JFReturn's VX220 2.2 NA
Discussion
Hi fellow PH'ers,
Hereforth will be a diary relating to the ownership of my new car - a VX220 2.2 called Vicky (yes I know, naming cars is silly, I can't help it!).
I've come from an excellent Honda S2000 (thread details here), so the VX has a lot to live up to. I've driven the VX for about sixty miles so far, and to be honest I'm blown away. You sacrifice creature comforts (such as a heater!) for a pure, undistilled drivers car - the feedback from the steering is sensational, the best I've tried. Performance is great, but the economy and running costs are reasonable and far less than the S2000 (£25 a month cheaper on insurance alone, all mods declared!).
I found the previous owner on VX220.org.uk who kindly provided plenty of information about the history, including the modifications:
- Debadged and de-Vee'd
- Team Dynamic 1.2s, Falken tyres (17" rear and 16" front)
- Powerflex front and rear engine mount inserts
- Piper catback exhaust
- Mintex discs and 1144 pads
- GAZ shocks (lowered to 120mm and 130mm, stiffest setting)
- Coolant expansion tank cover UV protection
- Upgraded lights
I haven't got many plans for the future other than to enjoy driving it. I'll try and improve the heater and give it a thorough detail. Also, I mistakenly told my insurer that it is running an induction kit, so I may as well fit one of those!
Enough waffling, here are some pics
And because I'm a PH'er, I went past my house and on to a petrol station 15 miles out of the way with the roof off
F*** me it was cold!
Hereforth will be a diary relating to the ownership of my new car - a VX220 2.2 called Vicky (yes I know, naming cars is silly, I can't help it!).
I've come from an excellent Honda S2000 (thread details here), so the VX has a lot to live up to. I've driven the VX for about sixty miles so far, and to be honest I'm blown away. You sacrifice creature comforts (such as a heater!) for a pure, undistilled drivers car - the feedback from the steering is sensational, the best I've tried. Performance is great, but the economy and running costs are reasonable and far less than the S2000 (£25 a month cheaper on insurance alone, all mods declared!).
I found the previous owner on VX220.org.uk who kindly provided plenty of information about the history, including the modifications:
- Debadged and de-Vee'd
- Team Dynamic 1.2s, Falken tyres (17" rear and 16" front)
- Powerflex front and rear engine mount inserts
- Piper catback exhaust
- Mintex discs and 1144 pads
- GAZ shocks (lowered to 120mm and 130mm, stiffest setting)
- Coolant expansion tank cover UV protection
- Upgraded lights
I haven't got many plans for the future other than to enjoy driving it. I'll try and improve the heater and give it a thorough detail. Also, I mistakenly told my insurer that it is running an induction kit, so I may as well fit one of those!
Enough waffling, here are some pics
And because I'm a PH'er, I went past my house and on to a petrol station 15 miles out of the way with the roof off
F*** me it was cold!
200 miles on the VX so far and I love it - the noise of the Piper exhaust is very entertaining, especially on the overun. I took a (poor quality) video to try and give an idea:
Awesome noise exhaust clicky!
Hopefully this weekend I'll get a chance to clean her and make a list of jobs that need doing including a couple of damaged interior bits and protecting the speakers in the passenger footwell.
Awesome noise exhaust clicky!
Hopefully this weekend I'll get a chance to clean her and make a list of jobs that need doing including a couple of damaged interior bits and protecting the speakers in the passenger footwell.
TVR MAN said:
That's my car! 
What do you think of the poly inserts on the engine mounts? People say it makes the car vibrate a lot at idle?
Let me know how you get on with induction kits as I'll also be thinking about getting one as the Milltek on mine is actually quite quiet.
May I congratulate you on your great taste in cars What do you think of the poly inserts on the engine mounts? People say it makes the car vibrate a lot at idle?
Let me know how you get on with induction kits as I'll also be thinking about getting one as the Milltek on mine is actually quite quiet.
Difficult to say about the inserts as it is the only VX220 I've driven, but it does not vibrate too much at idle.
The Piper exhaust is pretty loud, check the video above. I love it! I'll do some research on the induction kits, see which sound best and improve throttle response.
