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I was sure something was up with mine, geometry wise, maybe not? If desired you could do a full lap of a roundabout in the dry in second with smoke poring off the inside wheel! I have had much more powerful FWD cars which would require a lot lot more provocation to come any where near it! Had some good times with that car tbf, ended up getting scrapped after the gearbox went bang! If I go to the lengths of some non lethal tyres, I'll get tracking checked out too. TBh I think its just a reality that there is no grip on comparison to a 156 - the front suspensions are completely different- the Vectra is much more a motorway mile muncher
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philpy
Part of things
Posts: 69
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Thinking back it was quite comical, the way it would loose grip you would think it was 500bhp!
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Part two of the exciting journey hame.. From Tunbridge Wells (after a fine repast for breakfast in a local Cafe), we headed north to Bletchley Park This was a real eye opener for me- utterly fascinating and well worth a visit, albeit unable to come up with a solution to the puzzle of why I'd bought an old Vectra.. If you get the chance GO! We lost several hours there, including having a good meal in the cafe on site, which set us up nicely for a run up to the bustling Northern Metropolis of Leeds - a virtual pint if you can guess where I was suppin stout.. The car sat for 2 days in the car park outside the hotel, as I set about having a small libation, including meeting up with my brother for a boozy (if well behaved) dinner. Thankfully she started up no bother after 48hrs idle, and we were soon on our way north. Arriving home at around dinner time, I decided it'd be rude not to take the Vectra to the regular car meeting/dinner we have about 40 mins north. I was comfortably the furthest travelled, but definitely not the most foolhardy- as can be seen below. As I write, she's about 50 miles short of 1000 miles since purchase, and less than 1/2 way through her 3rd tank of fuel.
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A few years ago I had a 1.8 SRi, was given it! Fitted new brakes, a tyre and tightened up a bolt on the power steering to stop a leak and drove it for 2 years before the gearbox went bang. To add to your comments I have never had a car with such little grip on the front wheels and it was only 115bhp IIRC. In the wet it would literally light the wheels up in second for a magnificent distance if you wanted to! Prob led to the demise of the gearbox! Ha! I get the impression I could lunch through 3rd in the wet if I wished. Currently researching tyre options/suspension mods that may tame it In confession mode, I have had a LOT of vectra b's, from 1.8 's to GSi's (including my 3.0 converted one) and have driven my mates ST200 with the LSD, Koni suspension and the fancy schmancy brakes (AP 4 pots) I do have a bit of an answer, the best handling I managed to get was Standard SRi shocks, with Apex -40mm springs and Toyo Proxes T1R's on 17" GSi wheels, that combo ALMOST stopped the inside wheel from lighting up at every opportunity and was my ultimate achievement in the vectra B world, a front top strut brace is a good cheap addition to these too. I can also say that if you think it handles bad now, try a set of FK coilovers, that could combine your lit up inner wheel WITH massive understeering WHILE the rear end bounces AND your teeth shatter, all accompanied by the beautiful music of the tyres scrubing through the bodywork. That ST200 with the LSD was completely different, it was surprising how quick a vectra B could shoot itself forward when it had grip, but I could never justify to myself the cost of fitting an LSD to my GSi.
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I get the impression I could lunch through 3rd in the wet if I wished. Currently researching tyre options/suspension mods that may tame it In confession mode, I have had a LOT of vectra b's, from 1.8 's to GSi's (including my 3.0 converted one) and have driven my mates ST200 with the LSD, Koni suspension and the fancy schmancy brakes (AP 4 pots) I do have a bit of an answer, the best handling I managed to get was Standard SRi shocks, with Apex -40mm springs and Toyo Proxes T1R's on 17" GSi wheels, that combo ALMOST stopped the inside wheel from lighting up at every opportunity and was my ultimate achievement in the vectra B world, a front top strut brace is a good cheap addition to these too. I can also say that if you think it handles bad now, try a set of FK coilovers, that could combine your lit up inner wheel WITH massive understeering WHILE the rear end bounces AND your teeth shatter, all accompanied by the beautiful music of the tyres scrubing through the bodywork. That ST200 with the LSD was completely different, it was surprising how quick a vectra B could shoot itself forward when it had grip, but I could never justify to myself the cost of fitting an LSD to my GSi. Top knowledge, cheers chief! I'd been looking at eibach springs- got a few BMWs with sets and they are damn good. re the Sri dampers- were the Vauxhall sourced or oem spec aftermarket?
