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Astra H 1.6 VVT SXI

Introduction

Hello everybody,
Some of you may already know me, I recently upgraded cars from a 1.2 Fiat Grande Punto to this 1.6 SXI with XP kit and penta alloys. Higher miles than the GP but I won't be driving it long as off to uni in September!
I bought it cheap as it is scrapped down the side and the alloys are in poor condition, but have already refurbed one of the alloys, replaced the damaged front wing and the rest of the cosmetic damage (scuff on front bumper, scrape down door, scuffs on rear quarter panel) is getting repaired next week.

I plan on doing a few subtle things to improve the car aesthetically (from my point of view) so peoples opinions are welcome :)

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Already removed the 'astra' off the boot trim:

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A man bought and took away the Punto today but here is a picture of the two together:

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The other day I also put black vinyl behind the griffin badge, and also a bit of red detailing

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As the calipers are very obvious with the penta alloys, I decided to paint the calipers red!

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  • Like
Reactions: Laura Fin
Cheers bud, really appreciate it!
Next thing to be done is the brakes and also going to do the cambelt in the next few weeks, just for peace of mind. It does say it was done 10k ago but quite frankly I do not trust the guy I bought it off one bit, so for the sake of £70 why not :p
 
Fitted some red coolant hoses too, just to smarten the engine bay up a bit

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Cruise control = done!

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Fitted new front discs and pads. Was going to go for drilled and grooved discs but I really don't use my brakes very hard so couldn't justify the extra money

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Anybody know where I can find a haynes manual for my car (engine)? Been looking around but every one I see says 'not suitable for 1.6 VVT engine' - reason being is I am going to replace the cambelt and want the torque settings etc, thanks!
 
Fitted some red coolant hoses too, just to smarten the engine bay up a bit

tumblr_mlvmapwasd1qdufe2o1_500.jpg


Cruise control = done!

936141_10151421112466918_129127475_n.jpg


Fitted new front discs and pads. Was going to go for drilled and grooved discs but I really don't use my brakes very hard so couldn't justify the extra money

247014_10151421865676918_1589862655_n.jpg


Anybody know where I can find a haynes manual for my car (engine)? Been looking around but every one I see says 'not suitable for 1.6 VVT engine' - reason being is I am going to replace the cambelt and want the torque settings etc, thanks!


If you haven't already, get on Astra Owners Network. Very helpful guys there, especially when I had my MK4 Coupe
 
wow really liking the colour coded front grill mate think you need to do the same to the chrome strip on the boot :p looks brill debadged also.

Jordan,

Thanks Jordan! I agree, think I'll have to get some more paint and do the rear :p

Really like this Astra mate :)

Cheers mate :)


Anyway...

BIG UPDATE.
My friend Jake Giddings who used to race in production touring car championship, now no longer has any need for his VXR so he very kindly sold me at a good price (and helped fit) his Nitron Racing coilovers. They are a little marked but were only used for a few races so still great.
He lost the top hat spacers for the top of the rear dampers, so we spent 2 hours on a lathe and machined some beautiful new stainless steel spacers. As the shocks have the separate compression adjusters, we ran the hose behind the arch liner and into a discrete place behind and up in the bumpers, making them easy to adjust but not visible or in the way.
The coilovers are fitted with Eibach springs and the car now handles absolutely amazing. Can throw it round the tiniest roundabouts with ease, think it might of cocked a wheel :p

Anyway, I'll let the pictures do the talking:

In progress before we routed the compression adjusters:
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Safely hidden away:
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My friends 106 GTi - absolutely rapid little thing, running 157bhp:

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Just after we finished we then realised that the top of the front struts hit the underskin of the bonnet, so I had to very carefully drill through the second skin to allow the top to sit inside. It was a terrifying job, trying not to go straight through the other side of the bonnet haha

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front wheel camber. I'm going to reduce it as it's just going to eat through my tires, but does look pretty sick!:

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looks ****ing spot on that mate. What power you got there? obviously not vxr power but still decent?

As for the coilovers, im confused, why are they used with eibach springs? Am I missing something? My coils were the springs so to speak, one package.
 
looks ****ing spot on that mate. What power you got there? obviously not vxr power but still decent?

As for the coilovers, im confused, why are they used with eibach springs? Am I missing something? My coils were the springs so to speak, one package.

Thanks man! Running about 120bhp at the moment, but looking at getting a stainless manifold with 200cell sport cat and then a remap so will be around 140bhp

It's just the springs my mate wanted to use, they're not eibach's as standard on the coilovers, he replaced them
 
Thanks man! Running about 120bhp at the moment, but looking at getting a stainless manifold with 200cell sport cat and then a remap so will be around 140bhp

It's just the springs my mate wanted to use, they're not eibach's as standard on the coilovers, he replaced them

I never even knew that was possible! Learn something new every day...

that power is decent, I can't stop looking man it looks ace.
 
I never even knew that was possible! Learn something new every day...

that power is decent, I can't stop looking man it looks ace.

Never knew what was possible?

Thanks man, I really appreciate it :D

Love it mate that's sitting so nicely may I suggest spacers for a bit of a meaner stance? Would look the bees knees ;)

Jordan.

Cheers Jordan. Yes it's something I've looked into ;) just need to work out what size's I'll need :p

Luke
 
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