My South African Astra Saloon - Page 4

mind_crash · 12-11-2007, 08:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev 180iE

Thi si the result of this weekends work

Look good down there doesn't it!

Got it back on it's wheels after abandoning the rear hub change. The (brand new) non ABS hubs i've bought won't fit because of my Non ABS rear beam (figure that one out!) so i need an ABS beam before it can go anywhere.

But that's not so much of an issue because, although we got the XE plumbed and wired in this weekend, it wouldn't start, and we didn't have the time or the patience to stand there trying to figure out why all evening.

I'm now on the lookout for a cheap runabout to see me through the winter, something to take the pressure off of us with fixing the iE because i don't really want to be cutting corners, which we've had to start doing. So i want to have the time to put those things right and finish it off properly before i have to rely on it for daily transport.

This obviously means i'll have to cancel my appointment for the exhaust, good job i didn't leave a deposit!

same problem i had with mine kev!!! just go drop a rear beam off another astra...i took mine of a 94 merit with no abs and it's the right size.....

she's looking good though

Kev 180iE · 16-03-2008, 13:44

Just realised i haven't updated this thread in donkeys!

We'll, i sourced and fitted a replacement rear beam, complete with new hubs/brakes/braided flexi's/copper pipes. That was a bit of a hassle, took way longer than it should have (mainly down to my own incompetance), but it's done now. We also finished most of the engine, just got to sort out why it starts at positions 2 of the ignition, not 3 - see thread HERE.

Got the front end back on last thing last night- it's the first time in 6 months it's looked like a proper car - and i'm gagging to have it back again now...

***Tom Williams*** · 16-03-2008, 13:47

Looks good, look forward to seeing you at some shows.

Kev 180iE · 16-03-2008, 13:49

I'll be at PV and Billing.

Kev 180iE · 07-04-2008, 23:04

It's home!

Had it re-tested today, having worked on the fail sheet over the weekend. Passed! Got the wheels tracked - although it still needs work in that area, then got it taxed and brought it home!

Stopped off at my favourit hand car wash on the way back, gave it a little treat. Mainly because i haven't got time to do it mysef befoe Saturdays AOC RR day at Courtenay, and it was a right state after 7 months.

Relly fun to drive.

The 6 weeks i had it on the road between the bodyshop and the start of the engine conversion it drove like a dog and made all sorts of bad noises, as anyone who saw it move at Billing can attest to. So this is really the 1st time since i crashed it (March 7th 2007) that i've been able to drive it 'with enthusiasm'.

Still getting used to the engine/suspension/exhaust tho

A2! · 08-04-2008, 15:51

I'll have another c20let in stock soon kev if you fancy an upgrade

Glad to see it back on the road and out of our unit lol

**Melv** · 08-04-2008, 16:04

Nice one Kev. The more I see of the saloon the more I like it.

Kev 180iE · 08-04-2008, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by A2!

I'll have another c20let in stock soon kev if you fancy an upgrade

Glad to see it back on the road and out of our unit lol

Your alright for now mate, i think i might just keep it the way it is for a while before deciding to take it back off the road!

(Thanks tho - i'll take that as an invite back to the unit and an offer of help

)

Kev 180iE · 08-04-2008, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melv

Nice one Kev. The more I see of the saloon the more I like it.

Met too!

I did have a few dark moments, like just before christmas when we were still at the old unit. I thought about burning it a couple of times.

But not any more, i'll have this one for a while yet!

Brian Stirrup · 08-04-2008, 18:06

Dont LET it whatever you do

I'm glad to see its all turned out well in the end mate. I hope to see you on Saturday, although its looking like I will be in the beemer or the Skoda..

Kev 180iE · 08-04-2008, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Stirrup

Dont LET it whatever you do

I'm glad to see its all turned out well in the end mate. I hope to see you on Saturday, although its looking like I will be in the beemer or the Skoda..

Coming to Courtenays Brian? Cool!

And TBH i think if i did do another engine conversion i'd be going V6, turbo has never really appealed to me.

I like the thought of a 200bhp NA V6, all that torque, all that noise!

...but that's another lifetime away.

Spankee · 08-04-2008, 21:13

Nice one kev good to see it running and on the road looking good..Now go and enjoy it

...might see you on saturday as well ...prob tag a lift with brian as the GTE is out of action at the mo

Drizz · 08-04-2008, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev 180iE

Coming to Courtenays Brian? Cool!

And TBH i think if i did do another engine conversion i'd be going V6, turbo has never really appealed to me.

I like the thought of a 200bhp NA V6, all that torque, all that noise!

...but that's another lifetime away.

Although its 25bhp more than the XE you wont be that different.
3.0 is the 200bhp one...

Kev 180iE · 08-04-2008, 21:46

2.5 with 3.0 cams and some wishfull thinking?

Kev 180iE · 12-04-2008, 17:45

Just got back from Courtneys, had an RR day there with AOC.

Good news!

165 bhp @ 5682 rpm and 161.2 lb ft @ 4915 rpm

Well happy.

Brian Stirrup · 13-04-2008, 09:11

Well done mate, do you know what has been done to that engine to give the extra BHP?

Kev 180iE · 13-04-2008, 10:01

As far as i know it's a standard coscast XE - it must be the derestricted airbox and exhaust.

I'm on the hunt for 180bhp now

Stefan · 13-04-2008, 13:50

Glad to see the hard works paid off. Looks good Kev.

Mr_PandaPaws · 07-05-2008, 08:26

A fantastic thread to read from start to finish!

Well done matey your car looks sooooooooo cool!

I'll be popping round my lock-up this weekend and get mine started... she's sat still for 8 months now!

But again... well done it's great to see that your hardwork and the help from others has REALLY paid off!!

AK_LET · 07-05-2008, 17:02

it need cav turbo rims

Kev 180iE · 07-05-2008, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK_LET

it need cav turbo rims

No, just no.

Kev 180iE · 07-05-2008, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_PandaPaws

A fantastic thread to read from start to finish!

Well done matey your car looks sooooooooo cool!

I'll be popping round my lock-up this weekend and get mine started... she's sat still for 8 months now!

But again... well done it's great to see that your hardwork and the help from others has REALLY paid off!!

Thanks mate, hope yours gets going ok after all that time - yours was the first saloon i saw that made me think 'oh, wait a minute, that's alright!'

You still got those clear rear lights?

Drizz · 07-05-2008, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK_LET

it need cav turbo rims

yes yes yes!

Kev 180iE · 08-05-2008, 14:46

Mr_PandaPaws · 09-05-2008, 08:26

Yup I do still have those clear rear lights!

Why do you ask?

Have no idea what to expect from re-starting a car that's sat still for ages... fingers crossed!

I'll take my digi-cam and get a couple of pics... before it went into the lock-up I'd had some work done on it but didn't have a digi-cam so couldn't show anyone! I'll stick the pics in a new thread... this one's YOURS!

Such a nice saloon though matey!