Bike throttle bodies...??

[haydn_123]

Has anybody used bike throttle bodies on a 1.6 16v- I already have the engine and was thinking about it as a cheap alternative. Are they as good as the real thing (sbd, jenvey)? Or would it be easier n cheaper to put a 2.0XE in it?? Any help please cos i might be able to get some sleep tonite then!lol

[Adam]

No they aren't as good as the real thing, but the big losses come from poorly designed, diy'd inlet manifolds....
With a good manifold, equal length runners etc, they have the potential to be as good.


Its ALWAYS cheaper to fit a xe.

[haydn_123]

Its ALWAYS cheaper to fit a xe.

Short n sweet but i think thats sold it! cheers fela.

[ck]

for good and simple gains you cant really beat a 20xe... if you went for bike TB's i'd use honda cbr1100x blackbird throttle bodies. the spacing is pretty much perfect for the small block xe's, i have a set here, not got round to getting the inlet made up yet tho :(

[craig green]

The aspects not yet mentioned are ignition & management

[meritlover]

...which along with setup/dyno time are/can be considerable costs when weighed against an XE conversion

[Rexy]

xe wins hand down IMO ;) for tunability and big power at low costs they can be made to handle very very very well.

If your thinking of modifying an engine consider starting with the 20xe. if you just want a little bit more power than standard and happy to pootle around with a 1.6 in standard form keep to the 16xe idea or dont want to spend loads on big power.

Im keeping to the x16xe idea, as once the conversion shafts and strengthening plates, welding etc has been done it works out cheaper to run a std x16xe over a 20xe. The only mods i will be doing is a lightened flywheel, bottom pully (if i can get hold of one) and poss a mantzel power box. Internals will remain the same Then again if i have the money and fancy a little screamer a set of carbs could be an idea with some cams and headwork but then we are going silly with a 1600 lol :D

For me its all about costs and power:pound, so i will always go for the cheaper option.

Edited as per below

[meritlover]

it really depends what you like.

if you like tuning engines then playing with an 8/16V and some management is a great way to learn theyre like door stops now when you walk into scrap yards.

Or:

if you just want a nova to go fast for the price of a few beers and an afternoons work.. or just want a car to go quick as you can as cheaply and easily as you can....then thats up to you.
maybe you do want a fast nova but dont want a heavy 20XE up front and want something different.

you cant tell someone whats the better choice. you can only help them weigh up their options....like this post

[haydn_123]

Redtop it is!! I was trying to do something different but it costs money to be different? Besides restoring the shell's taking long enough, if i was to tune a 1600 i wouldnt get the damn thing finished this side of 30!!lol.

How heavy do people find the 2.0ls up front- i've already seam welded the shell and it came with "ebay" coilovers, will it handle ok or will i be bouncing from pillar to post?? I've got a full power steering set up from a corsa gsi, would it be worth putting on or do they not need it!! Sorry to ask questions that have probably been asked a thousand times before!

[craig green]

You dont need the power steering. The fr end isnt overly heavy, but the steering feel & characteristics will feel blunted compared with a smallblock Nova.

Your coilovers will likely benefit from some 275 or 300lb fr springs to help hold up the extra weight.