Ex works Vauxhall Astra BTCC track car
Discussion
scottos said:
Wow, what an awesome thread!
The competition engine builders i assist at sometimes does quite a lot of those engines, normally for drag racing where the guys using them are doing 1000+hp, this tends to mean fitting darton sleeves, or for lower power applications, machining out the water ways at the top and pressing in a machined deck plate.
They also run some old touring cars, Mazda 323 super tourer, old group a 635csi etc.
They are quite overlooked engines considering the base engine can be found in a Frontera! Im glad there's people buying and running cars like this, keep it up!
Thanks guys, yeah this is a much overlooked engine – Swindon Engines still supply a turbo version to some of the current BTCC race teams. Mine is a hybrid of 2 engines; a Antara 2.4 bottom end with Saab B207 top end. It’s been my first ever engine build and I’ve learnt a heck of a lot about performance engines in a year, did most of it myself except the head machine work so was really pleased when it fired up for the very first time…..The competition engine builders i assist at sometimes does quite a lot of those engines, normally for drag racing where the guys using them are doing 1000+hp, this tends to mean fitting darton sleeves, or for lower power applications, machining out the water ways at the top and pressing in a machined deck plate.
They also run some old touring cars, Mazda 323 super tourer, old group a 635csi etc.
They are quite overlooked engines considering the base engine can be found in a Frontera! Im glad there's people buying and running cars like this, keep it up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdZg9ubWKHo
I’m a sponge for any more info you have on them…I’m already thinking of a Gen 2 with titanium internals short stroke Darton sleeve version.
VX BlackRat said:
Thanks guys, yeah this is a much overlooked engine – Swindon Engines still supply a turbo version to some of the current BTCC race teams. Mine is a hybrid of 2 engines; a Antara 2.4 bottom end with Saab B207 top end. It’s been my first ever engine build and I’ve learnt a heck of a lot about performance engines in a year, did most of it myself except the head machine work so was really pleased when it fired up for the very first time…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdZg9ubWKHo
I’m a sponge for any more info you have on them…I’m already thinking of a Gen 2 with titanium internals short stroke Darton sleeve version.
Engines are awesome things, even just on a stand. I think there's something special about having built your own engine too, well done for going ahead with it. Its worth getting the complicated things done by a specialist, like the head work you suggest. There's a lot more to it than people think and a badly modified head without thought can be worse than standard.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdZg9ubWKHo
I’m a sponge for any more info you have on them…I’m already thinking of a Gen 2 with titanium internals short stroke Darton sleeve version.
If you ever go ahead with going further with the engine, fitting darton sleeves etc, or even just a deck plate if staying NA, give me a shout and i can put you in touch. The old boy that runs the place is a magician, 73 and still doing 7 day weeks. His heads are works of art!
Scott
Got to Bedford last Saturday in perfect weather for 1st shakedown.
Failed noise test of 101db initally by 0.1 db...seriously!! Sent Dad off to B&Q to get some wire wool for the db killer and got down to 98db static
Took it really easy 1st lap, there was a red flag Mclaren 720s & GTR had a shunt so came straight in.
Back out again it became apparent that the engine wasn't running well, only had approx 20% throttle then it would cut power completely, it was also running quite rich. This was really frustrating as the handling was out of this world epic, communication through the steering wheel and the grip on slicks was on a new level to me...wow. Brakes came alive after some heat and were OK, I think if I had more speed I could have loaded them up more to get more heat into them. This seems quite an easy car to drive fast...I'm sure I'll probably regret saying that.
Since getting the car home I stripped the throttle body and found somebody before me had fitted the position sensor shaft 180 degree incorrectly so the potentiometer was sending a dodgy signal to the ECU. Refitted the sensor this morning and it seems much better now but need to check either on a rolling road or shakedown.
Also need to check the driveshafts as the outer CV joints were clicking / knocking a fair bit & the gearbox was struggling to downshift occasionally...I think they may be related???
Looking forward to the next test sometime soon!!
Matt-il77s said:
That's the simulator, mock up rolling shell...missing a playstation & engine inside. It was on ebay last year,I did consider it for some of the bodywork but really don't have the storage space
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Astra-VXR-BTCC...
First track day at brands Indy a few weeks ago, a bit of a mixed bag…
Firstly 60 cars booked on the day with only 20 max out at 1 time is a bit frustrating, especially as there were loads of red flags so there was a fair bit of queuing in the pit lane.
Quite a spread in difference in speed between all the cars and there isn’t too many overtaking opportunities on the Indy track, so had to follow some slower cars around the bends quite a lot.
