Mark T's '97 16V.

[Mark T]

http://82.34.50.33/sytemsandsoftwaredevelopment/systems/automotive/ProjectCars/GTE/current/osr.jpg (http://82.34.50.33/sytemsandsoftwaredevelopment/systems/automotive/ProjectCars/GTE/current/fullsize/osr.jpg)

http://82.34.50.33/sytemsandsoftwaredevelopment/systems/automotive/ProjectCars/GTE/current/osf.jpg (http://82.34.50.33/sytemsandsoftwaredevelopment/systems/automotive/ProjectCars/GTE/current/fullsize/osf.jpg)

http://82.34.50.33/sytemsandsoftwaredevelopment/systems/automotive/ProjectCars/GTE/current/Curren2.jpg (http://82.34.50.33/sytemsandsoftwaredevelopment/systems/automotive/ProjectCars/GTE/current/fullsize/Curren2.jpg)

http://82.34.50.33/sytemsandsoftwaredevelopment/systems/automotive/ProjectCars/GTE/current/default.htm

[REMUS]

Welcome to the forums Mark! That is a very nicely done mk2, may I ask which alloys they are? I seem to remember them being on one of the later astra's but I can't remember which?

[Neil]

I think they are from the Astra Coupe Turbo. Am i correct?

[_SBD16v]

yea there mk4 astra coupe wheels

[Kris]

Welcome ,im liking the colour

[GRAK]

Cool looking car m8 :cool: , i like the colour. Nice to see another astra surviving, welcome to the forum :)

[Mark T]

Thanks.

They were Coupe Turbo rims, but they are back on the Cavalier now, the 215s just wrecked the handling.

Got 195s on Cav Turbo rims now.

[Dan Gliballs]

Hi Mark :)

Nice Astra mate!!

Didn't realise quite so many Cavwebbers were over here ;)

Paul.

[Jon S]

nice clean astra there.

[Gander]

Nice, Did Vauxhall ever make a blue GTE? I honestly cant remember seeing one:o
What fuel cap is that? It looks great and dosen't spoil the lines down the right flank:cool:

[Mark T]

Nice, Did Vauxhall ever make a blue GTE? I honestly cant remember seeing one:o
What fuel cap is that? It looks great and dosen't spoil the lines down the right flank:cool:

Not that Colour no.

that's :eek: Fraud Imperial Blue.

It was a billet alloy fuel cap from ebay, I took out the silly screws, and flushed the whole face.

Doesn't seal particularly well, unforunately, but it looks OK when freshly painted.

[Ian T]

Didn't realise quite so many Cavwebbers were over here ;)

LOL... another one to chalk up then... ;)

Ian.

[Brett]

nice motor mark.

What rear beam is that? Im thinking of using a MK3 Cavalier one on mine...

[Mark T]

It was a 95 CAvalier SRI Ecotec beam.

Ian is fitting a MK3 Astra one to his, as it's less work. (allegedly)

[Tom]

Like your car Mark, seen a few pics of it on Mig. :)

[REMUS]

It was a 95 CAvalier SRI Ecotec beam.

Ian is fitting a MK3 Astra one to his, as it's less work. (allegedly)

The cav beam is wider, can't remember by how much tho but no more/less work than a mk3 beam.

[Ian T]

The main attraction of the Mk3 Astra beam is that it's dimensionally correct for the car and will allow the original scope for wheel and tyre sizes to be used without modification. I'm considering rolling the arches anyway (as I have to replace them) which will buy more room.

Looking at non-ABS Cavaliers, the hole in the end of the beam at the hub mounting bracket is smaller and wouldn't permit use of the Vectra brakes (as the ABS sensor connectors will foul) without reaming.

All just a big experiment really. ;)

Ian.

[Mark T]

The Cavalier beam is 20mm wider track, which may lead to arch mods (mine were folded from new)
The brake hose mounts are in a different place, so the hoses are far too short (I temporarily joined the GTE and Cav hoses together - 2 MOTs later)
The handbrake guides are completely different, but the 16V GTE cable can be made to fit. (the beads will clip into the Cav guides, with the plastic removed.

