Vauxhall Vectra VXR

[djgritt]

Cheers for the replies all.
And some suprisingly positive comments... ha.

I'm definitely getting the Wheels done in a more 'Standard' colour, hopefully within the next month or so too.
Never have been sold on the Black, just haven't really got round to getting them done.

jebus said:

Are you on Vec.C.com? car looks really good, some good mods as well. The timing chains are a "worry" point in the VXR, and not a cheap fix but apart from they they are good and rated quite highly, kept up with imprezza and evo's on the EVO road test when they came out, and thats about double the power of my crappy 1.8 vectra lol

I am registered on Vec-C but don't regularly use the site.
Not really worried about the Timing Chains if I'm honest - I wouldn't have bought one if they concerned me! I'll handle that issue if it ever arises. The cost of replacing them isn't cheap, but at the same time, it's also not too bad a price really.

[TheAngryDog]

Nice car OP, nice to see one that isnt in the default Arden Blue. You should get it remapped

MatrixXXx said:

seems a lot of work when you can buy a VXR8 with 420BHP stock?- like mine.

Worst "I have a VXR8" post ever. Not everyone can afford cars like that. My own car has more power than the OP's, but cost less, but is several years older too. If we all bought the same cars, we'd all be in MX-5's

[Podie]

Nice work OP, a good read.

[philmots]

I like them, although my preference is black.

Having had this engine in its Saab 9-3 application I'd advise you to have it mapped. Mine made a daft 300hp and 390lbft. It was night and day. The torque especially.

[elephantstone]

djgritt said:

can't insure one for the same money.

I am surprised about that if you have declared all the mods? How much has it added to your premium?

[djgritt]

elephantstone said:

djgritt said:

can't insure one for the same money.

I am surprised about that if you have declared all the mods? How much has it added to your premium?

Everything apart from the changed Bulbs, badges etc is declared - it didn't make a huge difference to price. I'm paying £800-odd.

I'm 28, in a good Postcode area, with 4 years NCB and a single 6-Points/SP30 Endorsement for Heroic Speeding.

A VXR8 is a 4-Figure price to insure for me. A VXR8 also wouldn't have cost me less than £6500 to buy over 2 years ago, and still isn't anywhere near that price now...

[mattrg]

bah.. should have got a Monaro VXR....

Hello Dave Looks great in the metal

[djgritt]

mattrg said:

bah.. should have got a Monaro VXR....

Hello Dave Looks great in the metal

Ha! I could just make my exhaust blow, and then pretend I have one?

Cheers. Will tidy it up for VBOA Weekend though... Didn't really bother for last weekend at Combe.

[mattrg]

djgritt said:

Ha! I could just make my exhaust blow, and then pretend I have one?

Cheers. Will tidy it up for VBOA Weekend though... Didn't really bother for last weekend at Combe.

Haha! I don't think any of us did to be fair (other than chappie with the Astra)

I too will make sure mine is looking shiny. Might sort that "blowing exhaust" too.

[milu]

Looks great.
I had a red estate back in 2008 and really enjoyed it. Always drew lots of positive comments too.
Underrated car IMO.

[Ben Jk]

[Atterz]

I have a SAAB 9-3 with the same engine, i to have installed a downpipe and front mount intercooler. It has then had a map installed taking it to roughly 360Hp and my god does it shift. Go with JZW if you want to tune it as you can get new maps as you mod it. Otherwise that is a lovely looking car! I shall be posting a project thread with mine shortly!

[LiamM45]

djgritt said:

MatrixXXx said:

seems a lot of work when you can buy a VXR8 with 420BHP stock?- like mine.

Can't buy a VXR8 for anywhere near the same money, can't insure one for the same money, can't run one for the same money.

But of a moot point really?

I imagine once your Vectra is mapped, the straight line performance won't be far off a VXR8.

Nice car OP, really lovely example. Is the Quaife diff a really good upgrade? Looking to get one for my Astra.

