Changing LET into Xe ??

[Martin.p]

Yes let to xe! Not I wanna turbo my xe!

Let me explain,
As some of you know I'm going to (trying to) put a XE in my nova.
And I have a engine to go in.
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af46/martinstu/4C554EE7-6DE5-4E1B-B9E5-AFCB6107AF75-1894-000002EA8C4D6E11.jpg

But.
After waiting for 6 month to get my Calibra (LET) out on the road again, after 3 days I very much feel the love for it has gone :( I've had it for 5 yr. and last year I took engine out and rebuilt it (not a massive spec) but its had a new hone, rings, pistons cleaned,new big end shells and main bearings, new valve stem seals, valves seated, head skimmed, and all new bolts and gaskets. All silicone hoses new cam belt/rollers/water pump/tentioners, thermostat, hybrid turbo, xe inlet cam on adjustable pulley. Phase 2 chips, 8.1l FMIC 10mm HT leads, enlarged top hat. uprated clutch, Divorced exit down pipe.

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af46/martinstu/exhaustporn2005.jpg
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af46/martinstu/c832a091.jpg
So I have (in my eyes) a solid engine.
But I don't want to build a let nova (just yet)
So I was thinking can I take my let and remove the turbo (blocking up any un used pipes) and make it into a xe?? And keep all the bits incase I want to turbo it up again at a later date.
This also saves me re building the redtop I have. And means I would break Calibra to fund the rest of project. While using lots of its parts!
How would it compare to a normal xe??
I have both engines with both looms. And can swap over any parts needed. What would I have to swap?? Cams?? The let has costcast head and redtop has GM head.
I just can't keep 3 cars on the road (Mondeo as well) and the nova handles corners better than the Calibra. And if the nova feels as fast as Calibra then this makes having the Calibra a bit pointless.
But always promised myself I'd never break or sell her.
Just don't know what to do at the min?? Please advise me one way or another.

Thanks for reading above rambling. :D

[Spudly]

Bang the xe into the barge and sell it as a 4x4 non turbo boat, then let the nova, job done :d

[Southie]

Bang the xe into the barge and sell it as a 4x4 non turbo boat, then let the nova, job done :d
+1

[Martin.p]

Thought of that as well!

Turbo ing a nova (from what I've read so far) seems a LOT more work for that extra gain.
It seems to be the xe can just about get its power down. I'd like to try a xe befor going strait to let.
Besides I'm a bit sick of running a turbo! They always seem to demand work in one way or another.

[Balley]

Xe Novas are okay, but you do get bored after a bit. I would personally fit the let. Sorry I know you don't want to here that but from my experience you can never have enough power.

[Martin.p]

The problem is I'm doing soooo much at the min. Welding up the shell, got to get it sprayed, still got 90% of interior to sort out. Plus getting the xe running and get it in the car and all set up.
I would like to turbo it eventually its just the extra work in rear discs and 5stud getting intercooler in and probably more I have not thought about.
Which is why I'm wondering if I can put let in without turbo on (basically xe) and run for a bit and when board of it start next project to turbo it!
And I'd be half way there! As its just bolting turbo back on. It's not like tapping oil returns into sump of a xe lump etc. and I'd have F28. Or the 20/16 I've got for other one. Both looms.

It's just me avoiding the break setups and drive shaft problems I remember reading Benn has ball ache with when I have so much else to do.

[Martin.p]

Plus taking a xe apart because I don't know what it's like inside as I've never heard it run. Or put it in and hope its ok! When I know for fact mine is solid and re built!

[Balley]

You dont have to 5 stud it. Nor do you have to rear disc it. Both are for cosmetics and make no difference, run a f20 on the let if you want.

[Martin.p]

Oooooo. Really !? Now your talking! :)

This is food for thought.

[conad]

ive got a LET.... 4 studs..... and drums lol

[Martin.p]

What intercooler did you fit in? Frontera? And what gear box? I've got F16,20,28 can I use any one of them?
How long have you ran it with let in??

