whats the best head to fit to my 18e 8v engine?

[recoveryman]

i've recently bought a fully rebuilt 18e bottom end think it was from a mk2 cavalier, it has new rods and pistons, con-rods are weight matched, polished crankshaft etc, i will be putting this engine into my nova and would like to know the best combination of cylinder head and management that will fit this engine, i have been told that people used to use 18e head and management on a 2.0 block to raise the compression ratio and wondered would fitting a nova gte 1.6 head to my block have the same effect as this or whats the best route to take with this, any help or info on this build would be greatly appreciated, thanks.:thumb:

[jimbob-mcgrew]

i dont think the 1.6 head will fit on that block, i think the big blocks (1800 upwards) are slightly wider in diameter compared to the small blocks (1200 - 1600)

i think your only choice might be a stock 1800 carb/spi/mpi top end for it (skimmed if u fancied) the mpi's are getting kinda rare now tho, and the carbs even more so, plenty of spi's found in mk.3 cavaliers tho.

i wonder if a 16v top end will fit it ?

[recoveryman]

thanks mate saves me wasting money on a 1.6 head that would be useless to me, so it sounds like the best option would be a mpi 1.8 head? would i be right in thinking that would be an 18e head then?? if so is there anyone on here who has one for sale?? if i cant get the mpi head i was thinking about running bike carbs or twin 40s on this engine, if i done that then would these carbs be compatible with any one of the heads mentioned?? ie spi/carb heads??

[jimbob-mcgrew]

yeh most likely it'll be an 18SE head. i know for sure they made the mk.1 astra gte with that engine in (115 bhp if i recall) and most likely stuck it in a few mk.2 cavaliers. prety rare, but if u keep looking youll probably come across one complete that u can use everything to go with your fresh bottom end.

if no luck tho and u deside go down the bike carb route with an spi head, im not quite sure, the carbs will deffo interchange between whatever heads you choose (with a lil modification), but the inlet manifold ports could be different on all 3 versions, those older carb heads id imagine are most likely square port, but could possibly be cathederal shaped, the spi's will more than likely be square too, the mpi however will most probably be circular.

if u can hold out, id say wait for an mpi top end for it, as the mpi heads have superior flow characteristics in comparison to the carb and spi. plus youll have a more economical, reliable engine.

if you didnt allready know, i think youll need an engine mount conversion kit to fit that into the nova, and you might have to build your own driveshafts up for it using mk.2 cavalier inner c.v's i think are the ones ?

thinking about it tho, all the hassle you have to go thru and possible costs for the 1.8 top, might be easier and cheaper sticking a 2.0 8v mpi in, same fitting as the 1.8 and you could probably buy a cheap mot failed cavalier with it all in and running (15 extra bhp engine)

ill leave it upto you :thumb:

[craig green]

18E head. As said, people used to fit the 1800 heads to 2.0L which raises the CR a touch. Fabulous engines those 18E's. I want one.

[recoveryman]

yeah i think the 1.8e head might be my best option just ive heard that they are scarce does anyone on here have any 18e bits going cheap then?:thumb:

[16v Nova Kev]

i have a 2.0 engine with an 1.8 head on it

[djshaggeh]

I think there was a complete 18E engine for sale on mig a couple of weeks back. Might be worth a look.

[djshaggeh]

http://http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/mk1-astra-gte-engine_W0QQitemZ150386491190QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAut omobiles_UK?hash=item2303bbbf36

just looking on ebay and came across this

[jimbob-mcgrew]

lol shaggy the engine finder

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/mk1-astra-gte-engine_W0QQitemZ150386491190QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAut omobiles_UK?hash=item2303bbbf36

that 44 is most likely 144 thou, but if your sticking a fresh bottom end on it, doesnt really matter, vavle stem seals and cam/follower wear in the head will prob be the worst culprits if its tired. hopefully the injectors and engine sensors are all good.

[recoveryman]

thanks a lot guys ive got a bid on that now everything complete like that would be a bonus ill be watching eagerly now:)