Getting an Astra back on the road

[Station]

I thought having two mk3 Astra's was not enough, so last month I bought another one:

 

 

It has MOT until January next year. Unfortunately it has no engine. I understand an MOT is meaningless without an engine, so hopefully will get that sorted before I attempt to drive it anywhere.

 

I was towed back behind minimad's Volov. Unfortunately, the seller had left half a driveshaft in, and the thumping was giving me the fear, especially as the journey back was 40 miles:

 

 

So we dumped it at a service station, and I planned on getting it back somehow.

I head back from 'down south' and check up on it - it was still there!

 

 

Always a bonus to not have your car removed by gypsies.

 

Later that weekend, we towed the car using the a-frame. I removed the knuckle and suspended the driveshaft using the KruJoe/Exploding Cabbage approved copper brake pipe method which worked wonderfully. I did sit in the car for half the journey, as I didn't trust the concept behind a-framing.

 

 

Terrifying watching the wheel moving - a bit like Knight Rider, but without KITT comforting me that everything was going to be OK. Also, no heater and having the windows wide open as the Volvo's exhaust fumes were coming right into the cabin left me chattering like a Corsa C cam chain after 5,000 miles. Once I was relieved that the tried and tested workings of an a-frame and the possible driveshaft failure wasn't going to happen I got back in the Volvo and pretended the Astra wasn't weaving all over the place behind us.

 

 

 

The car is a cacophony of bodges and blunders, possibly thanks to previous owner. If a plug wasn't needed when it had a Saab engine in, it was snipped off. He had boost gauges in place of where the MFD computer was - don't just unplug the two plugs, just remove them. I had to solder about 30 wires which were right behind the dashboard and replace the plugs from a couple of old looms I have kept.

 

 

 

Interior under carpet padding was sopping wet - leaving the electric heater on over night dried the lot out lovely:

 

 

 

I checked behind the heater duct on the top, and was happy to find several seasons worth of leaves. This blocks rain water and it goes straight down into the interior.

 

Removed all the aftermarket shite, and put new carpets, gaiter, etc etc and replaced wood screws with the proper stuff:

 

 

Now everything is done, I'll have to either take the Saab engine out of the other car, or get an XE to put in ... ?

[Rusty_Rocket]

Very nice, is it a '93 or is that a personalised reg?  I only ask because my first GSi was a 'J' plate and by 2002 it was so rotten everywhere, the rear bumper was at risk of falling off.  It's long gone now.

 

I vote a nice simple 20XE with F20, or F18w for a decent cruiser

[Split_Pin]

Fabulous, a MK3 in GSi flavour is absolutely on my bucket list.

 

Good luck finding a decent XE, most are ruined now.

[Station]

I think it's the actual reg plate it was born with, although I haven't had the log book back yet ... it's taking a while. I've not had much problems with rust on all the Astras I've had, but I've seen a few which are bad. The arches seem to go on most. This one is pretty clean.

 

Think I'm going to put the Saab engine in and run about in it for a bit. I removed the subframe from the KRABstra, and will remove the subframe with engine/box attached from the WOBstra.

 

WOBstra annoys me it's with grille at 0:16. 

 

[Station]

I got one of these:

 

 

Which did one of these:

 

 

 

Then bought one of these:

 

 

Low mileage F20 gearbox that had been in a shed since the late 90's. Low mileage, no scrunching syncros! Clutch lever slightly seized though.

 

Still need crap loads of stuff though - sump, mounts, radiator, blah blah.

[Station]

Took my now weary ass down to Leicester get a sump and other bits. Thought it the 16v sump which is ally but it was the 8v which is steel, but the beauty of these is they don't frigging leak all the frigging time whatever you do with them. I took the liberty of sealing it anyway. I'm sick of cars that piss out oil all over the place, and of course Vauxhalls do it really well - the 80's/90's ones anyway. Proof if any was needed that ORL VOXORLS OUR SIHT.

 

So far it's been a disaster, what with two journeys to Bristol, getting the engine I didn't really want, smashing the sump, and then buying a gearbox that was originally on a Cav 4x4. This meant extra bollocksing about with a new linkage/mount etc.

 

I had to drill and tap threads into the box for the linkage to go onto:

 

 

Typically, the £10 drill bit snapped after five minutes use in the aluminium.

 

 

Got them all done though.

 

 

Mounting the F20 to the C20XE - I'd NEVER try this with it in the car, it's hassle doing it in the open. Why are gearboxes so reluctant to go onto engines.

 

 

Test dropping it into the engine bay - there's no way I'm putting this in properly thought the top, it's a right ball ache as proven by very time I've done it that way.

 

 

And the just dumped the lot until I can arsed again!

 

 

 

I've ran out of MOJO and shouldn't have bought this car, a bit of a mistake, and with amount of crap it needs and all the things that have gone wrong so far - and there's still more stuff it needs I'll have to get.

[Rusty_Rocket]

Don't give up now! So close. I used to be able to get the whole lump in through the top by removing the bottom pulley and oil filter. Always needed a jaunty angle though.

 

I'd love a 20xe in mine but don't want to ditch the leak-free c18xe just yet!

[Station]

Yes, put engine in today, blah blah, etc etc etc

It went in through the top, what s ball ache it is doing it that way!

[Station]

Only thing left to do now is attach the exhaust system (I got a VXR system next to the car), get a pipe for the block to radiator, and a single plug which I accidentally snipped and promptly lost. Heaven knows where it's gone.
Started it last night and with a bang of inlet full of fuel it ran without an XE Tony Danza tap dance extravaganza.
And then dumped at least a litre of fuel on the floor as I hadn't attached the tank return pipe.
Wiring was a nightmare and still needs extra bits done. Also to remove that seized driveshaft. Once it's done I can tax it and drive it.



