Project 8888

[Mr. Clarkson]

As some as you may or may not know, I've begun the transformation to building a magazine-worthy Astra more in line with what they get in Europe.

The project name is based off the 888 special edition Astras in the UK.

Goodies installed / going to be installed since my last post:

Carbon fiber mirror caps, b-pillars, handles, hatch strip
Front and rear strut braces
New pedals
Front and rear OPC bumpers
OPC sideskirts, spoiler, grille, exhaust
New door sills
Performance camshaft

maybe other things as well, its being pieced together from various sources overseas.

First and only photo from the project so far:

[Nimraynn]

Plans sound great 

[Mr. Clarkson]

Nothing to do while waiting for the parts to arrive...

except photoshop what it should look like 

[Suns_PSD]

On the engine you need:

The Regal aftermarket intake scoop w/ their panel filter.
The cam that Regal sources from somewhere else.
The Dbilas intake plenum.
Exhaust system.
Programming, either custon from a local company or all from Regal.

These mods are supposed to be good for about 190 Naturally Aspirated hp which would be quite fun on this little car. Not a rocketship but very spirited to drive fast.

You also need some lighter rims as the stock 18s weigh 27#s each. My Oz wheels came in closer to 19.5# each.

You can call Regal and give them your CC # and they will make it happen or you can try to go thru the US distributor, Evolution Motorsports in Tempe, AZ for the parts and programming.

All looks and no power would not be cool IMO.

Good luck w/ the project!!!

[Mr. Clarkson]

On the engine you need:

The Regal aftermarket intake scoop w/ their panel filter.
The cam that Regal sources from somewhere else.
The Dbilas intake plenum.
Exhaust system.
Programming, either custon from a local company or all from Regal.

These mods are supposed to be good for about 190 Naturally Aspirated hp which would be quite fun on this little car. Not a rocketship but very spirited to drive fast.

You also need some lighter rims as the stock 18s weigh 27#s each. My Oz wheels came in closer to 19.5# each.

You can call Regal and give them your CC # and they will make it happen or you can try to go thru the US distributor, Evolution Motorsports in Tempe, AZ for the parts and programming.

All looks and no power would not be cool IMO.

Good luck w/ the project!!!

I've got an intake.

Neither Regal or Dbilas are really willing to do anything for our engines thus far, since they've been factory tuned for US octane ratings. I'm trying to get ahold of the cams, but it's proving quite tricky.

[Suns_PSD]

Keep us up to date.

Regal acted like they would send everything out to me if I gave them a CC # including their hand held programmer which would allow them to e-mail software updates. Speak to Paul of Chris.

I only waited because they said they would rather I buy it from the USA distributor. The guys at Evolution are still waiting for pricing however.

[Mr. Clarkson]

Keep us up to date.

Regal acted like they would send everything out to me if I gave them a CC # including their hand held programmer which would allow them to e-mail software updates. Speak to Paul of Chris.

I only waited because they said they would rather I buy it from the USA distributor. The guys at Evolution are still waiting for pricing however.

Yeah, when I spoke to Regal they weren't really comfortable sending software over since all their software is meant for 97-98 octane, and for the most part I'm stuck with 91 in california 

[ang1sgt]

Well, You peaked my interest to be sure.  Been following your exploits ever since you changed the seat leathers.  Can't wit to see what the OPC bumpers will look like actually installed on the car.

Chris

[Suns_PSD]

It doesn't make any sense that they are scared of our Octane ratings. The UK just lists RON (Research Octane Rating where the USA rating is just an average of RON and MON (I think it's called MON???) which results in a lower published # but not a particulaly lower actual #. Shell Super comes in at 93 Octane after the averaging.

Also, you had mentioned turbocharging your car. I asked Regal about the turbo kit from Dbilas and he said "if you drive it hard it'll pop." I take that to mean if you drive hard or Autocross or something you will blow up the motor. I then asked him about the NA modifications and he said "those motors will run great for a long time w/ those mods no problems."

I'll be sticking w/ the less expensive NA mods myself.

[Mr. Clarkson]

It doesn't make any sense that they are scared of our Octane ratings. The UK just lists RON (Research Octane Rating where the USA rating is just an average of RON and MON (I think it's called MON???) which results in a lower published # but not a particulaly lower actual #. Shell Super comes in at 93 Octane after the averaging.

Also, you had mentioned turbocharging your car. I asked Regal about the turbo kit from Dbilas and he said "if you drive it hard it'll pop." I take that to mean if you drive hard or Autocross or something you will blow up the motor. I then asked him about the NA modifications and he said "those motors will run great for a long time w/ those mods no problems."

I'll be sticking w/ the less expensive NA mods myself.

The 1.8 has forged pistons (from what I understand), but not much else in the motor is built-up enough from the factory to handle boost. One could probably run 6-7lbs normally and not have any issues, but if you ran it hard like they say, you could bend/destroy internals.

[Mr. Clarkson]

few more goodies have arrived:




And this bad boy is on a flight leaving Manchester:



 

[DraconianAC]

That huge box on the crate make me think you got your Turbo. Congrats! If you did.

[Mr. Clarkson]

All the parts are in San Diego now.

Just have to wait to hear from the freight forwarder.....waiting is always so hard 

[j0n]

All the parts are in San Diego now.

Just have to wait to hear from the freight forwarder.....waiting is always so hard 

That's funny... I always find the hardest part to be PAYING for the parts that take so long to show up 

[saltyastra]

Wow how much was the shipping on all that