Hi everyone, new here and just having a look around. Currently working on my Astra H, all body mods so far. Looking for direction to see if it's worthwhile starting on the engine. She's a standard 1.6, not sure even basic induction kit would be worth it. Any pointers, dos and especially donts (I'm still learning) would be much appreciated. All mods so far I've done on my own n planning on continuing as far as I can by myself under the bonnet. I'd love to completely rebuild n replace under there, not in the position to go ahead with it right now though so any advice would be great. Thank you!
I'm a girl...be gentle :)
- Thread starter Shell
- Start date
Lunchmoney
The Torque Meister
Hello and welcome!
I'm sorry to say I think you might be right; there's not much to be squeezed out of your basic 1.6. Of course anything can be done with enough money thrown at it. Which brings me to the one point I will make before the more expert, err..... experts, come along - Welcome to the world of modding and kiss goodbye to your bank balance
I'm sorry to say I think you might be right; there's not much to be squeezed out of your basic 1.6. Of course anything can be done with enough money thrown at it. Which brings me to the one point I will make before the more expert, err..... experts, come along - Welcome to the world of modding and kiss goodbye to your bank balance
T9 man
TC ModFather
Greetings Shell and welcome to our TorqueCars forum
On the MK5 Astra you should be able to get the ECU (Gizmo that controls the engine) remapped for a little more power and torque, you can even have the economy side of things tweaked a little. Depending on who you use you can either pop along to a local specialist who can download a tried and tested map into the car, this will take around an hour or so. You can have a custom map done for the ECU, much more expensive but may yield you a tad more power. Or, you can select a tuning company who will send you out a preloaded map onto a gadget that you then plug into your OBD2 port (Usually found under the steering wheel) and off you go. As everything these days, the only limiting factor is the size of the purse. I would suggest a visit to a tuning centre to have the ECU remapped with a tested map, this will be a sensible way forward. Remember, do not forget the brakes and tyres as they play a vital role in the world of performance.
On the MK5 Astra you should be able to get the ECU (Gizmo that controls the engine) remapped for a little more power and torque, you can even have the economy side of things tweaked a little. Depending on who you use you can either pop along to a local specialist who can download a tried and tested map into the car, this will take around an hour or so. You can have a custom map done for the ECU, much more expensive but may yield you a tad more power. Or, you can select a tuning company who will send you out a preloaded map onto a gadget that you then plug into your OBD2 port (Usually found under the steering wheel) and off you go. As everything these days, the only limiting factor is the size of the purse. I would suggest a visit to a tuning centre to have the ECU remapped with a tested map, this will be a sensible way forward. Remember, do not forget the brakes and tyres as they play a vital role in the world of performance.
Aerial Andy944
The Torque Meister
Hi and welcome to TC forums.
As mentioned I can't think of to much that can make a huge difference unless you have a large budget i.e many ￡000s. A remap may give you around 10% increase in power and torque and will give you a more responsive feeling car. A generic map will be fine for this. If you want to go down intake and exhaust modifications then get a custom remap that can make most of the component changes. Remaps are your most value for money options IMO
As mentioned I can't think of to much that can make a huge difference unless you have a large budget i.e many ￡000s. A remap may give you around 10% increase in power and torque and will give you a more responsive feeling car. A generic map will be fine for this. If you want to go down intake and exhaust modifications then get a custom remap that can make most of the component changes. Remaps are your most value for money options IMO
Hi and welcome. We TC gentlemen are always gentle with the fair sex and will always endeavor to give you the best advise based on our many years of hard won and hands on experience .
I can endorse all of the previous advise and comments and may I add that as you seem to be keen on your car that you can also enhance your driving skills by undertaking a defensive driving course followed up by advanced driving and skid pan training /instruction to further improve your skills and understanding of the limits of both car and driver .
I can endorse all of the previous advise and comments and may I add that as you seem to be keen on your car that you can also enhance your driving skills by undertaking a defensive driving course followed up by advanced driving and skid pan training /instruction to further improve your skills and understanding of the limits of both car and driver .
