Astra GTE power

[tom_bish]

Not a nova i know but some might be interested (hope its not against the site rules)

Anyways, started out with a 91 Astra GTE 8v which had covered about 80k from memory which i bought from Craig Greens other half.

Then decided the 8v lump had to go for a 16v

Work begins..

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/HPIM0859.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/HPIM0862.jpg

[tom_bish]

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/HPIM0863.jpg

out with the old..

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/HPIM0865-1.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/HPIM0866.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/HPIM0867.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/HPIM0870-1.jpg

steam clean for the engine bay..

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/HPIM0869-1.jpg

then in with the new..

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/HPIM0873.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/HPIM0872.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/HPIM0874.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/HPIM0877.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/HPIM0878.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/HPIM0879-1.jpg

[tom_bish]

In and running..

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20GTE/HPIM0892.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20GTE/HPIM0894.jpg

[Ernie]

Thats a first.
A astra GTE with the engine being taken out and not getting scrapped lol.
Nice car mate i did the same to an astra gte cab.They go so much better with a valver.
Keep us posted.

[just vaux trev]

looks a really tidy shell that was it 20seh you took out

[walker-nova]

looks stunning lad keep up the good work

[NatJK]

This is what i want, but will have to wait as insurance is a killer. Lol couple of years to go for me. Looks good. Keep the pictures coming :D

[LONG~BAR]

Lov the matching wheels n rocker

[*Dave*]

cant get enough of the astra gte's!!!

top work , top car !!

[Riggy]

yeah i do love them aswell , :thumb: top work

[~~joycey~~]

Never seen a J-reg one before :cool:

[tom_bish]

Thanks for the comments it took 4 days to complete the swap which i didn't think was too bad as we took our time and made sure we got everything right. Also had to slightly modify the 8v exhaust to fit and the starter loom

Yes it was a 20seh i took out

The car fired up first time, it tapped for about ten minutes which i was worried about at the time but it soon sorted itself out and it hasn't tapped since even when started from cold.

Took it out for a drive and it ran sweet as a nut and it pulled like feck so i was well chuffed!

However then came MOT time and had some bad news!

The car was rotten on the sills and the bottom of the rear quarters which was all very well hidden by the sideskirts and rear bumper. The shell appeared to be in fairly good shape with the only visable rust on the car being the rear arches which had slightly bubbled so i was well p***ed off!!

I couldn't scrap the car after all the work i had put in so the only option was to get the panels replaced which wasn't such a bad thing as the rear arches needed replacing anyways.

Luckily i know a professional panel beater so i had him take a look and he agreed to do all the work for 350!

List of new panels

New sill skins both sides
New rear arches both sides
New rear inner arches both sides
New rear bottom corner panels both sides
New rear panel

[craig green]

Nice car Tom. But you know I like my mk2's anyway.

I heard you bought it from a sexy blonde chick? LOL

[tom_bish]

Thanks Craig yea you've done well there

[tom_bish]

Car looking sorry for itself with the sideskirts and reap bumper removed

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/HPIM0921.jpg

New rear arches in place

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/04052008258.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/04052008259.jpg

Rear panel

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/04052008260.jpg

New sill

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/04052008257.jpg

Applying first lot of filler

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/04052008261.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/05052008264.jpg

Some welding work

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/05052008263.jpg

Finished product

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/astra030.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/astra031.jpg


Doors and boot have now been removed and the car has been fully rubbed down ready for a full respray in the same red.. pics to follow :thumb:

[Riggy]

bloody hell , good work there fella , im really starting to want one of these now

[ANDYRACER]

I miss my old astra gte 8v. :cry:

[tom_bish]

More progress

Both sides primed and blocked down

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/random037.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/random037.jpg

Spraying primer to door

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/random040.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/random034.jpg

And the boot

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/random035.jpg

Next jobs involve flatting down the primer on the doors and boot then they will go to the bodyshop along with the other 'loose parts' such as the spoiler, mirrors, bonnet vents etc to be painted

Got the paint last week at a total cost of £240!!

[snige87]

nearly there now tom. I blame it on the lazy sprayer!!

[Brodie_Sri]

i have always liked the mk2 gte, good work will be worth it in the end when its all done:thumb:

[Spudly]

Wow thats sooo nice id love a GTE, there ie a champagne one round here, lowered on speedlines with an m-vaux 8v turbo in it (i think it is anyways but its definately turbod and looks amazing)!

[tom_bish]

Finally got the car to the bodyshop last weekend after a sh*t load of preparation. This is a big milestone and i'm starting to see light at the end of the tunnel!

The car being masked up

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0046.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0047.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0049.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0050.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0053.jpg

The finished result on the lorry ready to go home

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0057.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0056.jpg

Very pleased with how the car has turned out, the paint finish is top quality and it's almost too bright too look at in the sun! :cool: (cheers dan)

I'm helping to paint the doors, tailgate, bumpers etc tomorrow

Then it will be time to get everything back together, i've got a few days off either side of next weekend to get stuck in. I'm planning to get the car TAX'd and MOT'd for the beggining of next month.

