This Guy Put A 322bhp Saab Turbo Engine Into A Vauxhall Astra Because Why Not
If you think 300bhp hot hatchbacks are a handful, try putting even more power into a small, cheap runabout heading for its 20th birthday.
Sleeper cars don’t come with much more understated nineties charm than this. You’re looking at a mk3 Vauxhall Astra, resplendent on its steelies and lowered springs but packing a pretty mighty Saab turbo engine conversion.
We’ve no idea which nutcase thought this one up, but the result is 322bhp and 388lb ft, says the seller, albeit using the previous turbo. A brand new one has apparently been installed, along with a load of other goodies including an aftermarket exhaust and something called “v6 calpers”. Might have to Google that one.
While Saab was under GM ownership, parts were presumably shared across brands to the extent that this hefty 2.0-litre turbo unit could slot into the otherwise rubbish Astra. Turbocharged Saabs were infamous for huge torque steer, so picture what this thing must be like…
The customary dump valve is present and correct, and four new tyres were fitted 500 miles ago, it says in the auction. Get on the gas with any regularity and they might not last too much longer than that.
As a cash buy it’s always going to be a risk, and frankly, driving it home might be an even bigger gamble. But to the brave soul who takes it on, we salute you. Sort of.
Now check out this staggering BMW Z4 with an 8.3-litre Dodge Viper engine. Possibly even more of a handful than the Astra.
Comments
probably Calibra V6 calipers
Or Vectra V6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb8Y3VUIoH8
C20let turbo is more interesting
Awesome stuff, I’d like to do the same conversion to my Calibra
Isn’t the air filter a little too close to the engine? Doesn’t this means that the engine will breathe hot air?
wouldnt really matter, you may lose a few horses on it but not enough to bother trying to make a cold air intake
That puts the Nail in the Essex boys Halfords job coffin
Car throttle if you look a bit more into the Vauxhall/Opel world you’ll see that Saab swaps are very common and most running between 300 and 400 bhp.
This conversion very nearly went into my Astra estate that’s the next model up.
Always had a soft spot for this generation of Astra. Mother had one and first time I drove a car was in that. Would love to buy this madness
You can have 322 bhp but no number plate 🤔🤔
I personally have a 320bhp saab turbo powered vectra estate.
There’s quite alot of 80s and 90s Vauxhalls housing saab turbos now, novas, corsas, astras, cavaliers, calibras and vectras.
A very popular way to get some extra ponies at a very reasonable outlay.