cal16v's WIP

[cal16v]

Update

I have swapped the sump over for a steel pan and fitted the ne rubber gasket which seems better than the original cork gasket. Exhaust given a freshen up while I was at it. Sent the bonnet back for a re paint cause I wasn't happy with the finish so waiting on that now. In the mean time I picked up another set of taillights which are in better condition than the ones I had. Had them sanded and clear coated and I fashioned some new rubber seals while I was at it which should do the trick nicely.
Otherwise parts have arrived from Autovaux so when the bonnet's returned it's off to get the front end sorted. I'll throw up some more pics on here before it goes away.

[Cliff]

Looking forward to it, great job!

[cal16v]

Rear lights. These just have more colour than my old set.



Clear coat turned out well also

[cal16v]

Bonnet has been returned and the re-spray has turned out spot on. Very happy now

Need to fit up the bonnet latch and mounts etc and install the underside padding and that's another task completed. Looks like the rain has set in here for good... it's been raining most everyday here for the last month with another fortnight at least predicted

[cal16v]

Sunroof rubber...

[cal16v]

Under bonnet lining...

[cal16v]

Time for an update...

In the process of re-wiring headlights internally. One light is finished with 15amp feeds to high beam, fog and beefed up earth wire. Using 6000k HID's for driving lights, relays going into the fuse box for those and the high beams via an inline fuse. Philips H1 crystal vision globes for highs. Slim ballasts located behind headlight units mounted on the apron. Knocked up a harness for all wires so it's all neat and tidy. Pics to follow once I'm done

[cal16v]

Ballasts mounted...



Harness all tucked up...



Wiring to fuse box...

[Cliff]

Nice job with the harness. Mine had HIDs when I bought it but they're an MOT failure here so I removed them. The ballasts were hidden behind the bumper and they were wired in so that switching back to halogens was easy. I only drive the car late spring through early autumn and with the long light days I couldn't justify keep switching them - lazy

[cal16v]

It's illegal to retrofit HID's here as well that's why I only fitted 35w units. If I can maximise the light output of these and combined with a debadged vehicle I hope to not draw too much attention. And 6000k @ full power should blend in with oem Mercs, BMW etc with just the faintest hint of blue.

[cal16v]

Wired in the relays as above and while they have boosted the light output I'm still not happy with lighting on low beams. Perhaps it's because these are 35w HID's or it could be the 6000k bulbs I chose (or possibly a combination of both). Thinking of swapping out the 35w setup and going with 55w and 4300k bulbs. If this does the trick then I could change the H1 bulbs for H3 and use the 35w units in the fogs, not that they are used all that much here.

[cal16v]

Swapped to quality 55w HID's and very happy now with the results. The issue I was having was due to a low quality bulb which was purchased as 6000k but compared to the 5770k units in there now, they look like a low powered 8000k bulb. You live and learn something new everyday... buyer beware of cheaper HID kits!

[cal16v]

Decided to ditch the clear lenses in favour of the oem glass. Coincidently in the pic the drivers side is running the new 55w kit while the passenger side has the previous 35w 6000k bulb running on the 55w kit. The difference in light intensity is pretty plain to see.

[Cliff]

Definitely - curious, why did you swap lenses? Prefer the look or?

[cal16v]

Yeah I think I prefer the look. Plus I was able to use the rubber seal with the glass and not have to silicon in the clear lenses...