The Italian Job - Astra Mk3 Track Day

[avantrax]

Finally i've decided to write something about my Astra because i like my car and i like this forum full of very interesting thread , infos and gentle people.

Everything started 15 months ago: i was looking for an almost new car like the Astra OPC and i didn't found anything good form me...
One day in a Opel big store i see an old Astra (my actual track day astra) and my curiosity make me test this car (i 'v never tested before...).
The car look like the 1,4 !! i
In fact is the GSI restyling that arrived in Italy after 1995 and only few cars. Mechanically is almost idendical to the standard GSI C20XE...(a liittle less weight, milder front antiroll bar - 18 instead 22/24, 15/5,5j wheels...)
During the test i was very impressed by the performance and by the very easy driveability: finally i have bought for 400 euros
The purpose was to use this car since i have found a nice OPC... the thruth is that i began to love the Astra MK3 (now i have 2)

This is the car as i bring back home













(the engine is a coscast m2.8 without TC ... nice!)

[avantrax]

First: new wheels
Enkei Sport 16" 7j ET45 Aluminium AS7 from Gr.A Kadett (see the race tyres)



















with Toyo 215/40 tyres

and some others little improvement as every day car use ... new brakes , new belt , change oil and others fluids ...
the car was funny (was yet equipped with Koni adjustable absorbers and eibach springs and other little stuff)

and i realized that it can be upgraded to a very amazing track day car .. so the work started !

The target is a car to use in some italian circuits (Monza, Adria, Mugello, Vairano...) and everything is modified thinking about is (and my pocket!)

I'm looking for a very fast car but above all driveable car, not too difficult to use and that could run without rebuild the engine every 3 months

So the main care is given to chassis (suspensions, strenght, roll cage, arms) , to the weight (target about 900 kilos) and finally to engine (about 350 HP will be enough .. i know that C20LET can give more and more but mine is not a drag race car or a demo car ... and honestly almost every FW car has serious problem to manage more that 250 HP ) and the transmission

[avantrax]

I found a C20LET engine from Calibra and i bring it home with its F28 gearbox and others stuff (front antiroll bar, front arms...) i tested it (about 201 HP.. a bit tired)
and i disassemblet it

[Noodles]

looks really nice there

[Adpb]

Finally I can see what happen on this (compatriot) mk3 gsi
Really really interesting, subscrive and congrats avantrax

[joe joe]

errm isn't 201hp the norm?

[avantrax]

looks really nice there

[avantrax]

errm isn't 201hp the norm?

204 hp would be the standard for the C20LET
the unit that i buied has 130.000 KM ... much street under the wheels!

[avantrax]

Finally I can see what happen on this (compatriot) mk3 gsi
Really really interesting, subscrive and congrats avantrax

[avantrax]

The C20LET block totally cleaned and lapping @ standard bore 86 mm





buied C20XE cams and fitted the Inlet only




crankshaft cleaned, corrected and balanced



The head: cleaned and corrected , eliminated all interferences , replaced valves, springs and all others internal components (valves standard dimensions)

[avantrax]

Some parts for the restoration

standard new hidraulic



some gaskets, pulleys belt...






Glyco bearings complete set , stainless stell con-rods with ARP , Goetze rings for standard Mahle Pistons





Standard Mahle Pistons (i found them in very good conditions ... for the Firts Step will be enough. Only shot peening is done)

[Noodles]

looks great

[avantrax]

looks great

I hope that it will run fast !

[avantrax]

Some new nice stuff ...

Uprated Oil pressure sensor switch 1.8 Bar (generate the alarm at a higher value than standard one)

[avantrax]

Original GM water valve with start opening point @ 82°C

[avantrax]

The Astra is going to be too racing ...





so i need something more usefull as a everyday car

[avantrax]

Stainlees steel waster pipe

[avantrax]

Air duct to fit in the lower part of the front wishbones from Courtenay

[avantrax]

Chassis reinforcement kit by HH







wiil be very funny to weld on the body!

[avantrax]

Silicon hose kits form Roose Motorsport

The water one



The ancillary one



Some other silicon

[Adpb]

Air duct to fit in the lower part of the front wishbones from Courtenay

Oh, they will fits also in the astra f? On the courtney site is write only astra G, H

[*Adz*]

looking good mate

[avantrax]

looking good mate

I hope will run fast

[avantrax]

Oh, they will fits also in the astra f? On the courtney site is write only astra G, H

You have to do some modifications to fit: i will post some pictures

[avantrax]

Yesterday arrived the wheels from UK ;-)

Revolution 7,5JX17" ET40 6 spoke , white (of course)