(EOI) astra/corsa Z18xe and X18xe

[auzvectra]

as has been mentioned in other threads, i thought it was time to start this thread.
just to get an idea of who would be interested in a tune on the 1.8L astra/corsa sri?
please state car, motor, year, gbox, and area.
thanks matt.

01. Noir X18XE WA
02. WLD_18L Z18XE VIC
03. Low Astra Z18XE QLD
04. Trickle Z18XE QLD
05. Sri 05 Z18XE QLD
06. Charlatan Z18XE NSW
07. Lowey22 Z/X18XE QLD
08. SKM_87 Z18XE WA
09. Dfl8ed Z18XE NSW (TUNED)
10. XcGumby X18XE Qld (TUNED)

Z18XE Reveiw 1 - http://www.opelaus.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13016
Z18XE Reveiw 2 - http://www.opelaus.com/forum/showpost.php?p=350598&postcount=93

X18XE Review - http://opelaus.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17862

[Noir]

Astra
X18XE
2000
5 spd manual
Perth

When I get her fixed this week I will organise getting the ecu file for you.

[auzvectra]

cheers, quick reply :)

[WLD-18L]

2001 Astra G 1.8L Z18XE, 16 valve 5 speed manual
Mornington Peninsula

it would all come down to cost vs Gains

[low astra]

u got my details i believe, i dunno but it spanks comodores bot bot

[trickle]

yep yep:D

2003 Corsa C SRi
1.8L
Z18xe
5 speed manual
Brisbane Northside or Logan during business hours

[Turblue]

This is really an argument that gets hard.

The gain is around 10kw. Cost will depend on a large number of factors. It will be between $400-800. This is very dependant on a few important factors. It is very hard to know for sure at this point. If you think it will be $200 just because it is a 1.8L and not a turbo, forget it. Just won't happen.

If we were to buy everything we need to do chiptuning for most Opels, we are looking at an investment $12,000. So I'm sure you can understand that tunes will not be free.!!! We are looking at what we can do to minimize costs and make it really affordable for OA members.

Just stay tuned.


2001 Astra G 1.8L Z18XE, 16 valve 5 speed manual
Mornington Peninsula

it would all come down to cost vs Gains

[oneightoo]

Just stay tuned.

lol boom tish :p

[low astra]

is that gain on a stock car or with a few mods,

if i do some engine work are we able to tune the ecu to deal or will it be matter of one tune that were all goin 2 have the same?

[Turblue]

Can't say at this point.

All I can say is that the file we use for th SRiT is capable of "absorbing" a lot of mods.

[low astra]

sweet, im just worried that if i touch my car it might loose it freakish ablitys,
i dont know why but it seems to go a lot better then most other 1.8 astras ive seen, infact a vectra 3.2 ddint ge to much of a pull on it from 100 > 160

(on a track of course)

[ultim8DTM5]

This is really an argument that gets hard.

The gain is around 10kw. Cost will depend on a large number of factors. It will be between $400-800. This is very dependant on a few important factors. It is very hard to know for sure at this point. If you think it will be $200 just because it is a 1.8L and not a turbo, forget it. Just won't happen.

If we were to buy everything we need to do chiptuning for most Opels, we are looking at an investment $12,000. So I'm sure you can understand that tunes will not be free.!!! We are looking at what we can do to minimize costs and make it really affordable for OA members.

Just stay tuned.

Good luck to holding the definates when the costing is announced. Lots of tyre kickers on here.

[low astra]

Good luck to holding the definates when the costing is announced. Lots of tyre kickers on here.

lots of tyre kickers everywhere without firm price, thats got to be expected

[auzvectra]

rob, you always get freak cars, i had a pulsar, was the same, even with diferent motor's, ecu's, gbox's, it was always quicker that it should have been. dont know why, but some are just quicker than others.

[Blue_Dvl]

yeah i wouldnt expect to pay less than $600 for an edit..... most are around the $800-$1k mark.

Maybe too early to say but would the predicted 10kw increase require other mods such as exhaust or pod etc??? Or would there be different levels??

