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Title: Project 8888 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on January 06, 2009, 11:21:54 PM 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: (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/n-8888z.jpg) Title: Re: Project 8888: Update 1 Post by: Nimraynn on January 07, 2009, 02:49:23 PM Plans sound great :D
Title: Re: Project 8888: Update 1 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on January 12, 2009, 11:02:33 PM Nothing to do while waiting for the parts to arrive...
except photoshop what it should look like ;D (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/guess.jpg) Title: Re: Project 8888: Update 1 Post by: Suns_PSD on January 14, 2009, 03:40:03 PM 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!!! Title: Re: Project 8888: Update 1 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on January 14, 2009, 03:44:18 PM 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. Title: Re: Project 8888: Update 1 Post by: Suns_PSD on January 16, 2009, 12:03:17 PM 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. Title: Re: Project 8888: Update 1 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on January 16, 2009, 12:19:13 PM 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 :( Title: Re: Project 8888: Update 1 Post by: ang1sgt on January 19, 2009, 05:26:18 AM 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 Title: Re: Project 8888: Update 1 Post by: Suns_PSD on January 19, 2009, 09:53:45 AM 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. Title: Re: Project 8888: Update 1 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on January 19, 2009, 10:23:55 AM 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. Title: Re: Project 8888: Update 1 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on January 24, 2009, 06:37:56 PM few more goodies have arrived:
(http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010275.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010274.jpg) And this bad boy is on a flight leaving Manchester: (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/SANDOWPALLET.jpg) ;D Title: Re: Project 8888: Update 1 Post by: DraconianAC on January 25, 2009, 03:33:19 AM That huge box on the crate make me think you got your Turbo. Congrats! If you did.
Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on January 27, 2009, 01:08:24 PM All the parts are in San Diego now.
Just have to wait to hear from the freight forwarder.....waiting is always so hard :-[ Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: j0n on January 27, 2009, 09:04:26 PM 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 ;D Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: saltyastra on January 31, 2009, 05:18:26 PM Wow how much was the shipping on all that
Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on February 03, 2009, 01:00:40 PM Wow how much was the shipping on all that shipping was only about $350, but it was another $350 for all the customs paperwork. update Stereo is installed and retains the use of the steering wheel controls and all seven factory speakers. Strut braces are en route now. Carbon fiber pieces are all installed. New body pieces are at the bodyshop currently. Hopefully by this weekend there'll be some new photos :) Title: Re: Project 8888: Update 1 Post by: saltyastra on February 03, 2009, 04:10:16 PM 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 :( You might want to tell them that they are wrong. Europe calculates octane differently than the US. Their 96 is our 92. Let me elaborate a little. Our octane is calc: research octane + motor octane / 2, as you will find on our gas pumps. Europe uses only research octane. Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: 08blkastra on February 05, 2009, 10:53:58 AM Please say you can/will/going to post a list of everything going into your project and where you got everything from. I've been trying to find several of the items you've listed so far for your project, and with the exception of a few dead ebay leads, have had a hard time finding anything.
Any websites I can start with or anything you could help with would be great. Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on February 05, 2009, 02:13:01 PM Please say you can/will/going to post a list of everything going into your project and where you got everything from. I've been trying to find several of the items you've listed so far for your project, and with the exception of a few dead ebay leads, have had a hard time finding anything. Any websites I can start with or anything you could help with would be great. I have a contact in Europe that gets me the OEM pieces. If you let me know what you want, I'll see what I can do. Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: marx404 on February 07, 2009, 12:48:03 PM Can you please tell me more about the strut braces?
Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on February 09, 2009, 09:34:48 PM A few teasers until I can get a proper photoshoot going ;)
(http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010276.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010277.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010278.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010279.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010281.jpg) Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Nimraynn on February 10, 2009, 11:42:22 AM Looks good. VXR/OPC Nurburgring Edition replica in the making? ;)
Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: marx404 on February 10, 2009, 11:51:11 AM I like! I like! What did the strut brace set you back and how easy was it to install?
Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on February 10, 2009, 09:27:37 PM The braces are around $400 shipped from the UK, but I haven't installed both of them yet.
Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on February 11, 2009, 01:16:28 PM Wanted to get some daytime photos quickly, so here's some crappy photos from my spot in the parking lot
(http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010283.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010284.jpg) Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: j0n on February 11, 2009, 03:10:30 PM Looks great!
Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: saltyastra on February 11, 2009, 06:29:14 PM Dam....Dam...Dam Dam Dam.... Looks really nice. I kinda want to get the body pieces now. How did the front, sides, and rear fit? How was the price on them? thnx
Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on February 11, 2009, 07:54:43 PM Dam....Dam...Dam Dam Dam.... Looks really nice. I kinda want to get the body pieces now. How did the front, sides, and rear fit? How was the price on them? thnx they all fit perfect, being OEM. You can get the kit for about $3k new, but there's some minor modifications that need to be done to get it to mate up perfectly due to the difference in US crash regulations. Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: ang1sgt on February 13, 2009, 05:52:45 AM DARN! I hate being a copy cat! That is the exact look I would want, but I would probably leave the front Grill the Saturn Grill.
