Thought about time I started a thread on here for my GSi.
Right here we go, another MK4 GSi and hopefully 3 times a charm with this being the third MK4 GSi that Ive owned.
The plan is simple, I wanted a car to fulfil areas:
- Track use
- Long distance road use
With this is mind I decided the GSi was the perfect choice and had always missed my previous cars. With the car being built to cover 2 very different areas a few compromises have to be made, (for example a stripped out car is not going to be a pleasure on long journeys, but likewise running standard soft suspension is no use for track days).
So after setting the basics down the search was on for the right car. 3 weeks of searching (I swear thats a record as far as Im concerned), and cars were either the wrong colour, previously owned by a chav or just too expensive for what they were. At this point I was really having second thoughts on the GSi but at the last minute E-bay came to the rescue. A Black GSi, totally standard, full service history and sitting with not a lot of time to go at a low price. A cheeky bid later and I was on my way to owning it.
A few calls with the owner confirmed all I wanted to know and with that it was an 800mile round trip to Cambridgeshire to collect the new car.
Couple of pictures on the way home:
It did have the obligatory dump valve which has since been removed and as an added bonus came with an Irmscher grille & some sort of HID kit:
Once home it was time for a basic check around the car and some basic service items. The initial plan had been to paint the car white but once home the paint on the car (minus the front bumper) really is in too good condition to warrant painting. It did have a few minor dents on 1 or 2 panels, but a quick visit from Dentcentral soon had these removed.
The tyres on the car weree also a random mix, with random amounts of wear so first job was to replace these with 4x Yoko Parada.
Once the service items were done it was time for Stage1 - suspension.
This consists of Bilstein B6 dampers and an Eibach -45/30 spring kit.
There is also a Whiteline rear anti roll bar kit (this is currently awaiting part of the fitting kit to arrive to allow fitment), and Whiteline front anti-roll bar (this is waiting for the subframe to be fitted but more on that later).
Few in profgress pictures:
Stage 2 - Engine
Now the idea had been to go the usual route of VXR turbo, exhaust etc. etc. however, whilst browsing E-bay again I came across a 15,000mile Astra VXR being broken for spares. The initial enquiry was made to the seller regarding the front brakes, but a few calls and a 700mile round trip later:
I managed to pick up the Z20LEH, M32 6-speed gearbox, complete front & rear brake setup.
The front & rear brake setup have now been fitted to the car and have bedded in nicely.
No when inspecting the car I found a couple of areas of the exhaust were looking dubious, not too discouraging as it was due to come off regardless. The AOC Milltek group buy was running at the same time so I went for a Sports cat & cat back system (had previously purchased a pre-cat from LMF).
Again this was fitted on, Id like to say this went on smoothly and hassle free, but quite honestly it didnt and required replacement parts to be sent out in order to eventually get it sorted.
So a few pictures of the car as it stands:
So the cars spec as it currenty stands
Engine:
Magnex pre-cat
Milltek 200 cell sports cat
Milltek cat-back system
De-restricted airbox
Suspension:
Bilstein B6 dampers
Eibach -45mm springs front
Eibach -30mm springs rear
Brakes:
VXR front discs & calipers
VXR rear discs & calipers
Random parts:
Irmscher X-hatch grille
Irmscher chrome heater dial surrounds
Some random HID kit
Parts awaiting fitment:
Z20LEH
M32 gearbox with Quaiffe LSD
Courtenay Front Mounted Intercooler
Courtenay silicone pipework
Ive yet to decide what spec the engine will finally run or what software it will run with.
Quick thanks to Courtenay Sport, LMF & dannysport for their help thus far.
