Astra turbo

[driverdan]

ive recently been looking a t getting a astra coupe turb and just wanted to find a bit more about what they are like to drive/own and what kinda tuning options there are?

[ast20t]

make sure you buy the newest one for you money,they suffer a few problems turbo and rings and valve stem seals leak but if you get a good en then you you can get 275bhp ish with a fmic and a few tweaks and a map,enjoy

[driverdan]

ast20t said:

make sure you buy the newest one for you money,they suffer a few problems turbo and rings and valve stem seals leak but if you get a good en then you you can get 275bhp ish with a fmic and a few tweaks and a map,enjoy

ill have bout 3 grand to play with, if i get any problems like that are they expensive fixes.

[ast20t]

Turbo Is 500 ish for new. And if rings are the problem then full rebuild is the best bet with new rings shells and bearings. And while your there you can put some uprated rods and pistons works out about 2k lol happy days.

[driverdan]

hmm are there any signs i should watch out for when looking at a potential buy, smoke, noise etc

[ast20t]

Yes best thing to do is let it warm up and then drive it, once back from the drive leave it running for another 10 mins while looking around It still,normally this will shows signs of smoke it there's a problem.

[ast20t]

Yes best thing to do is let it warm up and then drive it, once back from the drive leave it running for another 10 mins while looking around It still,normally this will shows signs of smoke it there's a problem.

[Si_steve]

I heard the best thing is a VXR turbo conversion as the Z20LEH turbo is stronger than the Z20LET so you see quite a few ones with this done already.

[driverdan]

cool thanks ast20t, the only reservation ive got about the car is that ive read and heard that the handling aint too gr8 but can you not just stick some better dampers and springs on to fix this?

[Si_steve]

driverdan said:

cool thanks ast20t, the only reservation ive got about the car is that ive read and heard that the handling aint too gr8 but can you not just stick some better dampers and springs on to fix this?

Coilovers on them and they handle fantastic (make sure you get the metal drop links also) mines going back onto standard suspension but thats only because a rear spring broke and I cant find a spring to replace it.




excuse for some new ones

[driverdan]

sweet well im sold the astra turbo will be my next car i think a black one should look cool so im sold lol i gta wait a bit but im sure itl be worth it, and lol yup that spring is definatly broken Si_steve

[Si_steve]

It's a bugger, im stuck with a 1.25 fiesta and a 1.4 corsa. Cant even use my vectra as it's still in bits in the shed. good luck and let us see it when you get it mate (they look excellent in europa blue or titan gold).

[itsonlymoney]

I've got a modified example and I have had particular bad luck with it because the previous owner sold it me with knackered pistons (cracked between the rings). This cost me £1600 to fix (£100 was ARP head studs) with an engineer in Mansfield who was very good.

To check for this problem or knackered piston rings is easy, I just didn't know what to look for.

After you have taken it for a drive just like has been said already and its sat for 10 minutes pull the dip stick out about two inches- If its blowing out a gale of oil vapour (like mine was) walk away!

Hope you find a better one than I did! I've had a few expensive problems but still love it to bits

[rb5230]

problem cars. dont get me wrong i like the looks of them and they do go well and are easy to mod although the interior and handling are not the best. But if you dont believe me, wait and see.

Edited by rb5230 on Wednesday 24th November 12:33

[Si_steve]

With the piston rings another thing would be big clouds of blue smoke under acceleration. The Z20LETs are good engines only let down by the turbo unit's failing around 50k (VXR replacement sorts that tho)But as with all cars you get good and bad example's.

[itsonlymoney]

Sorry my last was a bit misleading, As said above you get good and bad cars and it was just my bad luck that I've had a few expensive problems.
My wife has a coupe 2.2 and that has only needed a battery and alternator in 80k!
I think its like most cars there is always room for improvement