Astra mk3 Arctic 3.0 V6 + F28 with Quaife

[harvey]

become a club member and you can upload straight to our forum, unlimited space aswell! makes it loads easier and will always be safe!

I've got this diary on a few sites so it's much easier for me using 3rd party hosting. I'll end up buying my own domain name and hosting my own pics as it'll save me future pain. I nearly joined mk3oc earlier this year but I never followed it through...I will at some point

 

[DavebGsi]

yea thats cool mate, i haven't tried but i should think you can use pictures stored on our site on other sites? correct me if im wrong Andy_Mk3

 

[Andy_Mk3]

yea thats cool mate, i haven't tried but i should think you can use pictures stored on our site on other sites? correct me if im wrong Andy_Mk3

Yes that is correct.

 

[harvey]

Finally got my picture hosting sorted so here goes with a mini update and I’ll edit the rest of this diary soon.

Back in August the mk3 got a set of free GSi tail lights from a friend who was breaking a mk3 as I’ve never really liked the series 2 standard items.

Original stock series 2 tail lamps.



Early GSi rear clusters.



After fitting I stood back and realised they needed de-tangoing as they were just too darn orange, minutes later they were done.







Bought some chrome/amber bulbs and whacked them in.





All sorted and looks so much better. I’ve even added a light tint to the spoiler brake light to tone down the redness but you obviously can’t see that.

 

[Andy_Mk3]

Much nicer, definitely what the back end needed Haven't seen someone de-tango GSI lights for years now

 

[harvey]

The wife and I noticed the fuel pump was getting loud and being a second hand scrappy item I decided to fit a brand new one. So in November the V-Power go go juice extracted so I could add fresh after the pump change.



I had visions of having to drop the tank but there was just enough room by the looks of things to get it out the top.



Ten mins later and I won. Checked in the tank for debris as my Vectra B tank had started rusting from the inside the other year but all looks fresh and clean in there. The remainder of the fuel got hand pumped out so it was totally empty.





Ordered a stock replacement Sytec pump which come branded at ‘Hi’. I’ve used the ITP318 previously for my Vectra B which uses the exact same pump but that came in a Sytec box. The ITP318 also includes a new filter.



Next job was to strip the carrier and replace the pump.





I also ordered a new gasket for the tank to pump carrier (part no.90232009) as the original had gone a bit hard. They are still readily available from Vauxhall should anyone need one. I then put it all back together, stuck some fresh fuel in for good measure, primed the fuel system and it fired first turn of the key. The pump is lovely and quite so all good.

 

[harvey]

Haven't seen someone de-tango GSI lights for years now

I'm new old skool to the wonderful delights of de-tangoing, it did feel somewhat satisfying ripping all the orange out. The car looks better in the flesh from the rear as the pictures don't do it justice. It's in hibernation for Winter now but will be out to play next year as it's a hoot to drive.

 

[Mr.Negative]

Cheers for the rubber gasket part no. its reminded me I needed one on mine! can smell the fumes.... can smell oil (crank breather into atmos) and petrol, its a little distracting haha.

 

[harvey]

Dug the mk3 out of its Winter slumber last weekend and fired it up for 30 mins before tucking it back into bed until the nicer weather arrives. I forgot how nice it sounds, it gave me that warm fuzzy feeling inside.

 

[harvey]

The old girl had a few minor but very annoying dents for a while now so I thought it was high time we got these sorted out. The main really obvious one was a ripple on top of the offside front wing from a previous badly done smart repair prior to the wife owning the car. It’s really hard to photograph but hopefully this gives you an idea.



I was recommended a local chap who I hadn’t used before, turns out he lives less than a mile from me. Dean who’s business is Speedy Dent Repair (also on FaceBook) popped round and started bending, poking, prodding, heating, hammering, tapping…you get the idea…and then just over an hour later and as if by magic, no more dents. Top skills, thanks Dean He covers the Nottingham/Derby/Mansfield area so if you have a dent and you want is gone give him a call.





I’ve never been happy with the look of the lower radiator Frankenstein hose I made up using Astra mk3 and Omega items and a joiner. Last month I took the plunge and spoke with the nice chaps at Roose who relieved me of some pennies and supplied a custom conversion hose in OE look and no logo print. I’ll be fitting it as soon as another tweak has been completed.

 

[harvey]

Decided to get the new lower radiator hose installed this week. My old mishmash hose and the new funky OE look silicone.



Initial fitting, I forgot just how tight things are with a V6 in there, even with the intake removed for better access the block end of the hose was fiddly.



Everything back together and looking so much better without a hose jointed.



After discussions with the wife we both decided the rear end required a tweak so I removed this last month.



It got removed due to plans in place to sort the wife’s “tips”......just stop it you dirty minded lot!



After considering various options of painted, powder coated and ceramic coating and me wanting a perfect match to the existing trim and wheels I opted to have them painted. A chat with my paint guy and he was happy to give it a go. So I collect this the other week in all its “L177 Vauxhall Technical Grey” glory.



After finding some motivation to get it fitted I cracked on the other day. I had just enough room and didn’t have to remove the rear bumper.



The pictures don’t really do it justice as it looks so much better in real life. Time will tell if the paint will last but going by the intake which has been done the same and going strong I’m hoping it’ll be fine.

 

[Vauxestate1]

Good job mate looking good

 

[djwilde69]

I like it

 

[Andy_Mk3]

Very nice touches

 

[Al1exx]

This looks awesome, nice work!

 

[harvey]

First drive of the year tonight after sorting the tax, let the smiles per mile begin for 2018

Popping to a meet this Saturday morning 08:30 to 10:30 arranged by Stratstone at their offices near M1 J27, further details and all 2018 meet dates here.

 

[harvey]

The wife and I had yet another great weekend at VBOA 2018. You could see all the hard work and effort that was put into the show to make this year run as smoothly as it did. What a great event and we’ll definitely be back next year. It was nice catching up with both old and new colleagues and there were some lovely Vauxhalls at the event.

Ready for the off loaded with all the camping gear.



The wife’s Astra mk3 and my mk2 on the VxDC stand.

 

[djwilde69]

I seen the car, brilliant looking

 

[Andy_Mk3]

I did have a walk over and have a good look, looks stunning as ever Harvey.

 

[harvey]

It was that wonderful time of year when any vehicle older than 3 years has to have its annual Ministry of Transport roadworthiness check/test. I got the old girl booked for its exam at my new favourite garage Betta Fit auto Centre opposite Ikea in Nottingham. They come highly recommend, good bunch of peeps, know their stuff, don’t rip you off and a real decent hard working place. “Did it pass?” I hear you ask, well of course it did so another year of pootling around trying not to be tempted pressing the LOUD pedal & in this car it really is a LOUD pedal!!!