What engine to choose?..

[Danb1987]

Well I'm a little bit stuck really so advice, opinions will help....

I'm unsure of what engine I want to get I plan on fully rebuilding and maybe attempting to turbo an engine...
It's not going to be a quick build due to funds but I need somewhere to start.

Options so far are

1.6 8v gte/gsi

X/c16xe

C20ne

Which of the above engines will be most suitable in regards to availability of rebuild and aftermarket parts... Powers not much of an issue as iv already got a corsa c20let.

I just want to build something different that has abit of poke and mainly reliable.

[Mieran]

I would use x18xe1

I've got the later Z18 version in my Astra and goes well for a big car

[philip]

small block 1800 as iirc quite a few of the 1600 parts are useable, i.e rods, cams, etc so tuning is alot easier.

[maddogdaz666]

for a budget id go c20ne as its fairly bulletproof and 8valves are much easier to work on.

[General Baxter]

ls1 ?

[Stuart]

ls1 ?

but they are a bit wimpy... LS9 FTW

[peester]

'nother vote for x18xe1

[Danb1987]

Just had a quick search and found the x16xe bolts straight in on the 1.2spi models... Would the 1800 fit or need the conversion kit same as a big block xe?

[mk1nova_rich]

if its a smallblock 1800 it will also fit straight in

[Leeboo]

Just had a quick search and found the x16xe bolts straight in on the 1.2spi models... Would the 1800 fit or need the conversion kit same as a big block xe?

Big block 1800 is same as bolting in a 2.0, conversion parts needed. Small block 1800 bolts in on your mounts afaik

[peester]

small block 8v:
c14se (82bhp)
c16se (100bhp)
e16se (100bhp)

smallblock 16v:
x14xe (89bhp)
c16xe (109bhp)
x16xe (106bhp)
x18xe1 (115bhp, decent torque too)
z18xe (125bhp, flyby wire throttle though)

All fit on std mounts, gearbox, shafts the lot.
Just wire it in job done.

Big block 8v. Need strengthening and fitting kits shafts etc.
c20ne (115bhp)
20seh (130bhp)

All big block 16v. Need strengthening and fitting kits shafts etc.
c18xe (118bhp)
x18xe (note no '1' on the end) (118bhp)
c20xe (150bhp and lots of torque)
x20xev (136bhp)
z22se (143bhp and lots of torque)

[Danb1987]

Small block referring to 8v? Sorry I'm just a little confused lol atm I'm swaying between a 1.6 gsi engine or c20ne as there's a fair few thing about turbocharging them..

I'm not familiar with the 1.8s tbf and they seem pretty expensive to buy with out any ancillaries.

[Rich]

16xe with a corsa vxr turbo bolted to it :)

[Danb1987]

Thanks for the code post peester that helps a fair bit but out of all the engines that will bolt straight in what would be the best for tuning/rebuilding?

[peester]

if im honest after noticing you hope to turbo; i not know so much about that :-s
but any are good to rebuild, really..

c20ne and the x18xe1 ive heard have suitable standard compression for turbo-ing well...?

If you want speak to the steves (either one) at track n road in essex. They highly recommend turbo-ing the small block 1.8's apparently theyre putting out silly power (as its very similar to the z16net in corsa d vxr)
see corsa-c.co.uk too

[Mieran]

just get a c20let if you want turbo power

[peester]

just get a c20let if you want turbo power

lol.. need to read his first post again chap. I didnt go through all that trouble for nothing man! :)

[Calamity Josh]

Volvo T5 with a chipped ecu you have 300bhp and lots of torque

[Danb1987]

This isn't a post on how much power I can get lol iv already got 220bhp corsa c.. As for the x18xe1 engine I'm gonna have a look into that, however I'm now swaying more towards the gsi 8v lump just for the fact of it being a nova engine and it will be simpler to work on...

I'm not amazingly clued up on engines and rebuilds so I just want somewhere to start and not dive in at the deep end lol... Iv looked on Vaux extreme and the section on 8v turbos is brilliant but I'm guessing the difference between turboing the 2.0 and 1.6 8v is minimal really?

[blue_peg_16v]

c/x16xe out of the choices you have there, if you go for the ne you might as well fit an xe as you have the same fitting costs bar the engine and around 150bhp instead of 115bhp, with the 16xe a few light mods such as powerbox and a chip with a decent exhaust will see 130bhp as proven by adams old lump

[Danb1987]

Yes iv read into that aswell with the ne... What are your thoughts on a gsi lump? Easy to work on? And fairly easy to turbo?

I can get a c20ne lump or a c16se for the same money... Conversion kits not to expensive for the ne.

But a gsi lump would go straight in no problems.. And with a little turbo bolted on I should see around 150ish bhp??

[KSRY]

I've got an X18XE1 in my Coupe and is fairly perky considering the weight of the car and quite economical, though like you said, said engine is very expensive to buy for an Astra, I've got 1 from a Vectra for £200 if you'd like it with all ancillaries, but thats only if I can find an Astra lump!

