Just bought my Grandma's old Astina...

doctor_bob · 10-07-2012, 04:39 PM

Hello all,

As the title says.

I wasn't really in the market for a car but she is selling up her assets and moving into a nursing home so I couldn't let anyone else take it

The chassis has never been dinged and the car has always sat in a garage & been serviced regularly. In fact it was rarely driven other than to the shops or on a highway. I've never seen one in this good nick that wasn't restored in some way. There is a big problem with the car though;

It's a damned automatic.

It may be just a pipe dream, but I was referred here by a more mechanically minded friend (I am but a mere computer nerd) to find out if anyone might have some pointers on whether it's possible/feasible to perform a conversion to a manual tranmission.

It's a 1992 model with the popup headlights. I'm sorry I can't be more car-techy; very much a noob to the scene of car modification or cars in general (feel free to ask me questions about computers ^.^)

Anyway I have the money to spend and I have a family friend who is a decent mechanic... but thought someone here might have had actual hands on experience attempting this as its just an idea in my head at this stage.

Thanks in advance,

bob

Mad Mat · 10-07-2012, 04:49 PM

It's possible.. Get another BGSP 1989-1993 that's manual and swap EVERYTHING OVER.. That the easiest way to put it... Bourbon did it to his old bg Astina.. Swapped from a SOHC AUTO to the BGSP DOHC MANUAL motor and box

doctor_bob · 10-07-2012, 05:06 PM

Am I to take it that I would I need to swap the engine too? I was kind of hoping to keep it in there as it's quite a lively specimen... very peppy still despite it's age. I'm 99% sure it's the DOHC engine in there already (could go pop the hood and have a look...)

Here she is

phildough · 10-07-2012, 05:18 PM

From the looks of the car it will be a 1.8 SOHC engine as the 1.8 SP came with the twin cam and it had sportier seats and a sunroof which you don't appear to have either of.

Mad Mat · 10-07-2012, 05:19 PM

It's it's an auto it's a SOHC engine

It's easy to drop out the engine to bolt on the box. But u can use the engine already installed if its still good

just find a wrecked bg SOHC manual (as the DOHC manual has a different gearbox and I'm not sure if it will bolt up) and swap the engine loom, gearbox, peddles, flywheel, clutch, clutch lines, master cylinder, hmmmm think that's about it..

TheMAN · 10-07-2012, 05:22 PM

the G series box (from the DOHC) bolts up, but different driveshafts needs to be used... since that much effort has to be put towards it, might as well complete engine swap

Mad Mat · 10-07-2012, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMAN

the G series box (from the DOHC) bolts up, but different driveshafts needs to be used... since that much effort has to be put towards it, might as well complete engine swap

Yep

might as well get a not half cut and then get a g series box and shafts

best power for $$$ u can get..

Dansta323 · 10-07-2012, 05:48 PM

Sweeet another 1.8 SOHC driver

these fellas on the forum will give the best advice on what to do

If you need any help Just send me an inbox

rogerstrampoline · 10-07-2012, 06:04 PM

Yeah man for the price of wanting to go manual and the labour involved with changing looms etc you're better off doing a complete engine swap.....you'll regret it if u don't hahaha the twin cams are so much better

rogerstrampoline · 10-07-2012, 06:08 PM

Or if you have the money follow what derb has done and drop a bpt (turbo Mazda twin cam) into your car.....bolts straight in

doctor_bob · 10-07-2012, 06:15 PM

Wow you guys are really helpful, and I've had slower results before googling for pre-asked questions than you have all come back on this

Sounds like the full engine swap will probably be the go from what I've read here so far.

