PDA

View Full Version : Xe differences???



puss puss
02-02-10, 09:16 PM
Thought i would post this in the muppet corner as i feel like a muppet for asking ;)

my 1st xe engine so go easy on me


Whats the difference between the c20xe's i understand they came out of a astra, cav and cab.

I think mine came out of a astra and is a early distrubutor type? Anyone got a picture of one for me to tell them apart from the later one?

Let the fun begin!

P.S I need a loom now :cool: (got ecu motorinc (sp) one lol)

Iain
02-02-10, 09:19 PM
There's 20XE (earlier) and C20XEs, so maybe check the engine code?

What are you trying to distinguish between them?

bazil
02-02-10, 09:20 PM
I've got a dizzy one too, but on the block it's not a C20XE it's just a 20XE :confused:

eightvalver
02-02-10, 09:22 PM
The earlier ones from the astra gte's have 156bhp. The later ones from the Cavs have 150bhp.

The later ones were introdced sometime in 1991, as an attempt to lower emissions.

DAFTJOHN
02-02-10, 09:24 PM
Ah never knew that, that why mine done 159 on the rollers. Just bought plugs and filter but asked for c20xe parts...hope they fit?

bazil
02-02-10, 09:27 PM
I've been told the earlier engines have lighter crankshafts, it may explain the extra bit of power,

hendrix
02-02-10, 09:37 PM
no lambda sensor on the 20xe iirc

eightvalver
02-02-10, 09:42 PM
Maybe we need a whole new thread.... but wouldn't that be C20XE - ''C'' as in Catylist?

Any expert on engine codes??

bazil
02-02-10, 09:44 PM
no lambda sensor on the 20xe iirc
Yip that's right on mine:thumb:

Adam
02-02-10, 09:49 PM
The extra 6hp comes from a lack of Cat

bazil
02-02-10, 09:54 PM
Maybe we need a whole new thread.... but wouldn't that be C20XE - ''C'' as in Catylist?

Any expert on engine codes??

the first letter C , E, Z. Is the emisions code iirc

puss puss
02-02-10, 09:55 PM
ok guys where can i find the engine code on the engine block i guess somewhere lol?

i need to know as i want to get a loom for it soon and also mine has the 02 sensor

mr5050
02-02-10, 09:58 PM
i always thought that the coscast head only came on the early astra 20xe engine. what is the difference between the ignition systems?

Iain
02-02-10, 10:00 PM
Engine code is on the ridge where it meets the gearbox.

mowgli
02-02-10, 10:01 PM
why is a serious thread like this in muppet???????

eightvalver
02-02-10, 10:05 PM
the first letter C , E, Z. Is the emisions code iirc

Oh of course, so C would be the highest emmissions band (3%?) and Z being the lowest at 0.5%?

w88rdy
02-02-10, 10:07 PM
Im sure early 20xe had a lighter crank and flywheel was flat type also, i will be corrected im sure if im wrong lol

Lee
02-02-10, 10:09 PM
Right, 3 different types. Early 20XE's ran dizzies and had no lambda. Next came the C20XE's which ran a lambda but still ran a dizzy. Later C20XE's used a coilpack instead of a dizzy. Thats the main ways do differentiate at a glance, there are other differences.

Cosscast heads tended to be used on the Astra 2 GTe's on the 20XE's but some found their way onto Astra 3's and a few cavs.

Engine code is on the front face of the block near the gearbox. It will probably be caked in crud and nigh on impossible to read though.

And there is a guide on engine codes in the Articles section. It was one of the first ones we put in so itll be near the back

Edit: http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93409

mr5050
02-02-10, 10:16 PM
were all 20xe's c20xe' etc as reliable as each other or was one engine more robust?

Lee
02-02-10, 10:31 PM
Just the pourus head problem

The 'porous' problem with GM heads is not actually a pourosity problem, the heads actually crack, and the main reason for this was the manufacturers got the torque settings for the headbolts wrong, so early GM headed engines will have spent a certain amount of their life under stress.

A Cosscast head will not give you any more power, despite the name, and im my experience, if you a tuning an engine, a GM head will actually flow better if you mod it :)

blue_peg_16v
02-02-10, 10:33 PM
there all as reliable as each other lees blown them all up lol

puss puss
02-02-10, 10:46 PM
Right, 3 different types. Early 20XE's ran dizzies and had no lambda. Next came the C20XE's which ran a lambda but still ran a dizzy. Later C20XE's used a coilpack instead of a dizzy. Thats the main ways do differentiate at a glance, there are other differences.

Cosscast heads tended to be used on the Astra 2 GTe's on the 20XE's but some found their way onto Astra 3's and a few cavs.

Engine code is on the front face of the block near the gearbox. It will probably be caked in crud and nigh on impossible to read though.

And there is a guide on engine codes in the Articles section. It was one of the first ones we put in so itll be near the back

Edit: http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93409

Right i belive mine is a early c20xe then it has the dizzy and also a lambda sensor with the coscast head :)

Just to keep it all in one thread what loom do i need a astra one or will any c20xe loom do the job? (early loom that is)

bmw156
02-02-10, 10:48 PM
puss puss, i have a loom and ecu i dont need for an XE.

and what does the cambelt set up look like. as they changed early to late

ill try and get some pics :)

bmw156
02-02-10, 10:49 PM
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/c20xe/DSC_2344.jpg

ok that is an early type ^ mine also lol, note the pulley arrangement

Lee
02-02-10, 11:02 PM
Yeah, some had square tooth belts, some had round tooth blah blah. Vauxhall were as bad as Ford for mixing and matching stuff.

