Help wanted
Most guides end with a box listing what we still don't know. Here they all are in one place: 136 open questions across 135 guides. If you know the answer, or can send a photo, a part number or a measurement, we'd love to hear from you. Please say which guide it's for.
Adjusting the windows Body
There are no torque values or screw sizes beyond the 8 to 10 mm bolt behind the disc, and no photos of the driver's door or of the tilt screws up close. It isn't stated which cars have one disc bolt and which have two. If you have done this, tell us your car's year, the spanner size you used and which side you did.
Curing a rattling window Body
The photos in the original post are no longer available, so there are none of the rail, the lugs or the strip in position. There are no torque values, and it isn't stated which cars it was tried on. The best strip thickness isn't settled: 10 x 16 mm trunking, 15 mm trunking, and one owner found the foam too thick. Nobody has reported on the bought replacement guides. If you have done this, please send photos of the rail and lugs, the size and make of trunking that worked for you, and your car's year. If you have fitted the bought guides, tell us how they went.
Door key barrel: stiff, frozen or failed, and how to remove it Body
We don't have a part number for the barrel, photos of the teardrop cover and the two bolts, or a name for the plastic linkage you remove. If you have done this job, please tell us.
Exhaust shroud (heat shield) replacement Body
The steps are the missing part. If you have made or refitted one of these, please send what you did and photos: how you cut and shaped the replacement, how you fitted it from underneath (or whether you had to take the rear clam off), and which adhesive has lasted for you. We would also like to know whether the shroud does any heat shielding or is only cosmetic.
Fitting the hard top Body
The procedure's pictures were not saved, so there are no photos of the brackets or screws. We would also like the position of the bracket screws for cars after 2002 and anything on fitting replica hard tops. Photos and corrections are welcome.
Front clam removal Body
This was written in 2004–2005 and the PDF's pictures are small. It has no torque values, and it doesn't say how long the job takes. If you have done it, tell us how long it took and anything the guide missed, such as spacers or bolts that differ between cars.
Rear clam removal Body
There are no torque values for refitting, and the two guides don't always line up bolt for bolt. I've matched them where it seemed clear and marked the rest. If you have done this job, corrections would be very welcome.
Soft top cable replacement Body
The thread has no cable lengths, part numbers, or torque for the end bolts, and the original post doesn't say whether front and rear cables are the same length. If you have part numbers or measurements, please send them. We would also like to know whether the aftermarket cables are still sold.
Soft top cable: an alternative repair with a bow string Body
We have only one owner's experience of the string repair, and no information on how the original cable fails or how the hood comes off. We would like to know the exact length and loop size that works, how long a string like this lasts, and whether anyone else has tried it. If you have replaced a soft top cable, either way, please tell us.
Soft top cleaning, proofing and recolouring Body
Nobody reports how long a recolour lasts, or whether it affects the fabric over time. If you have used a dye or proofer on a VX220 hood, please tell us the product and how it held up.
Soft top sagging and leaks Body
There are no photos of the cable adjusters, and nobody gave a figure for how much slack is right. If you have photos of the adjuster sleeve and threaded rod, or can say how tight is tight enough, please send them.
Soft top trim repair: seal rubber, side padding and spigot caps Body
Which way the hood edge and cable sit at the front seal (A or B) is not answered. If you know, or have a part number for the sealing rubber, spigot caps or the thermal insulation pack, please tell us.
Soft top: taking it off and putting it on Body
There are no photos of the sliders, lugs or spreader bars. The thread's TIS drawings were not saved. If you can photograph the latches, the eight lugs and the spreader bar arrows, please send them.
Windscreen washer upgrade: spray bars and wash-wipe blades Body
We haven't seen the SELOC relay change (fewer wipes, variable intermittent), a confirmed Citroën part number, or a photo of the pipe passing through the cover. If you have fitted a bar and have a good photo, or can confirm the part number from a recent order, please tell us.
Wiper blades and arms: which fits, and the early arm problem Body
We don't know which build numbers have which arm. If you have an early arm, please tell us your build number and year, and send a photo of the arm.
There are no photos of either arm, no part numbers for the Elise S2 arm and blade, and no confirmation of which cars have which arm. If you have any of these, please tell us.
Brake and clutch fluid replacement Brakes
The original thread has no photos, and the sources give no torque figure for the bleed nipples. When one owner asked, the answer was to nip them up gently. The prices are from 2007. The only photo is of the Turbo clutch bleed valve. A picture of the valve on an NA would be very useful.
Fitting an ABS cut-off switch Brakes
Only one photo of the plug and loom survived. We would like a clear photo of the two yellow wires at the ABS plug, with the colours and any stripe marked, and confirmation of which is the ABS wire and which is the speedo (or rev counter). It also isn't stated whether this applies to every year, the Turbo or the Speedster. If you have fitted one, please tell us.