I gave my mechanic a call and he said it's too big a job for him :/ (getting older, works out of his back yard for friends...) so now I'm hoping I can get some pointers at locating a wrecker who might be able to supply good parts, and someone in Sydney (live in Sutherland, but will drive wherever; this is my second car) who would perform the work at a decent level of quality/not overcharge for the work... I feel I might be pushing the friendship asking so soon after signing up though

himynameisbunny · 11-07-2012, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctor_bob

(live in Sutherland, but will drive wherever; this is my second car)

I work in Sutherland

glad to see I'm not too far away from other enthusiasts!

derb · 10-07-2012, 05:59 PM

Woohoo and another BG arrives! Welcome mate. As said above, find an SP model and convert to twin cams and a manual at the same time. Totally worth it, car will be transformed. Then later, slap a turbo on it like rogerstrampoline and go really fast!

derb · 10-07-2012, 06:21 PM

Most of us BG guys are up in Brisbane, but I'm sure some of the Sydney members would be able to hook you up with some good Mazda wreckers or parts. Maybe PM Dansta323, he has just signed up and has a BG in Sydney. Maybe you two could have a nice date at the wreckers yard.

And definitely put up a want to buy post on fordlaser.com. It has a very active classifieds section that is much more national.

doctor_bob · 10-07-2012, 06:22 PM

I'm a bit of an obsessive planner, would like to get everything in place before buying anything as I only have the one garage space and live in a unit; can't just leave it on the front lawn or something, also would prefer to keep the one I'm going to keep out of the weather

Actually just another thought; what needs to be done with the RTA (motor registry) regarding records etc? I'm imagining there would need to be some checking done to make sure the new motor wasn't hot, and I know the RTA keeps records of engine serial numbers... is this part all pretty straight forward?

doctor_bob · 10-07-2012, 10:16 PM

Well things are looking better than I expected; my father thinks its a cool idea, kind of thought he'd laugh at me - in contrast he offered up some driveway space to work on it, and some expertise (he's changed engines once or twice in his time). So there might be an option of doing this as a project with my old man

That being said, we'd need some good documentation; what would be some good keywords to search for in terms of rebuild/repair/maintenance guides? I did some googling and it seemed the haynes were... inaccurate... for this model (correct me if I'm wrong there). Also, dad suggested trying to find some japanese import parts; any tips on that?

smurfy · 10-07-2012, 10:26 PM

Auto ftw!!!!

lukeyprotege · 10-07-2012, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smurfy

Auto ftw!!!!

No way, manual all day everyday

Clean_Cookie · 10-07-2012, 10:35 PM

Glad your dad is keen. Keep it that way! Turbo requires mod plate and illegal on p plates, otherwise just swap the engine loom and motor from a Ford laser tx3 or mazda familia. With turbo, intercooler, engine, ecu and sensors would be close to $1000. I paid about $600 for everything but a block.

Just going to dohc you just swap the heads over as the block is the same. Lots of threads here on that, you just have to trawl through it!

If you were in qld you'd have an engine in and running pretty much free if everyone decided to help haha. Nsw time to step up!

mikey_something · 10-07-2012, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clean_Cookie

If you were in qld you'd have an engine in and running pretty much free if everyone decided to help haha. Nsw time to step up!

whats a spanner?

ps. welcome

10-07-2012, 04:39 PM	#1
doctor_bob Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Sydney Car: Mazda Astina 323 1992 Posts: 18	Just bought my Grandma's old Astina... Hello all, As the title says. I wasn't really in the market for a car but she is selling up her assets and moving into a nursing home so I couldn't let anyone else take it The chassis has never been dinged and the car has always sat in a garage & been serviced regularly. In fact it was rarely driven other than to the shops or on a highway. I've never seen one in this good nick that wasn't restored in some way. There is a big problem with the car though; It's a damned automatic. It may be just a pipe dream, but I was referred here by a more mechanically minded friend (I am but a mere computer nerd) to find out if anyone might have some pointers on whether it's possible/feasible to perform a conversion to a manual tranmission. It's a 1992 model with the popup headlights. I'm sorry I can't be more car-techy; very much a noob to the scene of car modification or cars in general (feel free to ask me questions about computers ^.^) Anyway I have the money to spend and I have a family friend who is a decent mechanic... but thought someone here might have had actual hands on experience attempting this as its just an idea in my head at this stage. Thanks in advance, bob

