Opel Astra performance upgrades!!

Torque350 · 29th April 2009, 12:47

Hello BHPians,

I'm a new member and this is my first post. Hope to hear from you guys.

Well here it goes. There is this friend of mine who has an Opel Astra Club. He wanted to upgrade the performance of the car. But I don't really think the Astra responds well to performance modifications and asked him not to. He is stubborn and wants to make this a fast car. So we went ahead and fitted the usual cold air intake, free flow exhaust, iridium plugs and a racing clutch. The performance has improved a little bit but no enough. Now he's so messed up in the head and wants a turbo kit, racing cams, different gear box, etc, etc.. I personally don't think its worth spending so much money on an Astra. But looking at his Determination I really want to work on his car and make it a lot faster. It has a Single Point Fuel Injected Engine.
1. Is it worth spending so much on the car?
2. After the mods, will the performance gains be lot?
3. What performance mods is possible?
4. Are the parts easily available?
5. What would be the cost estimate?
6. Or forget everything and buy a VTec or an Esteem?

I have an Esteem and planning to do the same once the funds start flowin. I will be posting regarding that very soon.

Regards,
Deepak.

GTO · 29th April 2009, 20:59

Golden rule of tuning : Start with a car that's quick & mod-friendly. The Opel Astra was a fine sedan for its time, but doesn't meet either of the two criteria mentioned.

I'd say dump the project. Several other options that will be quicker, cheaper and more reliable.

Lancer.ized · 29th April 2009, 21:07

buy the VTec he'll be more satisfied with the performance

fieroid · 29th April 2009, 21:28

Seriously not worth the pain. Keep it stock and pick another one if there is a emotional attachment.
I've seen a guy burning his fingers taking this route on an Asta 1.6.

Mpower · 29th April 2009, 21:34

IIRC the Astra Club version came only in type2 version which is a newer engine with Mpfi.

hkanitkar · 29th April 2009, 23:50

Torque350 - Ask your friend to avoid modding the Astra. A simple CAI and a free flow is ok, but going full fledged is better avoided.

2 Main reasons :
1. Its heavy car. By heavy, I mean really H.E.A.V.Y. And to haul such a car, the modifications need to be equally good & productive.

2. Spares are not available very easily and are quite costly - this, I speak from my own experience.

Get a super reliable Jap car for the modifications, forget the german tanks.

@Mpower - Yes, Astra Club came with MPFi engine.

crazydiablo · 30th April 2009, 08:35

Please stay away from modding an Astra engine. I have thought about it but the cost of spares and mods put me away.

Torque350 · 30th April 2009, 10:07

Thanks a lot for the replies guys. Well staying away from the Astra was what I told him in the first place. He disagreed, that brings me here for help! Do you guys think its not even worth a try?

Lancer.ized · 30th April 2009, 10:22

yes it's not even worth a try because spending too much money will only dissapoint your friend and besides parts will be too hard to find

malgudi · 30th April 2009, 11:26

@Torque350 Apart from the Performance parts bills, your friend needs to be ready for big fuel bills as well. I think stock Astra returns a fuel average of 6-7 KMPL & with performance parts that figure will head downwards.
IMO Ditching this project & buying a second hand VTEC/Baleno & moding it would return more bang for the buck & would also bring a bigger smile on your friends face.

Torque350 · 30th April 2009, 12:26

Thanks a lot for all the replies guys. I really can't let him go ahead with this Astra Project. Totally agree with you guys.

Project 2: This is my project. I want to buy a cheap second hand Esteem and blow it up. No worries if its in a little bad shape as I'm planning to rebuild the engine.
How much would an Esteem cost?
What upgrades can I start with?
Shall I go in stages or blow it up once and for all?
What would be the total cost?

P.S- Should I post this in a different thread or is it fine here?

NOS Power · 30th April 2009, 19:06

1st of all a better choice than the astra.

You can start by looking for the earliest mpfi models since there is a good 20 hp difference.

If you do want to go on and blow it then start by rebuilding the engine and try and get your hands on forged pistons, sleeves and crank rods (else you'll have to go for a low boost turbo to keep reliability in mind).
Then port polish the engine and get hold of a good FFE and CAI.
Lastly get hold of the Race Dynamics standalone ECU

Remember to beef up your suspension and brakes with quality replacements like koni's, pedders, EBC brake pads etc.