Front brake disc replacement Brakes
The thread has no photos of the caliper bolts, the disc screw or the hub, and no torque figure that came from a manual. We would also like to know what the "steering rack down the centre of the caliper" remark means, and how to tell when a disc has worn out. If you have done this job, please tell us what you found.
Front brake pad replacement Brakes
The thread has no torque values (none are needed for this method) and no pad thickness limit. If you do this job, please tell us your car's year and the pads you fitted, and send newer photos if you have them.
Handbrake cable replacement Brakes
The thread gives no torque figures, no time for the job, and nothing on how the cable is routed at the lever end. If you have done this, please tell us what you found, and whether a genuine part is available now.
Rear brake caliper strip-down Brakes
This guide stops at disassembly, and some details are missing:
- The reassembly procedure. The author says it isn't the strip-down in reverse and he hasn't written it yet. Until then, use the SELOC wiki page.
- A photo showing which parts belong to which caliper
- The exact spacing of the pins on the piston, for choosing a wind-back tool. One owner offered to measure it.
- Torque figures for the caliper bolts and bleed nipples
The author mentioned he may make a video guide. If you can fill any of these in, please get in touch.
Rear brake disc replacement Brakes
There are no photos of an actual rear disc job, no confirmed screw size, and no torque figure from a manual. We would also like to know how the dragging disc was fixed. If you have done this job, please tell us what you found and send photos.
Rear brake pad replacement Brakes
The thread has no torque value for the 17 mm bolt (asked in 2007, no answer), nothing on whether to use thread lock, and no confirmed Allen key size for the disc screw. It also leaves the piston turning direction unresolved. If you know the factory figures, or have photos of the job, tell us.
Changing the coolant and bleeding the system Cooling
The Vauxhall bleed method itself is only a PDF link in the thread, and we don't have its text. If you have the bleed sequence from the workshop manual, or know which valve to open first, please tell us. The threads also don't say whether blue and red coolant can be mixed, or give any photo of the bleed valve locations.
Cooling system flush Cooling
This is a single owner's method rather than a factory procedure, and it was posted the same week he did it, so we don't know whether the residue came back. He also asked whether the air still needs bleeding at the radiator afterwards, and nobody answered. If you have done this or know the correct bleeding procedure, please tell us. If black residue is a sign of something else, such as oil in the coolant, a flush won't cure it. Other owners' bleeding methods are in Changing the coolant and bleeding the system.
How the cooling circuit works (and the thermostat) Cooling
We have no verified circuit diagram and no confirmed thermostat positions or opening temperatures. If you can supply the TIS diagrams, the thermostat temperature and the part numbers for the 2.2 and the Turbo, please send them.
Radiator replacement Cooling
The photos are lost, and the thread gives no torque figures, no time for the job, and no mention of whether the steps differ between NA and Turbo. It doesn't say how the author checked the Elise radiator was the right size either. If you have changed a radiator, please tell us what you used and send photos, especially of the ten housing screws and the fan.
Water pump replacement (2.2 NA) Cooling
The threads have no photos, no bolt torques, no sprocket-bolt details and no description of re-timing the balancer chain. If you have done this job, please send photos, the torques you used and your time. We would also like to know whether the Turbo (Z20LET) pump is the same job.
Choosing a clutch Drivetrain
There is no verified torque rating for any of these clutches, no test data, and nothing on the Sachs and Southbend options beyond opinions. If you have fitted one, please tell us the car, the power and torque, the mileage, and how it felt.
Clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder and bleeding Drivetrain
There are no photos of the bleed valve or the master cylinder, and no confirmed part number for a modern replacement master cylinder. If you have a tested part, a photo of the valve on an NA, or know the bleed valve size, please tell us.
Clutch replacement: dropping the gearbox Drivetrain
There are no photos from these threads, and no torque figures for the NA. If you have done the job on an NA, please tell us the torque figures, the gearbox model and anything you would do differently.
Driveshaft removal and gearbox driveshaft seals Drivetrain
No thread gives a torque for the driveshaft castle nut or the wishbone bolts (one owner asked, and was pointed to another thread we don't have), or a part number for the seal. The F23 oil quantity needs checking against a manual. If you have done this job, please tell us your seal part number, the tool you used and the torques, and send photos.
Driveshafts: knocks, buying a new one and swaps Drivetrain
We don't have a current price for an OE driveshaft, a part number for the full shaft, a safe play figure at the diff, or any longer-term result for the Astra H short shaft. If you have bought or swapped a driveshaft recently, please tell us what it cost, where you bought it and how it has lasted.
