Ex works Vauxhall Astra BTCC track car
Discussion
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
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..........
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.
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.
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!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...?
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.
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...
https://www.crash.net/btcc/results/8476/1/qualifyi...
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?
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!!!Edited by Olivera on Thursday 21st November 23:05
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 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?22B said:
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!!
Fantastic purchase just wait for me to crash mine then I sell you all the parts....won't be long!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!!
Seriously though getting it back to BTCC spec is going to be hugely costly and challenging. The earlier coupe parts are mostly interchangable with yours but finding parts is going to be difficult. Speak to Tony at touring car spares (google it he has a website and facebook page), he'll put you on the right track if it's possible.
Me - I'd run it as serious track tool using as much oem / aftermarket stuff as possible. You'll still need to adapt some part to interface with the shell but with no race reg limitations it will be quicker, cheaper and more doable.
Good luck!!!!
After many epic trackdays now up for sale awaiting a new owner 😄
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176304286872?mkcid=16&a...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176304286872?mkcid=16&a...
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