[Brett]

hmm any noticable benefits from the beam?

[Mark T]

it's wider track may improve handling a little.

the beam takes Sealed unit hubs without mods, 5 Stud hubs as well as 4 stud.

But the astra 3 beam will take those too.

[Jon S]

in your title you say '97 16v , whas that about?

[REMUS]

might of been imported in 97 and registered then??

[dethstar]

He got a new shell when they stopped making them in 97.

[REMUS]

eh? They didn't make mk2's untill 97 except for in brazil maybe I think.

[Mark T]

It was reshelled in 1997, with a brand new shell from Vauxhall!

Unfortunately most of the rest was from 1989, so it's F plated.

Replaced a lot more now though.

95 Rear beam, 95 front legs, 98 Front and rear Vectra brakes, 98 Vectra V6 Irmscher Exhaust from manifold back.

Hopefully be a 98> V6 in there this year too.

Just about Cured all the rattles that result from a reshell.

[REMUS]

nice, how much did the shell cost you?

[Mark T]

nice, how much did the shell cost you?

I've only had it 3 years, no idea what it cost, but I imagine it was a lot of labour!!

[Dazzi-Gsi]

Another nice Astra, v. nice colour

[Peakster]

Hi Mark, Its looking good fella.

Cheers for those pressure regulators you let me have by the way, I didn't use them in the end though as I got some proper 16v astra ones but cheers anyhow.

[astrasteve23]

i like the colour and like the wheels pictured! i was thinking of some similar (corsa 'c' sri 16" 4 stud wheels) they look identical. didn't know what they would look like, now iv seen them on yours i might look for some in a few months.

[Mark T]

Work In Progress.

20XE has gone to a Nova.

30XE is in, and getting wired.

[Ian T]

Shove a pile of pics up Mark - I know I've seen them but they'll be interesting to everyone else too. ;)

Ian.

[Sipo]

is that a 3 litre 16v ?? I didnt realise that was even made! Or is that a v6? I have no idea on engine codes etc :D

Another XE in a nova - damn it! lol at least it hasnt been ripped out for another GTE to go to the scrapp, fair play matey :D

[Ian T]

Omega 3.0 V6 lump...

Loads of torque!

Ian.

[Mark T]

3.0 24V, straight out of a Police Omega Elite.

[GRAK]

WOW that looks cool mate :cool: , tight fit, what gearbox/clutch are you using? Is it the F20 or F28?

[astrasteve23]

what suspension are you using on the front to accept the extra weight? nice fit! should of made it RWD!!! good luck to whoever is going to try and wire that! looks like it'll be a nightmare!

[Mark T]

F20 with Quaiffe.

Standard new clutch for the time being. (my V6 Cav is coping fine with one at the moment)

Apart from the rad clearance at the front, there's more room all round than with the XE.

It's got Cav Turbo Vogtland springs all round, and 16V Konis.

It's a pretty mint Shell, so I didn't want to start cutting he floor about.

Wiring shouldn't be too hard.

Most of the auto loom (if not all) can be binned, so that gets rid of one connector.

not much on the starting and Charging connector, and it's colour for colour with the 16V loom.

The Engine loom connector is pretty straightfoward, The GTE connector I'm having more problems identifying all the cables than for the 3.0!

[Mark T]

Latest update.

It's too loud again, but it's a nice loud ;)

207ish BHP of snarling 6 pot.

[Ian T]

Muaha ha ha ha...

And noone would be any the wiser from the outside.

About time ;););)

Ian.

[Sipo]

Ahhh so its all in and running then ;) - much improvement performance wise from the XE ?

[Daza]

First time i've read about this car and i must say it looks impresive! Thats only the second mk2 astra i've seen with a 3 litre v6 lump.
Have you got any plans to modify the engine?

[Charlie1984]

Well that is another fine fine finnnnneee example of a mk2, well done mate loving the colour!!!

[Mark T]

Colour might get Changed.

It's not a very good paint job and it's FORD!

need to compare with he Astra G Cabby colour, to see if I can get away with redoing the outside only.

Don't think any engine mods will be on the cards, certainly not this year.

