New Thorney Vauxhall Website

Thorney Vauxhall, part of the Thorney Motorsport Group, has launched it's brand new website. Designed and created by 2geedesign it provides up to date information on the services and seasonal promotions on offer from Thorney Vauxhall as well as offering practical tips and advice on how to get the best out of your Vauxhall.
Located in Redmoor, Thorney Vauxhall are Milton Keynes only dedicated Vauxhall Masterfit service and repair centre.

Z20LEH Engine Conversion Update

The Astra Z20LEH engine conversion is progressing well.
All of the major components (engine, gearbox, driveshafts etc.) are now back in the Corsa Race Car. Work is continuing on the fabrication of the numerous bespoke brackets required to mount things such as the ECU, various sensors, air intake system. In addition we will be manufacturing a full 3" bore race exhaust system. We already have produced the exhaust front downpipe and front sections, which have been ceramic coated, so we need to concentrate on the rest of the system. We have selected a full 3" bore size for the system, this is to maximise peak power from the engine but also to keep torque levels high as well, it's the perfect solution. Secondly we have used only the highest quality of stainless steel for the construction and used only the highest motorsport specification catalytic converter (200 cell to ensure it meets MOT test standards and all UK emissions laws).

Limited Slip Diff - Corsa SRI Race Car

The Corsa SRI race car is fitted with a Sachs Organic Clutch Kit (rated at 407 lb/ft) together with a lightened and balanced stock flywheel. The M32 gearbox is also fitted with uprated bearings. To ensure all of the 400bhp / 380ftlb is laid down on the road we are fitting a Quaife ATB (Automatic Torque Biasing (QDF25B) limited slip differential. Limited slip differentials (LSD) are the last connection between your gearbox and your driveshafts.
A LSD limits the difference in spin speed between the opposing driveshafts. In a standard open differential (standard on all Corsa's) there is no limit in the difference of axle speed between left and right hand sides.
In real world terms, on an open differential, if you turn your TCS off and dump the clutch the car will furiously spin the wheel with the least grip. (Usually the inside one.)
After fitting a Limited Slip Differential, the difference in torque bias is restricted mechanically. So, instead of transferring all the power to one wheel, the LSD limits the velocity difference between the driven wheels.

Britcar 24 Hour - Thorney Motorsport

Thorney Motorsport are actively involved in the Astra Z20 LEH engine conversion currently being undertaken on our Corsa SRI race car.
Thorney Motorsport recently took part in the Britcar 24 hour endurance race at Silverstone racing their highly successful BMW E92 GT.  Despite a major setback early in the 24 hours, when an input shaft sheered in half with the resulting shock shattering the clutch plates, the team managed a comendable 3^rd in class.
The full story of the trials and tribulations leading to their success can be viewed on the Thorney Motorsport website.

Corsa SRI race car - build update

Great progress has been made - we're at the stage where numerous bespoke brackets and mounts have to be fabricated to mount all of the various engine components. This is a time consuming task but essential if the resulting Astra VXR engine transplant is to look professional. We have decided that a full 3" stainless steel race exhaust system will be specified to fully capitalise on the 400+ bhp being pumped out by the stage 5 Astra VXR engine. We will probably utilise Scorpion Exhausts, the same Company that are producing exhausts for the Thorney Motorsport BTCC Insignia - so we know they are going to be of the highest quality and performance.

400bhp Corsa SRI race car - back on track

Due to motor racing commitments for Thorney Motorsport (Britcar 24 hours and BTCC Silverstone) work on the Z20 LEH engine conversion had to be put on hold. A little frustrating but fully understandable. Now that the racing season has drawn to a close TMS are back on the case with a vengance. The iterative process of developing the hybrid ECU system has necessitated stripping down various parts of the engine. This work is now complete so the task of rebuilding the engine is underway. The remainder of the underbonnet components - air intake system, intercooler rigid piping, oil pipework etc. can then be reassembled so that full ECU testing can be undertaken prior to firing up the engine for the first time - heady days indeed!

Thorney Motorsport unveil BTCC Insignia

Thorney Motorsport launched its new BTCC car, the NGTC-spec Vauxhall Insignia, on Saturday 8 October at its base in Crowfield, Northants.
Regarding the rather striking livery John Thorne had this to say .."the livery is a one off as so many people thought it looked like the Batmobile anyway and seeing as we are looking for a new title sponsor for next season (our 5 year deal with Tesco Momentum 99 comes to an end this year) we thought we'd do something different for Silverstone. The car is not officially Vauxhall backed (yet?) and so we decided to make it striking in terms of looks rather than use our own usual colours".
Following testing at Mallory Park on Wednesday 12 October the Insignia is expected to make it's debut at the final BTCC meeting at Silverstone on 16 October.
Thorney Motosport have prepared both our Corsa VXR Racing and Corsa SRI race car - here at 2gee Motorsport wish them every success at Silverstone.