Hi guys, thank you so much! A remap was always going to happen, more to deal with any lag than to add power, knew it would be around a 10-12% increase so again not much use for anything. The mk5 is my daily so I'm not intending to rally her about, looking at buying a Nova, maybe a mk1/2 fez, this will be a complete project for learning and eventually playing in. With the Astra I'd just like her running as she should and as healthy as possible as well as looking good. You've all been ace, it can be quite intimidating being a female in the car world...thank you!
Hello and a warm welcome to TorqueCars, it's really nice to have you along. Please feel free to join in our many discussions and topics, we only survive as a forum if people post questions, comments and replies.
I had a 1.3 Nova for quite a few years and loved it. It will make a great project, the lower ratio SR gearbox makes it feel quite nippy. A friend had put an SRI 130 engine from a Cavalier in his Nova and made a hot hatch that could give many modern cars a run for their money.
Stick around and PLEASE ASK LOADS OF QUESTIONS, don't be shy!
I had a 1.3 Nova for quite a few years and loved it. It will make a great project, the lower ratio SR gearbox makes it feel quite nippy. A friend had put an SRI 130 engine from a Cavalier in his Nova and made a hot hatch that could give many modern cars a run for their money.
Stick around and PLEASE ASK LOADS OF QUESTIONS, don't be shy!
Yugguy
Torque King
If it's the 1.6t there should be gains to be had. Bigger intercooler and a remap. Otherwise it's worth doing things like brakes and suspension to get the experience. Brakes are relatively easy but very satisfying.
Aerial Andy944
The Torque Meister
When you say lag is the engine turbocharged or normally aspirated, petrol or diesel? I assumed from opening post it was a n/a petrol so 10% increase and different power band with a map. If its turbo charged in petrol or diesel form then you're looking more at 30% increase. Way more tuning options also with upgrades on turbo, intercooler, injectors etc etc
Just to be sure that you understand "LAG" is usually only associated with TURBO cars/engines and here is a good explanation for you
A bigger intercooler IF you have one is as a general rule is only needed if the car heavily modified, is used for track days OR heavy towing .
If your car is just a near stock daily driver then a larger IC is not needed IMO
A bigger intercooler IF you have one is as a general rule is only needed if the car heavily modified, is used for track days OR heavy towing .
If your car is just a near stock daily driver then a larger IC is not needed IMO
Sorry, I don't think I made much sense on that last post (red face) I meant more if I were to go ahead with any engine mods, I was always going to have it remapped to help with any lag or flat spots rather than for any kind of power increase, I don't really need that (although id get it) as not planning on any kind of performance as it's the daily.
That I would get a 10% increase as is, doesn't really seem much point to me in having it done. Should i go ahead and get it done anyway? I can almost guarentee though as soon as i start messing under the bonnet I'm not gonna stop lol.
I've already gone ahead with the brakes, suspension and tyres. It's really at the point now of a respray and engine mods (which my brother swears he'll disown me for if I start, he said the same about the brakes but what he don't know won't hurt him) That's where the project car comes in.
I'd love a Nova! Always wanted 1 and the Cavi engine sounds like my kinda project lol. Loving this forum, even if I did make a bit of a tit of myself
That I would get a 10% increase as is, doesn't really seem much point to me in having it done. Should i go ahead and get it done anyway? I can almost guarentee though as soon as i start messing under the bonnet I'm not gonna stop lol.
I've already gone ahead with the brakes, suspension and tyres. It's really at the point now of a respray and engine mods (which my brother swears he'll disown me for if I start, he said the same about the brakes but what he don't know won't hurt him) That's where the project car comes in.
I'd love a Nova! Always wanted 1 and the Cavi engine sounds like my kinda project lol. Loving this forum, even if I did make a bit of a tit of myself
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Hey don't worry, now all is clear and I understand you. It's good having you around, and you've almost hit the first 10 post upgrade limit already so well done.