I hope I've provided enough and the correct info. (correct me guys if i'm wrong anywhere).

Psycho · 30th April 2009, 19:34

What does he need a fast car for???

The more I see your first post it becomes a lot more apparent that this is your friends first ride and also your first experience at modding a car. Hence the above question as what needs to be done on the car is dependent on the purpose and the driver and who will be working on the car, hope you have a good mech identified.

k_shanz · 2nd May 2009, 18:04

Turbo charging is very expensive it can go above 1.5lac, better go for a Honda City or a Baleno. It will respond far better than Astra responding for those tune-ups.

Torque350 · 2nd May 2009, 20:11

@NOS Power - The whole point of choosing the Astra is to do a different car for a change. I had a friend who blew money on a Viva to do "something different" and ended up buying a VTec at last. I know its dumb thing to do but he's got so much enthusiasm and determination that all I could do is support!! Thanks a lot for the info

@Psycho - I had a MPFi Esteem back in college. Had a custom intake manifold, KnN air filter, racing cams, headers and an exhaust. Drilled my pockets for that. Din't know much about this( Don't think my mech did either ). I ended up screwing my car and had to sell it finally!

@k_shanz - Yes I know it is expensive. Well he is stubborn. His call his money

Thanks a lot for the replies. I'm sure he will end up selling the car for scrap and picking up one Jap ride! I will update you guys about whats happening. Cheers!

29th April 2009, 12:47	#1
Torque350 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 22 Thanked: 2 Times	Opel Astra performance upgrades!! Hello BHPians, I'm a new member and this is my first post. Hope to hear from you guys. Well here it goes. There is this friend of mine who has an Opel Astra Club. He wanted to upgrade the performance of the car. But I don't really think the Astra responds well to performance modifications and asked him not to. He is stubborn and wants to make this a fast car. So we went ahead and fitted the usual cold air intake, free flow exhaust, iridium plugs and a racing clutch. The performance has improved a little bit but no enough. Now he's so messed up in the head and wants a turbo kit, racing cams, different gear box, etc, etc.. I personally don't think its worth spending so much money on an Astra. But looking at his Determination I really want to work on his car and make it a lot faster. It has a Single Point Fuel Injected Engine. 1. Is it worth spending so much on the car? 2. After the mods, will the performance gains be lot? 3. What performance mods is possible? 4. Are the parts easily available? 5. What would be the cost estimate? 6. Or forget everything and buy a VTec or an Esteem? I have an Esteem and planning to do the same once the funds start flowin. I will be posting regarding that very soon. Regards, Deepak.
	() Thanks

29th April 2009, 20:59	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,817 Thanked: 321,397 Times View My Garage	Golden rule of tuning : Start with a car that's quick & mod-friendly. The Opel Astra was a fine sedan for its time, but doesn't meet either of the two criteria mentioned. I'd say dump the project. Several other options that will be quicker, cheaper and more reliable.
	() Thanks

29th April 2009, 21:07	#3
Lancer.ized BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calcutta Posts: 100 Thanked: Once View My Garage	buy the VTec he'll be more satisfied with the performance
	() Thanks

29th April 2009, 21:28	#4
fieroid BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: bangalore Posts: 706 Thanked: 306 Times	Seriously not worth the pain. Keep it stock and pick another one if there is a emotional attachment. I've seen a guy burning his fingers taking this route on an Asta 1.6.
	() Thanks

29th April 2009, 21:34	#5
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,399 Thanked: 1,735 Times View My Garage	IIRC the Astra Club version came only in type2 version which is a newer engine with Mpfi.
	() Thanks

29th April 2009, 23:50	#6
hkanitkar BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: pune Posts: 668 Thanked: 110 Times View My Garage	Torque350 - Ask your friend to avoid modding the Astra. A simple CAI and a free flow is ok, but going full fledged is better avoided. 2 Main reasons : 1. Its heavy car. By heavy, I mean really H.E.A.V.Y. And to haul such a car, the modifications need to be equally good & productive. 2. Spares are not available very easily and are quite costly - this, I speak from my own experience. Get a super reliable Jap car for the modifications, forget the german tanks. @Mpower - Yes, Astra Club came with MPFi engine.
	() Thanks

