Earlier this year I bought a 323 Astina SP (323F GT equivalent I think?).

In Australia, this was the highest trim level (out of 2) for the 323 Astina, coming with a sunroof, A/C, power windows all around, and the 1.8 DOHC BP-ZE.

I've got a few plans for it:
Bought a new hood and RHF fender due to paint issues - was cheaper to buy them then re-paint mine, bit my new bonnet is black, not Mighty Grey.
Plasti-dipped side mirrors in black as they were quite faded, which should match my newly painted wiper arms, and my new hood when I install it.
Bought a whole bunch of parts, including brakes all around, some bushings, a rear strut brace and a few other bits and pieces.
Bought a BP-ZE engine (+ ECU + harness + distributor) to replace the B8-ME SOHC engine that was in the car when I bought it - as the old one probably failed from old age.

Thinking of doing an A/C delete as it doesn't work atm anyway, and a P/S delete just because.

Since getting the car, I've installed a new seat belt, got the windshield replaced, installed a new fuel pump, and fixed a fuel leak at the fuel pump and gauge sender electrical connector (yes, the connector, when the tank pressurized it would drip out the top. Petrol-safe RTV is great).

I then got some 6x15" ET45 wheels with 205/50/15 semi-slicks (Thanks D.!), a fire extinguisher and some stickers to get it track ready!


I was a bit nervous taking it for its first track day, as I'd only put maybe 300km on it since I bought it, so I didn't know how it'd hold up. Not only that, the only proper car-in-the-air inspection I did was the day before the race, when I was test fitting my new wheels.

To my complete surprise, it went without a single issue! No engine explosion, no broken gearbox, no oil leaks, no coolant pouring out, no overheating, nothing! Which was great, as I wouldn't have had a way home if it broke.



Definitely wasn't the fastest car there by any stretch of the imagination, but I had a blast.

When I get the garage cleared out, I'll hopefully have space to actually work on it and get cracking on installing my bucket of parts, and my engine