Had some technical problems, mainly a driveshaft not properly located into gearbox so lost drive a couple of times, luckily I was just able to make it back to the pits. Later found the circlip for the shaft wasn’t the correct thickness (1.65mm vs 2mm) so hope that will fix it for next time.
The Pi display was stuck in ‘PIT’ mode and only displayed speed and coolant temp when moving (full data was available stationary) so had to drive by ear / feel keeping it on the safe side. Since found that it’s all configurable by hooking a laptop up to the unit and now have programmed it correctly.
When I did get some free space it really was great, still amazed how easy it is to drive and how much info the car is giving you. The faster you drive the better everything begins to feel it definitely doesn’t like driving around on partial throttle when there’s flags out. The current camber settings are quite conservative I haven’t changed them since getting the car, could possibly be wet set up -3.5 camber front, -2 camber rear so will add another degree more for next time assuming it’s dry.
Here’s a link to some on-board footage of one of the early sessions with my pace & confidence increasing throughout. Was surprised how fast an old stripped Zetec Ford Anglia can be…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZnmW9w4I4Y
Firstly 60 cars booked on the day with only 20 max out at 1 time is a bit frustrating, especially as there were loads of red flags so there was a fair bit of queuing in the pit lane.
Quite a spread in difference in speed between all the cars and there isn’t too many overtaking opportunities on the Indy track, so had to follow some slower cars around the bends quite a lot.
Had some technical problems, mainly a driveshaft not properly located into gearbox so lost drive a couple of times, luckily I was just able to make it back to the pits. Later found the circlip for the shaft wasn’t the correct thickness (1.65mm vs 2mm) so hope that will fix it for next time.
The Pi display was stuck in ‘PIT’ mode and only displayed speed and coolant temp when moving (full data was available stationary) so had to drive by ear / feel keeping it on the safe side. Since found that it’s all configurable by hooking a laptop up to the unit and now have programmed it correctly.
When I did get some free space it really was great, still amazed how easy it is to drive and how much info the car is giving you. The faster you drive the better everything begins to feel it definitely doesn’t like driving around on partial throttle when there’s flags out. The current camber settings are quite conservative I haven’t changed them since getting the car, could possibly be wet set up -3.5 camber front, -2 camber rear so will add another degree more for next time assuming it’s dry.
Here’s a link to some on-board footage of one of the early sessions with my pace & confidence increasing throughout. Was surprised how fast an old stripped Zetec Ford Anglia can be…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZnmW9w4I4Y
C70R said:
Must say that Brands Indy wouldn't have been my first choice for such a weapon. A short, narrow track, that is often congested - not ideal.
Great if you're in a low-powered hatch or MX5, but immensely frustrating in something so capable I'd imagine.
Great if you're in a low-powered hatch or MX5, but immensely frustrating in something so capable I'd imagine.
But always close to the pits if something goes wrong.
Thanks to Cosworth & help from the owner of 2 of the other chassis I managed to start getting some data from the Pi onboard data logger from the last session at Bedford. The logger isn’t fully functional, the accelerometers don’t seem to be functioning but all the other sensor info is and has provided some great insight into what I need to take care of next.
Oil surge – Even though the sump is baffled the oil pressure is dropping around LH corners & braking. Think I need an accusump & possibly a higher oil capacity compared to OEM?
Lambda (air/fuel ratio) seems very rich at 8, although the power feels good. This will get checked when I get it properly mapped, I'm waiting for some lightweight pistons first so that I can up my self imposed rpm limit of 7k with the heavy Wiesco pistons.
I think the alternator belt is slipping as the battery voltage is dropping at high rpm, I’ll add a bit more tension to the belt.
Oil & water temps are low, When running they're below 60C, ambient temp was about 13c so quite chilly so I’ll try cardboard over the radiator? Other ideas anyone?
The acceleration curve doesn’t seem to be dropping much even at 200kph, looks like it's making good power!!
Looking forward to next track day at Donnington on the 30th..........
Oil surge – Even though the sump is baffled the oil pressure is dropping around LH corners & braking. Think I need an accusump & possibly a higher oil capacity compared to OEM?
Lambda (air/fuel ratio) seems very rich at 8, although the power feels good. This will get checked when I get it properly mapped, I'm waiting for some lightweight pistons first so that I can up my self imposed rpm limit of 7k with the heavy Wiesco pistons.
I think the alternator belt is slipping as the battery voltage is dropping at high rpm, I’ll add a bit more tension to the belt.
Oil & water temps are low, When running they're below 60C, ambient temp was about 13c so quite chilly so I’ll try cardboard over the radiator? Other ideas anyone?