Very Nice Job! Question about the exhaust? Is the the stock VXR exhaust and does that bolt on in place of our stocker? Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on February 13, 2009, 11:39:16 AM DARN! I hate being a copy cat! That is the exact look I would want, but I would probably leave the front Grill the Saturn Grill. Very Nice Job! Question about the exhaust? Is the the stock VXR exhaust and does that bolt on in place of our stocker? You'd have to modify the Saturn grille to work, as the tabs on the US grilles are in different spots than the ones for the European bumpers. It's the stock VXR exhaust, and it uses the same hangers as the stock one does but you'll have to have an exhaust shop do work to get it on the car as it has a different diameter pipe than what our cars have. Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Nimraynn on February 13, 2009, 02:40:06 PM Burg chequers anyone? :D
Looks sexual ;) :y: Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: ang1sgt on February 13, 2009, 05:19:16 PM It's the stock VXR exhaust, and it uses the same hangers as the stock one does but you'll have to have an exhaust shop do work to get it on the car as it has a different diameter pipe than what our cars have. Any difference in performance or SOUND Quality with the VXR Exhaust? Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: j0n on February 13, 2009, 07:31:45 PM Looks sexual ;) :y: (http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/skep.gif) Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on February 16, 2009, 11:48:17 PM It's the stock VXR exhaust, and it uses the same hangers as the stock one does but you'll have to have an exhaust shop do work to get it on the car as it has a different diameter pipe than what our cars have. Any difference in performance or SOUND Quality with the VXR Exhaust? no performance different, just a slight sound difference. Few rainy pics from this weekend (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010291_2_3.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010288_89_90.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010285_6_7.jpg) Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: ang1sgt on February 17, 2009, 06:42:01 AM To me, the side spatz and the Front Covers are very well done. Did you have to get these painted to match or did they come already painted?
Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: bob on February 22, 2009, 01:38:41 AM :y: Very sweet, wheels, panels ect! Tight as can be!
Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: 3URO_ASTRA on March 02, 2009, 11:52:18 PM dude, your car is boss. I've got a 5 door, its silver. I want black wheels, window tint and to slam the hell out if it. I posted a new topic with all the mods i want to do, anything you can suggest would be awesome. Keep it up, i think you're the first guy in North America to complete the Opel Conversion, and im liking it :y:
Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: DraconianAC on March 05, 2009, 02:47:28 AM I'm curious, has anyone in the Saturn dealership given you any comments about the debranding/mods? Or do you no longer get it serviced there?
Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on March 05, 2009, 11:58:07 AM I'm curious, has anyone in the Saturn dealership given you any comments about the debranding/mods? Or do you no longer get it serviced there? I haven't had to go in since I've swapped all the pieces yet. Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: marx404 on March 06, 2009, 06:12:17 AM They shouldn't mind. As a matter of fact, there are a few select Saturn stores that will happily do the mods for you, that is, if they had access to parts. As long as it does not void the warranty they are pretty cool about mods. Quite a few Saturn stores in S. FL were famous for mods on SC's, including badge removal and custom badges. I'm sure if parts were as available to them on the Astra they would mod a few for the showroom like they did back then.
Mr. Clarkson's car is IMO the finest example of Astra modding in the US! Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: bob15446 on March 09, 2009, 06:33:05 AM A few teasers until I can get a proper photoshoot going ;) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010276.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010277.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010278.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010279.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010281.jpg) which intake do you have on your car right now? the K&N one or the one in these pics? Which one do you like more? Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on March 09, 2009, 12:21:10 PM A few teasers until I can get a proper photoshoot going ;) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010276.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010277.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010278.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010279.jpg) (http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/mrclarkson/8888/P1010281.jpg) which intake do you have on your car right now? the K&N one or the one in these pics? Which one do you like more? the one in these photos because, like I pointed out, my K&N is for sale. They're both the same, in terms of what it does for the car. Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: bob15446 on March 09, 2009, 12:59:13 PM oh yeah totally forgot you were selling your k&n. thanks for answering all my questions. you have been very helpful. :D
Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Chris888 on April 07, 2009, 05:45:31 PM I'm flattered by the number plate :P ....
Good project so far :D Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: mr corsa on April 23, 2009, 05:40:33 PM should see if you can make a litte cold air induction heat sheild as the 1.8l dont like to suck hot air from the engine bay
Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: jarrow on April 24, 2009, 02:04:12 PM the one in these photos because, like I pointed out, my K&N is for sale. They're both the same, in terms of what it does for the car. I see that you also have your OEM shift knob for sale. What did you replace it with. Do you have any pictures of you modded interior? Thanks Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: gaurdien on August 02, 2009, 06:09:33 AM Where did you get the radio and what parts are needed to have it work with the steering wheel? The car looks great.
Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Mr. Clarkson on August 02, 2009, 06:43:31 PM the radio i got from a store here in the US.
The parts to integrate it into that car can be bought from a company called In Car Express (i believe) in the UK. They'll ship anything they have to the US. Title: Re: Project 8888 Post by: Midwest Express on August 31, 2009, 08:03:25 PM the radio i got from a store here in the US. The parts to integrate it into that car can be bought from a company called In Car Express (i believe) in the UK. They'll ship anything they have to the US. The mods look awesome! I would love to get the Opel badge as it would be sweet to have. This is my second go around with Opels. First one was a 1973 Opel GT. White with black interior. FUN to drive. Sold fast when changing project cars. Here ya go for a link on the audio! ;D http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/ |