My Astra VXR (888/Thorney Motorsport)
Discussion
Hi guys and girls
I have an Astra VXR Nurburgring Edn (no. 626 of 835)and here is the story behind her so far.
Before i left for Iraq in 2007 I placed an order for a VXR Nurburgring with the tax free dealership in Eastbourne, but due to new stoc becomming a rarity was unsure as to wether i'd get one, so i also put in an order for a normal VXR specced with the Remus Exhaust and the 19" Optional wheels. Luckily Dominique Reid got the Nurburgring in that i wanted, and so it sat in EMC for 6 months waiting patiently for me to come and get it. I on the other hand wasn't being patient one bit, and believe me a 6 month tour when you have a brand new car waiting just seems to last sooo much longer.
I got back in December and immediately went about a final wash, polish and interior clean on my 57 Sri 1.8 VVT XP. Ended up with just shy of 9000 miles on the clock. To be honest, the drive wasn't bad at all, and the chassis was more capable than most reviews made out, the engine was happy to rev and pulled almost the whole way to the redline.
But the time came and after a week of waiting, I drove to EMC and waited for the VXR to be pulled around. After a little bumper realignment and a quick (15min) check of vaccume hoses etc I went in, signed for the car and went on my way. Dominique is a credit to EMC in all the work she put in to get the car, and also for being able to drive it quietly enough that i didn't hear it pull up, the Remus is THAT loud
. Got to a dual carrigeway and had a little spurt, nothing harsh, and got my first taste of a turbo'd car.
After 1000 Miles, the car went to Thorney Motorsport in Milton Keynes where she was treated to a Stage 2 Remap and rolling road.
So the outcome was near as makes no difference280BHP and 320ft/lb. The engine wasn't even giving 100% and as it loosened would more than likely give a bit more according to Thorney!
I drove back to Sittingbourne with a big smile none the less. Soon it was time for the Whiteline Adjustable RARB that i had sat in my room to be bolted on. So away to a workshop it went, and i bolted it on, setting the RARB to "medium" (Now set to hard because i like the lift off/snap oversteer).
The "RARB Shot" taken under Sheppy Bridge
A few months passed with only minor modifications going on, such as a grille badge and full blue samco hose set (that took yonks to put on
). During this time i was driving from work in Germany to home quite alot and managed to rack up about 4000 more miles. Also got off the clock on the unrestricted part of the A2 in NRW.
Went to quite a few meets including one very very cold one at Southend and scavenged ideas for what i wanted to do next. Originally i was going to go for some lightweight OZ Super/Ultraleggera and KW Varient 3 suspension, but constraints on money forced me to think of cheaper, but still very effective methods. After a phone call to Thorney Motorsport i had a set of EiBach Sportlines and Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 in Satin Black, wrapped in Toyo T1-R shoes (as i couldn't tempt fate with R888 in the metrological nightmare that is Niedersachen)
Southend in Jan/Feb IIRC
Delays by Team Dynamics mean't i wouldn't see my alloys till after BTCC R1 Brands Hatch in April and i recieved apologies from the company themselves and promises they would be in TMS by the next friday (at this point i had been waiting over 6 weeks for them). Called Thorney the friday morning to hear that the springs that had been set aside had gone walkies, and that only 3 of the alloys had arrived. At this point i wasn't angry, i simply picked up the phone to Triple Eight Racing and then drove to Banbury to get my springs. On the way back i went to Thorney, Picked up 4 tyres and 3 alloys (TMS had sourced me a set of springs, but couldn't get through to my phone to tell me), then headed to Hemelhempstead where my 4th alloy was sat in a battered box. Unfortuantely instead of taking 2hrs to get back from Thorney, it took about 5 due to traffic and accidents all over the M1 and M25.
The next morning i went to my cousins workshop in Rainham, Kent (ATS Tyrepros) and set about the fitting of the springs. It took a while mainly because of the fact that the old springs were pretty much solid on the bumpstops. After they were fitted, the tyres were hoyed on and some minor damage found on the 4th alloy (wasn't that visible, and i wasn't going to go back to TMS because of a dink at this stage). The tyres were filled with Nitrogen because the car was doing alot of high speed runs and when i got some free time it would be doing track work.
After a week of driving with the tracking getting worse and worse, it went back in for laser geo and fast road setup, courtesey of my cousin again, and came out feeling amazing. On the drive back to Germany it was much more stable under high speed (Presumably due to better downforce due to lowering 2") and turn in/out was amazingly sharp.
Right now she sits on just over 9000miles, going for a service in Opel in a few weeks, then probably another in Thorney for a proper check over, and if i can't get them on before hand myself, some Yellowstuff and Dot 5.1 fluid.
