Best engine upgrade 8V only

[Markd89]

Ok, i have around £200 to play with.
What will the best engine for my nova been, its currently a 1.2 spi
I've just found out changing to a 1.4 carb will be a ball ache

I was thinking of a 1.6 8v GTE 100bhp, what else will i need to change
Or are they any other spi that are better than 70bhp

Just want something to fit straight in having to change no hubs etc

Help appreciated

[AlexW]

None, as by the sounds your not wanting to tell your insurance.

Smallblock 16v.

[Andy]

Why do you think that?

[Markd89]

None, as by the sounds your not wanting to tell your insurance.

Smallblock 16v.

Explain why it sounds as though i dont want to tell my insurance ?
Because i want an 8v to make it look the same or maybe because working on 8v engine are alot easier and are bulletproof.

Book by its cover

[Andy]

Dont mind him hes a fukkin idiot who chats sh1t

[vaughanmc]

1400 SRi engine or as you said a GTE/GSi engine mate :)

Never mind AW lol He's gay

[Markd89]

Dont mind him hes a fukkin idiot who chats sh1t :thumb:

The corsa sri engine is the same as the nova sri engine isnt it ?
Is there alot of work envolved to change spi to mpi

I presume fuel pump is one of them

Just looked one ebay and there is hardly any 1.6 mpi or 1.4 mpi on

[vaughanmc]

Aye it's much the same mate :)

I think it's only the fuel pump you need to change, don't quote me on that though...

[craig green]

Got to be a 1400 or 1600 MPI.

You need the engine, full wiring loom & ECu + an F13/15 gearbox, fuel tank & MPI pump.

If you havent done it, atleast 2.0 16v (astra/Cav) spec brakes & decent suspension need to be added.

[Andy]

For the money spent and time involved,its much more cos effective to plant a Gte/Gsi engine in there mate.Be sure to get the loom,ecu,afm and engine and box and you shouldnt go far wrong

[Markd89]

Already hae some 2.0 cavvy brakes to go on, coilovers will be ordered soon as i can source an engine to be taken off the road when the tax runs out
May have to buy a mk3 astra engine instead

Edit - Andy

Yea thanks for that, i have done a few corsas upgrades from 1.0 to 1.6 16v's etc
I dont know alot about novas but the running gear etc seems the same ( we'll see )

[Andy]

Running gear is the same
If you have done them in corsa's then i really cant see you struggling with a Nova to be honest

[craig green]

The 1400 SRi engines from a Nova have the ECU loom integrated into the car loom as does your 1200 SPi. If you can source a 1400 or 1600 MPI from an Astra Cesaro, that would be the best option as the Astras had seperate looms. Not sure how the Corsas were done.

[Markd89]

i will have to look into it carefully dont want to rush in and find i have missing parts but im sure it will all fit with a big hammer
It may be cheaper for me to buy a 1.6 8v astra i can get one for £250
most 1.6 8v have around 80+ bhp which i will be happy with

[craig green]

..... but might not be an MPI. 1.6 MPI = 100bhp.

MPI = 1 fuel injector per cylinder.

[Markd89]

Yea, the spi kicks out around 75 bhp, the standard 1.4 mpi is 80
I will stick with mpi but by looks of it theres alot of astras still available cheap

[burgo]

why are you determined to stay 8v?? if i had £200 id go to a 1.6 16v

[craig green]

Agree. No less 'bomb proof'.
I think the pro-8v argument is spawned from ageing dealer technicians not wanting to learn the technicalities of twin cams & SFi.

[Markd89]

Burgo - mainly because 16v means 8 more valves to bend :)
Just personal choice really prefer to work on 8v as they are easier
Few of my mates have blown 1.6 16v and 1.4 16v's
i've only ever had 8v cars 1.2 1.4 1.8 never had any problems with them some with 145k + just seem more reliable and easier to work on

[burgo]

even if your worried about the insurance increase. i got a quote to go from a 12st to a 1.6 16v and it was £130 extra. but ive got a dr10 and in10 so yours shouldnt go up that much. even then i can gat baby xe's for £70 all day long so £70 for the engine and £130 for insurance is £200

[Markd89]

i suppose, isnt there alot more workon the wiring side of things
i cannot wire, cd players is as far as i go.
I can get a 1.6 16v engine for £80 with 80k on the clock a mate of mine is stripping his corsa.
I will have to read up alot more by sounds of it + getting insrance quotes

[Guderian]

What size tyres you got? Any mods to springs/damper set up or brakes at this time? Budget is going to be stretched i would say

[Markd89]

What size tyres you got? Any mods to springs/damper set up or brakes at this time? Budget is going to be stretched i would say

The £200 is just for the engine side

suspension wheels bit of tuning etc i have around £600 to play with

I already have a 2.0 breaks ready from my corsa

[burgo]

there is a few more wires yes but thats what this place is for. there is more than enough people who can advice you and maybe even come and help you.

to be fair youve got it perfect if your mate is stripping his corsa as you can deffinetly get everything you need

[Markd89]

hmm, what started out to be a 1.6 8v might turn into a redtop lol
I will see what i can come up with and yea, this site is very useful cheers

[burgo]

no you dont want a big block. novas dont handle with them dontcha know lol