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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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Never knew what was possible?

Thanks man, I really appreciate it :D

Using different springs than the ones that came with the coils...



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

Luke

Using different springs than the ones that came with the coils...

And make sure you know the size, and don't go to wolfrace as they will have your trousers down, shafted and you won't feel better for a month..
 
Using different springs than the ones that came with the coils...

And make sure you know the size, and don't go to wolfrace as they will have your trousers down, shafted and you won't feel better for a month..

Oh I see what you mean, yeah well I guess as long as they're within tolerance and correct sizings etc.

Haha thanks for the heads up! Will probably make some myself, getting pretty handy at fabrication now!
Thanks for the kind words guys
 
Friday was productive.
When I bought the car the guy said he'd had the cambelt done at 62k~, but he had no evidence of this other than a tick in the service manual that anyone could of ticked. The day I got the car I took the cambelt cover off and saw it clearly wasn't a new belt.
Then the other day I managed to win a GoodYear kit off ebay with tensioners etc for £31! Normally about £80-90
And after a pedal test the other day I found there was an error with the thermostat so I got my hands on a replacement. Took the car into the workshop and set about doing both cambelt and thermostat.

The old cambelt and tensioners had manufacture markings on them and were looking nasty, so clearly were the factory ones (don't worry, I didn't time it up like this :p )
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New parts:
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New thermostat:
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However since changing the cambelt, thermostat and coolant the engine has been running at 100 degrees celcius, whereas prior to this work carried out it always ran at around 85. What could be causing the increase in temperature?
 
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The other day I fitted EBC BlackStuff rear pads as they were shot. Passenger side took about 2 and a half hours to do, the piston did not want to retract easily, however the driver side took about 20 minutes including putting everything back together. Car should be good for it's MOT next month now

After changing the cambelt and everything, the car made an annoying wizzing noise which followed the rpm of the engine. Sounded like the tensioner so replaced that, but still done it. As the car was still making noise I took it to Vauxhall to sort as I couldn't be a***d with it. Told them the noise was still there after aux belt was taken off so they just said they'd change the cambelt kit and everything. So they did, and they found the idler pulley/roller was pouring grease out everywhere. I guess this meant it had dried up on the inside causing the noise. Glad it's all sorted now :)

Also, yesterday I got my car remapped. Feels a lot smoother, definitely pulls harder, growls a bit more and I averaged 44.1mpg on the 110 mile journey home, can't complain about that considering I did floor it... a lot :D
The guy who remapped my car had a Focus ST which sounded awesome. So, now I want a stainless exhaust system for a lovely raspy sound :p if anyone comes across anything nice, nothing too flash then hit me as I'm looking :)

That's all for now guys,
thanks,
 
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Also, yesterday I got my car remapped. Feels a lot smoother, definitely pulls harder, growls a bit more and I averaged 44.1mpg on the 110 mile journey home, can't complain about that considering I did floor it... a lot :D
The guy who remapped my car had a Focus ST which sounded awesome. So, now I want a stainless exhaust system for a lovely raspy sound :p if anyone comes across anything nice, nothing too flash then hit me as I'm looking :)

That's all for now guys,
thanks,

Hmm... I wonder who that could be! :rolleyes: haha Saw this certain person post on facebook about the map on your car! Cant wait to see this at Hunstanon in August! (y)
 
Hmm... I wonder who that could be! :rolleyes: haha Saw this certain person post on facebook about the map on your car! Cant wait to see this at Hunstanon in August! (y)

Hmm dunno ;) cheers pal, looking forward to seeing yours too! :yum:

Little update: got a bargain off ebay, an exhaust system for £85! The silencers are definitely stainless, it all needs a clean up as there's tar splats over it but the pipework looks to be just mild steel. Did want full stainless for the 'raspiness' but either way, it should sound a lot nicer than standard!
Car's going on some ramps tomorrow to get it fitted, will put pictures/video on when it's all done :slayer:

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Also, a cheeky picture or two after lowering the front another 5-10mm the other day. Every time I go out to the car I want to put it lower haha

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