2004 Astra Turbo

[Lonewolf]

So, sold the skyline, picked this up on Friday.
Have wanted one since they first came out in 2003 and won Motor's BFYB.

Most of you would say its a bit of a downgrade, and I'd agree at the moment in performance terms its nowhere near as quick, but soooo much nicer to drive than an 18 year old Nissan.

2004 model
105,000km
2L Turbo, 147kw, 250nm @1950rpm-5600rpm
Leather, abs, traction control etc

http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/IMG_0823.JPG

http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/IMG_0821.JPG

http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/IMG_0818.JPG

Its in pretty good nick, mechanical check came up OK but they have a bit of a reputation for electrical issues.
Its not my daily driver though so if I need to wait for parts from the UK its not a big drama.

To drive its really really nice, all-round, Zero turbo lag, great seats, nice gearshift.
Obviously not that quick, but the motors have potential for another hundred HP just from boltons, very popular in Europe.


Plans from here:
timing belt + water pump + full service of fluids and filters
ECU remap
FMIC
3" exhaust
EEmotive "Black box" so I can fully disable the ESP for the track
quaife LSD
bilstein shocks + eibach springs

[31-EVO]

You my friend, are a sirry.
They do however boogy with very little mods, I drove the the AH VXR, and it was ridiculous for what it was.

[R3N]

Ahhh... awesome cars, I used to have an Astra. Just the old 1.8 but was good fun

http://www.astraownersclub.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=10

Good resource if you haven't visited already. Also opelaus.com in Oz obviously.

Sway bars make a world of difference to the handling, rears make a more considerable difference.

Whatever you do, don't get a pod. Search for "derestricting airbox" and bung in a better panel filter.

[c.rusli]

nice! ;)
getting sensible eeey?

[Lonewolf]

yeah im on both Astra forums already, did my research prior to purchase :)

Oh yeah, i forgot to mention that I will be keeping mods as stealthy as possible, e.g FMIC and piping will be painted black

Air box I believe I can fit the 1.9 diesel or 2.2 air box for better flow whilst keeping it OEM, so that's an option I'll be looking at.

[mr_mike]

always liked the look of these in 2 door, have a definate Escort Cosworth look about them i reckon.
One thing i have never liked about Astras though was the way the dash comes down under the steering colum, only have size 10 feet but found i was always hitting them on the trim panel.

[TJ]

Nice Opel

[thrtytwo]

Good to see something different mate, sounds like some quality mods planned.

Too many people that buy these sort of uncommon, non traditional, performance cars just rice them up and do no real mods.

[Risk10k]

VRX conversion. Just saying :)

[Lump]

congrats, very nice car

[Lonewolf]

always liked the look of these in 2 door, have a definate Escort Cosworth look about them i reckon.
One thing i have never liked about Astras though was the way the dash comes down under the steering colum, only have size 10 feet but found i was always hitting them on the trim panel.

i have size 12's, haven't really noticed an issue as yet....


Nice Opel

Opel/Vauxhall :)


Good to see something different mate, sounds like some quality mods planned.

Too many people that buy these sort of uncommon, non traditional, performance cars just rice them up and do no real mods.

I like uncommon cars, makes it something interesting and amusing when you smoke something that "should" be faster.


VRX conversion. Just saying :)

Runs pretty much the exact same motor as the VXR, some slightly uprated components that will likely make their way onto this like the turbo + injectors + AFMC

[Risk10k]

Cool! Definately have a lot of love for them, could be an absolutely spastic little rocket. The real question is, will WA Perf tune it? :P

[ryanr32]

Torque steer ftw

[Risk10k]

Torque steer ftw

This is a mis-conception. Torque steer can be over-come with wheelspin. SRT-4 sales pitch!

[4A10SHN]

Hi mount!

[Risk10k]

Hi mount!

Would look OEM with a rice pot as a heat shield. Painted black :)

[Mistikal]

As said on FB, great little car, and bought for a steal! Will be watching the progress on this one.

[kurbn]

Nice Opel

winning

I do like these in blue, such a nice colour. Still cant get over how similar the engine looks to the daewoo cielo I used to drive around in.

how strong are the gearboxes in these?

[Lonewolf]

made by getrag, pretty stout by all accounts, seen a few over 400hp on std box

[kurbn]

oh nice!

[ossie cossie]

Mr Mike, The only comparison this has with an escort cosworth is that it is a 2 door hatch back.

[Miggy]

Good job Blake, I'm a fan.

[mr_mike]

http://ramsport.com/shop/images/escort%20cosworth.jpg
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqIOKnUE2ZF2KBLpBNpNP,rZIQ~~_12.JPG

looks wise they have a similar profile, but obviously thats about it

[pgc]

2004, Blake?

Second pic says '03. :P (I know, I know - late 03 is an 04 model year, etc).

Nice purchase. It looks very clean. A mate of mine had one of these and it went hard in its day. Just watch it carefully (as with all TS Astras) as things start to go wrong after 100,000kms.

Good luck with being back in the FWD Club.

[ossie cossie]

Rose tinted glasses mate, it could also be said that it looks like a hyundai excell? :)

[Lonewolf]

2004, Blake?

Second pic says '03. :P (I know, I know - late 03 is an 04 model year, etc).

Nice purchase. It looks very clean. A mate of mine had one of these and it went hard in its day. Just watch it carefully (as with all TS Astras) as things start to go wrong after 100,000kms.

Good luck with being back in the FWD Club.

Ha, so it is, even rego papers have it as 04 (might be time of first registration?)
And yeah i'm aware they have a rep for niggles when they get old, thankfully this one has been well looked after.
I also only do about 5000km a year, and dont mind if the car is off the road for parts to come from the UK if required :)


Rose tinted glasses mate, it could also be said that it looks like a hyundai excell? :)

Hehe, your cossie looks like an excel! :D

[Fryman]

are these the ones that are made in belgium and have the indicators on the wrong side..

it is what it is. To me it feels like a step backwards unless it solely for daily duties, in which then said mods should make it an awesome one!

[pgc]

are these the ones that are made in belgium and have the indicators on the wrong side...

Yep! But I think all modern Astras have the indicators on the left, don't they?

[Lonewolf]

yep made in belgium and indicators on the left.
And no its not a daily, but nice to have something I can take down south for a weekend away without worrying about it.

[space]

I too wanted one of these a while back when they first came out. Are you not going to miss the higher performance ability of the Skyline though?

[Lonewolf]

should have similar speed that the skyline had, but yes lower overall potential.
Just different types, this will be more low/midrange focused (which you can use all the time), vs the skylines top end bias.

[mARC]

Nice outside of the box purchase man, keen to see results when you start tinkering.

[Torquen]

Rose tinted glasses mate, it could also be said that it looks like a hyundai excell? :)

You mad ;)

[hako]

Yep! But I think all modern Astras have the indicators on the left, don't they?

TS Astra indicator stalk on the left.
AH Astra indicator stalk on the right.

Wildly different car from an R32, working on TS Astra's on a daily basis I wish you the best of luck.

[TJ]

yep made in belgium and indicators on the left.
And no its not a daily, but nice to have something I can take down south for a weekend away without worrying about it.

Until the ECU explodes at about South St :)

[Lonewolf]

Vipec V88 then? :)

[monk_13]

Reverse 'nut vids not loading?

:D

[Lonewolf]

EDS-IPF arrived from the UK today.
Basically a "flash tuner" that allows me to download tunes from a library of files with various mods.

I'll be going for the phase 1 tune which is rated at 245ps (up from 197ps std).
I'll probably be a few short of that due to lack of a proper FMIC + exhaust, but cheap easy power.