It's a fairly High mileage engine (120K like the XE was) so best left standard I think.

It pulls a lot more than the XE at low revs.
Even with the flat XE flywheel it won' stall letting the clutch up with no throttle ;)

It's really quiet from the exhaust and engine bay, just the Cone filter that makes a racket.

[Mark T]

Here's a couple of clips, all legal too!

one of the first runs while it was still in bits:
http://82.34.50.33/temp/GTE3.0%20run%20from%20front.wmv

First time on a Dual carriageway:
http://82.34.50.33/temp/gte_on%20road.wmv

[Tony25]

Sounds good, you drove past me, I was coming out of newbowers onto pump lane at the roundabout. You should take it into the multi-storey car park see how many car alarms you can set off :D

[Ian T]

Sounds good, you drove past me, I was coming out of newbowers onto pump lane at the roundabout. You should take it into the multi-storey car park see how many car alarms you can set off :D

LMAO... you've been rumbled, Mark! ;)

Love the noises from the dual carriageway clip, can only hope mine has that sort of growl, no reason why it shouldn't I guess. Can't wait to have a ride in it.

Ian.

[richie00boy]

It's ace. I want a V6 even more now!

[Mark T]

Sounds good, you drove past me, I was coming out of newbowers onto pump lane at the roundabout. You should take it into the multi-storey car park see how many car alarms you can set off :D

Which way was I going?

pretty off throttle either way, was it loud?

Need an airbox in there somewhere

[Tony25]

I was 3 cars behind you as you pulled away heading to the A12! Sounded good going up the slip road, not really loud, but you could tell you don't have a 4 pot under the bonnet. I was in a black astra estate, not my mk2.

[Mark T]

Here's some pics of the conversion.
http://82.34.50.33/sytemsandsoftwaredevelopment/systems/automotive/ProjectCars/GTE/3.0%20conversion/default.htm

[teej]

First time on a Dual carriageway:
http://82.34.51.160/temp/gte_on%20road.wmv

Sounds good. Have you tried the speed test on the way back down the other side yet? Off the A12 / Boreham roundabout down to where the tarmac changes colour coming over the crest (between the slips off and on to the B&Q roundabout).

[astrayorkie]

nice one mate v6 sounds well nice didnt know 3L would fit
who done the paint as looking for help

[Tony K]

You make it look so bloody easy!

[Mark T]

Sounds good. Have you tried the speed test on the way back down the other side yet? Off the A12 / Boreham roundabout down to where the tarmac changes colour coming over the crest (between the slips off and on to the B&Q roundabout).

Won't be doing any speed tests.

It's good for 151 in an Omega Saloon, so it'll hit the rev limit at 147mph no problems.

[Mark T]

nice one mate v6 sounds well nice didnt know 3L would fit
who done the paint as looking for help


Paint was done by the owner that reshelled it.

I've redone the skirts and bumper inserts, and the slam panel where I cut it.

[Sipo]

as said, that V6 sounds beautiful :D . I was told that the V6's used in the vectras acctually have more power as the 2.5 as opposed to the larger blocks? What BHP should the 3l omega lump be running at?

[Ian T]

IIRC somewhere a little over 200bhp. Probably between there and 220bhp, but the torque is immense from the 3 litre lump - remember it's the torque that puts you in the back of your seat, and the bhp figure that sells cars.

Mine will have the Vectra GSi engine in it, which only does 194bhp and 193ftlb of torque.

Ian.

[Mark T]

207 BHp @ 6000 rpm, 199 lbft @ 3400 rpm in the omega.

192 BHP @ 6750rpm, 193 lbft @ 3750 rpm in the 2.5 GSI Vectra.
168 BHP @ 5800 rpm, 170 lbft @3200 rpm for the 2.5 Vectra non GSI

[Ian T]

Yours will probably be better than that though, if your inductiojn represents an improvement over stock.

Ian.