As for looms, so long as you have one that will run a lambda and a dizzy, it will work with yours.

mowgli
02-02-10, 11:03 PM
can this get moved to mech please??? its quite a good engine thread.

edit, thankyou powers that be

puss puss
02-02-10, 11:03 PM
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/bmw156/c20xe/DSC_2344.jpg

ok that is an early type ^ mine also lol, note the pulley arrangement

Mine is the same setup, just went and had a look with a 02 sensor in the exhaust

and the dizzy on the exhaust cam? i think thats what it is lol

pm me price for the loom i got the ecu dunno if i need your one as well or what lol cheers mate :thumb:

Lee
02-02-10, 11:05 PM
Mine is the same setup, just went and had a look with a 02 sensor in the exhaust

and the dizzy on the exhaust cam? i think thats what it is lol

pm me price for the loom i got the ecu dunno if i need your one as well or what lol cheers mate :thumb:

Take the ECU as well unless you are sure you have the correct one for the engine.

puss puss
02-02-10, 11:06 PM
can this get moved to mech please??? its quite a good engine thread.


Sure just contact a mod i only put it in here because i felt like a muppet for asking this question in the 1st place :thumb:


Yeah, some had square tooth belts, some had round tooth blah blah. Vauxhall were as bad as Ford for mixing and matching stuff.

As for looms, so long as you have one that will run a lambda and a dizzy, it will work with yours.

Ok thanks for the loom information i will have to hunt one down now :tard:


and vauxhall as bad as FORD! :mad::cry::mad: wash your mouth out with soap sir!

puss puss
02-02-10, 11:07 PM
Take the ECU as well unless you are sure you have the correct one for the engine.

am sure its the right one doesnt the ecu need "coding" to the engine as such? am pretty new to this stuff :thumb:

Lee
02-02-10, 11:09 PM
Sure just contact a mod i only put it in here because i felt like a muppet for asking this question in the 1st place :thumb:



Ok thanks for the loom information i will have to hunt one down now :tard:


and vauxhall as bad as FORD! :mad::cry::mad: wash your mouth out with soap sir!

Its already moved ;)

Ford Escort MK5's have 5 different types of alternator, and theres no way to tell which ones in there until you remove it so they were blatantly rummaging around in the parts bin towards the end of their manufacture :roll:

Lee
02-02-10, 11:11 PM
am sure its the right one doesnt the ecu need "coding" to the engine as such? am pretty new to this stuff :thumb:

no coding needed, but you will need the correct ecu to run a lambda with dizzy, as opposed to a coilpack

bazil
02-02-10, 11:14 PM
Well so far in this thread I know that I have an early 20 xe with all the right bits attached and loom and brain my only question is how do I spot a coscast head? The engine is fully build with both manifolds attached and has been sitting that way for the last 7 years in my workshop!

bmw156
02-02-10, 11:16 PM
coscast head,

its stamped on the under side of the right front,
there is a different end casting.

and the main one looking front on, the heat shield tabs are not circles, they merge into the head

Lee
02-02-10, 11:17 PM
Look on the side of the head on the gearbox side. If there is a hole blocked up with a core plug, its a GM. if there is no hole at all, its coscast.

Coscast is also stamped on the rim, but again, youll never find it, its probably caked in poo lol

bmw156
02-02-10, 11:18 PM
http://www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk/showthread.php?62492-Coscast-GM%28KS%29-Head-differences-%28Photos%29

bazil
02-02-10, 11:30 PM
Cheers guys, early XE with GM head, it has the core plug:thumb:

lewisvalver
03-02-10, 12:01 AM
im sure mine is from a late cav as its coil pack,info from the engine code said its only 138bhp:(

rubachuk
03-02-10, 09:38 AM
138bhp is the Ecotec is it not?

lewisvalver
03-02-10, 05:07 PM
138bhp is the Ecotec is it not?

im not sure....can anyone confirm if the 138bhp is an ecotec?my engine code starts with c20xe ...

bmw156
03-02-10, 05:10 PM
isnt an ecowreck a z20xe? might be wrong
and whats the top look like......has it got a straight black plug cover or an L shaped plug cover

lewisvalver
03-02-10, 05:12 PM
isnt an ecowreck a z20xe? might be wrong
and whats the top look like......has it got a straight black plug cover or an L shaped plug cover

its an L shaped plug cover mate:thumb:

Lee
03-02-10, 05:13 PM
Ecotec is C20XEV :)

138 bhp will be the output with the CAT. if its now in your nova without a CAT, it will make 150 BUT its probably tired and only making 130 odd anyway lol

lewisvalver
03-02-10, 05:20 PM
Ecotec is C20XEV :)

138 bhp will be the output with the CAT. if its now in your nova without a CAT, it will make 150 BUT its probably tired and only making 130 odd anyway lol

ok thanks mate,i was certain it wasnt an ecotec but i was still a bit worried there lol

Lee H
03-02-10, 08:08 PM
Ecotec is C20XEV :)

138 bhp will be the output with the CAT. if its now in your nova without a CAT, it will make 150 BUT its probably tired and only making 130 odd anyway lol

Ecotec is X20XEV.

Lee
03-02-10, 10:05 PM
Ecotec is X20XEV.

LOL, that was an honest typo, but less convincing than if i put S20XEV. I like the fact C, X and Z are all next to each other. Any uber lazyness by the man who made up the emmission codes gen? lol