Will head down to allstar for a base run and comparo, but hopefully get the car flashed for a street impression in the next few days.

[Jimmy_S]

Nice work Blake! Good to see you back where you belong!! FWD through and through! ;)

[Kickit]

nice ride mate. shouldnt get any cop attention :P

[Lonewolf]

got around to flash tuning the car and wow it transforms the car.
Much smoother throughout the rev range, and clearly a shitload more torque, will be interested to see the differences on the dyno.

upgrade supposed to take the car from ~12psi overboost holding 10psi, 197ps and 250nm, to ~16psi overboost holding 14psi, 245ps and 360nm.

[adrenalin]

Pretty decent gain from just tune.

More air + fuel !

[rat]

That's a pretty decent increase!!
How much boost will these hold on standard internals??

[Lonewolf]

18-20psi, rod bolts are apparently the weakest link at this power level, so if the sump has to come off I may get them changed.

[Lonewolf]

These things need a timing belt and water pump change every 60,000km (lest the belt snap and pistons crunch valves) and I didnt know if the previous owner had done them or not.

Timing belt kit + water pump + fluid service today thanks to Josh @ Galvsport.
Between Josh + Autovaux in the UK probably cost me at least 1/2 what a dealer would have charged.

Trying to get in next week for dyno run at allstar before the next couple of mods go on :)

[Lonewolf]

Got down to Evolution R today and onto the dyno to test out the flash unit.

Unfortunately the dyno's AFR meter wasn't working so couldn't get it printed, but monitored on the handheld, and sat at ~11:1 through the top-end.

Couldn't get an accurate power run with the factory tune, as the ECU/traction control ECU was making life difficult.

Then re flashed back to the EDS Phase 1 tune, and these are the results
Power:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/Astra_power.jpg

Boost:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/Astra_boost.jpg

Pretty much what I expected, nice fat midrange, ~14psi max, trailing down to ~10psi up top.
Hoping for more than 200hp with the FMIC and exhaust, and will go for the phase 2 map.

[Risk10k]

Keen for touge at my stock powah levels!

[V70R]

should've kept the VW :)

[c.rusli]

graph looks so fat.. lol

[Lonewolf]

should've kept the VW :)

double the price, same power, less torque, more weight, sure....


graph looks so fat.. lol

Yeah, full boost at 2000rpm is funny, you pay for it up top though.
Hopefully better flowing Exhaust and FMIC will help widen it a little more.

[Miggy]

Good stuff what's after exhaust and cooler?

[Lonewolf]

LSD, swaybar and coilovers

[cactus]

Thats if you keep it long enough!

I've always liked these, I remember back in the days of PPCC, Ryan owned a blue(?) one which I went for a ride in, was awesome.

[V70R]

I've always liked these, I remember back in the days of PPCC, Ryan owned a blue(?) one which I went for a ride in, was awesome.

Thats right, I remember :)
Was quick too.

[V70R]

LSD, swaybar and coilovers

Then upgrade brakes, then sell :D

[Lonewolf]

Thats if you keep it long enough!

I've always liked these, I remember back in the days of PPCC, Ryan owned a blue(?) one which I went for a ride in, was awesome.

A black one, and yeah he's still around actually on astra forums.
THis one will be a keeper with any luck.

[Lonewolf]

I was a bit worried about inlet temps after putting in the Phase 1 map, so needed a front mount.
Also the stock turbo's can be known to overheat due to back pressure with the extra turbine speed, so an exhaust to aid flow was good.
And of course the lack of noise, and some extra power :D


Cooler is a tight fit in the engine bay, and the exhaust flange was munted and rear muffler barely fits but is all in now thanks to Josh @ Galvsport.

Stock cooler which is 90% blocked by the front bar and really thin with tiny piping:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/stock_cooler.JPG

new cooler which is 90% in the airflow, and better piping and thicker (not my car but only decent pic i had):
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/new_cooler.jpg

Unlike some of the cheaper kits, you also cannot tell that its been changed from the engine bay, with no shiny piping or clamps.
it also fits behind the factory grille.

And the stock exhaust, 2 cats (one in the dump pipe), 2 big ass restrictive mufflers and small piping:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/stock_exhaust.JPG

new exhaust, 3" turbo back, with straight through mufflers and high flow cat:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/exhaust.jpg

After going for a quick blat last night, the car has changed completely.
Spools faster, can actually hear the turbo, exhaust note is great without being droney and it feels significantly quicker.
I'd suspect approx 30-40hp gain, but looking to put it on the dyno on thursday.

I also have a "phase 2" tune to load whilst on the dyno which bumps up the boost by another couple of PSI.

[Fukushima]

Interesting that the intercooler is supposed to be 90%....flow

When I saw them side by side it didn't seem to be much bigger but I hope you get a good result on the dyno :-)

[V70R]

Nice front mount.
Is that one of Josh's?

[Lonewolf]

cooler is from Courtenaysport in the UK.

cooler doesnt flow 90%, its 90% in the airflow through the front bumper (vs the std one which is hidden behind the RIO bar and bumper) :)
Its about 2x the area and twice as thick as the stocker

[c.rusli]

Looking good ;)!
did you need to pay for every tunes stages?
or is it free to download?

seems like you keep updating the tune! lol..

[Lonewolf]

nah you pay once and get about 5 stages of tune to suit various mods (like intake cam, intake manifold, VXR turbo etc).

[Lonewolf]

Right, went back to the dyno today.

a) Ran it up with the phase 1 tune + exhaust + FMIC and got 205hp, with healthy increase throughout the range, on lower boost than before. Great!
b) loaded up the phase 2 tune (250ps/400nm), and got clutch slip on the heavy loading of the dyno. Changed the ramp rate and it held, and did 218hp at 4500rpm so there is scope for a decent whack more...

power/torque:

http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/power2.jpg

Boost:

http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/boost2.jpg

I believe that i need to adjust the pre-load on the wastegate actuator, hence why i'm only seeing 10psi of boost in the top end regardless of engine map.
Will look at winding that up a bit and then monitor / re-dyno.

[Lump]

yeah should be a good improvement once you get that boost sorted, as long as its not the turbo running out of puff.
what does she weigh?

[Lonewolf]

turbo should be able to hold 14/15psi up top, versus the 10psi (wastegate pressure) it has now.
They're about 1250kg

[Lump]

yeah probably another 30hp in it then, nice!

[RUSSGT]

Nice mate. I bought one brand new in 03. I had a black one. Did a few mods. Was a great car. Best time was 14.7 quater. Hard to get off the line.

[Lonewolf]

stock clutch started to slip badly with the higher boost level, expected that it would need doing at some point given the age of the car.
Wound it back to stage 1 tune, doesn't feel to slip but the smell is a giveaway!

have now ordered from the UK:
Courtenay "fast road" organic clutch
5.6kg lightened billet flywheel (std is 9.5kg)
Quaife ATB LSD - badly needs this to get power down
various diff bearings and seals

once this goes in, I can wind the better tune in, and adjust the actuator to get boost where it should be.

[DenZel]

Another nice little project

always enjoy your projects and write up threads

sounds like it should go pretty hard for what it is once you done.

[Lonewolf]

http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/goodies.JPG

Bits have arrived at last!

[Lonewolf]

LSD, clutch and diff are now in thanks to Galvsport.
Josh can confirm it spins both :D

now there is no clutch slip, boost gauge and controller have been ordered so I can sort out the boost drop-off to get it holding power up top

[Risk10k]

Saw a black one today, with Opel badges. I liked it.