Tom

[craig green]

Nice one Tom. Looks pretty good despite the glare from the sun etc.

Gimme a text when its on the road, I'd love to see it all finished.

[Shaun_O'Donnell]

Really like these cars, had a 2.0 16v GTE briefly a few years ago, wish I'd held on to it.

Looking good fella, keep it up.

[Pistol Pete]

Looking good. Alot of prep has gone into that paintjob aswell, sure to give a better finish!!

Get some rebuild pics up.

[hybridturbo]

Nice Astra well saved

[calibra-keith]

pure sex i love mk2 gte's was my first car, still have plenty of bits just in case i get another lol , the 1st pictures are the same as the 1st one iv seen in ages in bridlington about a month ago, colour/ condition and wheels.

you planing on selling it at all ?

[twistysnovagte]

im so happy that youve decided to go-ahead and save the car:),the work looks top quality and should see another ten years imo:D,top work mate keep us all updated.

[Rickyb]

loving it nice work :thumb:

[belly257]

nice work mate:thumb:

[donaldo89]

do you still have the 8v gte engine
?

[garethcolley]

Very nice mate

[rex-16v]

nice mk2 there mate :thumb:

[Lee]

Lovely car, great to see one lovingly restored instead of thrown away!

You should post this project up on MK2AOC as they would appreciate it as much as we have I rekon :)

[tom_bish]

Thanks for the comments

A lot of hard work has gone into this car and now i'm at the putting back together stage i can see its all been worth it!

Craig - I will let you know when its all done, i might even take it for a blip up the M5!

calibra-keith - I think i would have to be nuts to sell it after all this hard work i've put in, sorry mate

Donaldo89 - Sorry i got rid of the 8v engine already

Lee - I've copied the thread onto Mk2AOC :thumb:

More pics to follow..

[tom_bish]

Made some more progress over the past week..

Got it back to my workshop and started to fit a few things such as door rubbers etc..

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0061.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0058.jpg

I also carried out the rubbish task of undersealing the whole car! I bought a draper underseal gun that plugs into an airline.. best 20 quid i've spent it saves loads of time and hassle and gives a top notch result! Here is a shot of a rear arch..

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0064.jpg

Next i had to fit the rear window seals to allow me to fit the rear opening windows and then all the interior trim. Luckily my mate had a scrap GTE i was able to cut them out of as i bent mine badly when i removed them. Both sides with the rear windows fitted..

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0075.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0076.jpg

I then fitted some of the interior..

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0083.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0084.jpg

Next i fitted the doors and wings with the help of the panel beater who did the arches etc. He made sure they all lined up as i've used pattern wings they needed a bit of pursuation but they fitted really well..

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0070.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0080.jpg

Random shots from the rear..

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0071.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0072.jpg

Engine bay shot..

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20conversion/Photo0078.jpg

Thats all for now :thumb:

[Pistol Pete]

Coming together nicely.

[tom_bish]

Right here is a long overdue update..

I managed to get the car back together and complete by the 14/10 when i had the MOT and i'm pleased to say it went through with no problems at all!

I've since been using it to drive to work which is only a 5 mile drive every day, which is not ideal really as i would like to keep it out of the rain etc but i wash it at least 2 times a week. It developed a slight misfire when i first had it on the road which turned out to be a split lead but apart from that its been good as gold.

Anyways i took a couple pics earlier, i'm planning to clean it this weekend and get some better ones depending on the weather.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20GTE/SDC10054.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20GTE/SDC10057.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20GTE/SDC10056.jpg

[L33 LEG]

looks stunning and the plate finishes it off nicely :)

good work!

[twistysnovagte]

im so jelouslol,just read the thread from the beginning and a i tilt my hat to you sir,amazing to have one of these back on the road,awsome cars,and yours is pretty much a example for the rest to follow.
andy

[Riggy]

gorgeous :thumb:

[Leeboo]

Nice to see one of these being done up, instead of having their engine ripped out for a Nova and then scrapping the shell.

It looks the business!

[Spudly]

Thats spot on, question is did you relieve a nova of its XE to fit into the astra lol

[dj_wudgey]

i love mk1 and 2 astra's me and this one looks mint matey!! good work!

[tom_bish]

Cheers noo the XE didn't come from a nova lol it was from a cavalier GSI2000

I managed to take advantage of the sunshine over the weekend and gave it a good clean and polish before taking some pics with my new camera. Also stuck the griffin badge on the bonnet which i have been meaning to do for a while.

I got a bit camera happy and took loads but here's the best ones..

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20GTE/SDC10059.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20GTE/SDC10062.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20GTE/SDC10074.jpg

My favourite..

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20GTE/SDC10075.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20GTE/SDC10076.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i74/tom_bish/Astra%20GTE/SDC10088.jpg

Got a few other things planned i'll keep you updated

[nova-saloon]

Thats beautiful m8 gotta love the old skool astra's like. keep up the good work. Have you thought about doing a mk1 astra, so much nicer than the mk2