[sri05]

Matt, I am interested

2005 Corsa C SRi
1.8L
Z18xe
5 speed manual
Brisbane Northside

You copied my ECU file on springbrook run

As I mentioned, is it a different remap for the Corsa SRi to the Astra as the max torque and power comes at different RPM ?

Is it only spark advance and air/fuel ratios changed ?
Is it tuned for 98 RON petrol ?
Does it do anything to the drive-by-wire throttle flaring the revs on liftoff ?

[Noir]

Maybe too early to say but would the predicted 10kw increase require other mods such as exhaust or pod etc??? Or would there be different levels??

I would be interested in knowing this. I already have a pod, hi-flow exhaust and extractors.

[auzvectra]

there will only be 1 version of the tune, sort of. between Z and X, ther will obviously be 2.
the approx power gains we were quoted was on the Z, and beleive it to not need any other mods, as some other chips need, i will not mention names, i dont beleive it is right to put down the competition :).
we still are waiting to weigh costs before we can set a cost for the tune, but the 1.8L should be a lil cheaper than the 2.2L and v6's as they might be able to be used on the lower module, or the more expensive module that costs more, but doesnt add a big cost to each car by way of per car cards.

[auzvectra]

dont waste your money. today on country highway i managed 190km/h with air con on and still about 800rpm left to punch. everything stock
:-) 05 Astra 1.8 :-)

dont waste money on what?
a tune or all the other mods?

[WLD-18L]

why even post that dirty harry. its like saying why have haircut its only going to grow back.

[low astra]

and its not about maxxing out your car its about gettin there a little quicker,

hate to say it but i know my car had a lower top speed with a exhaust, and pod, however it was definatly quicker to get up to speed,

[auzvectra]

why even post that dirty harry. its like saying why have haircut its only going to grow back.

Love it :D
and was thinkin the same thing, but didnt wanna sound offensive in my reply, so i let it go.

[oneightoo]

did someone delete that post?

[auzvectra]

i think dirty did.

[Noir]

i think dirty did.

I would like to see someone take my car to 190 :rolleyes: Its all about the foreplay really, and how long it takes to reach the climax ;)


shh be quiet now Amanda

[auzvectra]

so blue dvl, are you interested?

[auzvectra]

I would like to see someone take my car to 190 :rolleyes: Its all about the foreplay really, and how long it takes to reach the climax ;)


shh be quiet now Amanda

now now, none of that talk on the forums :D

[auzvectra]

oh, and i'm sure ur car could hit 190 no hassles, my old pulsar did (18LE), n it was only sohc with aparently 79kw, although mine had a lil more :).

[Noir]

now now, none of that talk on the forums :D

sure I will regret that one tomorrow ;)

[auzvectra]

and you cant delete it cause i quoted it :P

[low astra]

you any closer to working out a price matt?

my cars soooooo slow....against V8 commo's anyway

[xplosv57]

Post editted.....

Sorry...

Turblue.

[xplosv57]

I would be interested in a tune but obviously if its somewhat affordable which i know is difficult as the investment is quite large!!! Im not expecting wonders from my 1.8, as i have owned much quicker cars b4 but something to give it some up and go without sucking out cash out my wallet would be a good thing!!!

[auzvectra]

rob, meet us at the spit with ur car on a sunday, i need to read urs again to get the ecu's info, didnt do it last time. we'll talk then :).

[Noir]

Any luck with more x18xe files?

[Blue_Dvl]

dont think i will at this stage..... little bit concerned with warranty and fuel consumption ATM :boohoo:

[auzvectra]

fair enough :).
nope noir, still havent found another X18XE to read :(.

[Noir]

What would it take to get a module to WA?

[low astra]

rob, meet us at the spit with ur car on a sunday, i need to read urs again to get the ecu's info, didnt do it last time. we'll talk then :).

yeah ill be there, ive already got my ecu plug exposed.............

[auzvectra]

What would it take to get a module to WA?

an all expense's paid holiday :).

[Noir]

an all expense's paid holiday :).

pmsl...I would be better putting the money towards getting an engine upgrade :p

Seriously though, does WA really need someone to have a module?

[auzvectra]

we'll get some1 ova ther at some stage, i wouldnt worry bout it, the cheap module only does a few cars, the rest of the modules, wayne and myself are looking at over 12K worth :(.