[Lonewolf]

ALM skidpan on the weekend, car went well due to light weight, responsive turbo and the LSD.
Oodles of body roll but think it has some potential when i get the suspension sorted, likely go for Bilstein coilovers and a rear swaybar and some bushes.

Pic thanks to Brockas
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6155324741_74afa79484_b.jpg

[Sciflyer]

It did look pretty quick despite the body roll

How was tyre wear? can you chuck plenty of camber in the fronts?

[Lonewolf]

can get bushes for the front, will have to research if i can get coilovers with adjustable top hats or not
Stock tyres are shithouse, set of ku-36, 595rs, ad08's etc will be coming when i can

[Lonewolf]

been a while since the last update, have just been putting around collecting some parts.

had some dramas with a place in Europe trying to get hold of Bilstein coilovers but huge delays on parts means i've cancelled that and now going for KW V1 "Basic" coilovers.
I cant justify spending the extra on the V2's and V3's on what is still primarily a street car.
Will also be getting some adjustable sway-bar droplinks and some super-pro bushings for engine mount and front suspension control arms.

Ordered an airbox from a 1.9 turbo diesel, a bigger air intake, and Roose Motorsport direct piping kit to suit.
Will take it from this:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/IMG_0821.JPG

to this:
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac8/dutchy_02/DSC00015.jpg

Basically bigger pipes, more direct, and better flowing airbox, whilst still retaining the OEM look and feel.

As I mentioned before, the stock turbo was no longer holding boost like it should at the top end. I tried a boost controller which brought it on faster but still died off up top.
Apparently its quite common for the stock turbo's to develop cracks on the exhaust manifold/wastegate area and hence boost drops off.
Only holding 8-9psi past about 5000rpm makes the car a lot slower than it should be.

therefore....
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/vxr_turbo.JPG

Brand new VXR turbo from the UK.
have stronger exhaust manifold material, as well as slightly optimised wheels/housings.
its still a small factory turbo so will maintain the early spool, but good for a lot more boost than i'm currently getting.

Has the capability of running up to 18-20psi down the track when i upgrade AFM + injectors but will be happy with a consistent 15-16psi for now.

[Tocchi]

nice mods Blake ... what kind of power will the 16psi pump out ?

[Lonewolf]

will wait and see, 240-250hp at the hubs maybe
will need an injectors + AFM to run more boost, and an intake manifold/intake cam to maintain top end power - they'll be the next power mods on the list

[Tocchi]

shit thats pretty good for a FWD car ... whats the weight of the car? compared to the smaller 90's fwds that are "zippy"

[Lonewolf]

about 1250kg.... heavier than my old SSS, lighter than a lot of the modern turbo fwd stuff
Very easy to take more weight out of it via seats etc, rear bench is 40kg+ apparently!

[c.rusli]

Turbo and manifold in one piece.. =/
cool design thoo :D

[monk_13]

I hate you.

That is all.

:p

[Lonewolf]

sounds like someone's emo after being chopped by an astra only running 8psi :D

[V70R]

What size is the VXR turbo?

[Lonewolf]

its a K04 but different trims to the stuff from the VW/Audi stuff
very small in the scheme of things!

[Lonewolf]

Josh @ Galvsport fitted the turbo and intake kit for me this weekend and the results have been spectacular.
Gone from ~12psi overboost dying to 8psi after 4500rpm to now 16psi overboost holding 14psi to redline.

spins 2nd when it comes onto boost now and its feels pretty quick.
Interested to see how it fares on the dyno when i get a chance.

[Traitor]

Nice, thought it was the astra off here when I pulled up to the shop this arvo.

Should net some good results

[monk_13]

Please refer to post #82...

Nah, nice work Blake. You gonna get up to a NoLimits night at some stage?

[Lonewolf]

yep, suspension and tyres and i'm there

[Brett_J]

Retune ?

[Lonewolf]

have a different map to flash for the VXR turbo, supposedly worth an additional 10hp over the current one.
either way its making a lot more than it was on the previous dyno run

[Brett_J]

How does the LSD behave hard cornering under boost?

[thrtytwo]

nice one man! must go preeeety well :D

[Lonewolf]

How does the LSD behave hard cornering under boost?

transforms the car, instead of spinning one wheel and washing out with understeer you can actually feel it working to pull the car through the corner.
The face the torque ramps up hard early probably helps it

[Simon]

Glad to see a thread on one of these.

I often scab my mum's one for a while. They do go well.

Keen to see the dyno results!

[Joe]

Very nice Blake!!

I absolutely love OEM spec power ups... they look stock, are top quality and make power. Win!

[Lonewolf]

Took the car today to Evolution R and ran it up using the factory solenoid/boost controller:

a) stage 2 tune (to suit VXR turbo) ended up overboosting to about 18psi and the car detonated and didn't hold boost well up top - scratch this one.
b) stage 1 tune (360nm version) still had a slight overboost but safe, boost still tailed off a little up top

Decided to change back to the cheap EBC I had and eliminated the overboost (which can be a good thing for traction), and it held boost better up top.
Ended up running about 16psi early, tapering to 14psi up top.

The below graphs compare the car with factory hardware and just flash tune vs FMIC, Exhaust, Intake, VXR turbo.
Boost (yes thats 15psi before 2500pm... :D )
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/new_boost.jpg

and the power
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/new_power.jpg

Pretty happy with where its at, 50hp at the hubs gain from cooler,exhaust,intake and VXR turbo at relatively low boost, and more importantly over a wider rev range.

Power wise from here I dont really want to run too much more boost, but increase the efficiency of the motor with an intake cam and EDS Intake manifold. Both of these should see it maintain peak power to 7000rpm rather than the sharp drop off.

[monk_13]

Fuck.

Tidy gains there Blake. 3rd gear FWD peel outs?

[mys1]

Doesnt seem to be alot of point reving it to 7k at them moment!

nice fat power curve! Wont the cam change just shift it further up the rev range?

[Lonewolf]

peels 2nd, 3rd in the wet!

Yeah no point revving it hard at the moment, change up about 6250 i think and stay in the meat of the powerband.
The factory intake cam is VERY crap for power, will lose a couple of hp down low but gain a fair bit up top

suspension and braking need the next work though, chassis is a bit overpowered now.

[Milhouse]

suspension and braking need the next work though, chassis is a bit overpowered now.

Weak.

350fwhp - standard brakes.

[Lonewolf]

only need brakes when the car is on the road :P

[BOSS 290]

Bloke, this thing hauls ass! Saw it on the cruise last night, very under-rated!

[TJ]

Goes well.

Needed more time to actually select a gear, but would have beaten me easily.

[Lonewolf]

Bloke, this thing hauls ass! Saw it on the cruise last night, very under-rated!

Ah so you're the territory owner, good to put a face to the name!
Catches a few people by surprise ;)


Goes well.

Needed more time to actually select a gear, but would have beaten me easily.

Theres always next time, and dare say it'll be reversed when you get a bigger snail on yours :)

[INSINR8R]

Were you at BP on Main St just after midnight Thursday night/Friday morning?

Pretty sure it was you, quick car.

[BOSS 290]

Ah so you're the territory owner, good to put a face to the name!
Catches a few people by surprise ;)

Nah, it's slow, the most powerful thing on it are the HID spotlights! Hopefully the chip getting installed late next week will make it less show hahaha.

[Lonewolf]

Were you at BP on Main St just after midnight Thursday night/Friday morning?

Pretty sure it was you, quick car.

Yeah was out setting up the actuator and needed fuel, thought you looked familiar but couldnt place the username vs car


Nah, it's slow, the most powerful thing on it are the HID spotlights! Hopefully the chip getting installed late next week will make it less show hahaha.