Future intentions? Simple, lay off some mileage (9000 in approx 7 months due to courses in uk and having to drive to and fro Germany lots) because my Insurance company will probably have a fit otherwise (at the moment have 12,000km/yr :S got to go in on tuesday to change it :S), the Yellowstuff/Dot 5.1 ready for the 'Ring trip i have organised in september for my unit and as a final upgrade she will be wearing AP/Alcon 4-pots and a Quaife Differential.
Final Words:
Don't believe Clarkson. I've never felt torque steer even half as bad as what he said, and most of it was due to road condition/camber.
If you are thinking about an Astra VXR, get one! If it's 2nd hand, listen for the Turkey noise as it could mean a replacement turbo and the turbo is built onto the mainfold so it's a complete Manifold/Turbo replacement if it does go, and if its out of warranty its £££'s.
Thanks for taking time to read through this,
Simon
I have an Astra VXR Nurburgring Edn (no. 626 of 835)and here is the story behind her so far.
Before i left for Iraq in 2007 I placed an order for a VXR Nurburgring with the tax free dealership in Eastbourne, but due to new stoc becomming a rarity was unsure as to wether i'd get one, so i also put in an order for a normal VXR specced with the Remus Exhaust and the 19" Optional wheels. Luckily Dominique Reid got the Nurburgring in that i wanted, and so it sat in EMC for 6 months waiting patiently for me to come and get it. I on the other hand wasn't being patient one bit, and believe me a 6 month tour when you have a brand new car waiting just seems to last sooo much longer.
I got back in December and immediately went about a final wash, polish and interior clean on my 57 Sri 1.8 VVT XP. Ended up with just shy of 9000 miles on the clock. To be honest, the drive wasn't bad at all, and the chassis was more capable than most reviews made out, the engine was happy to rev and pulled almost the whole way to the redline.
But the time came and after a week of waiting, I drove to EMC and waited for the VXR to be pulled around. After a little bumper realignment and a quick (15min) check of vaccume hoses etc I went in, signed for the car and went on my way. Dominique is a credit to EMC in all the work she put in to get the car, and also for being able to drive it quietly enough that i didn't hear it pull up, the Remus is THAT loud
. Got to a dual carrigeway and had a little spurt, nothing harsh, and got my first taste of a turbo'd car. After 1000 Miles, the car went to Thorney Motorsport in Milton Keynes where she was treated to a Stage 2 Remap and rolling road.
So the outcome was near as makes no difference280BHP and 320ft/lb. The engine wasn't even giving 100% and as it loosened would more than likely give a bit more according to Thorney!
I drove back to Sittingbourne with a big smile none the less. Soon it was time for the Whiteline Adjustable RARB that i had sat in my room to be bolted on. So away to a workshop it went, and i bolted it on, setting the RARB to "medium" (Now set to hard because i like the lift off/snap oversteer).
The "RARB Shot" taken under Sheppy Bridge
A few months passed with only minor modifications going on, such as a grille badge and full blue samco hose set (that took yonks to put on
). During this time i was driving from work in Germany to home quite alot and managed to rack up about 4000 more miles. Also got off the clock on the unrestricted part of the A2 in NRW. Went to quite a few meets including one very very cold one at Southend and scavenged ideas for what i wanted to do next. Originally i was going to go for some lightweight OZ Super/Ultraleggera and KW Varient 3 suspension, but constraints on money forced me to think of cheaper, but still very effective methods. After a phone call to Thorney Motorsport i had a set of EiBach Sportlines and Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 in Satin Black, wrapped in Toyo T1-R shoes (as i couldn't tempt fate with R888 in the metrological nightmare that is Niedersachen)
Southend in Jan/Feb IIRC
Delays by Team Dynamics mean't i wouldn't see my alloys till after BTCC R1 Brands Hatch in April and i recieved apologies from the company themselves and promises they would be in TMS by the next friday (at this point i had been waiting over 6 weeks for them). Called Thorney the friday morning to hear that the springs that had been set aside had gone walkies, and that only 3 of the alloys had arrived. At this point i wasn't angry, i simply picked up the phone to Triple Eight Racing and then drove to Banbury to get my springs. On the way back i went to Thorney, Picked up 4 tyres and 3 alloys (TMS had sourced me a set of springs, but couldn't get through to my phone to tell me), then headed to Hemelhempstead where my 4th alloy was sat in a battered box. Unfortuantely instead of taking 2hrs to get back from Thorney, it took about 5 due to traffic and accidents all over the M1 and M25.
The next morning i went to my cousins workshop in Rainham, Kent (ATS Tyrepros) and set about the fitting of the springs. It took a while mainly because of the fact that the old springs were pretty much solid on the bumpstops. After they were fitted, the tyres were hoyed on and some minor damage found on the 4th alloy (wasn't that visible, and i wasn't going to go back to TMS because of a dink at this stage). The tyres were filled with Nitrogen because the car was doing alot of high speed runs and when i got some free time it would be doing track work.
