I'm in the planning stages of embarking down a road very similar to robgill and his car's incredible transformation from Tiag Silver to Corsa Red (stunning color). I have a Topaz Blue (2003) car that I like very much... but have never loved the color. After going on 10 years of ownership, I never walk up to the car and go "wow". So to hell with resale values and logic: life's short, I'm doing a color change. Probably going LSB or Estoril Blue.
The chassis is mint (zero rust, never in an accident), I completely overhauled the undercarriage and rear suspension during covid lockdown, subframe is reinforced, etc. etc. So it's a great chassis to do this on - no surprises hiding underneath. Hence... in my feeble teeny simpleton brain, it makes sense to do a color change on this car. I mean, this has to be easy, right?
Like Rob, I'm planning on doing most of the work myself, less the body & paint work. I'm hoping that's the only piece I'll leave to the professionals.
My first question of what will probably be many. What is the best way to remove the engine from these cars without a lift?
I will remove the front bumper/clip per the below pic - it will look like that. I know I'll need an engine hoist. But I'm thinking about getting Quickjacks rather than relying solely on jackstands. I thought about building some kind of dolly to hold the motor and transmission as one unit, unbolt all connections (driveshaft, wiring harnesses, coolant hoses - everything) and then raise the car with the Quickjacks. Then I realized I'm probably way over-complicating this.
Any guidance would be appreciated.
The chassis is mint (zero rust, never in an accident), I completely overhauled the undercarriage and rear suspension during covid lockdown, subframe is reinforced, etc. etc. So it's a great chassis to do this on - no surprises hiding underneath. Hence... in my feeble teeny simpleton brain, it makes sense to do a color change on this car. I mean, this has to be easy, right?
Like Rob, I'm planning on doing most of the work myself, less the body & paint work. I'm hoping that's the only piece I'll leave to the professionals.
My first question of what will probably be many. What is the best way to remove the engine from these cars without a lift?
I will remove the front bumper/clip per the below pic - it will look like that. I know I'll need an engine hoist. But I'm thinking about getting Quickjacks rather than relying solely on jackstands. I thought about building some kind of dolly to hold the motor and transmission as one unit, unbolt all connections (driveshaft, wiring harnesses, coolant hoses - everything) and then raise the car with the Quickjacks. Then I realized I'm probably way over-complicating this.
Any guidance would be appreciated.
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