Best Engine For Power And Handling

[lukestavrinidis2008]

I would like to decide what engine to use in my nova

I was going to keep small block, but sometimes i think i want something with alot more power.

Just wonderd what engine people recommend

I would like to keep the handling of my car, but get the best performance possible aswell, what would the best engine be for me??

[General Baxter]

c20xe, with the correct suspension and tyres

[lukestavrinidis2008]

My car project thred http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145899

[novacabrio]

small block 16 16v on throttle bodies with internal work if money is no object, or as baxter says xe with nice set up will work and is alot cheaper

[lukestavrinidis2008]

Money is abit tight, but as much as i would like the power right now if it was to make the differance i would rather do things slowley and get it all done right first time

[milko96]

x18xe1....

[vaughanmc]

Small block tuned 8v :)

[lukestavrinidis2008]

Thats what i wanted. Whats the best way to tune them ive got a small block 8v in pieces, could play with that

[blue_peg_16v]

let with decent suspension

[vaughanmc]

Thats what i wanted. Whats the best way to tune them ive got a small block 8v in pieces, could play with that

Decent cam, 4 branch exhaust manifold, 40's, headwork etc

I don't really know much about engine tuning but that'd be a start ^

[Stuart]

ANY engine in a nova WILL handle right if you spend the time/money on it.

[Bubba]

any :D

[Andy]

1litre pushrod on cutdown springs

[lukestavrinidis2008]

lol

[Jack]

V6. Handling is overrated.

[lukestavrinidis2008]

Im just getting sick of 106's and saxos with chavs in them, probly telling there mates there cars beat a 2l nova but its only a 1.2, ive got the brakes supension, striped out, and cage, so realy need to sort an engine out now

[craig green]

Anything that will rev around 7k rpm with an ATB diff IMO.
Its surprising how much fun you can have in a tweaked 1.3Sr, so that argument blows the XE debate out of the water, unless you do motorway miles etc.

Novas are a hoot anyway, so from my experience I'd say a C16XE transplant with a powerbox inlet is best bang for your buck & still feels much like how vauxhall intended it to.

[Mieran]

C20XE.

Have you considered a 2.0 8V? Not sure how heavy they are though.

[Big_Chap]

There's no correct answer to this, just around a half dozen opinions most of which are fairly valid.

Let's be honest unless your using it for time attack/serious trackday action then front axle weight doesn't matter a great deal as you shouldn't be doing the speeds through roundabouts and other such places where the big block weight would be an issue.

People will say small block for handling then you'll get abused if you come on here saying I got caught speeding/binned it on a back road whilst using the said handling! :)

[Mieran]

If its not used on track there is no need to worry TOO much about handling, you're not going to be driving flat out everywhere.

XE with decent suspension and diff should handle alright.

[dhdev (Oli)]

ANY engine in a nova WILL handle right if you spend the time/money on it.
and at the other extreme...

ANY engine in a nova WILL produce the right power if you spend the time/money on it

;)

[CP]

You mentioned that money was a bit tight. Well in this case you will find that costs will govern what you do. Smaller engines will produce good power to weight ratios but they need more spending on them to get enough power to make the required difference. Larger engines require less modding and can be relatively cheap. You need to research the subject thoroughly and keep a close eye out for 2nd hand stuff coming up for sale. Buying the right stuff at the right price is what it will be about

[gsigav85]

try getting a z16ler cheap and get that in would be interesting to see i know somebody started one but i dont think it was finished.i know there is a lad on corsasport with one in a corsa b.but imo i would go small block

[lukestavrinidis2008]

My mate wants to do the z16ler, I was thinking maybe im best buying something thats been in a nova that comes with all mounts etc, something like this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/redtop-c20xe-engine-nova-corsa-calibra-cavalier-no-swop-/150443167174?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item23071c8dc6

[BIGS]

Go for either a c16xe or x16xe. they are a cheep engine to pick up and have 106ish bhp to start with. are a very good engine and for very little money you can tune it to around 140bhp with options like craig green said about! we both have had 16xe in our nova's and both have been great cars to drive and go like hell. craigs was a tunned version which had around 140 or 147 iirc bhp. And mine had a cheep carbon induction kit only and made 113.5 bhp and 120 torque. And last year done a 15.9 at santa pod to give you a idea on what the speed is like. plus you havent got to change and of the shafts or mount ect. just bolt in and wire it up.

[lukestavrinidis2008]

Whats the differance between the c16xe and x16xe, my mate had a corsa gsi and had constant head gasket issues, is this a problem with these?? and are they alot better than the 8v's

[Stuart]

8v = hard work + largeish cash to get a reliable 140bhp from... 16v = cheap and piss easy to get 140bhp from reliably.

[BIGS]

Well the c16xe is ment to have more bhp well 2 or 3 bhp more :roll: But ive got the x16xe and as said thats a standard engine. but it makes no diffrence at all. and no they are a great engine. nothing really goes wrong apart from the stem seals but thats nothing. And yes they are much better then 8v's I got my mate to race me in my gte which is bord out to a 1700 and has had a gm rebuild around 40k ago. and my saloon with the 16xe pissed all over it! got a much lower down pull then the 8v's!

[Jack]

Whats the differance between the c16xe and x16xe
X16 has all the immobiliser gubbins does it not?

[BIGS]

8v = hard work + largeish cash to get a reliable 140bhp from... 16v = cheap and piss easy to get 140bhp from reliably.

Listen to this man!

[BIGS]

X16 has all the immobiliser gubbins does it not?

Not all the time, mine is a early x16 and had no immobiliser

[lukestavrinidis2008]

X16 has all the immobiliser gubbins does it not?

So the C16 shoud be easier, no need to change keys, etc

[Stuart]

you dont need to change keys anyway.

just tape the immo chip to the ign transponder ring. Done :d

[BIGS]

So the C16 shoud be easier, no need to change keys, etc

Dont need to change the keys anyway.

[lukestavrinidis2008]

Thanks for all this help, is there anything i need to look out for with the c16xe or x16xe, the vauxhall breakers in ashford will do everything i need for £250 if and when they get one in

[gsigav85]

i would check other places like ebay and corsasport ya never know you mite get lucky i just brought a rebuilt c16 but had low oil pressure.was a 2min fix as it was just a bit of blue paper towel that had been sucked into the oil pick up pipe lol.that said enine was off ebay and only cost me £142 and all you would need is a gearbox £30-£40.if you do get a c16 and need anything i have a few bits and bobs.another thing if you get a engine with a pot type flywheel dump it in favor of the flat type is a few kg lighter.

[gsigav85]

oh and a f13wr gearbox will up the speed a touch as you can hit 62 in 2nd gear so brings your 0-62mph down maybe only tenth of a secound am not sure but all mounts up and its cheap to do.my brother goes nuts about this as he is changing gear all the time mine just pulls away lol

[lukestavrinidis2008]

Chears matey, ive got a week booked off in august, ive just got to decide holiday or engine lol but to be honest the engine seems more exciting

[gsigav85]

i would do the car and just enjoy the weekends with the car but that is me.

[lukestavrinidis2008]

Where form from if i need any bits??

[gsigav85]

i would use corsasport for used parts,depends what you want really