[Noir]

we'll get some1 ova ther at some stage, i wouldnt worry bout it, the cheap module only does a few cars, the rest of the modules, wayne and myself are looking at over 12K worth :(.

ahh pity I cant do the road trip...its not like I dont have alot of spare time on my hands :rolleyes: I wonder if she would make it?

[auzvectra]

i think she would surprise you :), just depend which way you go, and how low it is :D. doesnt look to low in ur sig, well higher than mine neway.
but i would love to go that way 1 day, might make a holiday out of it :).

[auzvectra]

ok, so the Z18XE has passed the final test for compatibility, with flying colours.
damn that ecu is quick.
we will be tuning 1 soon as a test, to use as a guide for approximate gains, this will be done on the dyno.
we are still working on the price, but it seems the 1.8L's are goin to be a pain, with 1 file per car, rather than just a few or 1 file/s, but we will still do our best to keep the cost down.

[low astra]

anyone know a good dyno on the southside bris/ gold coast???

[Noir]

it seems the 1.8L's are goin to be a pain, with 1 file per car, rather than just a few or 1 file/s, but we will still do our best to keep the cost down.

This is based on the Z18XE? Are you still unsure if the X18XE is one file per car?

[auzvectra]

yeah, still only have the 1 X18XE file, but i would say it'd be the same as the Z18XE with file per car.

[bill142]

For a $12000 investment, it would almost be cheaper to upgrade to an SRIT. Well for us H owners it would be.

[low astra]

it isnt 12k per car

[auzvectra]

12K is how much us tuners (wayne and myself) are looking at forking out for the modules and software to be able to tune most of the opels that run the obd2 diagnostics.

[auzvectra]

oh and that 12K was severly under quoted :(.
we arer still in works with this tune, but we will keep this thread updated with progress.

[Noir]

jeez I really hope you get the interest to recover the costs :eek:

[Charlatan]

im interested, subject to a ride in one thats been done

[auzvectra]

the 12K+ is for different cars not the 1.8L.
it will do the 1.8L, but isnt needed.
we have the equipment for the 1.8L, but are waiting for tests to be completed.

[lowey22]

thought I would let you know that i could possibly be interested, depending on what the results are I guess. I got a powerchip (also have some mods, nothing major though) sometime ago, I would be interested in something if it smoothed it out a bit and maybe took advantage of the mods some more.

[SKM_87]

intrested but in Wa thou. got any figures for a 1.8???

[auzvectra]

X18XE or Z18XE???
7-12% increase in power is the approximate.
there is a few interested people in WA for different tunes, may validate a hoiday there :).

[SKM_87]

z18xe, wots sorta price if you were able to do it???? yeh defently defently, haha.

[Noir]

there is a few interested people in WA for different tunes, may validate a hoiday there :).

You know you are welcome :) How about time for our next cruise...April...plenty of time :rolleyes:

[auzvectra]

ok the price for this particular model hasnt been set in stone yet, the others that we are about to start in have been set at $650 for the tune, i would say the 1.8L will be the same as we need to purchase 1 file for every car we do, which means that it's very hard to recover our outlaid costs.
it i was to plan a trip over there, we would have to have the tunes all ready to go, and deposits off the people that were ready for a tune, with enough people getting a tune, we should be able to cover the cost of the trip, not sure how much a trip over there would cost but.

[Tfer]

I think this is great value for money.... much more effective than a cat back exhaust...... ;)

Pity no 3.2l tuning..... :(

[auzvectra]

nope there isnt a module that does the 3.2L yet, sorry tfer, but we are working on it :).

[Noir]

ok the price for this particular model hasnt been set in stone yet, the others that we are about to start in have been set at $650 for the tune, i would say the 1.8L will be the same as we need to purchase 1 file for every car we do, which means that it's very hard to recover our outlaid costs.
it i was to plan a trip over there, we would have to have the tunes all ready to go, and deposits off the people that were ready for a tune, with enough people getting a tune, we should be able to cover the cost of the trip, not sure how much a trip over there would cost but.

I am sure we can work something out with the accomodation etc. Just need the definate interest!

[Tfer]

nope there isnt a module that does the 3.2L yet, sorry tfer, but we are working on it :).