Gave the VX a quick clean so I could assess the paintwork, and overall the news is good. There is a fair amount of stone chips and bubbling (common VX problem) and tar spots, but no swirl marks that I can see:
The TD 1.2's are mint, with not a mark on them. So, the detailing plan is:
- Full clay bar treatment
- Autoglym SRP (cutting compound not required) then sealant and wax
- Glass treatment
- Remove crappy dealer sticker
- Remove, clean and seal all wheels
- PH smiley (as soon as the new shop gets them....)
- Clean engine bay
Other stuff to do:
- Refix the bonnet clip
- Fix the hazard light button (coloured plastic fallen out) and replace sidelight button bulb
- Fit a guard on footwell 6x9s
More pics:
The TD 1.2's are mint, with not a mark on them. So, the detailing plan is:
- Full clay bar treatment
- Autoglym SRP (cutting compound not required) then sealant and wax
- Glass treatment
- Remove crappy dealer sticker
- Remove, clean and seal all wheels
- PH smiley (as soon as the new shop gets them....)
- Clean engine bay
Other stuff to do:
- Refix the bonnet clip
- Fix the hazard light button (coloured plastic fallen out) and replace sidelight button bulb
- Fit a guard on footwell 6x9s
More pics:
TVR MAN said:
What's wrong with your bonnet clip? I knocked the handle that opens the bonnet off on my second day of ownership - was a right pain getting it back on!
Your car looks great, but then I am biased The lever has come off it's mounting, I'm hoping it will just clip back in... I'm a bit annoyed with myself, as I asked the dealer to show me the front rad etc and he fobbed me off (knowing it was broken) saying it was too low for him to reach
I guess I was just a little too excited and wanted to drive it away!
Andy_sx said:
I really do need to lower mine looking at these 2!!!
I was out a couple of weeks ago -3 with the roof off, love it! Do need to get a new heater though as mine makes the air colder
Like I said in the other thread, try one a lowered one first! Mine is fine because it is only used for fun (I cycle to work most days), but commuting every day.....I was out a couple of weeks ago -3 with the roof off, love it! Do need to get a new heater though as mine makes the air colder
drgoatboy said:
Lovely car. Glad you are enjoying having the roof off. I did a 90 mile trip in mine when it was no higher than -2 outside roof off. My face hurt (particularly nose) from the cold for abotu 3 days.
Keep us up to date on how you get on!
I miss my old VX very much indeed.
Cheers Keep us up to date on how you get on!
I miss my old VX very much indeed.
It takes dedication to drive these roofless in the cold. My S2000 was luxurious roof down compared to the VX, what with it's hot heaters and all 
So today I got to work on the VX for a good six hours in glorious warm weather. First job was claying (washed it yesterday) and getting rid of the tar spots. Didn't pick up much crap so the paint has been looked after by previous owners:
Tar spots before:
And after:
The VX was then lightly polished using Autoglym Super Resin Polish, sealed with Poorboys EXP Sealant and given a coat of Autoglym HD wax. I'll build up a few more layers of wax but aside from the stone chips and bubbling I'm happy with the paint work now. Pics:
After all that work I had to go for a run out, roofless of course. It was a great drive, nice weather with dry roads and the little Vauxhall just came alive. I can't think of another car I would rather have been in.
So, in case you readers might not have gathered - I LOVE THIS CAR
Tar spots before:
And after:
The VX was then lightly polished using Autoglym Super Resin Polish, sealed with Poorboys EXP Sealant and given a coat of Autoglym HD wax. I'll build up a few more layers of wax but aside from the stone chips and bubbling I'm happy with the paint work now. Pics:
After all that work I had to go for a run out, roofless of course. It was a great drive, nice weather with dry roads and the little Vauxhall just came alive. I can't think of another car I would rather have been in.
So, in case you readers might not have gathered - I LOVE THIS CAR
Andy_sx said:
Ah good man!
Car looks superb cleaned up mate, I have a slightly grubby car if you fancy a real challenge
Thanks Car looks superb cleaned up mate, I have a slightly grubby car if you fancy a real challenge
I would actually enjoy doing your car too, I'm a bit sad in that I enjoy cleaning cars and the VX is easy as it's so small!Now I knew that being a low volume produced sports car the VX wouldn't be the last word in refinement, but the various noises were driving me mad. To that end, since my last update I started Operation Anti-Squeak (OA-S).
OA-S started very well indeed; the huge squeak in my right (and passengers left) ear was cured by a squirt of WD-40 in the sockets where the roof slots in. However, these very loud squeaks were simply masking a myriad of quieter, but equally annoying noises! One in particular I need to sort, but not sure how to go about it.