10-07-2012, 04:49 PM	#2
Mad Mat HONEYWELL REPRESENT Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Salisbury - Inner City Car: 1997 BA Hardtop - Had a 2003 BJii J48 Sport20, and 2x bg SOHC astina hatches Posts: 5,011 View Photos By: Mad Mat	It's possible.. Get another BGSP 1989-1993 that's manual and swap EVERYTHING OVER.. That the easiest way to put it... Bourbon did it to his old bg Astina.. Swapped from a SOHC AUTO to the BGSP DOHC MANUAL motor and box __________________ PROJECT "Catalina" 1994 323 BG Hatch 2005-2007 Crashed into truck 1991 323 BG Hatch 2007-2008/9 SOLD 2003 BJ SP20 J48 Hatch 2008-2011 Regretfully SOLD 1997 BA I4 Sedan 2012-CURRENT 1985 BF 323 Hatch 2014-2015SOLD 1989 MX5 2015-2015

10-07-2012, 05:19 PM	#5
Mad Mat HONEYWELL REPRESENT Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Salisbury - Inner City Car: 1997 BA Hardtop - Had a 2003 BJii J48 Sport20, and 2x bg SOHC astina hatches Posts: 5,011 View Photos By: Mad Mat	It's it's an auto it's a SOHC engine It's easy to drop out the engine to bolt on the box. But u can use the engine already installed if its still good just find a wrecked bg SOHC manual (as the DOHC manual has a different gearbox and I'm not sure if it will bolt up) and swap the engine loom, gearbox, peddles, flywheel, clutch, clutch lines, master cylinder, hmmmm think that's about it.. __________________ PROJECT "Catalina" 1994 323 BG Hatch 2005-2007 Crashed into truck 1991 323 BG Hatch 2007-2008/9 SOLD 2003 BJ SP20 J48 Hatch 2008-2011 Regretfully SOLD 1997 BA I4 Sedan 2012-CURRENT 1985 BF 323 Hatch 2014-2015SOLD 1989 MX5 2015-2015

10-07-2012, 05:22 PM	#6
TheMAN Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: USA Car: . Posts: 2,623	the G series box (from the DOHC) bolts up, but different driveshafts needs to be used... since that much effort has to be put towards it, might as well complete engine swap __________________ Protege FAQ, the best 323/Protege/Mazda3 resource enjoyed worldwide for 10 years

10-07-2012, 05:59 PM	#13
derb Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brisbane Car: 1993 BG Astina GT-X Posts: 1,822 View Photos By: derb	Woohoo and another BG arrives! Welcome mate. As said above, find an SP model and convert to twin cams and a manual at the same time. Totally worth it, car will be transformed. Then later, slap a turbo on it like rogerstrampoline and go really fast! __________________ 1993 BG Astina 'GT-X'

10-07-2012, 05:06 PM	#3
doctor_bob Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Sydney Car: Mazda Astina 323 1992 Posts: 18	Am I to take it that I would I need to swap the engine too? I was kind of hoping to keep it in there as it's quite a lively specimen... very peppy still despite it's age. I'm 99% sure it's the DOHC engine in there already (could go pop the hood and have a look...) Here she is

10-07-2012, 05:18 PM	#4
phildough Banned Join Date: May 2006 Location: Brisneyland, Queensland Car: 2002 Mazda Frankenstina Posts: 2,868 View Photos By: phildough	From the looks of the car it will be a 1.8 SOHC engine as the 1.8 SP came with the twin cam and it had sportier seats and a sunroof which you don't appear to have either of.

