Engine

[C-R-A-I-G]

Hi,
Im not a usual to this site as i drive a corsa:roll: (Im always on CorsaSport)But i need some info that i fought you lot would know best so here i go;

Im thinking of putting a 1.6 8V Engine into my Corsa 1.4 16V Sport but i need to know what these engines are like and how much power can relistically be made out of them without costing loads of £££?

Are they reliable and can they take some hard driving?Also is there any to watch out for?
What is the Engine code on these?C16SE?

And finally has anyone fitted these to a Corsa by any chance?(I know this is the wrong site to be asking this but a thought i would try my luck?)

Any help much appreciated:thumb:
Thanks
Craig

[Pistol Pete]

I may be wrong here but surely there isnt a massive difference between your 1400 16v and a 1600 8v? A few choice mods on your original engine should see some good power gains?

[Leeboo]

If I was you I'd tune the 1400. Inlet, full exhaust, induction kit and a service should see more power than a GTE lump?

[C-R-A-I-G]

Yes your right,if im not wrong the 1.6 8V has 100bhp,and my engine has 90bhp,so there isnt much diffrence at all.
But my engine is on its last legs and the Ecotech engines arnt very reliable unless you spend quite some money on them,so i need a replacement and thats why i thought of C16SE.
Also i prefer 8V's as there cheaper to modify and much easier to work on.

Craig

[Pistol Pete]

I would guess that the 1600 8v wiring side may be abit tricky? When you say your engine is on its last legs, in what way? As said above, decent exhaust, induction kit, dblias (sp) inlet, maybe some headwork, happy days!!

[C-R-A-I-G]

Do you not recommend the 1600 like?Well it is smoking like hell so i think the headgasket or oils stem seals or something are on the way out,and i would rarher just fit a new engine then fix it,becuase as ive said the ecotech engines arnt very reliable and cant take much abuse unless £££ gets spent on them,also it is using alot of petrol only getting 200miles if im lucky to a full tank £45.

[craig green]

Economy is probably down to a £10 CTS sensor tbh.

I doubt theres much in it speed/power wise. The 1600 8v MPi isnt that great out of the box IMO which is probably why most people prefer the idea of a buzzy little twin cam. If you go for the catted C16SE, its not so tuneable esp when you have a cat required car, whereas the older E16Se we have in GTE's & most GSi's doesnt have a cat or lambda probe & is easier to tweak & buy more bits for.

Tbh it sounds ike you are better off sticking a 1600 16v in there. More gain, same hassle.

[Pistol Pete]

As CG said stick the 1600 16v in and enjoy! You could always mod it before fitting it aswell.

[C-R-A-I-G]

But i really dont want a Ecotech engine,also the 1.6 8V's are cheap for 100bhp,i would be doing a light rebuild on it and will be slightly modding it so it will have roughly the same power as a modded 1400.

So Craig Green is that the only diffrence between the two engines?If so then i will opt for a E16SE.

I have also seen a 1.6 8V Turbo for sale so i am trying to buy this so if i do then that will defo be the engine that i will choose.

[Ben]

Very easy to fit into a corsa, and can tune to a reliable 140bhp with relative ease.

[MC]

Mark Sutton from Corsasport has a 1.6 8v in his Corsa. Was fitted by Jamsport and he seems happy with it. The 1.6 8v shares the same block as the 16v so there is no difference in reliability there. The 8v wont have the tendency to generate smoke like the 16v.

Tell me how much you have to spend on mods, and I'll tell you what horsepower/torque you can get.

[C-R-A-I-G]

Ben;Nice one mate,thanks for that info.To get that much power what would that involve?Full exhaust,Manifold,Cam + Vernuier Pulley,Remap and Induction Kit?
Whats the most power you can get out of them?

Thanks
Craig

[Ben]

Like MC said all depends on your budget.

[C-R-A-I-G]

Well at the minute i havnt really got anything but hopefully soonish(This Year)Im going to have anywhere between £5-8000,i know i could get alot of power/diffrent engines for that but i dont really want to spend it all on cars and plus im still quite young and havnt been driving years.....
But as i say the X14XE Engine isnt running great and just isnt quite fast enough,so i just want something quick easy cheap and reliable.

So what would/could i be looking at?

[Rich]

you have to remember the power feels different between 8v/16v. I personally would stick with a 16v engine, you can pick up the c16xe quite cheap? An inlet and exhaust and you will have a nice engine.

[Ben]

I personally would keep your eyes out for a engine already built/tuned such as a either of the 1.4 or the 1.6 16v on TB's or similar can pick them up for £6-800 and saves you a fortune. or if you are stuck on the 8v route do the same but with the 8v engine.

The ecotecs got a reputation of being crap years ago because people were scared of a change and everyone loves the old XE's etc, some serious reliable power can be gained from them.

Or another option find a cheap 1.4 16v swap it with yours and rebuild your engine to a decent spec.

[craig green]

Putting a powerbox inlet onto a 16v (be it 1400 or 1600) is by far the most cost effective thing you can do IMO. Though I appreciate it involves another engine in either case.