I would describe it as a 'light clonk', coming from somewhere in the engine bay / nearside rear suspension. I've ruled out horrible engine problems, because it clonks when the engine is off and the car is bounced. I don't think it is dampers or suspension as it clonks with the lightest of movements. It sounds like a cable or plug has come loose and is banging.
Any ideas anyone? When I get time I was thinking of taking the wheel and plastic liner out to have a closer look....
Cheers for the suggestion, I will take a look. I checked my undertray and saw at least one bolt missing but it is tight enough not be the cause. When I find where to buy replacements I'll let you know.
One more irritation - I went to check tyre pressures and the nice, shiny VXR dust caps are locked solid. A trip to the local tyre fitters beckons
One more irritation - I went to check tyre pressures and the nice, shiny VXR dust caps are locked solid. A trip to the local tyre fitters beckons
Andy_sx said:
ahhh, OA-S, i would need a year to sort all of mine out... windows rattle, got the doors to stop ratteling, undertray and diffuser rattle (mine have a habbit of loosing bolts (screwfix do a selection box that have the smaller bolts in) but im looking for a few of the larger ones with the allen head as im missing one of those.
Re the knock on the rear, it could be a multitude of things back there, most of my noises are the undertrays, but as you can do it with the engine off, i wouldnt say there is enough force for that to be the case. Do you have the stock airbox? Will have a look under mine see if i find anything obvious it could be (will be on the ramps tonight anyways) but would check the toe links first, then around from that
As for cleaning the car, im the same, love it as its so small, but i get bored easily! had all the kit out on sunday, took the seats out etc to do the interior properly (im a dirty smoker.... the ash gets everywhere, more so with the roof on!) only managed aquick once over on the outside before the rugby came on and I started at 9 am!
LOL @ the rugby interrupting Re the knock on the rear, it could be a multitude of things back there, most of my noises are the undertrays, but as you can do it with the engine off, i wouldnt say there is enough force for that to be the case. Do you have the stock airbox? Will have a look under mine see if i find anything obvious it could be (will be on the ramps tonight anyways) but would check the toe links first, then around from that
As for cleaning the car, im the same, love it as its so small, but i get bored easily! had all the kit out on sunday, took the seats out etc to do the interior properly (im a dirty smoker.... the ash gets everywhere, more so with the roof on!) only managed aquick once over on the outside before the rugby came on and I started at 9 am!
Thanks for the suggestions, I do have the stock air box and as mentioned above it could be that so I will check.tommobot said:
Maybe a bit heavy duty but engine mount perhaps? I know they can clonk a bit when worn, but not sure if they would move just with bouncing the car.
Have you checked the tightness of all bolts around the suspension? Something could have simply just worked itself loose.
Otherwise, dampers - I've just had a load of issues with mine and issues with the rebound on them, resulting in them not working as they should and produced a noticeable clunk over large undulations in the road.
I think the engine mounts were replaced by the previous owner, but Ill take a look along with the suspension as you suggest. Thanks.Have you checked the tightness of all bolts around the suspension? Something could have simply just worked itself loose.
Otherwise, dampers - I've just had a load of issues with mine and issues with the rebound on them, resulting in them not working as they should and produced a noticeable clunk over large undulations in the road.
On a much less positive note, I found out yesterday my fiancée has been made redundant again (naff time to be an architect) so there is a very real chance I'm going to have to sell the VX, simply because it is a luxury rather than a necessity. Not happy
TVR MAN said:
Sorry to hear you may be selling. At least it's the kind of car you shouldn't loss much/any money on especially as spring arrives.
Regarding your knock, I was able to recreate the knock on mine by pushing down on the airbox about an inch. It didn't offer much resistance. Had the 2.69 mount replaced today and noise is all gone.
What do you think of the speakers in the passenger footwell? Good mod?
Good to know that OA-S is going well for you Regarding your knock, I was able to recreate the knock on mine by pushing down on the airbox about an inch. It didn't offer much resistance. Had the 2.69 mount replaced today and noise is all gone.
What do you think of the speakers in the passenger footwell? Good mod?
Hopefully I'll get some time on the car tomorrow to investigate further.Regarding the 6x9s in the footwell - no, it is not a good mod IMO but could be for you. It depends how much music you listen to in the VX. I rarely do as I enjoy the exhaust too much and constantly fret about passengers damaging the cones. On the other hand the sound quality is surprisingly good!