[Dan Gliballs]

Mine will have the Vectra GSi engine in it, which only does 194bhp and 193ftlb of torque

Still a bloomin healthy figure for a MK2 compared to the 144lb/ft of an XE :)

Mark - Once again, that's a hell of an achievement :cool:, but I want a feckin ride in it!!!!!!!....LOL

[Ian T]

Mark - Once again, that's a hell of an achievement :cool:, but I want a feckin ride in it!!!!!!!....LOL

Can't be as quick as yours, but I expect my verbal reaction will be the same... ;)

Ian.

[Dan Gliballs]

Can't be as quick as yours

Maybe not, but the experience will be unique all the same. Your V6 conversions are bloody rare compared to common as muck LET conversions :)

The senses will be confused at the V6 rumble coming from an old MK2 Astra hatchback :cool:

[gtejon]

just read this from the start and its a lovely car and what looks like a lovely engine change. nice 1.

[Mark T]

Now with 12 1/2 Months MOT.

Straight through.

[Ian T]

118!

Nice one. Hope mine does the same when I get chance to take it in.

Merc goes in on the 8th to get its rust seen to, won't see that again for two weeks!

Ian.

[Mark T]

http://82.34.50.33/sytemsandsoftwaredevelopment/systems/automotive/ProjectCars/GTE/3.0%20conversion/fullsize/MostlyComplete.jpg
http://82.34.50.33/sytemsandsoftwaredevelopment/systems/automotive/ProjectCars/GTE/index.jpg
http://82.34.50.33/sytemsandsoftwaredevelopment/systems/automotive/ProjectCars/GTE/DashSwap/fullsize/GTEDashSwap%20008.jpg

[richie00boy]

Looking great! But not keen on the shinyness of the dash :o

[Mark T]

Looking great! But not keen on the shinyness of the dash :o


It was ingrained with dust, so gave it a good scrub up with back to black ;)

It'll dull down again when it dries off.

[alistair j]

love this car. loVe that engine too, so different and so very very cool. just dont expect one to have that under the bonnet.

[Mark T]

Senator clocks are back in again, rev counter is right now, with the V6, and I've corrected the speedo too now.

http://82.34.50.33/sytemsandsoftwaredevelopment/systems/automotive/How_to/astra2/ModifiedDashFitted.JPG

[Addz]

That looks ace mate!

Was it hard to recalibrate to work properly?

[Daza]

Those clocks look really good! Nice to have something a bit different!

[Neil]

That is an awsome thread. I hope to see that car one day in the flesh.

[Tony25]

Looks loads better than the astra lcd, very unique.

[Mark T]

They aren't calibrated as such, just used a divde by 3 circuit, which made them close enough, using the tyres I have fitted.

[astrayorkie]

i like the clocks looks like a updated gte one
how did you calibrate them?or was it just a f20 speedo drive in gearbox?

[Mark T]

http://82.34.50.33/sytemsandsoftwaredevelopment/systems/automotive/How_to/astra2/SenatorLCDDash.htm

[Brett]

very nice, always prefered the Senator/Carlton digi dash arrangment to the Astra one - I think the rev counters on the wrong side LOL!

[astrasteve23]

senator digi looks brilliant!

[GazJevs84]

yeah think the same as everyone else the clocks do look a lot better and was doing the engine conversion as easy as it looks from the pics cos i bet it was a tad harder than it looks might try it one day

[Mark T]

Conversion wasn't too difficult.

By no means a straight swap like an early LET would be.
http://82.34.50.33/sytemsandsoftwaredevelopment/systems/automotive/ProjectCars/GTE/3.0%20conversion/default.htm

[Mark T]

Got a rolling Road done today.

Testing the multiram (Low rpm range, and High rpm range)
http://www.mt006a0002.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/3.0%20Multiram%20Comparison.jpg

and with the ECU controlling the multiram solenoid.
http://82.34.50.33/sytemsandsoftwaredevelopment/systems/automotive/ProjectCars/GTE/3.0%20conversion/3.0%20Dyno.jpg

[Ian T]

Not bad at all...

Must be that 'Police spec' engine you have there... ;)

Ian.

[alistair j]

oh yes love that, please let mine be close.ha well played mate nice christmas present to you that.

loving it

[GazJevs84]

very nice congrats dude

[Harvey]

Fantastic