30th April 2009, 08:35	#7
crazydiablo BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore/San Francisco Posts: 854 Thanked: 28 Times View My Garage	Please stay away from modding an Astra engine. I have thought about it but the cost of spares and mods put me away.
	() Thanks

30th April 2009, 10:07	#8
Torque350 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 22 Thanked: 2 Times	Thanks a lot for the replies guys. Well staying away from the Astra was what I told him in the first place. He disagreed, that brings me here for help! Do you guys think its not even worth a try?
	() Thanks

30th April 2009, 10:22	#9
Lancer.ized BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calcutta Posts: 100 Thanked: Once View My Garage	yes it's not even worth a try because spending too much money will only dissapoint your friend and besides parts will be too hard to find
	() Thanks

30th April 2009, 11:26	#10
malgudi BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 355 Thanked: 184 Times View My Garage	@Torque350 Apart from the Performance parts bills, your friend needs to be ready for big fuel bills as well. I think stock Astra returns a fuel average of 6-7 KMPL & with performance parts that figure will head downwards. IMO Ditching this project & buying a second hand VTEC/Baleno & moding it would return more bang for the buck & would also bring a bigger smile on your friends face.
	() Thanks

30th April 2009, 12:26	#11
Torque350 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 22 Thanked: 2 Times	Thanks a lot for all the replies guys. I really can't let him go ahead with this Astra Project. Totally agree with you guys. Project 2: This is my project. I want to buy a cheap second hand Esteem and blow it up. No worries if its in a little bad shape as I'm planning to rebuild the engine. How much would an Esteem cost? What upgrades can I start with? Shall I go in stages or blow it up once and for all? What would be the total cost? P.S- Should I post this in a different thread or is it fine here?
	() Thanks

30th April 2009, 19:06	#12
NOS Power BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Kolkata Posts: 404 Thanked: 81 Times View My Garage	1st of all a better choice than the astra. You can start by looking for the earliest mpfi models since there is a good 20 hp difference. If you do want to go on and blow it then start by rebuilding the engine and try and get your hands on forged pistons, sleeves and crank rods (else you'll have to go for a low boost turbo to keep reliability in mind). Then port polish the engine and get hold of a good FFE and CAI. Lastly get hold of the Race Dynamics standalone ECU Remember to beef up your suspension and brakes with quality replacements like koni's, pedders, EBC brake pads etc. I hope I've provided enough and the correct info. (correct me guys if i'm wrong anywhere).
	() Thanks

30th April 2009, 19:34	#13
Psycho Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,041 Thanked: 111 Times View My Garage	What does he need a fast car for??? The more I see your first post it becomes a lot more apparent that this is your friends first ride and also your first experience at modding a car. Hence the above question as what needs to be done on the car is dependent on the purpose and the driver and who will be working on the car, hope you have a good mech identified.
	() Thanks

2nd May 2009, 18:04	#14
k_shanz BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: KL - TEN Posts: 353 Thanked: 75 Times View My Garage	Turbo charging is very expensive it can go above 1.5lac, better go for a Honda City or a Baleno. It will respond far better than Astra responding for those tune-ups. Last edited by k_shanz : 2nd May 2009 at 18:07.
	() Thanks

2nd May 2009, 20:11	#15
Torque350 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 22 Thanked: 2 Times	@NOS Power - The whole point of choosing the Astra is to do a different car for a change. I had a friend who blew money on a Viva to do "something different" and ended up buying a VTec at last. I know its dumb thing to do but he's got so much enthusiasm and determination that all I could do is support!! Thanks a lot for the info @Psycho - I had a MPFi Esteem back in college. Had a custom intake manifold, KnN air filter, racing cams, headers and an exhaust. Drilled my pockets for that. Din't know much about this( Don't think my mech did either ). I ended up screwing my car and had to sell it finally! @k_shanz - Yes I know it is expensive. Well he is stubborn. His call his money Thanks a lot for the replies. I'm sure he will end up selling the car for scrap and picking up one Jap ride! I will update you guys about whats happening. Cheers!
	() Thanks