F23 gearbox removal and clutch replacement Drivetrain
There are no manual torque figures here other than the author's estimate for the gearbox bolts, and the guide has nothing on which bolts are which length. If you have done this job, tell us your car's year and engine, your oil quantity, and the bolt sizes and torques you used. We also don't have the NA version of the steps, or the photos some owners mention.
Fitting a limited-slip differential (F23 gearbox) Drivetrain
The 28 Nm and 100 Nm torques come from one owner's post and aren't from a manual, and the sealant isn't named. The thread doesn't say how much oil to refill with (see gearbox oil replacement), how to refit the case halves and the intermediate shaft, or which cars it applies to. The two threads differ on the shims, and nobody reports measuring and fitting them with only ordinary tools. The 2013 photos are small, and the main thread's photos are from the host's "Groupsy" copies. If you have done this job, please send us photos of the reassembly, the torques you used and how you set the shims.
Gear cable replacement Drivetrain
There are no torque figures for any of the bolts, and the guide was written for one set of Cablecraft cables, so we don't know whether the rod ends are always too long or whether current cables come with the right length and the retaining groove. We also don't have a photo of the routing round the handbrake lever. If you have done this, please tell us how it went and send photos.
Gear cables: faults, choosing and adjusting Drivetrain
We don't have the Vauxhall part numbers for the NA and Turbo cables, a current price, whether the NA and Turbo cables really are interchangeable, or a fix for the Cablecraft self-centring complaints beyond the tight seal. If you know any of these, please tell us and send photos.
Gearbox oil leak: breather, overfill and seals Drivetrain
We don't have the actual cause or a correct oil quantity. We have no part numbers for the shaft seals or the breather parts, no breather mod diagram, and no photo of the filler and level plugs from above. If you have fixed a gearbox leak, please tell us where it came from and what cured it.
Gearbox oil replacement Drivetrain
The thread has no photos and no torque values for the plugs, and neither it nor the TIS page we have gives an oil grade. It doesn't say how much goes in to reach the level plug, or whether the Turbo is the same. If you have done this, tell us your car's year and engine, how much oil it took to reach the level plug, and which oil you used.
Alternator: testing and replacing it Electrical
The threads have no photos, torque figures, belt routing, or cable and bracket details, and the removal steps are from memory. If you have replaced the alternator on an NA or Turbo, please send photos, torques and your time.
Central locking (CDL) module: replacing it, or repairing a failed relay Electrical
We don't have the CDL module pinout, a wiring diagram, or a Vauxhall part number. If you have them, or if you have repaired one, please tell us. Pictures of the module in place would help too.
Central locking and alarm: what your car has and how it fits together Electrical
We don't have the fob retraining procedure, the alarm unit pinout, or a confirmed answer on which cars let the key override the central locking. If you know any of these, please tell us.
Central locking backup battery: where it is and how to replace it Electrical
The thread doesn't give the battery's exact capacity, a torque for the clamp nuts, or a guide for the Turbo specifically. If you know the correct replacement spec please tell us and send a photo.
Fitting remote central locking to an NA (or a Turbo without it) Electrical
We don't have a verified wiring diagram for the NA alarm to the door motors, photos of the door motor mounting, or confirmation of the alarm connector pins. If you have fitted central locking, please tell us how and send photos.
Indicator flasher relay (K31): where it is, and fixing fast flashing with LED bulbs Electrical
We haven't seen the part number of the original flasher unit, the pin layout of the plug, or a confirmed LED relay that plugs straight in. A clearer photo of the unit with the cover trim removed would help too. If you have fitted one, please tell us which and how it worked.
Jump starting, bump starting and battery chargers Electrical
There is no manufacturer guidance in these threads on jump starting, and the ECU damage story is one owner's experience only. If you have the official procedure, or a verified charger and lead set-up for the lighter socket, please tell us.
Main battery replacement Electrical
There are no photos in these threads, and nobody gave a terminal torque or a confirmed OEM part number. If you have photographed the removal or know the fitted battery spec, please tell us.
Rear light bulbs: tail light out, melted holders and blowing bulbs Electrical
We haven't seen a part number for the bulb holder or loom, the torque for the cluster nuts. We haven't seen photos of the melted holder or the cluster nuts either. If you have any of these, please tell us.
Replacing a front fog light bulb Electrical
There are no photos, torque figures or time estimate, and nobody says how to avoid breaking the cap. If you have done this, please send photos of the fog lamp and its fixings, the correct way to twist the cap and refit the bulb, and anything you did to get at the headlamp nut.
Replacing a headlight bulb (dipped and main beam) Electrical
We haven't seen a photo of the headlight nut, the size of the standard nut, the main beam bulb procedure, or the headlight alignment procedure afterwards. If you have photos or the handbook steps, please tell us. Also tell us if you have a source for new headlamps.
