Everyone else has done a diary thread so I thought it was about time I started one. 
It all started late 2002 when I purchased a 1.6 16v Astra Arctic 2 on a 98’ R plate. An Arctic model is similar to Gls spec but has air con for those who were wondering. She had covered 31’000 miles and was owned by a little old lady. The car was in showroom condition with a full service history and loads of paper work.
The Astra stayed standard until I made a visit to Courtenay Sport, which happens to be very local to me, and came away with a panel filter. So I derestricted the air box and added a cold air feed and that was it, the modifying began…
Next up was colour coding engine components and the usual like removing bump stripes, colour coding door handles, interior dash plastics, fitting a magnex 6x4 oval exhaust, 60mm lowering springs with matched shocks, clear mk4 side repeaters etc.
Then I decided to have a crack at fitting a Mk2 Astra GTE digital dash as I had fitted to my old Nova. I followed the same wiring diagram as for a Nova and figured the rest out as I went along. The dash surround needed modifying to give a better factory fit, and over the last couple of years I updated the digi dash with coloured films and a new surround which is modified from a standard mk3 cluster.
Then it was time to look at the exterior cosmetics, so I purchased Reiger bumper extensions and M3 skirts. I did all the prep work and fitting but had a local guy do the spraying. After about a year I followed up with a Reiger full front bumper and grill, finished off the kit nicely. I also smoothed the boot panel off, 1st just the lock and handle, then completely smoothed it off and relocated the number plate. 17” TSW Ribs alloys fitted, at the time most people liked them, times change, so some new alloys in time for next years shows.
Rolling road day at courtenay Sport, 1.6 16v- 107.2bhp
Then another year and a bit past and I was looking to upgrade the engine. So I got down the local scrappy and found myself a c20xe redtop, coil pack model, from a low mileage Cavy Sri. This was a winter project; I stripped it down and fully rebuilt it in my garage with some help from my brother and dad. I also did a little tuning to it with some cylinder head modifications, Courtenay fast roads cams, Power cap, large bore four branch exhaust manifold, performance middle section exhaust, K&N filter, lightened and balanced flywheel, and a tweaked throttle body.
Engine build pics
The engine was built and sitting in my garage until spring 2005 due to dammed work commitments, but then came installation day, with the aid of my dad’s tractor! Went fairly smoothly, 1st time I had ever done an engine swap of that degree, bit more involved than swapping a 1.2 Nova engine for another! As I wanted to retain my air con and I couldn’t find the correct mount required anywhere so I fabricated one from plate steel, took around 3 days to get it right! I also took the time to upgraded to v6 front brakes and a rear disc conversion, well she wernt going anywhere for a while!
Installation Time
Over the last year or so I have made alterations to mainly the exterior with the Monterey bonnet vent, which I redone again on a Gsi bonnet this year. Other modifications include a proper flush fitting fuel filler cap, also removed the wing aerial and fitted an omega amplifier box which uses the heated strips in the rear window for a reception. Chrome angel eyes, which I have recently sprayed black.
Full black leather from a calibre, this leather was in mint condition and a steal at £170 from a mates V6. Heated seats in winter, mmmm…. Also recently fitted a Gsi trip computer with control stalk.
These are the most recent pics I have.
This is a to-do list,
- Fit de-cat pipe,
- Fit rear leather headrests (thought of a way as Cally rear bench don’t have the slots for the sleeves.)
- Get hold of chip for my ECU
- Finish fitting blue switches for dash controls etc.
- Get round to fitting rear leccy windows and wire them in.
- Also got to fit my chrome interior door handles.
Theres a few other minor changes to make and things to fit, and I will update as and when but for now this is a brief summary of my Astra.
Please feel free to ask questions and leave comments
Thanks Neve’o
It all started late 2002 when I purchased a 1.6 16v Astra Arctic 2 on a 98’ R plate. An Arctic model is similar to Gls spec but has air con for those who were wondering. She had covered 31’000 miles and was owned by a little old lady. The car was in showroom condition with a full service history and loads of paper work.
The Astra stayed standard until I made a visit to Courtenay Sport, which happens to be very local to me, and came away with a panel filter. So I derestricted the air box and added a cold air feed and that was it, the modifying began…
Next up was colour coding engine components and the usual like removing bump stripes, colour coding door handles, interior dash plastics, fitting a magnex 6x4 oval exhaust, 60mm lowering springs with matched shocks, clear mk4 side repeaters etc.
Then I decided to have a crack at fitting a Mk2 Astra GTE digital dash as I had fitted to my old Nova. I followed the same wiring diagram as for a Nova and figured the rest out as I went along. The dash surround needed modifying to give a better factory fit, and over the last couple of years I updated the digi dash with coloured films and a new surround which is modified from a standard mk3 cluster.
Then it was time to look at the exterior cosmetics, so I purchased Reiger bumper extensions and M3 skirts. I did all the prep work and fitting but had a local guy do the spraying. After about a year I followed up with a Reiger full front bumper and grill, finished off the kit nicely. I also smoothed the boot panel off, 1st just the lock and handle, then completely smoothed it off and relocated the number plate. 17” TSW Ribs alloys fitted, at the time most people liked them, times change, so some new alloys in time for next years shows.
Rolling road day at courtenay Sport, 1.6 16v- 107.2bhp
Then another year and a bit past and I was looking to upgrade the engine. So I got down the local scrappy and found myself a c20xe redtop, coil pack model, from a low mileage Cavy Sri. This was a winter project; I stripped it down and fully rebuilt it in my garage with some help from my brother and dad. I also did a little tuning to it with some cylinder head modifications, Courtenay fast roads cams, Power cap, large bore four branch exhaust manifold, performance middle section exhaust, K&N filter, lightened and balanced flywheel, and a tweaked throttle body.
Engine build pics
The engine was built and sitting in my garage until spring 2005 due to dammed work commitments, but then came installation day, with the aid of my dad’s tractor! Went fairly smoothly, 1st time I had ever done an engine swap of that degree, bit more involved than swapping a 1.2 Nova engine for another! As I wanted to retain my air con and I couldn’t find the correct mount required anywhere so I fabricated one from plate steel, took around 3 days to get it right! I also took the time to upgraded to v6 front brakes and a rear disc conversion, well she wernt going anywhere for a while!
Installation Time
Over the last year or so I have made alterations to mainly the exterior with the Monterey bonnet vent, which I redone again on a Gsi bonnet this year. Other modifications include a proper flush fitting fuel filler cap, also removed the wing aerial and fitted an omega amplifier box which uses the heated strips in the rear window for a reception. Chrome angel eyes, which I have recently sprayed black.
Full black leather from a calibre, this leather was in mint condition and a steal at £170 from a mates V6. Heated seats in winter, mmmm…. Also recently fitted a Gsi trip computer with control stalk.
These are the most recent pics I have.
This is a to-do list,
- Fit de-cat pipe,
- Fit rear leather headrests (thought of a way as Cally rear bench don’t have the slots for the sleeves.)
- Get hold of chip for my ECU
- Finish fitting blue switches for dash controls etc.
- Get round to fitting rear leccy windows and wire them in.
- Also got to fit my chrome interior door handles.
Theres a few other minor changes to make and things to fit, and I will update as and when but for now this is a brief summary of my Astra.
Please feel free to ask questions and leave comments
Thanks Neve’o
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