I meant my car, not yours :D

[BOSS 290]

I meant my car, not yours :D

Fair enough. Everything for me is slow unless it's powered by General Electric.

[INSINR8R]

Yeah was out setting up the actuator and needed fuel, thought you looked familiar but couldnt place the username vs car



I meant my car, not yours :D

All good, very nice for an Astra :D

[yeahlow34]

Genuinely impressed with this car, although haven't seen it in the flesh.
But the amount of people suggesting it's quick, would indicate it has some real go.
Perfect type of car to have fun, without spending big big $$$.
Look forward to seeing it out.

[Lonewolf]

Coilovers and front swaybar droplinks have arrived, get josh to put them in before the ALM track night.
Should sort out the 4wd ride height and tighten up the handling.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/coilovers.jpg

[Lonewolf]

So ALM track night coming up, was time to get butt into gear...
The above KW coilovers are now in, along with a set of adjustable front swaybar droplinks
http://i.ebayimg.com/10/!B5Nk,Sw!Wk~$%28KGrHqR,!hQEyribN%29ByBMs%29owLRDQ~ ~_35.JPG

Previous ride height:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/standard.JPG

and now:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/lowered.JPG

Handling is significantly better, lots less body roll and it actually feels a lot tighter.
Keen to give it a good workout on the track!

Also needed a fire extinguisher mounted, but i wanted it done so that it was completely reversible....
Josh and Stewyb @ Galvsport put their heads together and came up with this:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/Extinguisher.JPG

Mounts to 2 existing holes, just a couple of bolts and shes undone.
I dont use the rear seats anyway, and they fold down for carrying tyres etc without interfering.

Also changed tyres to a set of 215/40 (std size) Federal RS-R's, and got some better brake fluid.
Keen to see how she fares next week!

[Tocchi]

Looks heaps better :)

[Lonewolf]

so now its lowered, i can put rims on without it looking shit.
Will ruin the sleeper look a bit but need clearance for brakes

http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/wheels_resize.jpg

[Alt_F4]

Sexy looking rims, quite light also?

[Lonewolf]

Sexy looking rims, quite light also?

8.4kg each, will weigh a stocker to compare once they're on

[thrtytwo]

Nice rims dude!

I'm having trouble trying to find much that will fit mine :( would like a similar style

[Lonewolf]

Nice rims dude!

I'm having trouble trying to find much that will fit mine :( would like a similar style

Yeah it can be hard over here for them...
I would have liked a set of Team Dynamics 1.2's but by the time you factor in cost, plus shipping ex UK, then import duty and GST it adds up.
These were cheap ex-USA, thankfully Saab's share the same wheel specs so I got creative :)

[duste]

I would have liked a set of Team Dynamics 1.2's but by the time you factor in cost, plus shipping ex UK, then import duty and GST it adds up.

Not sure what the prices are from the UK, but I found these just last week and didn't think the pricing was that bad: http://www.autosports.com.au/index.php/products/product/view/41/2786

Regardless, those Sparco's look very nice, can't wait to see them mounted.

[POH73]

Have you tried Demontweeks for the Pro Race 1.2s? A mate got his in 18x8 5x112 ET45 for a Golf for A$1,200 delivered to Perth.
I was very fortunate and got mine in 18x8 (last set in Oz at the time) for $990 delivered to Perth from Menai Tyre Pitstop http://www.tyrepitstop.com.au/mag-wheels/team-dynamics-wheels

[Lonewolf]

Sparco's work out at 1/2 that price, and no 4 week wait for them to be made

[duste]

Sparco's work out at 1/2 that price, and no 4 week wait for them to be made

Oh, no shit! Didn't think you could get any rims that cheap other than Tempes/Rotas.

Not bad. :D

[POH73]

+ shipping, the prices I quoted above were delivered.
The Sparco Assetto and Pista are great value though!

Just trying to help with some alternative sources, that's all.

[Lonewolf]

+ shipping, the prices I quoted above were delivered.
The Sparco Assetto and Pista are great value though!

Just trying to help with some alternative sources, that's all.

Sorry my reply was to duste.
1200 inc shipping? If so that's very very cheap.
Possibly the golf wheels are more in demand or something

[POH73]

Sorry my reply was to duste.
1200 inc shipping? If so that's very very cheap.
Possibly the golf wheels are more in demand or something

Sorry, I misinterpreted that - my bad.
Could well be a more popular size though the VWs have a shit PCD and offset - even though Audi has the same PCD they quite often use a 35ET instead of 45.

[monk_13]

Have these got semis on them yet Blake??? You know there is a No Limits night coming up right? You can try claim back some chop rights on the POS Datsun :-p


P.S Do very much like new rims!

[POH73]

Here you go, a well recognised seller: http://www.rimstyle.com/alloywheels/detail/?car_model_id=12260;wheel=team_dynamics_pro_race_1 2_gb;dia=18

[Lonewolf]

all good, already have rims i'm happy with but will look them up if i even change my mind!

Shane: RSR's will go back onto these so cant play with the proper r-comp guys but looking to run on the 19th

[c.rusli]

Baller items.. loving it dude!

[ClevoCapri]

There nice rims.
What do you think of the RSR's for daily use and the odd track day? Were they good for a non r-comp?
Im thinking of getting some for my new rims.

[Lonewolf]

RSR's are good, traction is good enough in the wet as long as you dont go stupid, still sidewalls and a bit noisy though if that bothers you.
Traction is fantastic.

On the track, as expected they are between a street tyre and an r-comp.
Treadwear i'll be keeping an eye on as I go, but since i only do about 5000km's a year they should be fine

[ClevoCapri]

Sounds good. Cheers for the feedback!

[Lonewolf]

http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/IMG_1413.JPG

http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/IMG_1414.JPG

http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/IMG_1416.JPG

Weighed a stock wheel, 11.2kg.
So have dropped 2.8kg of unsprung mass per corner, and clearance for 4pots

[Alt_F4]

Looks shit

[Turbo2.6L]

Awesome Blake!

[TJ]

Spend half a day repainting the calipers, front grill and front bumper insetts in black - will look 10000 times better.

[c.rusli]

Very clean blake..

+ Polish your head light will come up stunning!

[Lonewolf]

cheers guys, happy with the look and can definitely notice the difference in wheel weights.

Chris: have new OEM headlights in the mail already, god bless ebay :)

TJ: calipers will be gone once I confirm exactly how much space I have to play with, and yeah the plastics in the grill could use some rejuvination. Grill I may ditch the Holden badge (not for an Opel one :) )

[ClevoCapri]

Looks much better on those wheels!

We need another track night so you can test them out!

[Lonewolf]

hitting no limits next week :)
hoping to scrape under a 60 if i can

[thrtytwo]

lookin good man!!

[Madhav]

Rims look awesome. Nice choice. As others have said, some other black parts here and there would highlite them even more. Darken the tint for example, black side indicators etc.

[Stef]

love these, mate had one previously in the blue, didnt have it very long coz of some idiot in a pootrol sideswiped him, causing him to roll 5 odd times down an embankment into a shallow river. mate was thankful to be alive due to the safewty of these cars....


quaife decimates all!

[Lonewolf]

love these, mate had one previously in the blue, didnt have it very long coz of some idiot in a pootrol sideswiped him, causing him to roll 5 odd times down an embankment into a shallow river. mate was thankful to be alive due to the safewty of these cars....
quaife decimates all!

Lol, well nice to know if that happens to me i'll survive!

On another note, time for an update.

