View Full Version : 2l 8v novas, how quick?
how quick are 2L 8v novas. i've been offered a 130bhp engine from a astra gte for ?70, is it worth doing or should i hold out until next year when i will get a 16v.
how much of the conversion parts are used in both? will the engine bay need welding if i only run it until easter when i am planning a 2L 16v? what gearbox will be best for acceleration with this engine?
cheers
ben.
Personnaly I'd wait and get a 16v engine. I've never been a fan over the 2.0 8v engine. It sounds impressive, but a moderatly tuned smaller engine could beat it easily. Save your pennies and wait till next year, then get yourself a valver. You'll also have an extra years NCB, so insurance should be cheaper.
Jim
The Isaac Hunt Nova 2.0l 8v is the fastest Nova over 1/4 mile in the country.
The Isaac Hunt Nova 2.0l 8v is the fastest Nova over 1/4 mile in the country.
Yes, but thats got a big fat turbo in it :lol: I assume hes talking about a N/A 2.0 8v.
Jim
Has n2o aswell as other performance mods!
the head gasket has gone on my 1400, so i thought i could just drop in a new engine instead of changing the gasket.
i've been offered a 130bhp engine from a astra gte
standard engine.
Ste_Nova
31-10-03, 03:41 PM
the head gasket has gone on my 1400, so i thought i could just drop in a new engine instead of changing the gasket.
i've been offered a 130bhp engine from a astra gte
standard engine.
not 130bhp only 130bhp 2.0 8v is sri130 engine
20seh engine is the one i've been offered. they make about 130bhp don't they?
mr_tricky
31-10-03, 05:46 PM
he 130 bhp seh lump is still gonna be quick enought to kick a few TyprR arses :lol:
Well as the owner of a 2L 8v(C20 SEH from a cav sri 130(same engine is in the astra you are talking about but in the its slightly less tuned(122bhp))) i would say they are nice and quick, the good thing is the block isn't as heavy therefore handling isn't so affected and manouevering isn't so much of a probem as the steering isn't so heavy.
Also you don't really need to weld up the engine bay as, again, the block isn't so heavy so isn't putting as much strain on the car.
Another plus point is the engine itself, its a very relaible block, and the parts are cheap to come by if things do go wrong.
With the 8v block you get alot more low down torque which is good. Mine has beaten a 2L 16v nova up to 110 mph, and tops out at about 146, so its not like you are losing out that much by having an 8v (note mine is fairly tuned(164bhp)). I'd say go for it, seems like a good deal to me.
It puts a smile on my face every time i drive it :D
peester
31-10-03, 11:42 PM
i think the 2.0 8v is a gem. the seh anyway. yes its 20 brake down on Xe but it is a little lighter so handling won't be too affected and slightly compensates the power its down on. may well be just as quick as xe really - may all be down to gearboxes and torque, which i don't know anything about. is 8v more low end grunt than 16v? im all for winning traffic light gp's as thats mainly where novas specialise and all youre likely to get away with on public roads. everyone builds cars for drag strips; to me feeling of faster acceleration is better than a few mph more top end. in answer to your question mate if its a good nick lump and that cheap buy it. xe's are much dearer.
may all be down to gearboxes and torque, which i don't know anything about
:D :D :D
peester
01-11-03, 07:33 PM
jon L 's article wasn't there when i wrote my answer; i now sound a nob cos i copied everything he sed. but theres the proof. 164bhp with head work and other bolt-ons. in a lighter lump.
STEVE B
01-11-03, 10:27 PM
My mate has the 2l 8v in his Nova and he also has the Quickest Quater mile time (early 14s) which is quicker than my mates Astra GTE 16v . I dont know how it compaires to the 16v conversion but am currently doing that to my GSI so when I beat him at Santa Pod I will tell you my time. :lol:
jon L 's article wasn't there when i wrote my answer; i now sound a nob cos i copied everything he sed. but theres the proof. 164bhp with head work and other bolt-ons. in a lighter lump.
Looking at the times the two posts were made it looks like it took you over 2 hours to type yours then!!!