Wiper motor failure: water in the motor, cleaning it, and replacements Electrical
We don't know whether the cheaper VW motor worked, a verified replacement part number, or the pin functions on the wiper motor connector. We don't have a good photo of the four fixing points. If you have replaced your motor, please tell us which one and what you had to change.
Alternator belt, tensioner and idler bracket Engine
The photos of the bracket job are lost, and the threads have no torque figures for the bracket, tensioner or idler bolts. There is also no clear way to identify a revised bracket by looking at it. If you have changed the bracket or belt, please tell us the torques and send photos, and say which engine.
Coil pack: faults, testing and replacing Engine
We don't have a confirmed Torx size or screw count, the plug socket size (17 or 18 mm), or the current OEM part numbers and prices for the NA and Turbo packs. If you have changed one recently, please tell us what you used, what it cost and what the symptoms were.
EGR valve replacement (NA) Engine
The thread doesn't give bolt sizes, torque figures, or the fault code the car showed, and the idle video it linked isn't in the saved page. If you have changed an EGR valve, on either engine, please tell us what the symptoms were, what code it gave, and send photos.
Engine mount replacement (side mounts) Engine
The near side is from a 2006 thread and the off side from a 2010 one. Neither gives separate torques for the Turbo, and the off-side photos are poor. If you have done the off side, clear photos would help a lot.
Engine oil leak: finding the source Engine
We don't have a photo of each leak point, a torque for the cam cover bolts or the crank seal, a part number for the NA front crank seal or cam cover gasket that someone has checked, or a guide to a rear main seal job on either engine. If you have traced a leak, please tell us where it was, what you replaced and whether it stayed fixed, with photos if you can.
Misfire under boost: plugs, coils and sensors Engine
We don't know whether the plug gap or heat range changes made a difference, and nobody reported fitting an alternative coil pack. If you run a boosted engine and cured a misfire, please tell us what it was, which plugs and gap you use, and send your log if you have one.
NA oil filter housing leak: seals, torque and the tool Engine
We don't have the TIS pages for the housing, a verified part number for the cooler adaptor or the seals (the old Vauxhall numbers aren't in the threads), a source for the GM tool or its number, or dimensions for a homemade tool. If you have done this job, please tell us which seals you used, what torque you reached and whether it has stayed dry, and send photos.
Replacing the post-cat lambda sensor Engine
The thread gives no torque for the sensor, doesn't say which engine it was done on, and doesn't say whether the pre-cat sensor is done the same way. It doesn't say how long the job takes. If you know the factory torque for the sensor, or have changed one on an NA or a Turbo, please send us the details.
A home-built 4-1 manifold and 2.5 inch exhaust (one owner’s NA project) Exhaust
We don't have dimensions, a parts list or photos of the finished 2006 system. If you have built a manifold or system, please tell us what you used and send photos.
Exhaust backbox choices and noise (Larini, VSE, Milltek, Tullet and others) Exhaust
We don't have readings from a single meter for different systems, or current prices. If you have measured the noise of your system, please tell us what you have and how you measured it.
Exhaust dropped or clonking: the sheared hanger bracket Exhaust
We don't have the Vauxhall part number for the bracket or a picture of where it sits. If you have replaced one, please tell us the number and send photos.
Exhaust manifold heat: wrap or heat shield? Exhaust
We don't have measured temperatures for any of these options. If you have compared wrap and Nimbus, or have photos of a Nimbus installation, please tell us.
Exhaust manifold options for the NA and Turbo Exhaust
We don't have power figures for any of these, current prices or availability, or fitting reports for the Borbotta or imported headers. If you have fitted one, please tell us.
NA exhaust manifold replacement (Z22SE) Exhaust
We don't have gasket or stud part numbers, nut torque figures, or photos of the job. If you have done it, please tell us what you used and send pictures.
NA exhaust tuning: which parts restrict, and what each is worth Exhaust
We don't have measured dyno figures for individual parts on an NA. If you have before and after numbers, please tell us what you fitted and what you measured.
NA exhaust upgrade: what to expect, what it costs Exhaust
We don't have dyno figures for each NA exhaust, or noise levels. If you have measured any of these, please tell us.
NA pre-cat removal: the four methods owners used Exhaust
We don't have sleeve dimensions, photos of the pre-cat in place, or the torque for the manifold and flange nuts. If you have removed one, please tell us how and send photos.
Sports cats (100 and 200 cell): are they worth it? Exhaust
We don't have dyno plots comparing a standard cat with a 100-cell or 200-cell sports cat on the same car. If you have any, please tell us.
