Project Turbo Minx.( formerly astra e 1.2 to 18e )

MK1minx · Last edited by MK1minx on Thu Jan 19, 2012 11:14 pm; edited 3 times in total

Could anyone offer me any advice.... I'm putting a 1.8 8v engine into a 1.2 saloon shell and I'm a transplant virgin! eek

I'm in the middle of changing the loom aand was wondering about what running gear I need to change. I know I need the struts but about the rest of the suspension and steering components? Also are polly bushes any good?
Think I might have bit off more than I can chew but I gotta learn some how! laughing

Suicide · Astra Legend Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 4790

You need the front engine mount, the rear gearbox mount, the big block struts (from any vaux really), driveshafts from same. That will get it into the car.

Then you'll need a rad, buggering about with the mounts from the 1.2 rad is alot of fun but you're better off removing them as they are too small to fit any of the other rads. You'll also need all the coolant hoses for the 18E and that includes the ones for the heater as these are different and a pain in the ass. For solutions to mounting the rad talk to sean as we had fun getting a rad to feed his LET (that reminds me, axle stands are essential not optional)

Beyond this I woould look for anyone who is looking to get rid of their 1.6 big block. If you can remove the inlet manifold and the ingnition system and you should be able to cut down the inlet manifold to get bike carbs on. 18E on F16 close ratio plus that = one very quick saloon

GT/Estate · Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:04 pm Post subject:

cross member would be a good idea Whistle

Regs
Rich

Sean - Cornwall · Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 11:22 am Post subject:

Hi guys, I am pretty much sorted with a car, its a 1.3s. I too will be looking to change the engine for something a bit good.

What would be a good suggestion for a first engine swap?? I to am a fwd engine removal and re-fitting virgin. Done plenty of rwd though?!

Is the best plan of attack to remove everything (tidily) get all the parts I need with the advice of you people then re-fit everything??

Do I need to change the complete loom right back under the dash or can I wire it in using the original (obviously with a few additions)

Please bear in mind the car will be used every day and work is 40 miles round trip

GT/Estate · Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 6:38 pm Post subject:

best little engine would be a 1.4 85bhp c14se or 1.6 100bhp c16se (multi point injection) engines from the mk3, but this will require the mk3 clocks to be fitted like mine has or it wont run properly, will drop strait in on gearbox/suspension you already have,

big block engines 1.6 1.8 2.0 require gearbox and suspension from a big block astra mk1/2

standard loom stays as the new engine has its own loom, just a few wires to connect up and off ya go,

GTE fuel tank and pump or a tank from mk2 with external pump or mk3 with internal pump is required, use the standard 1.3 one if you want but keep it above 1/4 full

Regs
Rich

MK1minx · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:48 am Post subject:

That's interesting to know... I got a gte tank but it is totally mingin'. The standard is like brand new. Can you tell me why it needs to be more than a 1/4 full?

Dyl kadett · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 11:44 am Post subject:

I think its Something to do with the fuel sloshing arround. in the 1.2 tanks. the gte tank has plates to prevent this sloshing arround, can anyone confirn this.
Or am I talking out of my arse frown

Suicide · Astra Legend Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 4790

Nope you got it about right, it's easy to stick with carbs tho if you want an easy life, the amount of work is similar either way but means you don't need the injection fuel tank

MK1minx · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 6:33 pm Post subject:

Here is some pics of the car so far. I've touched on my project through other threads but thought I'd put it all together here.
I'm not entirely sure what I want from this project except it's gotta be faster than my auto celebrity. I've owned the donor car ( a black b reg GTE) for 6 years which I bought with rose tinted glasses with the greatest intention of restoring it but as a novice it was way too far gone so I left it in the garage all this time and forgot about it.
I bought the blue 1200 saloon ( minus engine and box) from a member of the club because it is so solid and it is nice not to have a huge list of welding to do ( Badly in my case!) I got the uttmost respect and admiration for all of you who have build great cars whether standard or modded and would love to own a magazine featured car that was spot on.
Unfortunatel..... I'm not a perfectionist and dont have the skills. All I want is a solid, nippy MK1 hopefully using the black GTE as a donor. I was tempted to sell all my cars and just buy a ready made beast like Vernon's but I'd like to finish a decent project for a change!
I want to keep it China blue but don't want a full respray because if I take it apart, I'd never get it back together! laughing

I like the retro look and colour. Does it mean you are getting old when brown cars and clothes are attractive??? eek

Anyway cheers for all the help and advice you've given so far!

MK1minx · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 6:56 pm Post subject:

Well I've been at it for three weeks now and I got a bit done. I've changed the wirring loom, cleaned up and installed a gte fuel tank, decided to spruce up the fuel pump and mount it properly on the new car, I was suprised to find that a F&ck offf huge tie wrap holding it to the old car was not standard!
Managed to get the engine out of the gte ready to be cleaned and checked over.
The floor is pristine so I've give it a good undercoating which is not nice sh!t when you are lying on your back with the undercarriage 3" for your face! laughing

purchased a nice spax adjustable kit (Thanks Vern) and have fitted the back springs and dampers but kept the original 1.2 axle for easy option. Is there any difference between gte and 1.2 axle???
just in the middle of refubing front gte struts, I must of picked the rustiest donor car in the world eek

! took ages to get tie rod end off, took steeering arms off and applied alot of heat and brute force! Got new bearings pressed into them yesterday, just painted them today.
I'm not sure if I'm approaching this project in the right order but it has been challenging and I don't think I'm doing to bad ffor a total novice.

MK1minx · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 7:08 pm Post subject:

more pics...

MK1minx · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 7:15 pm Post subject:

more pics...

Dyl kadett · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 7:28 pm Post subject:

Looking Good there Loyd. Coming on great. you seem to have a good workshop there. Hammerite Great Stuff doesnt Get out of carpets too well as my Mum found out at a cost of 80 quid to me Sad

MK1minx · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:57 pm Post subject:

Well the workshop is an old stone barn, keeps me dry but it's freezing! My missus found out that undercoat on carpet is hard to shift!! laughing

GT/Estate · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 10:33 pm Post subject:

lookin good,
if you look and the rear drums at there size (marked on the drum lip) if there the same size you can just change the cylinders to the GTE ones, it would help you stop better, change master cylinder and servo too as i think the GTE/1.6 are bigger due to extra weight

Regs
Rich