After a week of driving with the tracking getting worse and worse, it went back in for laser geo and fast road setup, courtesey of my cousin again, and came out feeling amazing. On the drive back to Germany it was much more stable under high speed (Presumably due to better downforce due to lowering 2") and turn in/out was amazingly sharp.
Right now she sits on just over 9000miles, going for a service in Opel in a few weeks, then probably another in Thorney for a proper check over, and if i can't get them on before hand myself, some Yellowstuff and Dot 5.1 fluid.
Future intentions? Simple, lay off some mileage (9000 in approx 7 months due to courses in uk and having to drive to and fro Germany lots) because my Insurance company will probably have a fit otherwise (at the moment have 12,000km/yr :S got to go in on tuesday to change it :S), the Yellowstuff/Dot 5.1 ready for the 'Ring trip i have organised in september for my unit and as a final upgrade she will be wearing AP/Alcon 4-pots and a Quaife Differential.
Final Words:
Don't believe Clarkson. I've never felt torque steer even half as bad as what he said, and most of it was due to road condition/camber.
If you are thinking about an Astra VXR, get one! If it's 2nd hand, listen for the Turkey noise as it could mean a replacement turbo and the turbo is built onto the mainfold so it's a complete Manifold/Turbo replacement if it does go, and if its out of warranty its £££'s.
Thanks for taking time to read through this,
Simon
Edited by Havoc856 on Friday 22 May 12:45
G T,
Ye i know what you mean, in TG his review of the Focus RS mentioned the torque steer issue as "unavoidable, but brilliant". Also the way it was setup as the RS was on par with a GT30... I'm sorry, but no lol
+ I've seen the RS out on the Autobahn near Essen. Looks like an ST thats been through halfords backwards. I'd have an ST any day as long as i then tuned it and set it up like my VXR, but the RS bodykit looks too dare i say 'pikeyish' for my liking. Also my mate in Ford says the reason it's taking so long is because of reliability issues with the turbochargers.
Ye i know what you mean, in TG his review of the Focus RS mentioned the torque steer issue as "unavoidable, but brilliant". Also the way it was setup as the RS was on par with a GT30... I'm sorry, but no lol
+ I've seen the RS out on the Autobahn near Essen. Looks like an ST thats been through halfords backwards. I'd have an ST any day as long as i then tuned it and set it up like my VXR, but the RS bodykit looks too dare i say 'pikeyish' for my liking. Also my mate in Ford says the reason it's taking so long is because of reliability issues with the turbochargers.
I specified the VXR 19s because i liked them alot on other burgs. Unfortunately i didn't know about their massive weight (two hands and alot of effort to lift with shoes on) and the ride is pretty harsh now i've realised. The TD PR 1.2s i can lift with one hand with shoes on and im not the biggest bloke if you know what i mean lol. So the looks have gone in favour of a more track orientated car. I didn't get the burg standard 18s because they are white and a pig to keep clean!!
I was in Roermond on wednesday 2 weeks ago getting a suit lol. I was at Elmpt on a course before i headed back up to Hohne.
I was in Roermond on wednesday 2 weeks ago getting a suit lol. I was at Elmpt on a course before i headed back up to Hohne.
Off to the 'Ring in september!! I've organised a trip down there. Fair few of us going, most from my unit. Line up includes EVO X FQ-360 (Mates bringing it down to pick me up sunday for a quick go in it!) Subaru Impreza STi Type UK, Focus STs, Astra VXRs, Fiesta STs.... Going to be good!
Here's a little badger i took today and edited in Photoshop for the last 40 odd minutes
Here's a little badger i took today and edited in Photoshop for the last 40 odd minutes
But it's easier to keep clean than the wheels!It's a change of tuner, I came into some info the other weekend about Thorney that i'd rather not go into on here, needless to say it was bad enough to warrant putting myself out of pocket by the sum of £250 to go to Courtenay Sport who have been tuning Vauxhalls for 25 odd years.
To that end, i'm not really expecting any more power, i might be going for a high torque map, and if the money is flowing, a cam kit to gain some more torque and quicker pickup.
In reality i'm aiming for 280-285bhp and around 300-340ftlb torque. So nothing majorly different there. However the brakes will let me go in later than i can now so i gain speed there!!
To that end, i'm not really expecting any more power, i might be going for a high torque map, and if the money is flowing, a cam kit to gain some more torque and quicker pickup.
In reality i'm aiming for 280-285bhp and around 300-340ftlb torque. So nothing majorly different there. However the brakes will let me go in later than i can now so i gain speed there!!
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