Swapping the exhaust backbox: clam on or off, and what to expect Exhaust
We don't have torque values for the flange and manifold nuts, or photos of the order of work. If you have fitted a box, please tell us how you did it and send pictures.
Fitting a Pro-Alloy fuel tank Fuel
This guide comes from a 2012 forum thread. The photos were re-posted by another member after the originals were lost, so they are of his car and I've placed them by best guess. No torque figures were given. If you have done this job, corrections, torques and your own photos would be very welcome.
Fuel pump replacement Fuel
The original author's photos were lost when the image host removed them, and what remains of this thread has no photos of the pump housing itself. The photos below are from other members' later posts and mainly show the hatch and the housing coming out. If you have photos of the housing, filter and wiring, please share them.
Injectors for supercharged cars: sizes, duty cycle and what owners ran Fuel
We don't have a verified table of which injector is which (the forum image comparing the names with OBD Tuner's names didn't survive), current prices or sources, or the length of the Siemens 60 lb injectors that fit beside a Harrop (the 2013 thread mentions 74 mm and 50 mm types but the answer is unclear). If you have flow-tested a set, or logged your duty cycle on a supercharged car, please tell us what injectors, pressure, power and rev limit you ran.
Larger injectors: fitting, rail spacers and removing the fuel rail Fuel
We don't have the height of the raiser blocks or spacers, a part number for the EV14 with the right adapters, or a confirmed list of which injectors need an EV1 connector. If you have fitted larger injectors to a Z22SE head, please tell us the injector part number, what spacers or adapters you used, and whether the rail sat down.
Removing the fuel vapour system Fuel
The thread's labelled photos (which the lettered parts refer to) are no longer available, so there are no pictures here, and I've described each part by name, with the author's letter in brackets so you can match it against the thread. The thread's step list also repeats one step (see below). If you have photos of the system before and after, they would make this guide much clearer.
Turbo fuel pipe clips Fuel
This guide could do with:
- Photos of the pipes, clips and bracket on a Turbo, and of a broken clip, to replace the originals that were lost
- Confirmation from an NA owner of whether the NA car has the same fuel pipes and clips, and where they run
If you can help, please get in touch.
Dash top removal Interior
The threads have no torque values (none are needed). The number of dash screws varies between cars, and the threads aren't clear about which cars have which. If you have taken your dash off, tell us your car's year and how many screws you found.
Door panel removal Interior
The thread has no torque values, and no photos for most steps. It doesn't say which cars have which fixings, and several owners found their car differed from the guide (see "If yours is different"). If you have done this, especially on a Speedster or a later car, tell us what you found and send photos.
Instrument cluster (stack): removal, a loose needle, and recalibrating after a flat battery Interior
We don't have bolt and nut sizes, photos, the Lotus service note itself, or confirmation that the recalibration works on an NA. If you have the Lotus electrics note, or have done any of this on an NA, please tell us.
Seat removal Interior
There are no photos, no count of the bolts, and no confirmed torque. We would also like a photo of the T-shaped pieces and where they sit, and to know whether the passenger and driver's seats differ on a Speedster or left-hand-drive car. If you have taken the seats out, please tell us what you found and send photos.
Bulb types and upgrades Reference
There are no photos, the part numbers for LED and HID kits aren't given, and nobody confirms the bulb types from a manual. If you have the handbook bulb list, an up-to-date MOT position, or can confirm which upgrade bulbs fit and work well, please tell us.
Dimensions: length, width, height, wheelbase and track Reference
We don't have the source of this drawing, the weight, the boot dimensions or the ground clearance. If you have the handbook figures, please tell us.
Engine adjustment data: idle speed, mixture and fuel (Z22SE, from TIS) Reference
We don't have the equivalent sheet for the Turbo (Z20LET), or ignition timing, compression or fuel pressure figures. If you have the TIS adjustment data for the VX220 or the Turbo, please tell us.
Fluids and capacities Reference
We don't have the Turbo's (Z20LET) oil or gearbox fluid figures, the gearbox fluid grade, or the TIS figures for coolant and brake fluid. If you have a later TIS or a Turbo handbook, please send the pages.
How the VX220 came about: development, early years and first Turbo road test Reference
We don't have the article's author or original source, the Vauxhall owner's coffee-table book, the road test and track day photos, or a reliable list of production changes by year (such as build numbers, special editions and specification changes). If you have any of these, or can correct the engine, weight or performance figures above, please tell us.
Relays and fuses (NA) Reference
The diagram covers the NA car only, and the thread doesn't give the Turbo's bonnet fuse box, which may differ. The starter relay number is disputed (K14 or K24), the list stops at fuse 22, and nothing says what the blank fuse positions are. If you have checked your own car, please tell us what you found, and send photos of the fuse box lid if it is labelled. Wiring diagrams are in the service manual (TIS) on the guides page.
