Vauxhall Vectra VXR

[Nikko 40691]

These are pretty much the same as the Saab 9-3 V6 Turbo, yeah?

[djgritt]

Nikko 40691 said:

These are pretty much the same as the Saab 9-3 V6 Turbo, yeah?

Yep.

Just with a smaller Engine bay due to this one being shorter, and a couple of minor variances (MAF is positioned differently to the Saab as an example)

[LiamM45]

djgritt said:

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.

I've heard more bad than good about Regal. Are Courtenay Sport far away for you? Although being South West most places will be a decent trek!

[ChrisRS6]

Looks good some good mods.

Can you tell me the size of your front plate and where you got it from please?

[Mastodon2]

Looks like a nice car, the only thing I don't like is the fake BBS badges.

[djgritt]

LiamM45 said:

I've heard more bad than good about Regal. Are Courtenay Sport far away for you? Although being South West most places will be a decent trek!

Courtenay are a long way away - somewhere in Norfolk? Plus as they like the cars early AM, I'd also have to factor in a B&B, food etc, holiday booking and the long waiting list for a slot. The costs & time mount up, and they are also the most expensive for the Mapping, albeit probably the most experienced with the Vectra as a whole.

[djgritt]

ChrisRS6 said:

Can you tell me the size of your front plate and where you got it from please?

It's a 390x84mm '3/4' Size

From Fancyplates.com

Been stopped for Speeding with it fitted, and also had a couple of random looks whilst parked by Police. Not had anything mentioned about it since fitting in early 2012. I do swap it for full size come MOT Time.

[griffin dai]

+1 for the JZW remap

Here's my 9-3 with it done, currently at stage 1A (aggressive map) goes like fk to be fair Should be at least stage 3+ by now but not sure if I'm keeping it or swapping later this year for an XJR so holding off on any further mods.
http://uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=...

I did a quick review on the map last year, worth a read just to get some more info.
http://uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1...

Really surprised none of the vxr guys have gone for it yet, but I guess it is a bit of a gamble if you're not into the Saab tuning scene. There is a UK distributor though on Uksaabs in South Wales.

All I can say is John (JZW) is one of the best in the business for tuning these engines. He's built some right monsters over the years, he's currently working on a 20t tune.....which should be pretty quick

Only thing I would advise to get is an uprated clutch as the jump in torque is huge over standard.

[djgritt]

griffin dai said:

+1 for the JZW remap

Here's my 9-3 with it done, currently at stage 1A (aggressive map) goes like fk to be fair Should be at least stage 3+ by now but not sure if I'm keeping it or swapping later this year for an XJR so holding off on any further mods.
http://uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=...

I did a quick review on the map last year, worth a read just to get some more info.
http://uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1...

Really surprised none of the vxr guys have gone for it yet, but I guess it is a bit of a gamble if you're not into the Saab tuning scene. There is a UK distributor though on Uksaabs in South Wales.

All I can say is John (JZW) is one of the best in the business for tuning these engines. He's built some right monsters over the years, he's currently working on a 20t tune.....which should be pretty quick

Only thing I would advise to get is an uprated clutch as the jump in torque is huge over standard.

Already seen your stuff on UKsaabs, joined a couple of days ago on my quest for information - you'll find a few posts by me under the same username.
I've also been in discussion with Martin already and I'm 99% certain I'll be taking the JZW route. It's just a case of getting my summer holiday out of the way (due to saving money for it) and then buying the system.

My clutch is genuine GM and currently on around 20k miles - should be ok for a little bit I imagine, but will keep my mind on replacements - already found new a reasonably priced supplier for the 0.8mm Uprated Spark Plugs too, which will be bought at the same time as the Mapping.

Edited by djgritt on Sunday 4th May 21:57

[griffin dai]

These are what I've fitted mate, might be able to get them a tad cheaper elsewhere but I've had no issues (touch wood!)
http://spark-plugs.co.uk/index.php/products/detail...

There's a few other v6 tuners around (so not to sound bias towards JZW...although I really am)

Vtuner (another US tuner similar to johns stuff)
Maptun
Hirsch

All similarly priced but JZW/Vtuner seem to get a load more torque out the tunes. Best bet is try and bag a ride in one for an idea how they go, plenty of Saab meets/dyno days over the year so more than welcome to tag along

[Atterz]

Haha i am also biased towards JZW as i think its fantastic and transforms the car. Your clutch should hold up well for a while with it being so new, but you have to avoid trying to demand full power in higher gears or i still think it will slip. I am outstanded by the performance on offer and im sure John will also be able to provide you with a map that takes full advantage of your decatted downpipe as well.

On another note, seen my first VXR on Friday at tesco! Rare old beasts arent they to be fair!

