Ex works Vauxhall Astra BTCC track car

[Liamjrhodes]

Awesome project!
Definitely did the right thing in wrapping up and storing the race engine!

Looking forward to more updates

[anonymous-user]

Such a cool car OP.

Maybe I’ve missed it but what is the overall objective with it? Are you planning to do more than just track days?

When it’s properly set up and running sweet it must absolutely wipe the floor with almost all other cars at track days. Would be interested to know how the likes of 911 gt3’s etc compare trying to keep up...?

[VX BlackRat]

DoubleTime said:

Such a cool car OP.

Maybe I’ve missed it but what is the overall objective with it? Are you planning to do more than just track days?

When it’s properly set up and running sweet it must absolutely wipe the floor with almost all other cars at track days. Would be interested to know how the likes of 911 gt3’s etc compare trying to keep up...?

Thanks!

Objectives –
Can a normal human drive a pukka BTCC race car?....YES
Is it possible to DIY run / maintain it with a sensible budget?....YES
However the main objective is to have fun & share experience with family and friends. It usually becomes the main talking point on any night out, even one of my Mum’s friends in her 70’s is keen to have a ride next time out!
I looked into racing but it’s not within my financial means. All the safety & fuel systems are original and now out of date + I’d have to recommission the original race engine. Shame as running in the Silverstone classic would be my ultimate goal.

I guess it would probably would have a similar lap time to 911 GT3? I expect the Porsche would be quicker down straights but the braking & corners are where it’s really shines.

[motorhole]

I'd expect this to run rings round a GT3 to be honest...

A good lap time for a supercar type thingy around Donny for example is 1:15-1:16. This video shows Rob Huff in a classic Nissan Primera BTCC car doing around 1:12.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzbMu9FA5n0&li...

[VX BlackRat]

Yep, 1:12 around Donnington national looks about right, Turkington & Muller manged that in 2005. Muller was actually in my car,

https://www.crash.net/btcc/results/8476/1/qualifyi...

[Olivera]

VX BlackRat said:

Yep, 1:12 around Donnington national looks about right, Turkington & Muller manged that in 2005. Muller was actually in my car,

https://www.crash.net/btcc/results/8476/1/qualifyi...

It's definitely got the potential to go somewhere near that, but for: a) Yvan Muller isn't driving, and b) Your replacement engine only revs to 7000rpm, so what's it putting out, 220bhp on a good day?

Edited by Olivera on Thursday 21st November 23:05

[andy97]

VX BlackRat said:

Thanks!

Objectives –
Can a normal human drive a pukka BTCC race car?....YES
Is it possible to DIY run / maintain it with a sensible budget?....YES
However the main objective is to have fun & share experience with family and friends. It usually becomes the main talking point on any night out, even one of my Mum’s friends in her 70’s is keen to have a ride next time out!
I looked into racing but it’s not within my financial means. All the safety & fuel systems are original and now out of date + I’d have to recommission the original race engine. Shame as running in the Silverstone classic would be my ultimate goal.

I guess it would probably would have a similar lap time to 911 GT3? I expect the Porsche would be quicker down straights but the braking & corners are where it’s really shines.

Plenty of club series where this could race, even with the current engine fitted. List 1c tyres are not overly expensive and will last several races (4 x 40 min races and qualy probably). Fuel systems arent lifed and the only safety kit that is are the seat belts (and seats if you want to race on european tracks).

[VX BlackRat]

Olivera said:

It's definitely got the potential to go somewhere near that, but for: a) Yvan Muller isn't driving, and b) Your replacement engine only revs to 7000rpm, so what's it putting out, 220bhp on a good day?

Edited by Olivera on Thursday 21st November 23:05

1:12 was just a measure of comparison vs a supercar of about 1:15-6. No way I’m going to get anywhere near that!!!

The 2.4L engine I have installed vs the original 2.0L shouldn’t be holding it up much though. I’ve done have some rough calcs from acceleration curves. Assuming weight of 1250kg with 15% losses from drivetrain + factor in air resistance and I’m getting approx. 250bhp @7k. New lighter pistons with 7’500rpm limit should increase that to approx. 270bhp….similar to the original race engine but with more torque.

I was out accelerating a E36 M3 at Bedford last time out so those figures seem to stack up, will get properly dyno’d when I have new pistons installed then will know for sure.

