Ivan22hoe's van project - MK3 astravan XE

**Melv** · 15-03-2008, 20:21

FIRSTLY - Ivan22hoe on here has bought this off me so I changed the thread title accordingly.

This plan was in the pipeline for a wee while but after parting with some cash last Sunday I am now the proud owner of a '96 Astravan.

Drove it, fully legal of course

, to my work and left it there until I sorted out a couple of things.

It had 14" steels on it when I bought it. I've no idea what they came off but considering the amount of hammering that we, well, my other halfs brother (Ivan) mainly

, had to do to get them off I know for sure they were not Vaux fitment. They have decent tyres so my 306 will aquire at least one of the tyres so there are pirelli's / Yokos all round.

After parking it on a slight uphill slope at work with minimal fuel in it the fuel pump was starved of fuel and decided not to work

. Thanks to Neil105 for generously giving me a Mk2 Astra GTE pump FOC. I guess that arranging free delivery of a spare F28 gearbox for him helped in getting the pump

. Cheers again Neil your a fookin legend

With the pump changed and the wheels changed over to some Mk3 Astra 1.6 Sport steels we made the 55 mile trip (via certain back roads for undisclosed reasons) back home where the fun begins.

Alleged engine spec:

89 Astra GTE XE engine
Cams - Unknown
Manifold - Unknown
Chipped - Unknown
System - Standard Vaux with a randon, modded to nearly fit backbox
Ported and polished - We'll see
induction kit - Random Universal crap!

Issues to sort:

Big service - Engine flush, Oil, filter, plugs, leads, brake discs, brake pads, brake pipes, CV boot, Fuel filter bracket of some sort.
Rear arches - Its a MK3 Astra, what do you expect!
Pikey wiring - Block connectors will be changed and the wiring tidied in the bay.

Less important issues to sort:

Stereo wiring - Yeah, one previous owner cutting the block connectors was a good idea!

Tailgate - Get a new one as its been punted up the arse harder than Graham Norton has been.
Backbox - held up with fencing wire because its not actually for a Mk3 Estate / Van

Ideal plan:

Engine - Its fine to be honest but I may just have some other tweaks to do when I get used to XE power
Astra sport bumpers to have a sleeper look - The GSI bumper is great but its not the look I want.
Subtle looking / sounding exhaust - To wind up Wikkid Saxo's and spastics who think that Lexarse lights and Mechano spoilers are kool!
Sign written - I have some thoughts on this topic to be disclosed later

Black dash - Because the grey one looks shoyte!
Seats - Although the Cream Cally leather is hell of a comfy its crying out for some Sport / GSi seats to keep it stealthy
Towbar - Always handy for parallel parking
Badges - I have a brand new Merit badge in the shed

Anyway, enough typing heres the first of many pics.

Murray · 15-03-2008, 20:32

Nice!

Looks like a good wee project, BTW if you need some graphics done I know a lad who could help you out. But i've got to come across to see this thing.

**Melv** · 15-03-2008, 21:04

I need to sort out a couple of things before I grace the roads of NE Scotland but it shouldn't take too long before i'm scaring VTR's and annoying the neighbours

Kev_G · 15-03-2008, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melv

I need to sort out a couple of things before I grace the roads of NE Scotland but it shouldn't take too long before i'm scaring VTR's and annoying the neighbours

is that with your ginger hair

**Melv** · 15-03-2008, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev_G

is that with your ginger hair

You didn't complain when you were stroking it mate!

neil105 · 15-03-2008, 23:17

is she a bit low at the back or you hiding a LET in there

**Melv** · 15-03-2008, 23:52

rear springs don't seem to match the front ones

Once I return the sport to standard I might just rob the suspension off that for the van! I can't change the suspension on the sport myself though so I am looking for volunteers to help me

**Melv** · 24-03-2008, 19:53

With the great weather we have had here this weekend I haven't done anything worth noting to the van except changing the oil cap to a yellow, carbon look, ebay special.

The white bits in the pic are the snow that was blowing in the garage door. Needless to say I didn#t stay outside for too long.

The one on there had a hole in it.

I will get a new pic of the bay after some more things have been done in there.

rudd86 · 24-03-2008, 20:01

looks a cool project mate.

Cesaro16v · 24-03-2008, 20:59

Those oil caps are shocking bud, personally wouldnt use it!!

**Melv** · 24-03-2008, 21:17

If i buy some parts from you Daz are you going to chuck in a standard one for free

?

Cesaro16v · 24-03-2008, 21:21

Yes, as those carbon look ones break or mine did, and was a coont to remove after that.

neil105 · 24-03-2008, 21:50

how did you get on with your suspension mate

keithcdb · 24-03-2008, 21:55

Needs RM decals

Nitros is requried

**Melv** · 24-03-2008, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil105

how did you get on with your suspension mate

Not even made a start on it.

Ivan was going to help me return the sport to standard in return for beer tokens as I've not really got the right tools but he's not an easy man to pin down

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithcdb

Needs RM decals

Nitros is requried

Fast enough for the moment. Need to sort the main things first before going mad

I do have an idea for graphics but that can wait too

neil105 · 24-03-2008, 22:53

i'm needing spring compressors to do the fronts,need to do mine also

**Melv** · 24-03-2008, 23:17

I could drag Ivan down to yours and we could have a mincing session

neil105 · 24-03-2008, 23:27

sounds like a bit of crack

**Melv** · 24-03-2008, 23:55

I will give him a shout and twist his arm. At least you have a decent working space that can be closed off to the elements

Kev_G · 25-03-2008, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melv

I could drag Ivan down to yours and we could have a mincing session

yo mince enough mart

bucky · 25-03-2008, 20:19

ahhaahh the other van id been looking at on piston heads

i bought the V6 white R Reg one on friday from a guy who had no idea at all what he was selling! full early GSI interior(black dash seats door cards carpet etc). hope all goes well with the plans for yours

loosk liek it has plenty of potential

**Melv** · 26-03-2008, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucky

ahhaahh the other van id been looking at on piston heads

i bought the V6 white R Reg one on friday from a guy who had no idea at all what he was selling! full early GSI interior(black dash seats door cards carpet etc). hope all goes well with the plans for yours

loosk liek it has plenty of potential

I dont think this one was on PH. Are you thinking of the one with White wheels that was advertised as Shetland / Aberdeen? There was also an R plate one in Aberdeen on PH too.

This one came from a guy that works for my main customer at work but it was also advertised on mk3oc.

Hopefully this van doesn't cause too much hastle. Next up is a decent service though once I get time to go down to Vauxhall.

Rubix_Cube · 26-03-2008, 18:37

Cool project mate

I still have some MK3 Parts floating around if needed sir - Mostly crap however

**Melv** · 31-03-2008, 09:39

bit of an update folks. Changed the headlights for phase 1 jobbies for better fitting, changed the grill (undecided) and painted the plug cover.

Pics.

Front end before:

Shows the gap when Phase 2 lights are used with a phase 1 GSi grill and the lovely cable tied sides

:

What have we here:

All dismantled:

Back together with a smoothed grill:

Better fitment:

wanted to paint the plug cover Red as it is a "red top" !

Opinions sought on the grill. Thinking about black mesh for the lower part of the bumper but not convinced. Might end up looking OK with the plate back on.

Cheers
Melv

bucky · 31-03-2008, 11:21

looks awesome.
possibly loose the number plate area and black mesh it all?