Remapping is a term bandied around all too easily though. It is relevant to the 16v's but not an 8v on the older management, also consider your Corsa will need to pass the emmissions test come MOT time, with the earlier 8v this isnt possible.

8v turbo's are few & far between, so getting one in the condition you want & close to you (saw your wanted ad) isnt likely IMO.

[Ben]

TBH i think powerbox are sh!te from my experience.

[craig green]

TBH i think powerbox are sh!te from my experience.

Cheap ebay imitation made in a boys shed, or Mantzel jobbie?

I'm certainly not complaining with my Mantzel'd 1600, plenty of low down torque (for a valver) & it goes nutts @ 4k rpm. :D

[Ben]

mantzel ones they were the in thing for a year or so and fetching £500, 12 months later everyone cant sell them fast enough, luckyily i got out whilst the market was still strong.

Each to there own and all that but have drove a couple of Nova's with either Mantzel or the Steinmetz one fitted and not rated any of them.

[C-R-A-I-G]

Well im just going to keep my eyes open then,but finding a cheapish 1400 or 1600 engine already done up will be quite hard and may take some time.But whereas the 1.6 8V's are quite common and also cheap so there not to hard to find.I really want a 1.6 8v Turbo so im keeping a good track on the 1 for sale at the min.

The C16XE could be a option,so thats why im not going to dive into anything yet.

I would just like to say a big thanks to everyone who has replied(Although i may be more confused now lol)Because i have posted a similar thread up on CS and got no joy really which is quite disapointing.

[Ben]

Corsasport are great if you want to fit a slashcut 6" jap exhaust.

[C-R-A-I-G]

Well after only spending 1 full day on this site,i can honestly say it is much better then CS,You lot are much more helpfull and honest.So i thnik your about right there mate.

[ck]

the 1400 16v is the engine to keep, dont bother switching to 8v its no way worth it.

never known of any reliability issues with the x14xe in the couple years i used to run one and many friends have them now..

a cheapy inlet manifold and the x14xe will be over the 1600 8v's power.

legally you will have to inform your insurance, you might need an engineers report as it will now have a conversion. the TAX bracket will be higher and cost u quite abit more each year in tax.

endless reasons to keep the x14xe to be honest...

[Ben]

yeah good point re the tax issues.

[C-R-A-I-G]

Anymore help on this folks?

[DW-Nova]

I would definetley stray away from the x14xe tbh mate, as you say they need a fair bit spent on them to give a good reliable source of power, the piston rings and hydraulic tappets are very common aswell as the big end, if i remember correctley the X18XE1 goes staright in ? however you'll still be stuck with the ecotec, how abouts either a 2l 8v or 1.8 8v ? or simply stick with your original idea.

[C-R-A-I-G]

Yeah thats what i mean,i thnik i am pretty sure/confident that i will not be sticking with my engine or an Ecotech for that matter.I know there is other Engine options out there,and the 2l 8V + 1.8 8V are good Engines and would be a good upgrade but the 2L 8V is to much work/money to fit,and as for the 1.8 8V you dont really see that many for about.
Thats why i thought of a 1.6 8V,also i forgot to mention that i am quite young still...so there is that problem with Insurance.

Everyone is welcome to a say/opinion though and i grant that.So again thanks for the help + veiws.

Craig

[Ben]

Dont even consider fitting a 2.0 8v into a corsa! might as well just get a sunstrip saying bad engine choice onboard

[rodgers]

id say just plonk 2litre 8v-16v in tbh

[C-R-A-I-G]

I am not going to fit a 2l Engine in,but why do you say that Ben?

[Mike]

8v turbo's are few & far between, so getting one in the condition you want & close to you (saw your wanted ad) isnt likely IMO.

So true Craig! Far easier to build one then wait for one for sale lol

[C-R-A-I-G]

Whats would be needed to build one?And also how much would it cost?

[Mike]

Whats would be needed to build one?And also how much would it cost?

You can build one for around £500 including the engine if you find the right parts. Mine would of owe'd me just over £600 if I hadnt gone mad buying silly high priced/spec engine parts, copias amounts of blingy parts and over £200 of silicon water hose's lol lol

[C-R-A-I-G]

Well if i cant find one soon,then i will probz just have a go and make my own,but the only thing that puts me of is Knowlegde of which parts i need and where i can actually get them from.

Mike,
Could you make me a FULL list of everything required?Bearing in mind this is going into a X14XE Corsa Sport!And also where did you buy the bits from(Just second hand)How much will it cost to get it done by a Specialist Garage I.E Courtnay?

Thanks

[Mike]

Full list is a no no im afraid, mines an 8v not a baby XE.

Near enough everthing has been sourced via eBay & google though. Courtenay chage upwards of £3.5k IIRC to charge an 1600 8v upto 150bhp. Whereas mine should make around 180bhp for around £800.