[Gareth_C]

go for the x18xe1 mate it will be worth it. A few of us were wondering one would be like in a smaller car

[nova_stee]

ive removed the c20let from my nova to fit a x18xe1 on tb,s fast and small block

[mk1nova_rich]

Seriously I would stay away from turboing it, a lot of extra expense, hassle and even weight which is really not worth it if you're not chasing huge power figures...I would look at one of the small block 16vs with a few choice mods. Then you will end up with a nice useable revvy engine, and combined with an F15CR gearbox will be a decent setup for relatively little outlay :thumb:

[peester]

with the turbo lumps craig green is your best bet he ran both over the years (turbo 1.6 8v and later a turbo 1.6 16v)
scott parkers friend too..

[db_1.2]

Perkins!

[Danb1987]

I think il have to drop him a pm then I just like the look of the gsi motor that's all!

This is by no means going to be a speedy project it's going to take a while that's for sure. I just want to build a decent motor that's home brewed :thumb:

[bazil]

there is a reason for very few 1.6 8 valve turbo units around now, more gains with newer engines better engines being cheaper and lack of turbo manifolds, iirc there are only 2 novas around at the moment with 1.6 8v engines and only 1 of those is nearly built, the other is in a gazillion bits.

[Pistol Pete]

go for the x18xe1 mate it will be worth it. A few of us were wondering one would be like in a smaller car

This!

Said it before...my Vectra has the X18XE1 in and its ok. In a Nova it would be a laugh. And being small block means the handling should still be reasonable...ish lol

[Danb1987]

Basil I didn't think of it like that :s that's why there isn't many then due to lack of parts...

[bazil]

yup, your looking at getting a custom manifold made up or welding a flange onto a cast one,

one way is expensive and the other is a botch.

[Danb1987]

Lol iv just been looking as cast manifolds... You gan get turbo manifold for the c20ne on eBay thow.

So that puts that engine back in the question... Out of all the engines listed what would be most cost efficient? I.e buying the complete motor, maybe turboing or just best to tune in general..

The x16xe is starting to apeal to me cost wise aswell as it fitting straight in.

[C612DNM]

small block 8v:
c14se (82bhp)
c16se (100bhp)
e16se (100bhp)

smallblock 16v:
x14xe (89bhp)
c16xe (109bhp)
x16xe (106bhp)
x18xe1 (115bhp, decent torque too)
z18xe (125bhp, flyby wire throttle though)

All fit on std mounts, gearbox, shafts the lot.
Just wire it in job done.

Big block 8v. Need strengthening and fitting kits shafts etc.
c20ne (115bhp)
20seh (130bhp)

All big block 16v. Need strengthening and fitting kits shafts etc.
c18xe (118bhp)
x18xe (note no '1' on the end) (118bhp)
c20xe (150bhp and lots of torque)
x20xev (136bhp)
z22se (143bhp and lots of torque)

Volvo V70 T5 2.4 20v - 270hp, buckets of torque, but impractical (too long unless you adopt the "Beardmore Bros" technique)

Now, if you consider driving the correct pair of wheels and are not scared of the scale of work involved:
X30SE - 211hp, plenty of grunt, keep an eye on plugleads, coilpack it eats them.
Y32SE - 218hp, plenty of torque for a little car. Coil-on-plug - much better. Good source of cheap spares
LS1 - 345hp mind blowing torque
LS7 - 505hp stellar torque


Edited for lunacy.

Has anyone considered sticking a 2.2CDTi lump in one?
Bonkers grunt, zillion miles to the gallon. Tyre shredding black smoking stinky diesel!

[bazil]

The x16xe is starting to apeal to me cost wise aswell as it fitting straight in.

i know you can get a de-compression plate for this, vxr turbo and manifold fit, also very capable engine N/A

so lots of future ideas for this engine,

edit, Y32SE - 218hp, plenty of torque for a little car. Coil-on-plug - much better. Good source of cheap spares
i think David Dixon had the Z32 in his nova out of a vectra

[Mieran]

Just get a 2.0 8v ffs lol

you can get a cheapie ebay turbo manifold too

[Danb1987]

Well I think that's decided then.... A baby xe engine is going to be my choice of weapon! Il have to keep scouring eBay for a bargain ;)

Will ferriday be able to supply a de comp plate? Or would it ne cheaper to get the pistons machined down?

[bazil]

Just get a 2.0 8v ffs lol

you can get a cheapie ebay turbo manifold too

shhhhhhhhhhhhhh dont make it easy for him lol

[bazil]

Well I think that's decided then.... A baby xe engine is going to be my choice of weapon! Il have to keep scouring eBay for a bargain ;)

Will ferriday be able to supply a de comp plate? Or would it ne cheaper to get the pistons machined down?


Vauxhall1.2 Corsa 8v
1.6 Nova GTE 8v
18XE1 Ecotech
2.0 XE inc LET
2.3/2.6 HSR, Magnum etc
C20NE, SEH, SER
C25XE & X25XE, 2.5 V6 Calibra, Vectra, Omega etc
the 8v nova one should fit.

[Danb1987]

Right last question lol one of my mates has just said I can have his x14xe engine for nothing would anything be able to be changed over to an x16xe

I.e x14xe bottom end x16xe head to lower compression?

Or have I got all that wrong?

[PickBoy]

I put a C20SEH. It's a very nice engine in all the ways