Car popped a radiator hose on the way to no limits :(
Galvsport sorting that out as well as a new pair of OEM headlights, god bless ebay!

Having been used to cars that make good top end power, the sharp drop off that this car has after about 5500rpm has annoyed me, so time for more mods!

Brand new bosch 80mm AFM from Astra VXR
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/afm.JPG

Brand new 480cc injectors, rail and FPR from Astra VXR
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/injectors.JPG

and the biggest part, a romanian knockoff of a german tuners intake manifold
http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/intake.JPG

For reference, this is what a standard intake looks like:
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s33/jaysastra04/DSC06550-1.jpg

clearly much shorter runners which should take away some low end, and give it back to me up top.
this is a good sacrifice given a FWD and lots of low end torque = lack of traction.

also should still look pretty factory under the bonnet :)

[Lonewolf]

figured with a new intake manifold there was no point having a bottleneck in the post intercooler piping or the small pre-TB plenum so got some piping made up in the UK.
Going to try to paint in black crinkle to maintain stealth.

Plus billet short shifter and Aeromotive stealth fuel pump as a precautionary measure.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonewolf3/astra/pipes_etc.JPG

I'm also looking at programmable ECU options in case it all doesnt play together nicely with the ECU reflash.
And brake upgrade options :D

[monk_13]

I'm also looking at programmable ECU options

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m25xjwahGw1qc3wmu.gif

[Blueraven]

Hey buddy....hate to break it to you but the 5500 drop will be down to the turbo ;) Your intake mods may help but the bottleneck will be the turbo :p

Not enough midrange for ya??? Mine would punch you in the face lol
http://i47.tinypic.com/3h8q8.jpg

L2shortshift or....

Gogo 479hp :D:D:D
http://www.courtenaysport.co.uk/buy-online/shop-by-category/tuning-components/z20lex-gt2871r-upgrade-kit/prod_971.html

[Lonewolf]

others using the same intake manifold have seen a lot less of the top end drop off, and then cams down the track would help even further.

not as brave as you were with the boost, happy with the torque levels just a fatter top end would be nice :)

[Blueraven]

Dude i ran something like 24psi for 18 months before i sold it, flogged daily, trackdays and drag strip etc as much as i could, the turbo and motor will take it :cool:
Doubt too many people on here remember the half a dozen cruises I turned up too, i dont think anyone ever lined next to me for roll-ons because they would have thought it was a waste of time (fair play), so i spent half the time tucked in behind some skyline/silvia/* and rolled on behind them whenever they lined some up...kept up more often that i thought it would! roll on in 3rd gear mine from 90-150 was something like 6-7 seconds.

Cams should help too...but you might end up like i did - struggling for mid 13's due to traction :(

I hope you can do better, I only started to learn how to drive in mine.

[Lonewolf]

Yeah no-one really bothers to run the old astra, i'll gladly take that in exchange for the po-po also not taking notice :)

As you found out, traction is an issue, it already spins 2nd on RSR's, so happy to not run so much boost, but have a better powerband to play with up top.

[V70R]

Dude i ran something like 24psi for 18 months before i sold it, flogged daily, trackdays and drag strip etc as much as i could, the turbo and motor will take it :cool:
Doubt too many people on here remember the half a dozen cruises I turned up too, i dont think anyone ever lined next to me for roll-ons because they would have thought it was a waste of time (fair play), so i spent half the time tucked in behind some skyline/silvia/* and rolled on behind them whenever they lined some up...kept up more often that i thought it would! roll on in 3rd gear mine from 90-150 was something like 6-7 seconds.

Cams should help too...but you might end up like i did - struggling for mid 13's due to traction :(

I hope you can do better, I only started to learn how to drive in mine.
PPCC days ?

[Lonewolf]

your thinking of Ryan (Rhino), different black one :)

[Lonewolf]

http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/new_bay.JPG

Getting there...
Added:
VXR AFM
VXR injectors and rail
Crystip84 intake manifold
80mm roose intake piping
888Dan top hat and boost pipe (to be black crinkle painted eventually)
888dan short shifter

Will be flashing on the 3.5 map then on the dyno tomorrow, fingers crossed the tune is safe etc.

p.s. Josh loves Gypsy engineering.

[Lonewolf]

short shifter is awesome, such a small part makes such a big difference to driving feel.

Whipped it on the dyno at racing dynamics to check the boost and fueling was safe with the gypsy intake manifold.
Thankfully AFR's pretty much bang on.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/eds_3.5_Boost.jpg

as you can see its tailing off boost at high RPM when it shouldn't, the standard 7psi actuator and cheap EBC aren't cutting it, as the turbo's are capable of running better up top.
So, more parts!

http://www.forgemotorsport.co.uk/images/products/FMACAVXR.jpg

Forge actuator with spring tuning kit so I can put in different springs for different base boost levels.
if I put in the right spring I may not even need the boost controller anymore, and if I do, should only need to wind up from the base an additional 1-2psi rather than the current 9-10psi.
Should equate to another 30hp or so up top which effectively maxxes out the teeny turbo.

[Brett_J]

I have no idea what power you ended up getting out of your Pulsars, I assume it was similar to ours with around 240hp?
Hows this feel power delivery wise with the set up you have?
Seems a lot linear compared to the somewhat aggressiveness of the SR's.
Obviously it's going to drive a million times better, Pulsars are like fucking tractors :)

[Lonewolf]

Astra did 240hp @5500rpm at the hubs before, and 360nm @3000rpm (and once boost is sorted out should do ~260hp)
best the pulsar ever did was 200hp @ 7000rpm, with less than 200nm @ 6000rpm...

e.g. night and fucking day haha.

That said, because you get 15psi @ 2500rpm, from there on its very linear for a turbo car.

[Brett_J]

Astra did 240hp @5500rpm at the hubs before, and 360nm @3000rpm (and once boost is sorted out should do ~260hp)
best the pulsar ever did was 200hp @ 7000rpm, with less than 200nm @ 6000rpm...

e.g. night and fucking day haha.

That said, because you get 15psi @ 2500rpm, from there on its very linear for a turbo car.

With the Quaife LSD I imagine it'd be quite fun to drive without death trap torque steer :)

[TJ]

When I drove it briefly I was stunned at how early it came on tbh.

[Lonewolf]

With the Quaife LSD I imagine it'd be quite fun to drive without death trap torque steer :)

Diff makes a huge difference, still know which end the powers going to though :)


When I drove it briefly I was stunned at how early it came on tbh.

Its the thing i like about it, usable torque. Complete opposite to the old rb20 r32 i had previously

[Blueraven]

When I drove it briefly I was stunned at how early it came on tbh.

Mine had 24 psi at 2200rpm :) It was hard to be off boost!

Dont be shy, raise the boost man ;) (or buy the garret kit i posted earlier :D )

[Lonewolf]

cant raise it higher with this controller, and i dont want to risk reliability and decrease traction :)
just the top end it should have...

[Simon]

Should line my stock one up for a few runs, see how much better yours goes haha!

[DAN [GTI]]

Thread of much win :)

FWD Turbo is where it is at mate!

I can feel the torque steer from here, haha, and it's an Astra so 110% sleeper material.

[Lonewolf]

Should line my stock one up for a few runs, see how much better yours goes haha!

Lol, shitloads faster, trust me :)


;1045851']Thread of much win :)

FWD Turbo is where it is at mate!

I can feel the torque steer from here, haha, and it's an Astra so 110% sleeper material.

Lol cheers. Diff kills most of the torque steer.

