Cheers... The Astra was a 2.2 but no registering it as a 2.0, just got to send DVLA some more info on engine proving its a 2.0...

Great project buddy, had a flick through and its a very impressive car. Without rereading a lot of it, I was wondering will the car require SVA'ing or can you just change the logbook? reason I ask is I have a xsara WRC rep shell that I've considered fitting an impreza floorplan to but the SVA scares the **** out of me.

Steve

P.S. anyone know of anyone who carries out these conversions?

Astra 4wd subaru powered track/rally car
 

Hi Steve,

SVA is a bit of an interpretation on the rules, I have done some research and as the car is over 10 years old it doesn't need one, I have spoken to an insurance company and they have confined this stating that it only needs a valid MOT, but some people say it will still need one as the points system for changes takes it over the threshold, so I would do a bit of checking first,

I will see i can find some links to what I read up on before.

I will PM you with some details. On SVA and conversion people.

Time for an update I suppose,

I now have a better brake pedal still feels a little spongy but with the pedal box I'm not really sure if that's going to be how it is, so will get it out on the road on Saturday and test,
I only have to press a little and I get some binding on the disks so I guess its not to bad, plus the front disks have this black coating that has started to come off so that really needs wearing off before I get a true feeling...

On the engine side I've fixed an air leak I had on the inlet side so it now runs better although I have a noisy injector which I think is making things run a little lumpy, luckily I have some spares so will get that changed on Saturday,

I then made up a bit of an alignment gauge so I can get things pretty square as the back end is all over the place at the moment, I will get done properly later but this will let me get it somewhere near,

so made a frame on the back, it was a little flimsy so gave it a little support with some stands, then the front one I clamped to the tow hooks,

http://www.vxr-wrx.co.uk/images/blog/car600.jpg

http://www.vxr-wrx.co.uk/images/blog/car601.jpg

http://www.vxr-wrx.co.uk/images/blog/car602.jpg

as the front end geometry was pretty much all still attached as it would be in the Subaru that seems a good place to start, so I got that lined up and adjusted the tracking all square for now,

then at the back I used various points on the body to get the string square, then started to get the back setup which is a bit of a nightmare as I have adjustment in every direction, but I started to get there and then ran out of time so will finish on Saturday,

I know it will change when I put it back on the ground with the weight on, this is more to get both sides the same as a starting point...

You can probably guess from the pics below where we've been today, so good news it's now MoT'd, Taxed and Insured,

http://www.vxr-wrx.co.uk/images/blog/car603.jpg

http://www.vxr-wrx.co.uk/images/blog/car604.jpg

So technically I can drive it around tomorrow, but instead I'm taking the engine out!!! Got a couple of oil leaks from sump and maybe the turbo return, might get away with lifting up rather than all the way out... Then another quick bleed of the brakes and should take it for a drive...

I can also get the reg swapped over..

Great result, what's the new reg ?. And are you no temped to lose the scoop as you have a front mount ? .

Reg is X555 VXR

Not sure with the scoop I actually like it, but understand not really needed and an air trap, so need to see how the temps are when running the either let the hot air out of the bonnet or utilise the scoop and direct some cool air in and the down the tunnel,

Also mk4 Astra's tend to run hot under the bonnet so will need to do some work on cooling it one way or another...

A fitting reg :thumb:

Fantastic build mate! Just found this thread and sat here and read it throughout. Vauxhall Astra holds a special place in my heart, had one of these for a few years...

Well done. Fantastic achievement to get this on the road, but also to such a hiugh standard. Some lovely engineering.

Very well done! Give yourself a pat on the back and go drive the ar5e off it! :)

Just wish I had the skills to do something like this.
Don't fancy selling or building another?

Car is now running really well still needs to be mapped which I'm probably going down ecu labs route, here is a quick video of it, keeping it under 4.5k for now and only short blasts


We took it to Billing VBOA show this weekend and won MIG web car of the show which was good...

Will get some drive by vids sorted over the next few weeks...

