Hi Everybody!

[Kennedy]

Hi everybody, I'm Andy and I just bought a 2003 Astra SRi Turbo.

I stupidly decided to buy a brand new Subaru Impreza 2 litre Auto when I first got here, but hated every minute of it - incredibly slow and heavy on petrol - The astras more economical! Sold that and got the Turbo.

I am from Scotland, but I have been in Australia for nearly a year now. I live just west of Melbourne. I work as a diesel mechanic - plenty of work here!

Heres some pics of my baby:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k251/a_kennedy_2006/015.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k251/a_kennedy_2006/017.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k251/a_kennedy_2006/018.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k251/a_kennedy_2006/019.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k251/a_kennedy_2006/026.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k251/a_kennedy_2006/025.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k251/a_kennedy_2006/024.jpg

After a few days of ownership, the welch plug at no.4 cylinder blew, so that got changed asap. Filled her with fresh Scania coolant - goood stuff.

Plans are - tidy the body up, a few little dings here and there,
Got a 2.2 airbox, just need the correct piping then thats on,
refurb the wheels in gloss black and calipers in yellow,
refurb the centre console,
got a GM timing belt and water pump coming over from the UK, costs 1/5th of what it does here lol
Purchased a set of HID's, just need to fit them too.

I've already fitted some bonnet struts, a Snap-On seat cover, serviced her with some Penrite 10W-50, and put in NGK Iridium plugs - runs sweet as.
Also blanked of the rear BCS and plumbed the OE recirc valve straight into the FPR - What a difference! Now makes a lovely quick dump when letting off the throttle.

I'm extremely happy with the Turbo, just need to get her perfect!
Thanks, Andy

[Jonski]

Welcome to OpelAus.
nice ride man!
by the way "blanked of the rear BCS and plumbed the OE recirc valve straight into the FPR"
could you explain this a bit more? im interested :)

[dutchy]

Welcome Andy.

Regarding the oe dumpvalve straight into the fpr, I see the logic (sort of) but isn't the recirc valve open then constantly at half throttle ? Or am I missing something here ???

[guy 27]

Welcome to oa

[Jonski]

whats fpr?

[Kennedy]

its easy to do and helps heaps! all you do is remove the airbox and crossover, and trace the line coming from the OE recirc valve - the once bolted onto the turbo. it runs from the turbo, under the airbox and down the back of the engine. there should be a straight joiner half way down the pipe. remove here, and block the end coming from the rear BCS (Boost control solenoid) just stick a self tapping screw in it. now take the line from the OE valve and get a t-piece (from autobarn etc) and make a join into the FPR (Fuel Pressure Regulator) line. I used 3mm T-Piece and 3mm internal pipe. I'll take a pic from my engine to show you all.

heres a diagram
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k251/a_kennedy_2006/rearbcsbypass.jpg

[btm]

howdy and welcome to the site!

[Shadow110]

Welcome!!!
Tidy looking ride too!!!

[faneca]

Nice looking ride mate! Needs Opel badges too;)

[adam_92]

Welcome to opelaus mate. Where in Scotland are you from??

[Kennedy]

I'm from Falkirk, right in the middle I Scotland. It's snowing there just now, and I've just popped down to Coles and its 31 degrees lol

[poita]

Welcome to OpelAus mate :)

[adam_92]

Yeah I'm originally from Newcastle. Been here 3.5 year. Speaking to friends back home its been really bad snow while we have 30ish degree days. Makes them slightly jealous!

[Shortstuff]

Welcome! Your car looks almost identical to mine at the moment - even down to the missing tow eye cover.

Are you enjoying it out here so far? I came here from the UK 7 years ago and wouldn't want to go back to live. I love it here!

[Nurb608]

Welcome to the site buddy!

[Kennedy]

the towing eye cover came with the car, I washed it one day then on the way to work it fell off! I've been here almost a year now, loving every bit of it! I'm surprised by how quick this little car is, one of the customers from work has a yard with a long stretch of road, he couldnt ass me in his Ford falcon xr6 turbo ute! very chuffed with the little Astra lol

[CORZZA]

She's a beauty!