:lol:
peester
02-11-03, 12:53 AM
my computers clock is buggered and on site its GMT+1. for some reason.
the good thing is the block isn't as heavy therefore handling isn't so affected
erm they are both big block engines so do carry the same problems be it an 8v or 16v
Also you don't really need to weld up the engine bay as, again, the block isn't so heavy so isn't putting as much strain on the car.
the engine is alot heavier than the smallblock in terms of stress. i even stitched my engine bay, not due to weight but the extra loads and stresses i put through it with my smallblock. (better to be safe than sorry)
if its a good nick lump and that cheap buy it. xe's are much dearer.
this is true, but, (and it hurts me to say this) the xe would be a better option straight off as to get the true extra torque and power from the 8v it would cost you alot more in the long run.
a friend has built one of these to allegedly kick my arse. He is still bitter and twisted about it now but he does try. He wishes he just stuck a valver in and added a few bits to that so he could beat me in a straight line. On my patch of twisty roads etc round here tho he wont try to race me as he knows the car wouldnt follow at the same rate
cheers for all the replies lads, there was never a question of the 8v being quicker than the 16v. all i wanted to know is should i drop an 8v in now because a cheap one has come up. and if i do will the car survive 6 months without welding?
cheers
You have hit a sore spot, there is always loads of bickering over the point of fitting an 8v as its big and heavy and not as powerful as the 16v.
You could fit it but you will need much the same parts as the 16v such as Driveshafts, mounts etc
Seeing as you can find a 16v engine for ?2-300 most would say do this.
Do you not want to fit a 16v next year anyhow? I think it was you?
the engine is alot heavier than the smallblock in terms of stress. i even stitched my engine bay, not due to weight but the extra loads and stresses i put through it with my smallblock. (better to be safe than sorry)
I agree with you on the stess point of view, and if i had done the engine conversion myself i would have the engine bay strengthened as you can never be too careful. Whenever you up the power on a car by that much you are going to put strains on the car that it wasn't meant to take.
In saying that, as a point if you are changing from a 1400sr or whatever then the engine bay is weaker than the GTE/GSi engine bay that has extra strengthening as standard.
As for whether you could fit it for 6 months and not worry about it, well it should last that amount of time, but you couldn't be sure that you wouldn't cause any long term damage.
I think its a good engine, and a worthwhile converison, but if its only for 6 months, why not just fix the head gasket on your 1400, its not a hard job, assuming your internals are fine.
Incidentally does anyone know the exact weights of a 16v lump and an 8v lump?
karl Rowntree
02-11-03, 02:06 PM
I would allways seem weld the engine bay when you are going to put alot more power through the nova shell, regardless of the engine.
I put a modified 1.9 8v (1.8 bored out) into mine for 12 months and seem welded the engine bay, allso added a few strengthening plates in aswell.
When i fitted the 16v i added alot more strenghtening to the bay including a full plate kit.
I was never really happy with the engine, although i was impressed with the torque the 8v had. If i was to do it all again i would go straight to the 16v. The good thing was the two engines use the same conversion parts so if you are wanting a bit more power for now then do the 8v. Personally i would save your money a bit longer and go straight to a 16v.
This is just my opinion based on what i have done in the past.
im all for winning traffic light gp's as thats mainly where novas specialise and all youre likely to get away with on public roads. everyone builds cars for drag strips; to me feeling of faster acceleration is better than a few mph more top end.
Agreed! I am currently building my 1.6 8v to acheive as quick acceleration as possible. By the time we get the right gearbox in, I'll probably be topping out at 115mph.
Might consider getting the engine bay strengthened after some of the comments. Might be worth it in the long run.
Jim
Jon_nova1
03-11-03, 04:15 PM
see if the kit for the 16v fit's the 8v if it does you might be able to use it when you drop the 16v in
peester
05-11-03, 06:49 PM
im all for winning traffic light gp's as thats mainly where novas specialise and all youre likely to get away with on public roads. everyone builds cars for drag strips; to me feeling of faster acceleration is better than a few mph more top end.
Agreed! I am currently building my 1.6 8v to acheive as quick acceleration as possible. By the time we get the right gearbox in, I'll probably be topping out at 115mph.
Might consider getting the engine bay strengthened after some of the comments. Might be worth it in the long run.
Jim
what gearbox you reckon you'll be using? -standard 1.6 8v is quite shite already at top end; 90,95mph@ 4000-4500rpm, what comments did you get about engine bay strengthening; even wit the 1.6?
I was refering to the comments people have made above about strengthening theengine bay. I've bought competition engine mounts, Lowered Tie bar and poly bushes, so that should help maters.
I've actually got a gearbox from a 1.4Sr (original gearbox of my car). the final drive is going to change, not sure what it's going to be though, still looking into it.
Jim
peester
05-11-03, 11:08 PM
theres a guy from staffordshire working at irmscher selling a brand new (yep new cast) frontera 2.2 8v block for ?250. i think this block has just been knocking around the place for a while; probably got it for sod all and making a bit on it, but 250 not bad for new new. the makings of a killa 8v?? ad is in latest vxl sports car club mag.
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