Age old! What engine for my nova track car?

[mr5050]

Really torn at the minute, got an early coscast xe I was going to build to a humble spec but have 4months until I begin the build so plenty of time to change plans and source parts! Main concern is the weight of the xe, then there's the fact the an let would ultimately be easier and cheaper to tune but you got the weight of the f28, then there's the small block route, ticks the boxes for weight and budget but then you compromise on power, someone please help me decide , or is it all down o personal preference?:confused:

[Alex J]

c20let and an f20 will be fine! my f20 is still going strong after two years and when i got it the box had been running no oil lol

[Nobby]

v6

[Iain]

XE and F20

[jonn]

c20et, go big or go home!

[turbojolt]

c20et that a Irish only engine? lol

[vx kev]

A small block turbo build would be ideal if you have the patience to source the parts and build it correctly, that way you have a low weight, nimble handling and big block power.

[jonn]

c20let, my keyboards fu#ked! i have to copy and paste most letters if spell check cant find it, very annoying!

[philip]

20xe, sccr box, decent suspension. Olly clark won handling fwd class at totb few years back. budget wise a 200bhp ish 1.6 16v Costs the same as a 260+bhp 20xe. Circa 30kg between the 2 so not a huge difference. Reckon 30+ ontop of an xe if went 20let, if wanted to do trackday after trackday you will need too build engine to a decent spec as the extra heat will thin oil out so much it will keep rattling tits off if keep on hydraulics.

[8valve-craig]

Also think about the future. If you think you may wish to compete in the car at some point then anything big block will see you in a class you are not likely to win.

[marc69]

Depends on your budget and what you want.

The xe route is fast but there is no comparison in handling between a big and small block. Also remember ridiculous power might not mean more speed, it's a Nova chassis so rememebr traction.

In my fantasy world where I have loads of money, small block with extra power....

[mr5050]

It's not I haven't got a budget but I haven't planned on what I'm going to spend, seeing as I have the 20xe already I'm going to go with that. See how well I can get it to handle then if things don't work out save hard for an alloy block or just go down the small block route. Can anyone direct me to a project thread in which they focus on handling modifications?
Thanks

[turbojolt]

http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?114446-Iain-s-20XE-Trackday-Nova&highlight=


iains car is stupid fast around the twists and bends

[philip]

For the 2500+ for the block. Im sure could sort suspension/handling out to compensate for the 19kg block would save and tbh except for a s1600 build a friend was doing for a customer ive never seen an alloy block used ever.

[BRoadGhost]

There's more to that block than mere weight saving.

Sky's the limit; get the body & suspension over engineered then start running an xe in a vacuum revving like a bike.

You won't be looking back; literally.

[mr5050]

What do you meen by "running an xe in a vacuum revving like a bike"?

[mr5050]

Just really like the idea of saving all that weight up front , also they come ready for oversized pistons, and other pros which I've forgotten

[Mieran]

My Nova handles better with the C20XE than the C16XE it had in! The suspension setup did change slightly when engines got swapped but nothing drastic!

[Pistol Pete]

I have a c20xe in mine and it handles ok IMO. Needs suspension tweaks but then most do.

[philip]

For 3600inc vat its a hell of an expense. J could build a full long motor for 600 more + tbs.

Also you would machine block too pistons you have. As machine shops/builders may run slacker/tighter tolerances.

Stupid question but is anyone near you with a 20xe and a small block you could have a drive of to help decide?

[jimbob-mcgrew]

i'd use a 1.2, cos im a numpty lol

[mr5050]

Stupid question but is anyone near you with a 20xe and a small block you could have a drive of to help decide?
I wish there was pal, just getting back into novas, don't really no anyone else who has one. Needless to say there getting rare! But if anyone reads this and lives west London sort of ways ;)

[philip]

Sure there will be a few lads. Even if just put another post up asking. Worth a shot atleast.

[Mieran]

If someone asked me to drive my Nova I would question their sanity