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No probs, yes, sorry should have said, vauxhall sourced shocks in my case, the genuine sri shocks are a bit shorter shafted than standard (despite what a lot of even Vauxhalls own parts guys told me), as the SRi already came with a factory drop of either 20 or 25mm, cant remember off the top of my head. I bought quite a few supposed SRi shocks after-market which were not short, so ended up getting from vauxhall when I needed them, a friend of mine got some aftermarket ones the right length, I THINK they were from www.vauxhall-car-parts.co.uk/If you want a cheap "Big brake" upgrade to get an extra 20mm (making 308mm) on front discs, you want to find caliper hangers from a 2.6 GSi, stick your original calipers on the sliders, bung some 308mm discs on and away to go, The MK4 astra GSi has 308mm discs and there is a discs and pads package through vauxhall trade club that is cheaper than buying 308mm discs on there own, so you can buy that and lob or sell on the pads as they wont fit in your calipers, another interesting (if you are sad, like me) thing to note is that there are pads listed as "police spec" or something, which do seem to be a bit grippier too. If you need vectra B info just give me a shout, I was a bit of a Anorak on them.
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Cheers chap- think initial plan will ge to make sure it is servicable in standard form first, then consider what changes if any, are needed.
likely I'll be picking your brain at somepoint:)
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Part two of the exciting journey hame.. From Tunbridge Wells (after a fine repast for breakfast in a local Cafe), we headed north to Bletchley Park This was a real eye opener for me- utterly fascinating and well worth a visit, albeit unable to come up with a solution to the puzzle of why I'd bought an old Vectra.. If you get the chance GO! We lost several hours there, including having a good meal in the cafe on site, which set us up nicely for a run up to the bustling Northern Metropolis of Leeds - a virtual pint if you can guess where I was suppin stout.. The car sat for 2 days in the car park outside the hotel, as I set about having a small libation, including meeting up with my brother for a boozy (if well behaved) dinner. Thankfully she started up no bother after 48hrs idle, and we were soon on our way north. Arriving home at around dinner time, I decided it'd be rude not to take the Vectra to the regular car meeting/dinner we have about 40 mins north. I was comfortably the furthest travelled, but definitely not the most foolhardy- as can be seen below. As I write, she's about 50 miles short of 1000 miles since purchase, and less than 1/2 way through her 3rd tank of fuel. You were clearly having a beer in Whitelocks! My favourite Leeds pub, and an old haunt!
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Last Edit: May 6, 2016 23:44:19 GMT by stevenyorks: Mistake!
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Cheers chap- think initial plan will ge to make sure it is servicable in standard form first, then consider what changes if any, are needed. likely I'll be picking your brain at somepoint:) I've got a few new bushes here somewhere too so ask me before you buy any mate
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This threw up a "Check Oil level" warning today, so I thought I better actually have an actual check over it. After all, it has done over 1000 miles since I got it 2 weeks ago. 1.5L later and it was ok - something to keep an eye on. Likely culprits are either the throttle body housing/gasket or the rocker cover. The poor grip in the wet was easily traced to the 2 major factors: Crappy tyres tread only being about 2.55 deep across the tyres. Happily the wear was even on both fronts- so I know that the arms and bushes/tracking seem ok Turning the steering to check the brakes revealed that an overfilled power steering reservoir was pishing fluid out - all over the radiator/fans and down the engine bay. I got it cleaned up, the excess fluid drained and then turned my attention to the brakes Initial inspections looked ok, right up until I checked the inside pads: So new ones are on their way - £49 delivered, and the sliders have been removed, cleaned and refitted. I'll get them fitted ASAP. So far I have the following issues list: Engine Oil Leak Power steering fluid level (resolved but must keep an eye on it) Thermostat change/coolant temp sender fault? Brakes Front Discs and pads needing replaced (Ordered) Handbrake needs adjusting Rear calipers need stripped and cleaned Tyres Fronts could do replacing with items not made out of plastic Interior Drivers Door card/Handle needs repairing Front windows have poor operation Seats need cleaned Interior plastics need cleaned General clean/tidy needed All in all, despite not being as dynamic as the Alfa 156, as frugal as the Pug 306 or as fast as the e30 335i I think this may prove to be a good basis for a reliable daily driver that I'll run for a bit.
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Ian
Part of things
Posts: 977
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I had a mk4 astra 2.2 SRI, it was a good engine, not too bad on fuel really, I put 45k onto mine in two years, it did however use a LOT of oil, and then finally died when the cam chain snapped, it went from making no noise at all to rattle and snap within 2 metres so be careful.
If oil has not been changed regularly to paper filters can break up and make there may in very small pieces to the jets that lubricate the chain, this was what mine did, as I carried out the equivalent of an oil change every month in the amount of oil I had to put in I didn't change the filter often enough. I didn't realise this until it was too late.