Yeah I know... I am patient though :rolleyes: ..... but I still think it is the best money you could spend on one of the suitable Opels.... musch better than a cat back exhaust or bling..... go the driveability :D

[SKM_87]

well i beta start saving some money up. plane tickets arnt much, get a return for about 400-450 if you get the rite ones. and i quite sure some one wuld be happy 2 put u up 4 accomodation. i would, hahaha.

[auzvectra]

wouldnt wanna put ne1 out, would prob just stay at a motel or sumptin, thanks for the offer but neway :).
if i was to come over but, i'd need some1 to help find a decent place, price n location wise.

[dfl8ed]

Yeh I'll be interested as I just got a quote from Autotech in sydney for $1,200 but did include dyno tuning but I feel this reprogam will get and achieve the same result really.
I have a CDX 2003 manual not sure of motor z18 or x18?? new to these cars.
Brad

[Noir]

I have a CDX 2003 manual not sure of motor z18 or x18??

Z18XE

and be thankful.

[SRi_1]

umm just digged this out...... how are we on this? whts happening?

[auzvectra]

we have just been waiting on some1 to do the 1st 1.
we are ready to do this, but havent found any1 ready to be the 1st.
the tune like the others is $650.

[mr corsa]

for $650 u can tune my car ill even supply my own map

[GreyRex]

I feel interested in this... 1.8L 2004.5 SRi Barina. But whats happening?

[Noir]

we have just been waiting on some1 to do the 1st 1.
we are ready to do this, but havent found any1 ready to be the 1st.
the tune like the others is $650.

If you got your backside here I would do it.

[sri05]

we have just been waiting on some1 to do the 1st 1.
we are ready to do this, but havent found any1 ready to be the 1st.
the tune like the others is $650.

What about the difference in max torque / max power RPM?
Astra 1.8 Z18 is 3600 RPM / 5600 RPM
Barina 1.8 Z18 is 4600 RPM / 6000 RPM

Will the new map alter these figures for the Barina if the tune is the same?
Is the tune for 98 RON fuel?
Will the rev limiter be altered?
Will the FBW throttle flare be reduced?

[auzvectra]

ok, the astra Z18 and the corsa Z18 have different tunes, we are required to buy a lot more files for the 1.8L then we needed to for the sri-t for this reason.
this is also the reason that it costs more, along with more cost required to do this now.
as for the rest of the questions, we cannot answer 100% correcty until 1 is done, if you live in vic near wayne, in qld near me, and are 100% sure u want to go with the tune, contact ur local agent, and then we can get this going.

thought it a good idea to update this thread from the 1st post.
Z18xe reveiw: http://www.opelaus.com/forum/showpost.php?p=230679&postcount=1
X18xe reveiw: http://www.opelaus.com/forum/showthread.php?p=340510#post340510

the remap costs $600, but if your car is running a common file that i have already purchased the file for it's $500.

thanks matt.

[Dee]

i'll put my hand up for you to read my ecu... just dont want anything changed atm - i like it how it is :D

[SRi_1]

i can give wayne a read of my c if he needs to if anything helps.....

[sri05]

Auzvectra already copied mine on the Springbrook cruise in November

[auzvectra]

yep, thats right, i have sri05, low astra, euro4c, miss beckie, and 2 non members :).
but as the saying goes, the more the merrier :D.
i will hold u to that dee, next time i see you :).

[JR]

wouldn't mind having a few more horses under the bonnet - question is, do i have 650 shinny gold coins to part with?

so wat exactly happens? do u read the ecu files from the car, modify a few things here n there in the files, then reload them back into the ecu?

yeah, if u want a read of a 1.8L - i'll willing to help. i can't remember if it's a X or Z. its a 2002 build. i'll find out tonight.
do we have a sydney 'agent'?

nice 2 c ur doing this for the OA members - good on ya ;)

[rossi]

how do you tell the difference between the X18 and Z18??

[auzvectra]

the Z18 has elec throttle (no cable) and the X18 funnily enough has a cable throttle ;).
have a look at the throttle body on the engine (air intake on the intake manifold), if it has a cable connected to it it's a X18.
also i beleive the Z18 has a precat and the X18 doesnt.
looks like a milo tin on the exhaust :).
we read the ecu, send the file to the uk, get the tuned version of it, n load it back on, for this reason it sometimes needs 2 meetings to finalise.