[C-R-A-I-G]

Why is a Full list a no no?Obz i will need;
Engine
Turbo Manifold
Turbo
Intercooler
Exhaust
Stand Alone Managemant?
Oil feed pipes
Pipes/Tubing
Rebuild Bits

Anything else?Can i just use my Engine/Gbox mounts?Radiator..Ect?

Craig

[Mike]

Why is a Full list a no no?Obz i will need;
Engine - What engine? What compression ratio you aiming for?
Turbo Manifold - Er where from? WILL have to be custom
Turbo - What size? Which one?
Intercooler - Chargecooler?
Exhaust - Will need to fabricate a complete front section from scratch
Stand Alone Managemant? No a necessity TBH
Oil feed pipes - Depend on what charger used
Pipes/Tubing - Boost piping, all custom gear TBH.
Rebuild Bits

Anything else?Can i just use my Engine/Gbox mounts?Radiator..Ect?

Craig

Not as easy as that chap! Exhaust manifold is a total custom one off jobbie what ever you go about it :D just depends on how much your will to pay to make one yourself or how smart you are with regards to metal work/engineering.

Compression ratio is another key thing the people dont realise aswell. Aswell as fuelling, what charger to use, exhaust down pipe is a pain too.

[C-R-A-I-G]

Ooh i see,This is what i mean i just dont have the knowledge to build a Engine as such,but i do have the knowledge to rebuild one and put it in.

Well for the Engine,Either a C16SE OR E16SE,Using a 3mm spacer plate + a few head gaskets to lower compression?(What does it need to be?)
How do you make your own Turbo Manifold?
Turbo - Garret AR48
Intercooler - What do you mean Chargecooler?
Exhaust - I know i would have to make,but i could get any exhaust place to do yeah?
ECU - So i could just use the 1.6 8V ECU?
Would i need Oil pipes with that Turbo?
And the Boost pipes - What do i make them out of and how?
Also fuelling - What do i have to do/change here?(Fuel pump,Injectors?)

I am no good with Metal work as i have never done any before.

Sorry for all the questions and me being thick,but i have never done anything like this before,but i really want to make this happen and give it a serious go,but i just didnt relise there was so much work involved.How did you manage to do all this for £800?
I do much appreciate your help though.

Thanks
Craig

[C-R-A-I-G]

Anymore help anyone?

[Pistol Pete]

No offence but engine conversions arent new. Have a look around the site, i'm sure you will get loads of info. I noticed you are on migweb aswell. Plenty of info between both sites.

[Mike]

Ooh i see,This is what i mean i just dont have the knowledge to build a Engine as such,but i do have the knowledge to rebuild one and put it in.

Well for the Engine,Either a C16SE OR E16SE,Using a 3mm spacer plate + a few head gaskets to lower compression?(What does it need to be?)
How do you make your own Turbo Manifold?
Turbo - Garret AR48
Intercooler - What do you mean Chargecooler?
Exhaust - I know i would have to make,but i could get any exhaust place to do yeah?
ECU - So i could just use the 1.6 8V ECU?
Would i need Oil pipes with that Turbo?
And the Boost pipes - What do i make them out of and how?
Also fuelling - What do i have to do/change here?(Fuel pump,Injectors?)

I am no good with Metal work as i have never done any before.

Sorry for all the questions and me being thick,but i have never done anything like this before,but i really want to make this happen and give it a serious go,but i just didnt relise there was so much work involved.How did you manage to do all this for £800?
I do much appreciate your help though.

Thanks
Craig

Im not being funny or anything, but, being as your asking those qeustions that indicates to me that you really would be funked building a charged NA engine chap! Dont take that the wrong way, but TBH thats what im thinking here!

[C-R-A-I-G]

Pete58,Im on every Vauxhall site going and i thought the same as you but its actually not the case.

And Mike you could be right but thats why i am asking for help before i start anything.I just need to know a few things and get my head around some stuff first.
As i say i know how to rebuild engines etc but i have never Turbocharged one before,but i really want to give this ago.Surely there is a first time for everything and no harm in trying?
Thats why i fought you might be able to help me out seeing as you have a 1600 T yourself?
I now know a little bit more,but i could still doing with some help on;
Which Intercooler to use?
The Oil And Boost piping
And what to make the Compression plate out of?

And if theres anything else i have missed out,and may need to know?

If someone could help,that is all i am asking?

Craig

[Mike]

Erm, you'll prolly be best off paying to become a memeber, and reading through the massive WiP thread ive got on the go in the members section chap, theres shizzle loads of theories, mechanical work, general banter and all kinds of automotive goodness in there.

[C-R-A-I-G]

How much is it?

Craig

[Pistol Pete]

£10.

As the 1600 isnt a turbo charged engine from standard, converting one is kind of trail and error i guess!? There are a few that have been done. Have a look through the projects section. Take some pointers from there and see what you come up with.:)

[Mike]

converting one is kind of trail and error i guess!?

So true!!

[C-R-A-I-G]

Ok Chaps,Will do,but beleive me i am trying!

Thanks
Craig