Torque values Reference
The source of the list isn't known, and nothing covers the NA engine. We would also like the factory figures for the rear lower wishbone bracket bolts, and to know which of the disputed figures are right for the VX220 and Speedster. If you have a manual page or a figure you have checked, please send it.
Wiring diagrams: what is covered and how to find your circuit Reference
We don't know which model years these diagrams match beyond 2003, or whether later cars changed wiring colours or fuse positions. If you have a diagram for another year, or have found a mistake in these, please tell us. We also haven't reproduced the abbreviations page, which uses codes such as DWA, ZV and KSP.
Wishbone dimensions and what fits what Reference
We would like measured rear wishbone lengths, confirmed NA versus Turbo part numbers, and whether Elise or Exige wishbones fit as the owners describe. If you have measured yours, please tell us how.
Engine oil and filter change Servicing
We have no TIS oil figures for the Turbo, and the threads give no filter part numbers or photos of the NA filter housing or the oil cooler ring. If you have changed the oil on either engine, please tell us the quantity that gave a correct dipstick reading, the oil and filter you used, and send photos.
Jacking and supporting the car Servicing
There is no photo of the sticker or the sill point in either thread, and no figure for the car's weight or the safe load of the points. A photo of the sill point from underneath, and a photo of a good axle stand position at C, would help a lot. The factory service manual (see the manuals on the guides page) is the place to confirm it.
Service book continuation pages (13th to 24th) Servicing
If you have the Google Drive version for double-sided printing, or a version with the Opel Speedster wording, or a scan of the original blank pages for a car with a different layout, tell us and we can add it.
Service schedule: what is due and when Servicing
We don't have the interval for the coolant change, gearbox oil, or the NA timing chain check, or the Turbo's oil grade and quantity (the NA's are on the Fluids and capacities page). If you have the handbook figures, please tell us.
Spark plug replacement Servicing
The thread gives no plug part numbers, gap, service interval or time estimate, and doesn't say which engines it covers. The 16 mm and 10 mm in the socket description are also unexplained. If you have done this, please tell us which plugs and socket you used, and send photos, especially of the Turbo.
Buying a used VX220: choosing, checking and asking Start here
We don't have today's typical faults by mileage in one place, current prices, what a pre-purchase inspection costs, or the Turbo buyer's guide that went with the 2003 NA guide. The NA engine number photo is missing. If you have bought a car recently, please tell us what you checked, what you missed and what it cost to put right.
Steering column shroud and steering wheel removal Steering
None of the threads gives a tightening torque for the steering wheel bolts or the airbag bolts, a part number for the cowl or shroud, or says whether anyone has refinished a shroud and how it lasted. We also don't know how long to leave the battery disconnected. If you have done this, please tell us and send photos.
Steering column universal joints Steering
No thread gives a tightening torque for the joint clamp bolts, or says whether the 13 mm and 10 mm bolt sizes apply to all cars. We don't know the current Elise Parts or Lotus part numbers for a VX220 or Speedster. One owner posted a link to the TIS page and photos, but we don't have them. If you have the TIS page for this job, or have done it, please tell us your route, the torque you used and send photos.
Steering rack replacement (with a DIY tracking check) Steering
The thread gives no torque for the track-rod lock nuts (the torque values page lists 45 Nm, but we don't know where that came from) and doesn't say which cars have rack A and which have B. The guide on rack types collects what owners say about Titan and Sona racks, which is still disputed. For the track-rod ends, see Track rod ends and rear tie rods. The turn counts and the preload figures above come from single posts. If you have changed a rack, please tell us what you found, especially your rack type, any thread lock and the lock-to-lock turns, and send photos.
Steering rack types, refurbishing and replacements Steering
The threads give no torque for the cup retainers or the lock nuts, no part numbers for the bronze cups, and no photos of the refurbishment steps. We don't know which cars have a Titan or a Sona by year or chassis number, and the 30 to 40 Nm pull figure and the refurbishment lifespans come from single posts. If you have refurbished a rack, please tell us what you used and how long it lasted, and send photos.
Track rod ends and rear tie rods Steering
The thread doesn't say which part numbers had the wrong taper, no measurements were posted, and nobody reported a response from the supplier. We have no current prices, no torque for the rear tie rod joints, and don't know which S1 ends fit. If you have checked your arms and ball joints, please tell us what you found and send photos.
Exhaust for a supercharged NA: what is worth fitting Supercharger
We don't have measured gains for a long-primary manifold on a supercharged car, or confirmed reports of a Dbilas manifold on track. If you have either, please tell us.