[auzvectra]

will have to see about the sydney agent, i'll get back to you.

[xcgumby]

hey auzvectra, I just PMd you on this topic. I'm ready. I'll fork $650. I have an X18XE1 with 4sp auto. No exhaust as yet. Suggestions on where/what there would be appreciated. I live near the magic mile BTW.

[auzvectra]

hehe, i drove past ur way today ;).
best bet is organise a meet up, or just organise to meet at the spit on sunday arvo or braody on sat nite.

[auzvectra]

both the X18 and the Z18 tunesa re now avaliable ;).
here's the reveiw on the Z18XE tune:
http://www.opelaus.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13016

[SRi_1]

Hmm any info on getting something done for my z18? i'm down in VIC so yer....anyhelp would do

[auzvectra]

will have to see about an agent down there to go thru.

[SRi_1]

is there an agent down in vic? i dont really know wht you mean

[auzvectra]

will have to see if there is still one operating down there.

[auzvectra]

1st post updated.

[ASTRAY]

hi guys,
as some of you may already know i got my 04 ts (g) astra tuned by matt (auzvectra) my engine is z18xe.
he made a huge effort of driving the 6 or so hours to my place to do the tune, and i thank him deeply.
cheers matt. :clap:

anyway the reason for my posting in this topic is to provide some feedback for those who may be wishing to get a tune done by him in the future.

now i am not going to be a suck when it comes to this evaluation, im going to be truthful, 100% truthful.
i have waited over a month to get a full on idea as to how the car is responding to the tune, before doing this report.

matt done the tune approx 10pm at night.
we took the car for a spin after the tune,
immediate difference noticed was less throttle needed to get up hills, not a huge difference, but definately noticable.
the next day was the newy meet so we headed down to newy, again i noticed the car needed less throttle to climb hills, i was very happy with that.
one other thing i noticed, and became extremely worried about, was that when i returned home i had chewed more fuel than i usually would.
one point i should make here is we done a bit of spirited driving while in newy, and i was on and off the throttle playing around with the car to try and notice the difference. this would account for some of the extra fuel usage.
i had read in someone elses review (and matt had told me too) that i would get better fuel economy, so naturally i was worried about my extra fuel usage.
i bought this issue up with matt, and he was happy to explain that it may take a week or 2 for the tune to settle, and fuel usage may be up and down during this period.
so i told him id wait longer before making a full on evaluation.

as it turned out my gf had to travel to canberra 3 days later(which was approx 3 weeks ago)
from my place this trip usually takes 1 full tank of petrol to get to the outskirts of canberra, and my gfs parents place is another 30mins further.
upon arriving at her parents place my gf called me and reported the car had made it all the way to her parents place and still had petrol left!!!

the gains of getting the tune were showing quite clearly!

so imagine my suprise yesterday when i had to travel to campbelltown (bottom of syd)
usually i can get to cambelltown, and only have quarter tank left.
but yesterday i drove to syd, drove around liverpool for 15mins, then down to campbelltown and still had half a tank left!
this morning when i left campbelltown i filled up again and drove home, again it usually takes 3/4 of a tank, but again this trip only took half a tank!

i just want to say thankyou matt, for taking the time to come down, fiddle with my car even though you were clearly dead tired, and tune my car. :clap:

just in a return trip to syd your tune saved me half a tank of fuel. (approx $40 of fuel)

with petrol prices way up these days it is a huge saving.
all up a return trip to syd would take 1 and a half tanks, at a cost of approx $120.
this trip took 1 full tank, at a cost of approx $80.
to me that equates to a saving of approx 33% :dance:
huge in anyones eyes.
thankyou. :D

my advice for anyone considering this tune, is go for it. ;)
yes i had my doubts, worries and regrets when i was using a little more fuel, but now the tune has settled in, this has been the best investment i have made in my life. i will be reaping the rewards for years to come :D
CHEERS!!!