Forge motorsport actuator has arrived from the UK.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/actuator.JPG

quality looking piece, i ordered a spring tuning kit so I can alter the base wastegate pressure, i'll be running the 14-18psi spring and see how it holds boost.

[Lonewolf]

time for an update.

Couldnt really figure out the boosting issue, still seemed to drop off earlier than it should so have moved back to factory boost control,
Had the tune changed by a guy in the UK to drop the boost level down from the 21psi to ~16psi accross the board.
My theory is that the closed loop factory control can keep it spinning the turbo up top, seems to be better from limited road testing, will see how it goes on the dyno this week hopefully..

Since 1/2 way through the ALM track night, i had a bit of a knock in the front left of the car after a hit coming onto the back straight.
This is what we found:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/broken_link.jpg

Broken swaybar end link, got these for free with the coilovers but they're obviously not good quality.
Funnily enough the car set faster lap times with effectively no front swaybar :D

So got some better engineered parts from the UK:
http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l481/rnd231/Droplinks/2012-01-19203232.jpg

still researching brake options after cooking the stock stuff at the track.
Looking at VXR rotor/caliper/braided lines first and if they dont cut it can look at something fancier.

[Lonewolf]

Josh and Gav got the endlinks in and they're so much better than the cheapies, no more front end rattle!

RE the boost issue, i'm now dealing with a guy in the UK who can tweak the factory ECU maps.
Sadly it takes a bit of back and forth to get things working but at least it gives me some "tunability".
This was the last result:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/Seant/seant_boost.jpg

You can see the boost is a bit all over the shop, but now have a newer version of the tune on the car which has made the spike/dip much better.
Going to run this plus another version of the tune when i can to see if things have improved.
The good news is you can see what holding a bit more boost does to the top end. 1psi = 10hp so its still in its efficiency band.
Ideally should make ~240hp on this dyno once things are dialled in...

On the brake front i had a couple of different options

a) VXR brakes - 321x28mm rotor, heavy single piston caliper, good wheel clearance but only marginally better than std
b) Ksport - 330x32mm rotor, 8 pot caliper, questionable quality
c) Hi spec - 335x32mm rotor, 4 pot caliper, have head of caliper flex issues and expensive replacement rotors
d) Wilwood/VXR hybrid - 321x28mm rotor, 6 pot billet radial mount caliper, good wheel clearance but no dust seals

I have opted for the wilwoods, plus braided lines and some DBA rotors and wilwood pads.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/wilwoods.jpg

Hopefully will give me some better pedal feel, more stopping power and less/zero fade.

[DAN [GTI]]

I feel your pain in the tuning department... it sucks not being able to drive into a workshop and get a tune, but good result anyway!

[V70R]

;1066771']I feel your pain in the tuning department... it sucks not being able to drive into a workshop and get a tune, but good result anyway!
Part n parcel of owning an Euro my friend.

[DAN [GTI]]

Part n parcel of owning an Euro my friend.

It's not exclusively a Euro thing :( There is only one place in WA who may be able to tune my car... If that falls-through I have to have to get a Cobb Accessport and use generic maps.

[Lonewolf]

could get a full ECU, but far too much fucking around and cost, would be a hell of a lot worse for the MPS though as its far more high tech than my engine.
Doesnt Cobb allow anyone to tune provides you have the software, or is it a "dealer only" type thing?

[DAN [GTI]]

could get a full ECU, but far too much fucking around and cost, would be a hell of a lot worse for the MPS though as its far more high tech than my engine.
Doesnt Cobb allow anyone to tune provides you have the software, or is it a "dealer only" type thing?

Anyone can tune Cobb, but they need to buy the software... I think there is one Workshop who has access to the software, but I am not sure yet, trying to confirm with the owner of the shop. There is a free software, but its more focused on altereing the maps slightly (launch control, flat-foot shifting functions, etc) not so much custom tuning.

I heard that Racing Performance Works does ECUTEK for Mazda, but I have not been able to contact them (obviously on a chrissy break).

[joshg123]

I do believe if you buy the right level of cobb tuner, sean at asg can then modify/cleanup/customise the tune to your car/our conditions

[DAN [GTI]]

I do believe if you buy the right level of cobb tuner, sean at asg can then modify/cleanup/customise the tune to your car/our conditions

Thanks, I may look into that :)

[Lonewolf]

less talk about shiny new Mazdas now :D

Fixed the brake image which was broken.
Good news is that the calipers they're sending me have a slight mark, so 50pounds cheaper. Bargain!
DBA street series rotors on their way too.

[McKVNT]

Nice, this things makes pretty good HPs! More than Le Audi at the minute anyway haha!
Wilwoods look sick man!

[DAN [GTI]]

less talk about shiny new Mazdas now :D

Fixed the brake image which was broken.
Good news is that the calipers they're sending me have a slight mark, so 50pounds cheaper. Bargain!
DBA street series rotors on their way too.

My bad :rolleyes:

It should stop as good (if not better than) it goes!!

[Lonewolf]

Nice, this things makes pretty good HPs! More than Le Audi at the minute anyway haha!
Wilwoods look sick man!

Ha, not for long!
I've only got about 20-30hp more available without huge bucks for a garrett conversion so you'll be ahead nicely.


P.s. Brakes arrived, just waiting on the DBA rotors.
Cant wait to get back to the track to see how they go.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/Brakes_arrived.jpg

[duste]

You and your Wilwoods! Very nice. :)

[Brett_J]

Ha, not for long!
I've only got about 20-30hp more available without huge bucks for a garrett conversion so you'll be ahead nicely.


P.s. Brakes arrived, just waiting on the DBA rotors.
Cant wait to get back to the track to see how they go.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/Brakes_arrived.jpg

Hopefully they bolt up better than the Pulsar ones, stupid overly long bolts hitting the rotor!

[Lonewolf]

Hopefully they bolt up better than the Pulsar ones, stupid overly long bolts hitting the rotor!

Radial mounted caliper, shitload better caliper than the cheapy ones the poosar had

[Brett_J]

Nice, now you just need to get rid of that shit Lineal power delivery :P

[NoOg_sTaR]

;1066814']Thanks, I may look into that :)
Sorry to hijack Blake.

AccessTUNER "Race" is the software you are after Dan.
http://www.cobbtuning.com/Mazda-AccessTUNER-Race-p/atr-maz.htm

The "Pro" is the paid version which locks maps and allows multiple cars to be tuned where as "Race" allows once car/COBB AccessPORT only. You need to send them your AccessPORT serial number in the software request and they will send you software for that individual AccessPORT. Sean at ASG will have a play with a AccessTUNER Race on a BMW 135 soon to test it out. If he is successful it may be a good choice for your MPS.

[Lonewolf]

rotors finally arrived, quick mockup.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/calipers_rotors.jpg

Off to galvsport on monday for installation

Also trying to get back to the dyno to check latest tune weak from guy in the UK, boost spike/dip feels sorted, just want it to hold boost better now.

May or may not also be ordering cams in readiness for Racewars :D

[DAN [GTI]]

This thing will stop with no worries anymore :cool: and what gains will the cams see? Does the turbo have much left to give?

[Lonewolf]

not sure on exact power, somewhere between 15-40hp
its more about eliminating the power drop off at high rpm (5500rpm plus), factory cams are pretty restrictive apparently.

turbo should be holding boost up top better than it is, may get josh to pull off the dump pipe to check for cracks around the wastegate.

[DAN [GTI]]

not sure on exact power, somewhere between 15-40hp
its more about eliminating the power drop off at high rpm (5500rpm plus), factory cams are pretty restrictive apparently.

turbo should be holding boost up top better than it is, may get josh to pull off the dump pipe to check for cracks around the wastegate.