Fitting an Eaton M62 supercharger to a Z22SE (NA) VX220 Supercharger
We don't have the pulley size, the torque figures, the gasket modification, or photos of the finished installation. If you have fitted one of these kits, please tell us what you did differently and send photos.
Supercharged boost pressure: the flat curve and reading MAP logs Supercharger
We don't have a boost log from a standard supercharger kit with the matching pulley size, a result from the Laminova pressure drop test or the belt tests, or the ECU or logging settings that give true MAP on a Courtenay car. If you have logged MAP on a supercharged car, please tell us the pulley, cams, exhaust, ECU and what you saw.
Supercharged car: relay K18 earth fault and part-throttle misfire (case study) Supercharger
We would like to know how this car was finally sorted, and whether anyone found the cause of part-throttle misfires on supercharged cars with this ECU. Wiring diagrams or photos of the K18 harness and the earth points would help others.
Fitting adjustable shocks (Gaz Gold coilovers) Suspension
There is no photo of the lower bolt step, the rear bolt sizes disagree, and the thread doesn't say how much the bracket can safely be trimmed. We would also like to know how the Golds compare for ride with other kits, whether the 55 mm bolt is real, how the adjuster lock should be set, and which way up the shocks fit. If you have fitted adjustable shocks, please tell us what kit and settings you used, and send photos.
Fitting an uprated front anti-roll bar Suspension
The photos from the original post are lost (someone asked for them in 2014). There are no torque values for the new bar and no follow-up on the understeer. We would also like to know whether the frame hole should be drilled, how to free seized drop link nuts, and which setting owners ended up on. If you have fitted an uprated bar, please tell us how it went and send photos.
Front wishbone removal: access tips Suspension
There are no torque figures in these threads, and the photos are from the original questions. For torques see Torque values and check against TIS. If you have photos of the lower nut and bracket, or know the right torques, please tell us.
Hub carrier bolts Suspension
Some details are missing:
- The VX220 and Speedster factory torque figure for the hub carrier bolts. The figures above are for the Lotus Elise S2.
- Whether the factory bolts on the VX220 and Speedster were thread-locked
- Confirmed bolt lengths per position, from a parts diagram
- Photos of a bolt that has bent or fretted
If you can fill any of these in, please get in touch.
Inner CV boot replacement (passenger side) Suspension
The thread has no torque values, no photos of the joint internals, and nothing confirming the boot is the same on NA and Turbo cars. If you have done this job, tell us your car's year and engine, and the torque values you used.
Suspension refresh: what to replace and what it costs Suspension
All the prices here are from 2005 to 2013. If you have done a refresh recently, we would like to know what it cost, which parts you replaced, and how long it took. A torque table for the whole refresh would also help.
Tyre pressures: road, motorway and track day Suspension
We don't have a factory figure for a lightly loaded car, recommendations for aftermarket sizes, or what owners run in winter or in the wet. If you have a tyre maker's recommendation for your tyres, please get in touch.
Wheel alignment (geometry) settings Suspension
The units of the 340R toe figures aren't confirmed. If you have a 340R printout, or a Turbo front toe figure from a source other than the TIS screenshot, please send it.
Wheel bearings: which to buy, and the front clamp bolt Suspension
Nobody gives a reliable way to tell a ball-bearing hub from a tapered-roller one by looking at it. If you know, or have a part number you have tested for each corner, please tell us.
Wheel hub and bearing replacement, front and rear Suspension
The 2025 write-up's photos weren't saved, and none of the older threads have photos of the steps. The torque for the centre clamp bolt and the rear castle nut is disputed. If you have the TIS figures or photos of the job, please send them.
Wishbone ball joints and bushes Suspension
There are no torque figures, bush orientations per pivot (other than the diagram) or ball joint press measurements in these threads. If you have fitted bushes or joints, we would like to know what torque you used, which bush brands lasted, and whether the part numbers on the diagram are right.
Wishbone corrosion protection: coatings compared Suspension
These are opinions from 2011 to 2015 and nobody has run a comparison. If you have coated wishbones, we would like to know what you used, how it has lasted and how many years, and any supplier that does the coating well.
ABS warning light: repairing a damaged sensor cable Troubleshooting
We don't know the wire colours at the connector, and there are no photos of the front hub. We would also like to know whether the same fault is common at the rear on the Turbo, and whether a good sensor reads about 1.4 ohm or about 1,400 ohm. If you have done this repair, please tell us what you found and send photos.
Central locking faults: won’t lock, won’t unlock, or locked out Troubleshooting
Nobody has explained the case where the switch works fully but the fob won't unlock. If you cured it, please tell us what you changed. We would also like the CDL module pinout and the alarm unit connector layout.