Edited by JFReturns on Saturday 17th March 08:23
Hi, my name is Rob and I know nothing about fixing cars. There, I've said it. Hopefully you all won't mock me for what I have figured out the hard way today
So, first I learned:
- How to use a trolley jack
- A trolley jack does not fit under a lowered VX
To get the jack under the VX, I reversed onto progressively higher blocks of wood which enabled me to get the jack and a piece of load spreading wood on the correct jacking point:
I couldn't find anything in the manual about jacking points but VX220.org.uk came to my rescue. There is a sticker that marks the correct point:
At this point I'm quite pleased with myself (the feeling doesn't last), I've got the car jacked up and an axle stand is put into place in case the jack fails:
And it is at this point I learned two things:
- Take the locking nut key out before jacking the car
- Make sure you have A F*****G SOCKET THAT FITS THE WHEEL NUTS!!!
- (Next time I'll loosen the nuts before jacking too)
There you have it, I'm a mechanical idiot. OA-S to be put on hold until I get a 17mm socket
So, first I learned:
- How to use a trolley jack
- A trolley jack does not fit under a lowered VX
To get the jack under the VX, I reversed onto progressively higher blocks of wood which enabled me to get the jack and a piece of load spreading wood on the correct jacking point:
I couldn't find anything in the manual about jacking points but VX220.org.uk came to my rescue. There is a sticker that marks the correct point:
At this point I'm quite pleased with myself (the feeling doesn't last), I've got the car jacked up and an axle stand is put into place in case the jack fails:
And it is at this point I learned two things:
- Take the locking nut key out before jacking the car
- Make sure you have A F*****G SOCKET THAT FITS THE WHEEL NUTS!!!
- (Next time I'll loosen the nuts before jacking too)
There you have it, I'm a mechanical idiot. OA-S to be put on hold until I get a 17mm socket
Edited by JFReturns on Friday 4th May 20:21
TVR MAN said:
The shame... Then I thought I would change the air filter instead; couldn't get the arch liner off!
The whole point of me jacking the car was to remove the arch liner - what was difficult, were the bolts seized?
Andy_sx said:
ha ha, been there, done that, now pretty much have a tool that will do most things (first ever prope job i did was gear box replacement)
for the wheel socket, get one of the extending wheel brace bars from Halfords or similar, 2 multi sockets and the bar extends to give you loads more purchase. Oh, and dont leave the locking bolt in the wheel once your done, your unlikely to ever see it again I ended up spending 2 hours taking my locking bolts off, 1 hour 45 mins was lost trying to get the bolts out of the socket to go to the next one
Yup, got one now. Do you know of any VX specialists near us mate? There is a Vauxhall dealer on the A2 (Pomphreys I think) but not sure I would trust a main stealer....for the wheel socket, get one of the extending wheel brace bars from Halfords or similar, 2 multi sockets and the bar extends to give you loads more purchase. Oh, and dont leave the locking bolt in the wheel once your done, your unlikely to ever see it again
I ended up spending 2 hours taking my locking bolts off, 1 hour 45 mins was lost trying to get the bolts out of the socket to go to the next oneCheers Ben and Andy, I just want to use someone I can trust for servicing and if I can't figure out the clonk.
Haven't done anything really on the car this weekend as I turned my hand to plumbing. And yes, I f****d it up and now the tap leaks worse than it did before I started. No man points for me (though I did buy a big b*****d pair of wide jaw pliers, cool).
Haven't done anything really on the car this weekend as I turned my hand to plumbing. And yes, I f****d it up and now the tap leaks worse than it did before I started. No man points for me (though I did buy a big b*****d pair of wide jaw pliers, cool).
tommobot said:
I wouldn't put the axle stand where you have put it in ther final photo. The jack is in correct position but where the axle stand is, is just the undertray which is fixed to the fibreglass on the sills...Would not be pretty if jack failed.
Alternatively, put the axle stand on the centre where the jack is or towards the front corner of the car where the 'tub' ends behind the wheel.
Hope my stupid explanations made sense?
Yes it does, cheers for the feedback. I'll move it next time I jack it up. Alternatively, put the axle stand on the centre where the jack is or towards the front corner of the car where the 'tub' ends behind the wheel.
Hope my stupid explanations made sense?
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