Nice :D so should provide a bit more peak power... which only adds to it's impressive power-band.

[Lonewolf]

My credit card slipped...
http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/cams.jpg

Regal Autosport cams, kent cams valvesprings and retainers.
Should beef up the mid-top range a little, factory cams are known to be pretty restrictive but gains may be limited by the small turbo i'm running.
At least they'll be out of the way should I go GT28 later :)

[MrSparkle]

Nice work, looking forward to great results.

Get onto that garrett conversion and join the gtx club. :)

[monk_13]

At least they'll be out of the way when I go GT28 later :)

Fixed

[Lonewolf]

Yeah I try to keep it low key both under the bonnet (factory airbox, black silicone) and externally (not too low, factory body).

Dont recall the exact cam specs, duration slightly longer than factory and another 1.5mm of lift.

yes indeed, GTX kit would be nice....
http://www.klasen-motors.com/shop/media/images/popup/Z20LEx_GT_Komplettkit.jpg

[Lonewolf]

brakes finally on

Saves about 3kg of unsprung weight a corner

before:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/brakes/before_brakes1.JPG

http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/brakes/before_brakes2.JPG

after:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/brakes/after_brakes1.JPG

http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/brakes/after_brakes2.JPG


Would have liked better pad coverage of the disk but oh well.

Put the rear boost control solenoid into the system again (which doesnt have anything to do with actual boost levels), and now not boosting past wastegate pressure, cant fucking win!

[McKVNT]

Shit yeah man, nice looking wilwoods! Still looks sleeper!

[D3FEKT]

Brakes look mint, have you tested them out yet?

[Lonewolf]

not really, no limits on the 28th will be the first real test, but probably go for a decent drive on the weekend :)

[Nugs]

Brakes look awesome. Hope they go good on the 28th, I'll see you there.

[Lonewolf]

Hit the track last night with the new brakes.

Didn't go any faster on the short track but could do consistent laps - all of them were within 0.5 seconds of each other, and zero brake fade.
Set a benchmark for the long track too which I hadn't driven in 9 years.

Pads bedding in put on a bit of a show:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/sparks.jpg

Have decided to hold off putting in the cams due to Antilag Racewars runway event fast approaching.
I want to be able to tune the car to suit (flash tunes are likely to not be ideal).
So next step will be a Haltech Sprint 500 in late April, then put the cams in and re-tune.

In the meantime I want to put in some poly bushes and a rear swaybar as the bodyroll and "squish" when the car loads up puts a lot of load on the outside tyres (especially the front) around the track.

[ED40]

So close to the 50's mate.
Must be happy being up the top half of the sheets, faster than evo's, wrx's and a gtr lol

[Lonewolf]

I'd probably just do a 59 on a cooler night and should have given the car a break at some point but cant help but want to keep doing laps!

Pretty happy with how it goes/stops for what it is, would really benefit from some proper r-comps (given i only run 205 width tires) , and do have my standard wheels which -just- clear the brakes.

Car is very traction limited - exacerbated by the body roll. So a rear sway bar should help a lot with more rubber on the road.

[Brett_J]

Plan on keeping this one for a while Blake?
Or will the call of something like an 86/BRZ be strong?

[Turbo2.6L]

Very nice times!
What did you do around the long track?

[Lonewolf]

Yeah I'll be keeping this one a while, its a good blend of track car but comfortable enough to drive around/cruise in.

GT86 would be nice one day, but few years away at least, and even then I'd very sorely miss the torque of this thing.
You breathe on the throttle and your on boost...

edit: 1:11 around long track
definite room for improvement there as it was dark and haven't driven it in so long

[Milhouse]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Astra-VXR-Recaro-Seats-/271163237697?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f2296a541&_uhb=1#ht_500wt_1414

[Blueraven]

I'd probably just do a 59 on a cooler night and should have given the car a break at some point but cant help but want to keep doing laps!

Pretty happy with how it goes/stops for what it is, would really benefit from some proper r-comps (given i only run 205 width tires) , and do have my standard wheels which -just- clear the brakes.

Car is very traction limited - exacerbated by the body roll. So a rear sway bar should help a lot with more rubber on the road.

You haven't put a white line rear sway bar on it yet??!! Completely transformed mine.

[TJ]

Also why have you pulled out of Rw!

[Fukushima]

yeah, I delayed the 121 till next year so it's not like you have anything to be afraid of!

[Lonewolf]

You haven't put a white line rear sway bar on it yet??!! Completely transformed mine.

Yeah, needs doing asap, body roll is pretty bad on the track and probably killing my times.
Need to find someone who sells whiteline stuff at decent price locally as my usual shipping via the UK wont work so well.

Probably do some bushes too

[DAN [GTI]]

Yeah, needs doing asap, body roll is pretty bad on the track and probably killing my times.
Need to find someone who sells whiteline stuff at decent price locally as my usual shipping via the UK wont work so well.

Probably do some bushes too

Sway Bar is best value mod I have done. All my past cars (MPS Swaybar ETA 1 week) have had a sway bar upgarde and it transforms the handling :D

I got my Whiteline Rear Swaybar for the MPS from AUTO ONE Kalamunda for a great deal. Cheaper then the Whiteline site even!

[Lonewolf]

yeah i've always done the rear bar on all my FWD cars, seems ive been doing the big ticket items first and time to start with the smaller stuff.
Should help with the bodyroll and turn-in

[Blueraven]

Like you wouldn't believe ;)

[Lonewolf]

so things just got real...
http://www.haltech.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/1000.jpg

figured i'd bite the bullet and get the 1000 rather than the 500.
Lots more features down the track should I want them, plus ability to use race-dashes, data logging, and ethanol sensors etc.
Will be a little while before car can go in for install / tuning, will see how it plays with DBW throttle and convert to Cable operation if required.

[monk_13]

Huzzah!

Keen to see how much of a difference a decent ECU makes. Tuner?

[Lonewolf]

dont expect it to make much more power with it as it is, its just required to put the cams in I have sitting here and for future mods.
Lots of coin for no initial gain :(

Tristan @ WTF will be doing the work

[4A10SHN]

You make me feel way less guilty about spending money on a gemini :)

[Lonewolf]

hit the plex tonight

13.49 @ 103.6mph , 2.08 60'

pretty happy with that considering it has all of 13psi boost up top.
Was on the limiter in 3rd across the line, good for now but when the ECU/cams go in i'll probably be needing to shift to 4th.

Next season maybe add a set of drag radials and sneak in a very high 12.

Rear swaybar has arrived thanks to WA Suspensions, get that in and hit the speed dome on the 20th.

[TJ]

Needs more follow through on racewars

[DAN [GTI]]

13.49 @ 103.6mph , 2.08 60'
Next season maybe add a set of drag radials and sneak in a very high 12.

Great result!! Add slicks and get that power down.

My best has been 13.9 @ 101MPH (2.1 60FT).

I need to upgrade my fuel pump and downpipe to go to the next stage. So you win this round :D

[XF Falcon]

Saw this tonight, it surprised a lot of my friends who were there watching!

[Lonewolf]

;1100442']Great result!! Add slicks and get that power down.

My best has been 13.9 @ 101MPH (2.1 60FT).

I need to upgrade my fuel pump and downpipe to go to the next stage. So you win this round :D

Ha, you'll be past me soon, much more power left to come from your car.
Was happy to get it down to a 2.0 60' , i didnt really get a "perfect" run - was either axle tramping or not going hard enough.


Saw this tonight, it surprised a lot of my friends who were there watching!