[Martin.p]

And how have you sorted exhaust? Do you use let down pipe?
Can I still use this?
Bolts strait to turbo without cast elbo
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af46/martinstu/exhaustporn002.jpg
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af46/martinstu/exhaustporn003.jpg

[steviegsi]

I thought a let was exactly the same work to fit (aside from trimming a few bit for the inter cooler etc)? It's the 6 speed box that's the extra effort mounting over an f16/20 is it not?

[conad]

yeah frontera cooler, its had a LET running an f28 for about 9 years now. i thought that to stevie, the 28 has got a fecking awkward bracket that needs welding on!

[conad]

my exhaust is a 3" straight through system. i really dont know why the exhaust would split again after the turbo though, like on your shiney 1. i have seeen them fitted before though

[Martin.p]

The exhaust breakers at that 3 bolt flange because that's where cat section starts. Then there are another 2 joints after that.

So you don't have a cat?! (Not talking pet type) do you know what car the engine came from? Did it have a cat befor?

Anyone got pics??

[jimbob-mcgrew]

I'm a bit sick of running a turbo! They always seem to demand work in one way or another.

xe is enough of a headache imo

[Benn]

Seems silly having a let sat there not being used.

Fit the Let to the Nova, start with the F20 and see how you get on. Get good tyres and suspension and you'll get the power down fine. Oh and the equal length shafts from the Calibra too.

Fit the xe back in to Calibra and sell on for as much as you can.

That down pipe can be used, you'll just need to cut it to meet a Nova system.

[conad]

So you don't have a cat?! (Not talking pet type) do you know what car the engine came from? Did it have a cat befor?


yeah it would of had a cat.... anything >'92 needs 1, butlets just say my best friend is an mot tester :thumb:

[Benn]

A non catted Let passes fine... Mine does.

[conad]

am i right in sayint though that if your car is pre '92 they wont even bother testing it, regardless of what engine!!!

[Letnova]

I built my nova as a 4 stud, still has rear drums, and I'm usin a eds 9.1ltr intercooler, and a f20, the hardest bits, if done properly are stitch welding, and chassis plates, and altenator cut out in chassis leg, which can be hammered in, i just decided to cut and box mine as it looks tidier imho, Which all would need doin for xe anyway, and makin the boost pipes fit, which ain't really hard at all, the only extra work u actually need to do is boost pipes, and intercooler.

[letvalva]

Let is no harder to fit than an xe. F28 is a little bit more work but it's no big deal

[Martin.p]

Thanks for all replies chaps.

@letnova, the car is in process of being stitched and plated. And I sorted alt cut out the other day.
Have you got pics (or anyone) of how/ where IC fits best?

[Martin.p]

She will be LET!!!

[conad]

She will be LET!!!
:thumb::thumb::thumb:

[womble sri]

Xe Novas are okay, but you do get bored after a bit. I would personally fit the let. Sorry I know you don't want to here that but from my experience you can never have enough power.


Couldn't agree more, you will soon be bored with the XE. The LET is unbelievable power of which you can never get enough

[Spudly]

xe is enough of a headache imo




I have to ask, why?



I built my nova, i fitted the engine and the car the engine came from had 227,000 miles on the clock, ive not rebuilt it, ive done cambelt and waterpump on it, and recently i did plugs leads and coilpack, and thats it in over 4,000 miles in the nova, and trust me, it hasnt been driven sedately lol

[Benn]

am i right in sayint though that if your car is pre '92 they wont even bother testing it, regardless of what engine!!!

Mines 92. It's only 93 on that needs a cat test. So all Novas are ok.


She will be LET!!!

Good.

[Balley]

Cat test apply to first of august 92. Just say your engine is out of a older car.

[conad]

yeah it applies to K reg and onwards.

[Martin.p]

Mine is M (95)
But I do have a mate who mot's

Plus like said ill just claim its older! Simples