10-07-2012, 05:48 PM	#8
Dansta323 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Brisbane , QLD Car: 1990 Mazda 323 Astina BG Posts: 104	Sweeet another 1.8 SOHC driver these fellas on the forum will give the best advice on what to do If you need any help Just send me an inbox

10-07-2012, 06:04 PM	#9
rogerstrampoline AstinaGT Regular Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: south brisbane Car: 1993 BG Astina SP Posts: 365 View Photos By: rogerstrampoline	Yeah man for the price of wanting to go manual and the labour involved with changing looms etc you're better off doing a complete engine swap.....you'll regret it if u don't hahaha the twin cams are so much better

10-07-2012, 06:08 PM	#10
rogerstrampoline AstinaGT Regular Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: south brisbane Car: 1993 BG Astina SP Posts: 365 View Photos By: rogerstrampoline	Or if you have the money follow what derb has done and drop a bpt (turbo Mazda twin cam) into your car.....bolts straight in

10-07-2012, 06:15 PM	#11
doctor_bob Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Sydney Car: Mazda Astina 323 1992 Posts: 18	Wow you guys are really helpful, and I've had slower results before googling for pre-asked questions than you have all come back on this Sounds like the full engine swap will probably be the go from what I've read here so far. I gave my mechanic a call and he said it's too big a job for him :/ (getting older, works out of his back yard for friends...) so now I'm hoping I can get some pointers at locating a wrecker who might be able to supply good parts, and someone in Sydney (live in Sutherland, but will drive wherever; this is my second car) who would perform the work at a decent level of quality/not overcharge for the work... I feel I might be pushing the friendship asking so soon after signing up though

10-07-2012, 06:21 PM	#14
derb Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brisbane Car: 1993 BG Astina GT-X Posts: 1,822 View Photos By: derb	Most of us BG guys are up in Brisbane, but I'm sure some of the Sydney members would be able to hook you up with some good Mazda wreckers or parts. Maybe PM Dansta323, he has just signed up and has a BG in Sydney. Maybe you two could have a nice date at the wreckers yard. And definitely put up a want to buy post on fordlaser.com. It has a very active classifieds section that is much more national. __________________ 1993 BG Astina 'GT-X'

10-07-2012, 06:22 PM	#15
doctor_bob Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Sydney Car: Mazda Astina 323 1992 Posts: 18	I'm a bit of an obsessive planner, would like to get everything in place before buying anything as I only have the one garage space and live in a unit; can't just leave it on the front lawn or something, also would prefer to keep the one I'm going to keep out of the weather Actually just another thought; what needs to be done with the RTA (motor registry) regarding records etc? I'm imagining there would need to be some checking done to make sure the new motor wasn't hot, and I know the RTA keeps records of engine serial numbers... is this part all pretty straight forward? Last edited by doctor_bob; 10-07-2012 at 06:39 PM.

10-07-2012, 10:16 PM	#16
doctor_bob Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Sydney Car: Mazda Astina 323 1992 Posts: 18	Well things are looking better than I expected; my father thinks its a cool idea, kind of thought he'd laugh at me - in contrast he offered up some driveway space to work on it, and some expertise (he's changed engines once or twice in his time). So there might be an option of doing this as a project with my old man That being said, we'd need some good documentation; what would be some good keywords to search for in terms of rebuild/repair/maintenance guides? I did some googling and it seemed the haynes were... inaccurate... for this model (correct me if I'm wrong there). Also, dad suggested trying to find some japanese import parts; any tips on that?

10-07-2012, 10:26 PM	#17
smurfy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: sutherland shire, nsw Car: sp20 Posts: 1,968 View Photos By: smurfy	Auto ftw!!!! __________________ To many of us, our cars are an extension of our own personalities, the way we choose to modify reflects this.

10-07-2012, 10:35 PM	#19
Clean_Cookie obsessed-incomplete-broke Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brisbane Car: BA Hardtop/Hatch Posts: 5,441	Glad your dad is keen. Keep it that way! Turbo requires mod plate and illegal on p plates, otherwise just swap the engine loom and motor from a Ford laser tx3 or mazda familia. With turbo, intercooler, engine, ecu and sensors would be close to $1000. I paid about $600 for everything but a block. Just going to dohc you just swap the heads over as the block is the same. Lots of threads here on that, you just have to trawl through it! If you were in qld you'd have an engine in and running pretty much free if everyone decided to help haha. Nsw time to step up! __________________ Worklog