Surprised me too, was expecting to only just crack 100mph and into the 13's, so presently surprised :)

[DAN [GTI]]

Ha, you'll be past me soon, much more power left to come from your car.
Was happy to get it down to a 2.0 60' , i didnt really get a "perfect" run - was either axle tramping or not going hard enough.

I have got a stiffer rear enigne mount to kill the axle tramp... what options have to got to soften the blow?

I won't be passing for a while. Suspension/Chassis mods are the current flavour... Power comes later when I can put it all(most ot it) down.

[Lonewolf]

engine mounts and suspension bushings would help, softer sidewall tyres would probably help a bit too.

[DAN [GTI]]

Well atleast you have some options to follw-up with. The gearing must be long to hit 3rd over the finish?!

I hit the top of 4th @ 165 - 170KM/H as I cross the line.

[Lonewolf]

yeah, its got euro gearing in it, must have envisaged some autobahn work in the homeland.

2nd: 114km/hr
3rd: 171km/hr
4th: 236km/hr
5th: 293km/hr


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiX9y5YRptk

wont change the diff ratio though, would make 1st and 2nd even less usable and ruin the 7L/100km fuel economy.
already get wheelspin coming onto boost in 2nd gear

[RUSSGT]

Wow thats a great time! Best i got with my astra turbo was 14.7... haha

[V70R]

hit the plex tonight

13.49 @ 103.6mph , 2.08 60'

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT86eti5gbTjlYKIfPTzEYrbMAQwOem3 3c7gMT1OvI8X1jf9gMf

[Nugs]

Good result, I heard it's faster than a 135i.

[Lonewolf]

you should use the launch control more often

[Lonewolf]

kerb rashed a wheel at the speed dome on cold tyres, will just put some touch up paint on it for now and buy a 2nd set of the same rims from the US.
Current ones will get stripped and painted white and used as track rims with some R-comps.

Rear swaybar is on, makes a huge difference to body roll and turn in, should have done it ages ago!

[alexinperth]

Cmon Blake, you know how much of a difference the rear bar makes to a FWD! Surprised it took you this long to change it.

[Lonewolf]

Hit no limits last night, set a new PB of 59.71 on the short track.
Rear swaybar made a HUGE difference to the way the car drives, less body roll, better turn in and lots of lift of over-steer (which resulted in a spin on cold tyres).
Franz picked out some places I can hopefully drop my times a little bit further next time.

Awesome pic thanks to Kelly @ KAM photography
http://members.iinet.net.au/~Lonewolf3/astra/brakes_sparks.jpg


Haltech install next, hopefully will net me a few ponies, and then the cams can go in.

Really need a proper seat too, problem is mountings etc whilst maintaining factory seatbelts.

[mr_mike]

the subject is cool but i'd hardly say its a cool pic. its that fuzzy it looks like Michael J Fox shot it!

[Nugs]

I swear those brake pads are made of sparklers.

[ClevoCapri]

Awsome time!
Good to see something other than an evo or wrx on the track!

Pic is cool. Hard to get a crystal clear pic of a moving car at night!

[Scamp]

hey buddy , car still looks the goods , any luck with the racing harness yet. Have spoken to the guys at Balcatta performance . They can fit a harness for your car that will meet cams and andra specs .

[Lonewolf]

So after 3 months off the road due to a stuffed clutch slave cylinder, clutch, shifter mechanism and clutch line (plus pads - sparklers above = pad material) finally got back on the road.

Drove straight from Galvsport to wanners, hit the track and drove home without incident.
no PB but managed to crack a 59 again on the short track in a lot warmer conditions (was 1 degree last time), so pretty happy with it!

The astra now goes into semi-retirement from the track, and will just be used for street duties, as mentioned in my other thread, pushing thing further will ruin the core nature of the car, that being a great street performance car.
Its now been the car i've owned the longest, and still enjoy driving it everytime i jump behind the wheel

It may get revisited one day for more work, but for the near future, the effort will go into the civic :)

[Lonewolf]

Ran at Racewars and had a blast despite not really winning or keeping up with many cars, no surprise really given its low power :)
it did manage to drive there, run all weekend without an issue, and home again on 1 tank of fuel!
Some pics

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/13821808213_7ef9587438_b.jpg
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2924/13818370094_f1bf679a0c_b.jpg

I had Galvsport install a FMIC water spray kit but not sure if it really did a lot....
The car felt really good at high speed though, very stable, probably that stupid rear wing helped...

So likely going to sell the civic and get back into the astra....
The main issue that was holding me back previously was the fact I couldnt get the factory ECU locally tuned.
Whilst this is still the case, i have been chatting to a guru in the UK who thinks we should be able to get a good result tuning remotely via Opcom (logging) and a wideband (still to be purchased).
Does mean some back and forth with tuning but if I get a good result it means that it opens the door to go down the path of either a Hybrid K06 turbo, or step up to a Garret GTX kit and make some real power eventually.

[4AGE Sedan]

The car looked good a racewars, seeing it and the few other fwd's running gave me a heap of motivation!

If you're willing to spend the money on a Hybrid, or Gattet turbo, why not go aftermarket ECU? It would open up a whole new avenue or tuning capabilities.

[2LMILK]

Fwd ftw

[Lonewolf]

The car looked good a racewars, seeing it and the few other fwd's running gave me a heap of motivation!

If you're willing to spend the money on a Hybrid, or Gattet turbo, why not go aftermarket ECU? It would open up a whole new avenue or tuning capabilities.

Cost vs benefit.
Standalone would be a $5-7k proposition, potentially losing some features like cruise control, without providing too many additional features that i'd want to use or control.
Factory ECU should support pretty much everything I want to do with the car

[Uber XR]

Sell the Astra. Put money into the civic. Much better idea

[DAN [GTI]]

Sell both and buy a MPS for turbo kits and ECU technology :p

Which ever path you choose will be awesome! I do have a soft spot for that Astra though.

[Lonewolf]

bought op-com for data logging, and an Innovate LM-2 wideband kit to assist with tuning.
ALso ordered a 3" hi-flow cat - the unit thats in there is of unknown status and its quite possible that its not very good or has collapsed due to heat (suspect ceramic core). It may explain a bit why the car doesnt hold boost up top.
In the end it was cheap and exhaust needs to come off to have the wideband bung in so no biggie.

[Tre-Cool]

what was the cost of the quaife lsd you put in? and who did you get to install it? took the cruze for a thrash over the weekend and it needs an lsd badly. done some googling it there is quaife lsd avail for the m32 gearbox but they look pretty expensive. Well worth doing?

[Lonewolf]

Quaife was 550gbp ex UK, Josh @ galvsport lined it up with someone (Dalspec? - Josh can confirm)
Yeah an LSD is pretty much the most important thing you can put in a FWD - especially a turbo one.

Quaifes work well as they're torque based, only downside is if you have a wheel off the ground they revert to open, but apart from that perfect for the road.
M32 gearbox is what the later astra's use too, weaker than the 5spd in my car but nicer to use

[Fr3d]

Finally got to have a run with you at RW, good times hehe.


what was the cost of the quaife lsd you put in? and who did you get to install it? took the cruze for a thrash over the weekend and it needs an lsd badly. done some googling it there is quaife lsd avail for the m32 gearbox but they look pretty expensive. Well worth doing?

Ramp automotive did the quaife on my focus, ford focus they did and weren't fazed at all. Not many places in Perth would do one. Calleda few 'diff specialists' and they had no interest in the job. Worth the $$$

[Lonewolf]

Finally got to have a run with you at RW, good times hehe.


Was happy with how it went against yours, you probably would have gotten me over the longer runs though i think