The Nova engine classifications

[Tidy Max]

Can somebody please explain to me the differnat classes of engine that can be put in a nova, i understand the differant engine sizes but not the deviations! like c20let, c20xe? ones a turbo right?
well when someone says XE a nova? what does that mean :S
thanks for any help!:roll:

[Stuart]

XE = 2.0 16V (usually.... there are 1.4/1.6/1.8's too)
LET = 2.0 16V Turbo.

[Dod]

Also, in addition....

1000cc = Push Rod

1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6 = Small Block OHC (overhead Cam)

1.8, 2.0 = Big Block OHC, never came standard in a Nova.

XE usually means to C20XE and engine, a 2.0 16v as found in GSi Cavaliers etc, although there is a range of alternative XE Engines, the Ecotec Engine produced circa 95 on. They have both small block and big block examples and are all DOHC (Double Overhead Cam)

Note though, the Big block engines do fit, but they're not a straight swap and your Nova realisticially needs to have some welding to aid strengthening to cope effectively.

[Jack]

Engine codes explained (http://www.topbuzz.co.uk/info/engine_codes/engine_codes.htm)

[hendrix]

knew it would be you to post that RJ hehehe

[Tidy Max]

thanks very much ill have a read when i get a free 5 minutes! cheers!

[Tidy Max]

so are ALL XE's (not just 2.0l) double OHCs? or can an XE also be single?

[Jack]

Theoretically, yes. X refers to the compression ratio of 10.0 to 11.5, and E refers to multipoint injection; the code doesn't account for it being DOHC. I don't know off hand of any SOHC xe's though.

[Dod]

Yeah they are all Twin Cams.

[Tidy Max]

cool, does having a twin cam account for a higher compression rate then? as that would make sense in terms of the codings!

[Stuart]

nope, twin cam and comprssion ratio hold little to NO links with one and other in engineering terms.

[Tidy Max]

sorry to restart this oldish thread but my mind has been wandering to these compression ratios again, what causes a compression ratios value??

[Pistol Pete]

A quick search on wikipedia brings up...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compression_ratio

[Welsh Dan]

The bore of the cylinder, the length of the stroke, and the size of the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is the pocket in the head/top of the piston when the piston is all the way up and is usually around 10x smaller than the size of the area with the piston all the way down, for a petrol engine.