The acceleration curve doesn’t seem to be dropping much even at 200kph, looks like it's making good power!!
Looking forward to next track day at Donnington on the 30th..........
VX BlackRat said:
Thanks to Cosworth & help from the owner of 2 of the other chassis I managed to start getting some data from the Pi onboard data logger from the last session at Bedford. The logger isn’t fully functional, the accelerometers don’t seem to be functioning but all the other sensor info is and has provided some great insight into what I need to take care of next.
Oil surge – Even though the sump is baffled the oil pressure is dropping around LH corners & braking. Think I need an accusump & possibly a higher oil capacity compared to OEM?
Lambda (air/fuel ratio) seems very rich at 8, although the power feels good. This will get checked when I get it properly mapped, I'm waiting for some lightweight pistons first so that I can up my self imposed rpm limit of 7k with the heavy Wiesco pistons.
I think the alternator belt is slipping as the battery voltage is dropping at high rpm, I’ll add a bit more tension to the belt.
Oil & water temps are low, When running they're below 60C, ambient temp was about 13c so quite chilly so I’ll try cardboard over the radiator? Other ideas anyone?
The acceleration curve doesn’t seem to be dropping much even at 200kph, looks like it's making good power!!
Looking forward to next track day at Donnington on the 30th..........
Dam it I’m in Thailand on the 30th and Donnington is only 15 mins away from my dads. Oil surge – Even though the sump is baffled the oil pressure is dropping around LH corners & braking. Think I need an accusump & possibly a higher oil capacity compared to OEM?
Lambda (air/fuel ratio) seems very rich at 8, although the power feels good. This will get checked when I get it properly mapped, I'm waiting for some lightweight pistons first so that I can up my self imposed rpm limit of 7k with the heavy Wiesco pistons.
I think the alternator belt is slipping as the battery voltage is dropping at high rpm, I’ll add a bit more tension to the belt.
Oil & water temps are low, When running they're below 60C, ambient temp was about 13c so quite chilly so I’ll try cardboard over the radiator? Other ideas anyone?
The acceleration curve doesn’t seem to be dropping much even at 200kph, looks like it's making good power!!
Looking forward to next track day at Donnington on the 30th..........
AJB88 said:
Pretty cool! bet you get some right funny looks turning up to a track day in an old BTCC car, lots of people saying on god its a replica etc.
Supported SEAT for many years in BTCC/WTCC would of loved a go in the Leon TDI WTCC car out on track.
you should look up Darkside Developments on YT, they've got an ex btcc Leon that they used in the Burkett the other weekend. Supported SEAT for many years in BTCC/WTCC would of loved a go in the Leon TDI WTCC car out on track.
Krikkit said:
Just stumbled across this thread, what a brilliant purchase! Who did the current map? Are you using the old ECU or have you replaced it?
It's running with the original ECU, it's an EFi Euro6 TOCA version. Had the base map done by Michael Longman, he used to work for Ole Bhul who used to support these back in the day.
They are quite specialist, needs specific cable and equipment to update and nobody I know local can do it, therefore will get new pistons in engine before proper remap don't want to do it more than once. Got to say that it's running great anyhow but going to Spa sometime next year and will need the extra rpm gained from lighter pistons for both power and top speed due to gear ratio's.
RB Will said:
Yeah it’s a solid blue now and he was at Donny about 3 weeks ago.It’s had a few owners over the last few years. Bo had it a while then sold it to my friend Matt, he ran it for a couple of years then sold it to another guy and bought the Golf above last year. The golf ended up being too much hassle to run so sold that to the guy who bought the Astra and bought the Astra back. Just given it a bit of a refresh with the new paint scheme.
And then Matt sold it again!!!! and now bought a focus RS.. This tread is very cool. top work. and great idea to keep the rare engine tucked away, especially at them rebuild costs!
Keep on enjoying
VX BlackRat said:
The roll cage is a different design so I doubt it's a Triple eight built chassis..
Great to see your car being used again. Is it Chassis No 16?Where did you see the roll cage differences that make you think that this http://www.touringcarregister.com/register/254/ is not a Triple eight chassis?
22B said:
Great to see your car being used again. Is it Chassis No 16?
Where did you see the roll cage differences that make you think that this http://www.touringcarregister.com/register/254/ is not a Triple eight chassis?
Thanks! Mine is chassis V2005-012Where did you see the roll cage differences that make you think that this http://www.touringcarregister.com/register/254/ is not a Triple eight chassis?
There was an Astra for sale on race cars direct that somebody on this thread was trying to associate to that genuine 888 chassis with the link you provided. The advert isn't on there anymore and I can't remember the differences, sorry.
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