I don't know what it is that gives me a raging soft on with GSi Astras, especially in black, I loved them the first time I saw one, I think it's that mad looking grille and general OTT early 90s body kit

[Lord Sterling]

Nice! I like your selection of grilles, it's like a car wardrobe, hmmm...what grille shall I wear today?

 

I wouldn't bother trying to investigate what gives you the rush about these particular Astras. I'm still trying to figure out why the hell I like 800s, particularly Mk1s, Rover 800s are truly poor excuses for motor powered road going vehicles but somehow I REALLY f*cking love them.

 

I can see why you like your Astras, they are great cars aand great lookers too which is more than can be said for bloody 800s.

[Taff]

 

I wouldn't bother trying to investigate what gives you the rush about these particular Astras. I'm still trying to figure out why the hell I like 800s, particularly Mk1s, Rover 800s are truly poor excuses for motor powered road going vehicles but somehow I REALLY f*cking love them.

 

 

I would go along with that. Plus it would be a dull world if we all drove the same stuff

[J-Rod]

I would go along with that. Plus it would be a dull world if we all drove the same stuff

^^This. 

[Station]

Finally got this 99% running.

 

Need to set up the gear linkage, change the rear hubs over for the standard ones, bleed the brakes, fit the stereo, quieten down the exhaust a bit, and give it a wash and polish. Also fill the gearbox and connect the power steering! And then sell it.

 

A wiring problem delayed me a week; doing this everynight. No ECU light on the dashboard. After nights of taking the loom out, etc it was the Fuel Pump Relay, which had a secret coil in that powered the entire engine system. Bah.

 

 

 

 

This backbox needs to go:

 

[New POD]

How come it's got 4 stud standard (and therefore beautifull) front wheels and 5 stud wheels at the back (are they off a cav turdo ?)

[nacho man]

They are proper lookers and fetching good coin now. Would!!

[Station]

The car originally had Cavalier Turbo hubs and suspension which is five stud. It's a common upgrade as the brakes are bigger!

I put the original four stud on, it'll sell for more if it's completely original, and I just like everything standard. Which is why I have to get rid of that exhaust!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Wow!!!! Impressive work Station. Looks the bees knees!!!! These are defo on the up, if you have a serviceableun-rotten one you're onto a winner with it. Fair play to you for sorting out all the wiring bollocks, that sounds horrendous.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I presume you've got some sort of factory wiring diagram for this? I wouldnt fancy doing what you've one without one!!!

[ruffgeezer]

Grrr pack it in, I've got an unreasonable liking for that estate already inspire of the absence of time to get it sorted.

[brickwall]

In too deep now.

[New POD]

I always wanted to drive one of them. I've written off 3 Mk3 astras (2 x 1.4 8V - 82 bhp and 1 x 1.6 8v - 75 BHP) so you may not want to lend it to me for long.

[Split_Pin]

Love the old mk3 Astra, so many have been plundered for Corsa conversions.

[Station]

The GSi has been fantastic, and forgot how rapid these are.

 

 

I was intending to put the Diesel engine from my estate in my other Astra, but sold it for 200 quid on eBay (50 pounds short of what I paid for the car).

I bought a C20LET to put in instead.

 

 

The SAAB engine is out and sold already:

 

 

I'll start putting it in tomorrow early morning. Engine came with an F20 which will go on eBay. Also have an F18 from the diesel, which is a good gearbox. I'll put the six speed F28 in I've had for aggggggeesss.

 

 

Luckily ol estate will be donating PAS and other bits before going off to be recycled.

 

Engine came from a Nova, the lad has put complete Impreza WRX running gear and engine in it so not needed.

Wiring loom looks untidy but I can say what each individual wire does by now, so should be easy!

[cobblers]

he GSi has been fantastic, and forgot how rapid these are.

 

 

 

If you cut the right hand 20% off that photo it' would really describe an era, I grew up admiring these as the council estate supercars of the time, but I've never had a go in one. I'd love to own one but I couldn't leave it outside my house cos it wouldn't be there in the morning. Absolute top work! whats the crack with the Saab engines then? I read about them being Mega BHP for cheap but then people take them back out and put redtops back in?

[Pillock]

They look awesome, those GSIs. Just about lairy enough to be different, not stupid looking though.

[twosmoke300]

Yeh , what was wrong with the Saab install ?

[Station]

Had doubts over having to get new exhaust, water pipes, wiring loom, etc made up. You need to cut out the slam panel for the PAS pump, I prefer everything 'turnkey' and standard, and everybody is doing the Saab thing.

They also weigh a ton. Nobody considers that really when they're trying to go round corners with 300 bhp, I'd rather have half that if it means not having the inertia of a grandfather clock.

[dave21478]

YES!

I used to be right into all that fast vauxhall jazz....used MIGweb a lot and owned a few.

When I had my GSI I bought it straight after my V6 Calibra got crashed and found it to be a disappointment due to the completely different power delivery so I put the V6 and F25 into it along with the big brakes and leather interior.....I really liked that car....Sold it to a chap from Newcastle. Sadly the tax check website doesnt list it at all so its probably bean cans.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Did this sell in the end?

[twosmoke300]

Your not wrong about it being a heavy lump . I tried to move a 9-5 on a forklift the other day . Had a hell of a job getting far enough forward