[djgritt]

LiamM45 said:

Nice car OP, really lovely example. Is the Quaife diff a really good upgrade? Looking to get one for my Astra.

It's a brilliant Upgrade. Massively improves the cornering ability, and am able to power through bends a lot easier than before - I've only noticed this on the roads though. I have tracked the Car a couple of times, but only since it's had the Quaife fitted. Of course it will still make Track improvements, but I never experienced the difference.
The only thing thing that is unnerving, is when the tyres are low and grip is poor, I've experienced that both front wheels will break traction rather than just one (as it would without the Diff) - however, I see it as just a reminder that I'm probably pushing on a bit much and that my Tyres need a change!

Oh, and it's brilliant for leaving 11s through Car parks and looking totally cool. Not that I've done that of course, not in a grown up & sensible Vectra. Nope, never...

[djgritt]

Atterz said:

I have a SAAB 9-3 with the same engine, i to have installed a downpipe and front mount intercooler. It has then had a map installed taking it to roughly 360Hp and my god does it shift. Go with JZW if you want to tune it as you can get new maps as you mod it. Otherwise that is a lovely looking car! I shall be posting a project thread with mine shortly!

Someone has mentioned JZW Maps over on the VXR Forums, however no-one has used them on a Vectra as far as a UK Distributor is aware, and no-one seems to be willing to take the plunge either.
The maps seem good etc, but the fact that they will come from someone in the US who could probably quickly disappear in the event of an issue arising kind of puts me off. The UK Based Tuners with experience of the Vectra will cost more, but will potentially be easier to work with if problems arise.

[Atterz]

I agree to an extent but the scaremongering on the VXR forum is unreasonable. The UK Saab scene on the other hand have many users of the tuning module and in terms of price it is so much more cost effective than doing a mod, remap, mod remap. As long as you follow the determined tuning route, ie, downpipe, intercooler, then injectors and larger turbo then there will be a map for you.

I appreciate it will never be as perfect as a custom map but for £400 your pretty future proofed unless you do something crazy. In terms of him disappearing, JZW is responsible for a couple of high power Opel Vectras on the continent and also tunes BMWs, trionic based SAABs etc etc. I will never say never but having spoke to him i can not see him going anywhere anytime soon!

If you want to contact a UK distributor i know one if you want to discuss it more with him.

I am just a happy customer .

[Barchettaman]

Absolutely bloody awesome work there - very OEM+. I hope you continue to enjoy the car.

[djgritt]

Atterz said:

I agree to an extent but the scaremongering on the VXR forum is unreasonable. The UK Saab scene on the other hand have many users of the tuning module and in terms of price it is so much more cost effective than doing a mod, remap, mod remap. As long as you follow the determined tuning route, ie, downpipe, intercooler, then injectors and larger turbo then there will be a map for you.

I appreciate it will never be as perfect as a custom map but for £400 your pretty future proofed unless you do something crazy. In terms of him disappearing, JZW is responsible for a couple of high power Opel Vectras on the continent and also tunes BMWs, trionic based SAABs etc etc. I will never say never but having spoke to him i can not see him going anywhere anytime soon!

If you want to contact a UK distributor i know one if you want to discuss it more with him.

I am just a happy customer .

Is the distributor a guy called Martin? If so he is on the VXR forums.

I am tempted, but juat have that little resistance in going for it - I won't be going any further than a map that is essentially Stage1 but takes my Downpipe into account. I'm not going to be chasing number atall.

[LiamM45]

Where are you based mate? If it's northern-ish I could point you towards some good tuners.

[djgritt]

LiamM45 said:

Where are you based mate? If it's northern-ish I could point you towards some good tuners.

South/South West... Regal Autosport are my closest 'known' VX tuner, and they are around 1.5hrs away. Ish.


I've messaged the JZW Guy mentioned above anyway to discuss what's available for now, it's worth looking into at least.

I've also been given a reasonable Quote for a Wheel Refurb too today, so that'll be the priority for spending once I get back to the UK from my current work trip.