Selling no (not yet)

Build another would love, be nice to give up the day job and do this...

speak to syvecs about ecu's mate, after such an epic build don't scrimp there and risk it

Syvecs is the daddy of ecu's no doubt and if your fund's permit that's what you should get,but saying that i have a mate who has the EcuLabs ecu and he has no complaints he always comments on how good his car runs.There is quite a gap money wise in comparison between them both;)plus the EcuLabs still has quite a few tricks up it's sleeve for the money.SJ.

Given its a track/rally car i woudn't wanna scrimp on the ecu, the syvecs can and has saved engines from total failure.

congrats m8y looks real good and sounds nice been watching this thread for ages :)

whats next then? be good to see something like this again :)

So has the motec, alcatek, hydra etc etc etc. That's a pretty subjective statement. There are multiple ecus that can, do and will save an engine

As far as capability only the motec stacks up against the syvecs, and given GS2 is running syvecs over motec what does that tell you.

So what capability to save an engine does the syvecs have over the alcatek? My alcatek can limit revs on detecting low oil temperature, shut off with low oil pressure etc....

I'm not disagreeing that syvecs is better. Only that what you claim isn't strictly true or nessecary for what the OP needs....

I can't tell you the whole feature list, but if the others were as good for less money why would the big boys like AF and RCM run it?

sure if you pop over to the syvecs forum they can give you the full details, bear in mind this is for a full motorsport application, not a road car doing od track day, unless I'm missing the whole build point.

Quote from another thread,

'Syvecs additional features include, 8 injector outputs, only 4 on Alcatek, on board data logging which is awesome, in built wideband controller no need for external controller (Innovate, AEM, Zeitronix etc etc), in built egt, Flex fuel support for those that run meth or e85 mixes.

AVCS control is free on all 2001 on Alcatek ecus too, so no biggy there.

There's nothing wrong with Alcatek so please don't get me wrong on that. We were one of the very first established dealers and have sold many over the 8 years we've been working with them.
I'd happily fit and map either, it's just if you wan't THE BEST, not the best on a budget you'd buy a Syvecs.'

http://bbs.22b.com/forums/showthread...ng-ECU-options

have a read there though for a full list

I know the full specs :) I'm just saying that what you have stated isn't nessecarily true. Syvecs isn't the only ecu "that can save an engine". I don't doubt that its better, but personally I'm not at a limit where I need nor can justify the cost,

JGlanzaV is correct,as good as the Syvecs Ecu is if mapped poorly it can still destroy any engine,where as any ecu that is correctly mapped regardless of cost and features for an example an Apexi commander or Esl or EcuLabs etc...will run as smooth as melted butter once mapped right:thumb:.Tidgy I understand what your trying to say mate but features are not the end all of everything as really an ecu should be purchased according to mods and functions that you require as the user for your engine specifications car modifications etc...and in real terms budget does have a lot to play in it as not everyone can afford a Syvecs Ecu and sensors etc...when an Alcatek ecu has atleast 90%+functions of the Syvecs and has more then enough features for the biggest builds and modifications as do numerous of the cheaper priced ecu's too.SJ.

Just to add I run a Syvecs and my wife runs an Alcatek ecu and we are both happy with the features and start up idle drivability functions etc....:D.SJ.

in which part of my post did i say it was mate?

doesnt mater what the ecu is if the person can make it det its tits off because they suck lol

Exactly;).SJ.

Astra 4wd subaru powered track/rally car
 

I get what your saying about syvecs, but really this engine doesn't warrant it and I understand what your saying about saving the engine but I'm not after big power from this, its a stepping stone, and down to budget.

If power was my aim I would have just bought a decent 2 door Impreza and spent about the same on an engine build,

That said I may build a forged or stroker at a later date and then yes a syvecs will be ideal, but that's some way off yet...

I'm just after it being mapped pretty safe so I can have some fun and get it setup handling wise, at the moment I have a few mods on a std ECU so want to make sure the fuelling is ok, I would go ESL if they had the 99 version ready but if not will go ECU Labs which for the cost is ideal,

trip to B&Q tonight with the lad (he's got a bigger car) to pick up some supplies for Saturday any guesses what going down??

http://www.vxr-wrx.co.uk/images/blog/car618.jpg