I still have the nice 17" astra coupe wheels clogging up my garage!
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I had a mk4 astra 2.2 SRI, it was a good engine, not too bad on fuel really, I put 45k onto mine in two years, it did however use a LOT of oil, and then finally died when the cam chain snapped, it went from making no noise at all to rattle and snap within 2 metres so be careful. If oil has not been changed regularly to paper filters can break up and make there may in very small pieces to the jets that lubricate the chain, this was what mine did, as I carried out the equivalent of an oil change every month in the amount of oil I had to put in I didn't change the filter often enough. I didn't realise this until it was too late. I still have the nice 17" astra coupe wheels clogging up my garage! A service will be planned pdq..
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May 10, 2016 18:22:13 GMT
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After the OMGNAEBRAKEPADZ scenario discovered on Sunday, I ordered new discs and pads. they arrived tonight, and I took the decision to fit the pass tonight- I have a 230mile work trip to do tomorrow, and need to be on the road by 8am. The discs can wait til the weekend - when I have time for the swearimg it'll likely involve. 15yr old caliper bracket bolts are never fun.. Old and New 40 mins from start to finish. good times!
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Somehow I seem to have managed 41.8mpg from the last tank on this, and the current one is showing 38.8odds after 240 miles.
this despite major hoonage on the backroads in the sun yesterday- empty backroads and dry tarmac= new pads well bedded in!
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woodenspatulas
Part of things
Retro in ways you can't imagine
Posts: 448
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May 12, 2016 16:09:49 GMT
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Good work I'd agree with old groot up there. As standard the b is a bit like trying to drive a microwave. It just doesn't work very well My old girl currently has mv6 wheels from an omega (slightly wider offset for a bit of poke) coilovers and an quaife getting the power down from the saab engine so it went well when it was on the road. The ST200 with the lsd as standard made my mind up, driving one was a revelation as to how good it could be. I also think the ST200 had different settings on the tow in and camber too. I really want to get back in one, theres a cheap gsi near me but I really cant buy it until my a4 is fixed and shifted. Also another place to get 308mm brackets for the brakes is off the Saab 95. Its where I got mine from, that and some police spec pads seem to work quite well.
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1999 Vectra Estate + 1995 Saab Engine = Good Times
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May 12, 2016 19:45:34 GMT
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I had the 2.2 in my Zafira 147bhp on the dyno 15.7 quarter mile but used to chew through oil. Never had any faults and was a great car I even looked at the super charger option for mine.
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Some days you just need to take a grinder to an inanimate object, just to make your day a tiny bit better!!
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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May 12, 2016 19:54:02 GMT
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Thinking back it was quite comical, the way it would loose grip you would think it was 500bhp! In my youth, had a 95 plate Rover 214SEI. Exactly the same issue. Stuck like jizz to a tissue on the go.. But if you were heavy footed it'd smoke tyres in first and second for as long as you dared risk abusing it. No idea how a 100bhp 1400cc car had so little grip. Even on mid-range rubber it was lethal in the wet.
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Good work I'd agree with old groot up there. As standard the b is a bit like trying to drive a microwave. It just doesn't work very well My old girl currently has mv6 wheels from an omega (slightly wider offset for a bit of poke) coilovers and an quaife getting the power down from the saab engine so it went well when it was on the road. The ST200 with the lsd as standard made my mind up, driving one was a revelation as to how good it could be. I also think the ST200 had different settings on the tow in and camber too. I really want to get back in one, theres a cheap gsi near me but I really cant buy it until my a4 is fixed and shifted. Also another place to get 308mm brackets for the brakes is off the Saab 95. Its where I got mine from, that and some police spec pads seem to work quite well. I've gone for stock disks and pads at the moment- cheap even for decent kit. Coming from e30s any brakes are better:) I've done about 200 miles on backroads this week, and sussed out how it handles in the dry. Suffice to say Beyond maybe new rear shocks I'll not be doing too much.. cheap motoring ftw! I had the 2.2 in my Zafira 147bhp on the dyno 15.7 quarter mile but used to chew through oil. Never had any faults and was a great car I even looked at the super charger option for mine. 15.7 on the 1/4? I may need to see how mine performs:)
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May 13, 2016 18:54:29 GMT
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Only thing it went through more than oil was tyres.
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Some days you just need to take a grinder to an inanimate object, just to make your day a tiny bit better!!
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May 19, 2016 10:53:20 GMT
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Not much to report on this curse word as yet, still not done the discs as have been out and about a lot this week.
another tank of gogo done, giving 38.9mpg over 444 miles.
mildly annoying just how blandly competent it is!
I reckon I'll try to break it at the weekend for something to do;)
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