Astra 3.0 V6

Galahad · 15-10-2008, 21:11

Some of you may know I had a 2.5 V6 Astra mk3 CDX that I built myself. At that point I kept the F25 gearbox from the Cavalier, and whilst it was still a quick car, the gearbox was holding it back.

Well, it wasn't the only thing.

Fan decided to rub holes on the back of the rad, rad loses its water, i'm stuck in traffic with nowhere to go and have to keep the engine running should it stop. Needless to say, the engine cooked itself to death

So, my Astra sat outside my house for about 4 months until the tax ran out, then I moved it into my new unit and it stayed there a further 4 months, it sitting there in the corner looking quite miffed that it wasn't out slaying the roads of the South West!

Then as luck would have it, I got offered an Omega 3.0 v6 Elite for the princely sum of £142, gearbox was on its way out, but the engine was fresh still on only 132,000 miles, having not long been serviced.

So, decided to junk the F25, get a new clutch and fit an F20.

Whole conversion from original Cavalier knackered V6 to be transformed into a nice 3.0 v6 took about an hour and a half.

Put engine in, had a train builder make me up some spacers for nothing, utilised C12NZ headbolts for the mount as they are only 10mm too long, chucked some washers in there, and happy days, it mounts corrrectly.

Got her all built up today, and fired her up. Noticeably louder than the 2.5 v6 that preceeded it.

Took her out for a quick spin, and thats exactly what it was.... spinning and bwarping up the bloody road.

Apparently it sounded rather nice by all accounts!

This little Astra is going to be a proper handful I think.

Anyone else got any experiences of 3.0 V6 Astras with F20/F28 boxes, it feels proper quicker than a 2.5 v6 with F25.

polred28 · 15-10-2008, 22:03

I am a couple of weeks away from getting my 3.0 van on the go,with the astra gsi f20 box.I had to pay a bit more for my elite omega-£290,140,000 on the engine,no smoke or rattles,just waiting to finish welding a mates pickup then the vans coming back into garage to fit fuel tank,exhaust and few odds and ends to tie up.Would be interested to hear more about your astra,cheers Paul.

toj28 · 15-10-2008, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by polred28

I am a couple of weeks away from getting my 3.0 van on the go,with the astra gsi f20 box.I had to pay a bit more for my elite omega-£290,140,000 on the engine,no smoke or rattles,just waiting to finish welding a mates pickup then the vans coming back into garage to fit fuel tank,exhaust and few odds and ends to tie up.Would be interested to hear more about your astra,cheers Paul.

this should be a good 1 ive hear all about it from your pal iain so looking forward to some pics

***Astra Dan*** · 15-10-2008, 22:14

astra16V2004 · 15-10-2008, 22:16

my brothers 3.0 v6 in mk3 astra is just about finished. an o ring to change and exhaust to put a flexy in then its on the roads. will let you know how it drives

polred28 · 15-10-2008, 22:20

I will get pics up soon enough,lol when we get some decent weather up here.Does your astra torque steer bad?And does the equal length shaft bolt up to the v6 block ok?I know a spacer has to be made up,but if its not essential having that setup then i will leave it just now.cheers Paul..

***Andy_L*** · 16-10-2008, 08:31

Pics or STFU

Galahad · 16-10-2008, 09:46

Galahad · 16-10-2008, 09:55

As you can see, bodywork, in particular the bumpers need sorting, got a replacement set that just need a spray.

Got to tidy up all the wiring, but other than that shes nearly back to her good old screaming self.

Torque steer tastic though, think i'll stick with the Cav GSi alloys, 15inch tyres are free for me, if I got the 16 or 17 inch route, i'll be paying dearly!

**CraigGreen** · 16-10-2008, 10:24

That is the kinda shed you don't want to get beaten by.
Makes a good sleeper.

Galahad · 16-10-2008, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigGreen

That is the kinda shed you don't want to get beaten by.
Makes a good sleeper.

Yup, I prefer my cars sleeper rather than being all showy, and the towbar is actually functional, not just there to add sleeperness

Viewer1 · 17-10-2008, 13:18

I hope whoever fitted the numberplate isn't fitting the engine

mikegray · 17-10-2008, 18:22

Excellent work

Other road users wouldn't expect that

I haven't been in a 3.0ltr astra but, you've tempted me to build one

Chriscavturbo · 18-10-2008, 00:27

Fair play, im loving the stealth look. Towbar is well helpfull also.

polred28 · 28-12-2008, 11:30

polred28 · 28-12-2008, 11:52

Couple of random pics to prove project above,still no idea how to make bigger

.I had a break from the van for the last few months,but have got the motovation back again

.I have an exhaust to make up and a few holes in the rear valance(inner) to weld tmrw,gallon of gas in her and oil in the engine/box and hopefully she will fire up.I will add more pics tmrw and the outcome of the engines re-incarnation

Paul...

nova-myth · 28-12-2008, 17:30

Do like this project, what other bits are needed for the conversion? I assume 2.0 astra driveshafts? I also heard you can use cav or calibra v6 front struts?