[Remagel2507]

Nice car OP and I really like the mods you have done especially the retrofitting ones - always my favourite for some reason. Friend of mine has just replaced his Cavalier turbo with an VXR estate although his doesn't have the same subtle effect as yours as its in Arden Blue

[Driver101]

Looks good.

I prefer the standard wheels though.

[djgritt]

Atterz said:

Haha i am also biased towards JZW as i think its fantastic and transforms the car. Your clutch should hold up well for a while with it being so new, but you have to avoid trying to demand full power in higher gears or i still think it will slip. I am outstanded by the performance on offer and im sure John will also be able to provide you with a map that takes full advantage of your decatted downpipe as well.

On another note, seen my first VXR on Friday at tesco! Rare old beasts arent they to be fair!

Speaking with Martin, it seems that with my mostly derestricted Exhaust, Fully Decatted and with the Silencer removal, I may be able to get it close to the Stage 3 figures, but we shall see.
John will obviously give the best feedback as to what is achievable with the current setup.

[djgritt]

Remagel2507 said:

Nice car OP and I really like the mods you have done especially the retrofitting ones - always my favourite for some reason. Friend of mine has just replaced his Cavalier turbo with an VXR estate although his doesn't have the same subtle effect as yours as its in Arden Blue

Cheers.

Do love a Cavalier Turbo! Know a few guys who do/did own them, and always been a fan.

I considered an estate, as they are massive. Couldn't find a Silver one at the time though. Arden Blue is my least favourite option - sure they stand out a lot more, but it isn't a colour that suits the Vectra atall imo! Too shouty...

[Toaster Pilot]

That's nice , always been tempted by the cheap ex police versions of these I see around for buttons.

Don't understand fitting the smaller front plate when the recess is for a full size one, but each to their own.

[LordGrover]

djgritt said:

Cheers.

Do love a Cavalier Turbo! Know a few guys who do/did own them, and always been a fan.

Didja see this one mentioned elsewhere?

Cav SRI 'Turbo'.

[djgritt]

LordGrover said:

Didja see this one mentioned elsewhere?

Cav SRI 'Turbo'.

Yep. I know the owner personally too. Guy called Nick, he's had the car for years, it's reliable too. He used to be an Admin on the Vauxhall Club I am now on the Admin team for. Our web address is across the Strut brace.
Looks like he's taken his Personal Reg off now though.
His comment about not abusing it is entirely accurate too, he's not one for hammering it around atall.

Nice guy, nice car. Good price too!

Edited by djgritt on Tuesday 6th May 13:25

[MatrixXXx]

TheAngryDog said:

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

10k to buy, £300 per year insurance? there are some guys on our forum in their early 20's.. I am slightly older (cough cough).

[djgritt]

Collected my Wheels from Refurb today... Much better!







Waiting on Badges & Bolt covers before fitting, hopefully tomorrow.
Will be sealing the Wheels tomorrow, and using Tyre dressing on the sidewalls too.

Had the Car up on 4 Stands, so decided to do some tidying up whilst I had the opportunity.

I've been trying to get out to Clay & Polish it all weekend, and intended to today, but have had intermittent weather hampering me. Oh well!

Anyway, Headlight prepped;



Crazing/Pitting;



3M kit to be used;



After around an hour, improved but the blemishing isn't 100% removed;



Bit disappointed, but they are massively better than when they arrived with me. I think I may need to invest in new Lamp units if I want them to look perfect. Something to think about then...

I then started rinsing and sponging/wiping the car to remove any road grime picked up since attending Combe a couple of weeks back, before starting to Clay & Polish. Then is absolutely started bucketing down with rain, and then it turned into hail, and carried on for a little bit.

Sheltering in the garage, waiting...



I carried on wiping it down once the weather backed off a bit. But as the weather kept changing never got to Clay or Polish it.

Instead, I blasted all the Arches with the Hose (for the first time since purchase, well, with the extra access from having the wheels off), which removed an unsuprisingly large amount of ste and solids - expected there to be a fair amount from living on the Farm before. The results weren't too bad considering;








I then popped up to Halfords and got a relatively stiff scrubbing brush, some All Purpose Cleaner and a few other cleaning things for later.
I then got into the arches and gave them, and the Calipers, a going over with the Brush & APC. Which had a good effect!

Scrubbed up;








The Calipers need repainting really, they've faded a bit over time and been exposed to heat and general uses as expected. Apparently the Blue Caliper paint from Halfords is the best match to original, so will get some of that and get them done.

Spending the day at Home tomorrow, so hoping the weather holds out so I can finish cleaning and get everything back together, ready to get some proper Photos on the Camera rather than from my phone through Photobucket...