hey folks, ive got a 1997 mdl vt berlina, changing eveything from the smashed vt s pack i have to the berlina. i also plan on getting the manual from the s-pack into the berlina, i was wondering if the berlina has the same wireing loom as the s pack ? will i just be able to plug the electric doors and seat in ? or will the wireing loom need to be changed for the manual conversion anyway ? the berlina doesnt have the power seat/windows, am i able to change them ? does anyone know how to get the boot off ? obviously 4 10mm bolts, but how do i disconnect the wireing ? just cut and reconnect later ? does anyone know of a good quality rust remover ? has anyone else got the problem with water leaking in the boot of their vt ?seems to slowl be rusting the rear qp away. ive had a quote of $750-$900 to get the tranny swap done. since i have the whole other manual s-pack he said its o nly about $900 in labour. do they have to weld new mounts for the manual gearbox ? cheers folks
Hi mack. When you do the auto to manual conversion, you wont need to change any of the wiring looms but you will need to change the ecu to manual. You can change the seats and doors with no problems but you will need to install the wiring looms from the s pac in order to use the electric windows and electric seats. To get the boot off you will need to remove the wiring loom for the reverse lights (and spoiler if it has one). To do this you will need to trace alont the wiring, there should be "zip ties" holding the wiring to the boot lid. When you remove the cable ties you should be able to pull the wiring out without cutting it. A good quality rust remover is called a grinder. If you do not have time or do not have the proper equipment you could use a product called Rust Converter. You can get it from most auto and hardware stores. As for water leaking into the boot... If it is near therear garnish then the garnish may not be sealed properly. If it is in the sill at the top of the boot, the car may have been parked on a downhill most its life and water has sat in the spot for quite a while. It will get under the boot rubbers and corode it. The labour for the manual conversion seems a bit steep. It would take a maximum of 8 hours @ $60ph. (arround $480 in labour) Then you will need to get a certificate for the conversion. (unless its not currently roadworthy) They should be able to unbolt the mounts and swap them over without having to weld.
hey ozzie, thanks for the reply, how exactly do i remove the doors ? it looks just like a pin holding it in place, should i just tap them out ? also, is replacing the wireing loom hard ? is that the wireing for absolutly eveything in the car ? i plan on changing the carpet from the s pack to the berlina someone told me the loom was under there ?