[Olivera]

VX BlackRat said:

1:12 was just a measure of comparison vs a supercar of about 1:15-6. No way I’m going to get anywhere near that!!!

The 2.4L engine I have installed vs the original 2.0L shouldn’t be holding it up much though. I’ve done have some rough calcs from acceleration curves. Assuming weight of 1250kg with 15% losses from drivetrain + factor in air resistance and I’m getting approx. 250bhp @7k. New lighter pistons with 7’500rpm limit should increase that to approx. 270bhp….similar to the original race engine but with more torque.

I was out accelerating a E36 M3 at Bedford last time out so those figures seem to stack up, will get properly dyno’d when I have new pistons installed then will know for sure.

You can't seriously calculate bhp from telemetry or gauging it against another car. I really very much doubt it's making over 100bhp per litre without mapping and only revving to 7000rpm, in fact I would say 250bhp is just nowhere near credible.

[Bright Halo]

Are you still doing Donington on the 30th?
Hoping to pop along and see this in action.
Great build.

[VX BlackRat]

Bright Halo said:

Are you still doing Donington on the 30th?
Hoping to pop along and see this in action.
Great build.

Thanks, we'll be there unless weather is really bad. Please drop by and say hello if you can make it :-)

[VX BlackRat]

Olivera said:

You can't seriously calculate bhp from telemetry or gauging it against another car. I really very much doubt it's making over 100bhp per litre without mapping and only revving to 7000rpm, in fact I would say 250bhp is just nowhere near credible.

......why can’t BHP be calculated with reasonable accuracy from telemetry?

[quimbles]

standard 2.4 le5 was roughly 170bhp.... you should be over 200.

i have a similar engine 2.4 / b207 on throttle bodies. anywhere between 196 and 221 depending on the rr

[RB Will]

VX BlackRat said:

Olivera said:

You can't seriously calculate bhp from telemetry or gauging it against another car. I really very much doubt it's making over 100bhp per litre without mapping and only revving to 7000rpm, in fact I would say 250bhp is just nowhere near credible.

......why can’t BHP be calculated with reasonable accuracy from telemetry?

Was wondering this too.
A very well regarded mapper I use does this and a friend of mine used to do it with his modified Ibiza Cupra, I cant remember exactly what parameters it was calculated from but I think the figure he worked out was within 5bhp of the dyno

[Krikkit]

RB Will said:

VX BlackRat said:

Olivera said:

You can't seriously calculate bhp from telemetry or gauging it against another car. I really very much doubt it's making over 100bhp per litre without mapping and only revving to 7000rpm, in fact I would say 250bhp is just nowhere near credible.

......why can’t BHP be calculated with reasonable accuracy from telemetry?

Was wondering this too.
A very well regarded mapper I use does this and a friend of mine used to do it with his modified Ibiza Cupra, I cant remember exactly what parameters it was calculated from but I think the figure he worked out was within 5bhp of the dyno

You can do it NASCAR style - accelerate then coast down, measure them for multiple runs and work out your average.

[swampy442]

Just found this thread, should really be in project car lol. Great build, love the premise behind it too

[22B]

VX BlackRat said:

Thanks! Mine is chassis V2005-012

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.

I've just saved this one from the squasher!

I've had my eye on it for many years, and now finally have my hands on it. No V2005-015

It would be great to have a look around yours sometime... clearly I'll need all the help I can get to resurrect it!!

[braddo]

22B said:

VX BlackRat said:

Thanks! Mine is chassis V2005-012

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.

I've just saved this one from the squasher!

I've had my eye on it for many years, and now finally have my hands on it. No V2005-015

It would be great to have a look around yours sometime... clearly I'll need all the help I can get to resurrect it!!

Wow! Do you have ANY parts for it or just the shell? Good luck!

[22B]

Just the shell.

I like a challenge!!

Seriously though... I have no idea where I'd find the specialist parts to put this back together the way it shoud be. Such as engine, gearbox, suspension, hubs etc etc.

[Munter]

22B said:

Just the shell.

I like a challenge!!

Seriously though... I have no idea where I'd find the specialist parts to put this back together the way it should be. Such as engine, gearbox, suspension, hubs etc etc.

I don't think I would. Perhaps just build it up into a nice trackcar with "off the shelf" parts as much as possible.