Finding a coolant leak Troubleshooting
Neither thread says which engine, and the sill leak was never solved. If you have found a leak at the sill hoses, the water pump, the thermostat housing or elsewhere on the engine, please tell us where it was and how you fixed it, with photos.
Flat battery: finding a drain and testing the charging system Troubleshooting
No thread gives a manufacturer figure for the standing drain, a confirmed siren part number, or a verified battery rating for the Turbo. If you have measured the drain on your car, please send us the reading and what you found.
MAP, boost and lambda sensor faults Troubleshooting
We would like confirmed part numbers (including whether the Lotus pressure sensor is the same Bosch item), the normal voltage readings for the boost sensor and the NA MAP sensor, and a photo of where they sit. If you have a log or readings, please share them.
P1512 fault code and a car that won’t start Troubleshooting
The threads have no photos and don't say where the connectors are or how to open them. We would also like to know what P1515 and P1516 mean, whether the 30-second throttle reset is a real procedure, what the "rearm button" is, and whether any of this applies to the Turbo. If you have fixed a P1512, please tell us what worked, and send photos of the connectors.
Reading fault codes (OBD-II) and a code lookup Troubleshooting
We have no VX220-specific code list of our own, and no photo or location for the OBD connector. If you have a verified list for the Z22SE or Z20LET, or a code you have traced to a real fault, please tell us, especially for codes like P1243 and P1612 where the generic description is wrong.
Running hot: diagnosing high coolant temperatures Troubleshooting
We would like confirmed causes: what actually fixed a car that ran hot in traffic or at idle, the normal operating range for the NA and the Turbo, and the thermostat opening temperature. If you solved one, please tell us what it was.
Throttle failure and limp mode: the connectors to check Troubleshooting
There are no photos of the connectors, the ECU plug bar or the pedal connector in these threads, and nobody gave a pin-out. If you have photographed or repaired the plugs, please send them, along with what finally cured your car.
Turbo MAF sensor faults: symptoms, tests and cleaning Troubleshooting
There is no pin-out diagram, no confirmed voltage table and no cleaning method that anyone reports lasting. If you have tested a MAF, please tell us the readings you saw (voltage or g/s at idle and at higher revs), the part number, and what finally fixed it.
Swapping the standard turbo for the VXR (Z20LEH) turbo Turbo
We don't have torque settings for the manifold studs, turbo unions and downpipe, the gasket and seal part numbers, the order of the job, or a current price and source for a Z20LEH turbo. If you have done this swap, please tell us what you needed to replace and any problems.
Turbo boost solenoids: where they are, how to test and replace them Turbo
We don't have a torque for the solenoid bolts, a verified current part number for each solenoid, a clear photo of the turbo-side solenoid, or a diagram of the vacuum lines between the two solenoids, the wastegate actuator, the vacuum box and the recirc valve. If you have changed them, please tell us what you bought, what the old ones were marked and what changed.
Turbo boost: low held boost, overboost and flutter Turbo
We don't have a reliable table of boost by stage, the dyno print-outs from these threads, or a result for the K04 low-boost car or the stage 4 flutter. If you have tracked down low boost or flutter on a Turbo, please tell us the car, the symptoms, the cause and the cure.
Turbo cam belt change Turbo
The original photos were lost years ago, so only three photos survive (the water pump ones, from later in the thread). The thread has no torque figure for the cam or crank pulley bolts, because you don't remove them, and the Haynes torques are quoted second-hand. Corrections and photos of the timing marks and tensioner would be very welcome.
Turbo charge cooler kit: parts, pump wiring and fan wiring Turbo
We don't have the fitting order for the cooler and pre-rad, the pipe sizes for the grommet holes beyond the hole saw size, or whether the kit is still sold in this form. If you have fitted one, please tell us what you changed and send photos.
Turbo cooling circuit and track-day upgrades Turbo
There are no photos of the installs, no wiring details and no long-term results for any of these. If you have fitted an electric pump or oil cooler to a Turbo, please tell us how it has lasted and what temperatures you see.
Turbo recirc valve: compressor stall, “turkey” noises and springs Turbo
We don't have a verified diagram of the vacuum lines to the recirc valve, a photo of the valve with a split diaphragm, a test for whether it is closing and opening, the part numbers for the standard and Forge valves, or a Bailey DV30 fitting write-up. If you have changed your valve or springs, please tell us the car, the map, what you fitted and what changed.
Turbo stage 1 and 2: what owners did, got and paid (2013) Turbo
We don't have a verified list of the parts in each tuner's stage 1 and 2 packages, or current prices. If you have a dyno sheet, please tell us what was fitted and what the machine was.
Turbo stage 2.5: 3 inch exhaust, injectors and where the limits are Turbo
We don't have dyno plots for a 3 inch decat on a Turbo, or noise readings for one. If you have either, please tell us.