[auzvectra]

haha, good to hear, i thought the 10% increase was good, but it kept increasing hey. thats good ;).
i should mention that i normaly wouldnt go this far for just 1 tune, but i had promised to do this tune on the way to the snow, unfortunately i had to cancel the trip, so in keeping my work, i drove down instead.

oh and it took me a week to recover from all the driving ;).

[ASTRAY]

haha, good to hear, i thought the 10% increase was good, but it kept increasing hey. thats good ;).
i should mention that i normaly wouldnt go this far for just 1 tune, but i had promised to do this tune on the way to the snow, unfortunately i had to cancel the trip, so in keeping my work, i drove down instead.

oh and it took me a week to recover from all the driving ;).

yeah thanks mate,
i was going to mention the huge trip for just 1 tune was kind of a one off, but figured you would anyway :D
thankyou again.
one other thing ive noticed is she accelerates through the gears quicker.
the extra pull in third gear is more than noticable, as you said in someone elses tune, it feels like your in 2nd the way she accelerates in third.

[Desty]

Matt,

Are you still doing this remap and/or still in need of stock engine file copies?. I'm on the coast and am happy for you to read mine if needed. Is the price still $650.00 to remap the ECU in the Z18XE?

Tim.

[auzvectra]

yeah i still do the remap ;).
i dont worry so much with the files, but i grab them when i get a chance, i have found so many versions for the Z18xe it's not really worth chasing anymore ;).
the remap is $600 now, and if your file happens to be the same as 1 i already have remapped, it gets discounted to $500 ;).

[Desty]

Out of curiosity, have you done any dyno comparisons before and after the remap?

[auzvectra]

nope, dyno's can lie, i dont bother with them ;). the reason i dont quote figures is exactly that, the readout can be changed anyway. and with the ecu's in our cars, they need a lil time to settle in to get the most out of the remap ;).

[Ice]

nope, dyno's can lie, i dont bother with them ;). the reason i dont quote figures is exactly that, the readout can be changed anyway. and with the ecu's in our cars, they need a lil time to settle in to get the most out of the remap ;).

They need time to settle in ? why is that ? once you have changed the settings shouldnt they take place straight away.

[auzvectra]

they do, but the ecu still fine tunes itself for optimal performance ;).
so basically, instant increase but wait for maximum increase.

[vectraguy01]

takes about 2wks of regular driving for the ecu to learn the way u drive, about 500kms normaly is enough to get the maximum increase!

[ASTRAY]

takes about 2wks of regular driving for the ecu to learn the way u drive, about 500kms normaly is enough to get the maximum increase!
+1, took my car about 2 weeks to fine tune itself.

[auzvectra]

yep thats it, but majority of the fine tuneing is done in the 1st hr or so ;), atleast for performance.

[Desty]

I'm about to bust out a large chunk of change on a Jetski for my 40th B'day... but now I know you're local and the upgrade's available, I'll be in touch :)

[auzvectra]

yeah all good, just send me a pm when ur ready ;).

[hammer8]

Would you reccomend doing planned intake mods before the tune or doesnt it matter is it 650 for the tune?

[auzvectra]

tune is $600, and is the same before or after other mods.

[ASTRAY]

ok, so ive raved about my fuel economy since getting the 1.8 astra tune, and thought id offer some proof...
i filled up at blaxland rd in campbelltown, started the car and reset the trip meter.
i stopped to take this pic when i reached about half tank
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s33/jaysastra04/DSC03821.jpg

and this one when i got home.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s33/jaysastra04/DSC03825.jpg

judging by the first pic, i could get around 800km/tank.
i think most people here report around 650km/tank without tune.

another thing to consider is i was stuck in heavy traffic changing between 1st and 2nd gears for about 90mins on the f3 , mostly at the syd end, but also further up too. which would use more fuel.

[PaulyJ]

Nice work!
Mines been about the same, but ever since the tune, i've realised my right foot is heavier than usual... not sure why...

But in all honesty, the tune is great, and I would too recommend it to anyone.

[ASTRAY]

xtra powa pauly, lol.

just for a little more info, i was using normal unleaded from woolworths, i usually use ethanol, but the servo i stopped at didnt have any. i cant say if it would have been better with ethanol, but on my way down to syd i had done 220km/quarter tank with ethanol, i think thats almost deisel figures.