from all that painting :lol:

Fair play to you mate, going the extra mile.
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Steva
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Re: Calibra Turbo Rebuild

Post by Steva »

Cheers for all the comments guys

The filler is to smooth the engine bay after i welded all the seams up

As for time about 18 months but had 6 month off to build my zlet combo van so about a year in total

And my wallet is in intensive care slowly recovering :lol:



Steva
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humbucker
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Re: Calibra Turbo Rebuild

Post by humbucker »

This is untold amounts of awesome. And what isn't obvious from the thread is that this was an already epic car before the work began :lol:

Love it, can't wait for more. Perfect colour scheme ;)
Colorado
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Re: Calibra Turbo Rebuild

Post by Colorado »

Brilliant, Love all that powder coating. Fantastic work.
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Lowrider Dave
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Re: Calibra Turbo Rebuild

Post by Lowrider Dave »

Superb! You can be rightly proud of that. I love this kind of attention to detail, it's the kind of thing I strive to do - powdercoating is awesome.
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Steva
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Re: Calibra Turbo Rebuild

Post by Steva »

Thanks guys its a labour of love the rear axle and prop is getting the same treatment once the fronts done!


Steva
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humbucker
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Re: Calibra Turbo Rebuild

Post by humbucker »

Some pics I took of your car way back at Billing 2009!

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Gray16v
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Re: Calibra Turbo Rebuild

Post by Gray16v »

Stunning, I want one
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humbucker
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Re: Calibra Turbo Rebuild

Post by humbucker »

Any more updates, Steve?
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