[Australia] Vauxhall Astra GTE Downunder

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I have embarked on a new project. This is basically similar spec car to my Opel Kadett GSi Rally replica I started back in 2005 or so. The Opel still lives and is now in Western Australia and owned and run by Tolley Challice at this point I have not seen any events or news about it since.

This new build will be mainly a flat track and hill climb car, as I don't see myself getting back into rallying... if I do it would be Tarmac and Rally Sprints only.


This is basically similar spec car to my Opel Kadett GSi Rally replica http://www.astra-mk2.com/forum/forum...-gte-downunder

Vauxhall_Astra_GTE.jpg

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This was a car that I built back in 2011 - 2013 but into a Daewoo Lanos 15i but after a roll the guy stepped out of it and it ended up back here to be re shelled into what now has become the Vauxhall clone. The I put my Original C20NE rally motor I still had from my the Opel build and so it lived again as a Vauxhall livery Daewoo 15i was used for Hillclimb, and Kana Cross etc.

lanos.jpglanos_3.jpg

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As it sits here now ready for the rebuild.

8v_motor.jpg

Current Spec:
8v 2.0lt C20NE
10.5:1 compression
Mild Cam + vernier wheel
Std Mainifilds (inlet and exhaust port matched)
Balanced botom end
light flywheel (0.7kg off original weight)
Link Engine Management (fully programmable)
118hp @ Wheels

Gearbox:
F16 Vauxhall STD Factory Close Ratio
3.94 final drive
Quaife ATB

Suspension:
Bilstein Shocks front and rear with King Springs 200pound front and 400pound rear (aprox 200pound at wheel)
Front adjustable with solid tops

Brakes:
Renault Clio Sport 2.0L 16V front discs with VL Turbo Holden Commodore Caliper single piston
Holden Astra 265mm rear discs single piston with hand brake
Honda Prelude 1" master cylinder and booster
Wilwood bias valve
Hydraulic Hand Bake

Steering:
Calibra Power Steering Rack
TS Astra Electric/Hydraulic Power Steering

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Other than just planing and purchasing parts not much has happened. Today I spent a bit of time testing my inlet manifold setup.

Few weeks ago I removed the 8v head which I sold with a heap of 8v race bits and pieces. So now I can drop the 16v head on and see what space I have to work with.

I CAD designed a new Trumpeted inlet to bolt onto the dbilas inlet manifold I got from Europe. I will stick to the same design from last time with 6" trumpets and a plenum with single throttle body... it makes it so much simpler and as I know I had 167Hp at the wheels last time.

dbalis.jpg

I 3D Printed a section of the manifold to make sure I get the alignment to the Battery where I will section it off for a Cold Air Box.

in4.jpg in2.jpg

Once I relocate the Electric/Hydo power steering pump back onto the fire wall it will line up perfect. The Cabin Fan matrix as well as the heater matrix will be removed and this leaves a big area to fit the Power steering pump and coolant bottle moving the weight inside the suspension line to reduce as much weight that is over hanging for balance.

in1.jpg

For windscreen air... I will use small ceramic heaters and 12v fans mounted into the dash and this is really only for road use as this car will be registered.

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Ok I have been just busy and collecting bits for the build. Given the XE only came out in one car in Australia it's been a big effort just to get parts.

I already had a head as a spare from the Opel build and as mentioned I am going to put that onto my old C20NE rally motor. I found a chap in Poland on a Calibra forum so I managed to get this lot.

parts from poland.jpg

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Flywheel and Clutch done by Jem Berry of RaceClutch
Lightened and balanced with uprated pressure plate and 4puk clutch plate

215mm 4 Puck Clutch Disc
Clamp Pressure: 2300lbs
Flywheel weight: 5.55 kg


Flywheel_clutch.jpg flywheel_1.jpg flywheel_2.jpg

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I Updated my Digidash with LEDs and running GPS unit for speed. It was very simple just latterly connect the GPS output to the Dash input.

I tested it a few times in my daily driver with the missus driving and it sitting on my lap and it was withing 1km/h of the MG4 dash and my phone.

I didn't have a plug as this was the spare from the Opel build which never was needed. So I had to 3D print a new plug and use a 26pin connector.

IMG20250709174937.jpg IMG20250709170039.jpg
IMG20250709170101.jpg IMG20250709170132.jpg
IMG20250709170353.jpg IMG20250709170340.jpg

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DigiDash nice and bright with the LEDs


http://ynet.com.au/downloads/DigiDash_GPS.mov