1.6Turbo with F13box

[nrobson]

I have a K-reg GSi with a courtenay turbo conversion. It has the standard F13 gearbox that comes with car. The problem is its s**t for motorway driving (its doing 4000rpm at 75mph), I want a different gearbox with longer ratios. But i've just brought an uprated clutch for this one so it rules out putting an F16 or F20, and im not going to the trouble of an F28 before its suggested. I've been informed that an F13 out of something like a Corsa CD, would drop the rpm by 500 as the ratios are longer. Is this true? Does anyone have any ideas what I can do? The cars got 161bhp so the box has to be fairly strong.

[ben jones]

Is that the Silver K reg GSi? Bought from the south coast somewhere?

161 BHP, what boost is that running?

My 1.6 Turbo has the same trouble with the F13, its cack for motorway driving - I'm not sure about the ratios for the different boxes - but one thing, you'll be hard pushed to fit the F20/28 because I am sure they're not designed to be fitted to the E/C16SE block.

One other problem I found is that the F13 mainshaft bearing doesn't seem to like much more than standard power being shoved through it! i.e. I am on my second gearbox.

Might be worth asking on www.migweb.co.uk

[CP]

I think that you ought to be able to sort this by changing the final drive ratio. As I mentioned b4 Vaux mix and match F10 and F13 internals without rhyme or reason. Generally the prob with GSi and GTE boxes is that the ratios are so long that you can't pull max revs in top. Its a relatively easy job to remove the cluster and swap the pinion off whilst changing the crown wheel. The box stays on and in the car.
Its then a question of counting the teeth and working out what ratio you've got. Once you know this you can then work out what you need and find something at the scrappy. I've personally got CW&P sets out of GTE/GSi. If you let me know what you've got I could see if I could help you out??

[carnage501]

while we are on the subject of gearboxes will a nova GTE or gsi box fit and work on a 1990 1.4 SR, i may have to change it soon.


Feature your Nova SR at www.srownersclub.co.uk

[nrobson]

BEN JONES, from the information given how on earth did you know my car is silver? and yes I did purchase it from Bognor Regis. Its just been rebuilt and I run it at 8PSi. When I got the car it had a dyno printout showing 181bhp (Flywheel) and know its down to 161 again at the flywheel. Not quite sure whats going on because it has all been set up correctly and now benifits from a lighted flywheel, oversized pistons and splitfire leads and plugs, also the boost was set at 7.5PSi but Courtenay said as long as I use super unleaded I can have 8PSi. What power does yours run? and whats it had done to it?

[nrobson]

Cheers CP for the offer, as soon as I can i'll have a look, maybe next week end.

[ben jones]

Simple, there aren't many of them about.

I had a quick look at that one, was very clean from the photo I had - but unfortunately wasn't really in a position to go for it :(

Ive never had mine dyno'd but since stuffing a turbo charger, gearbox and having a valve guide fail <not related> Im running a very conservative 6-7psi of boost, according to the gauge that is. I'd guess mine is running a genuine figure of about 130-140bhp..maybe. When was that dyno figure taken? Because when I spoke to the previous owner (Chris I seem to remember?!) it was a figure from when he bought the car. When the Courtenay 1.6 turbo conversion first came about, Mark Watts' original motor springs to mind, the 150BHP/160FTlB power/torque figures were from a ar running 9psi...suffice to say, the bottom end didn't last very long. Which funnily enough is my major concern.

In terms of top end my car will hit about 130mph and thats it, a kind of verified figure :) which is dangerously near the rev limiter - wouldn't fancy having that cut in when pushing the turbo that hard, its asking for meltdown!

What pistons is it running? Did it have new strengthened shells?

Ben.

[kevw]

Just to jump in, what does the 1.6 with a turbo drive like, any lag etc?

Cheers
Kev.

-------------------
[-devil.jpg-]kev@novaload.net

[ben jones]

No lag at all, and has a quite tasty turn of speed - but its not a 130mph+ car.

If anyone was considering one I'd say listen out for the bottom end, check the turbo for smoke, have a good look at the plugs for shite fuelling.

The turbo is the most expensive part to replace - a Turbo Technics T2 special build - oh yeah, and the manifold is a right bastard to get off.

Handling wise, mine is a little harsh owing to the Spax set up I have, but aside from that its spot on, can throw it all over the place. It certainly goes around corners faster than my mate's RS Turbo.

[Dicko]

iv mailed you with a solution but u havent replied.......

mail me if you never received it!!

[mowgli]

dead easy solution
use the f13 gbox of an astra 1.7d you get longer ratios. the std gte/gsi box has a tall diff but close ratios the astra has the same diff but taller gears. there is also an added benefit of shorter 0-60 times. vauxhall used that trick on 16v astras.
cheers mowgli

[Ste_Nova]

astra 1.7 uses an f16 box
use the f13 out of a nova td


16v Engine fitting and advice... mail me for a quote :D
special rates for girls!!

[nrobson]

I've had a lightened flywheel and the lag is nearly none existant. Its great to drive but fuel comsumption is very high when belting it. Under 20miles to the gallon. Handling is spot on. Just been round Castle Combe in it a couple of weeks ago and overtook every car on the track!!! Nuff said.

[alistair]

On the topic of turbo's. What sort of rent is involved in sticking a turbo on a GSi. I want to up the power a bit on my own, but am not sure what is the best way to go about it. I would be greatful for any advice.

[nrobson]

Its ?3000 for the full conversion fitted by Courtenay. A lot of money yes, but it will put a huge grin on your face, that gives u 150bhp which is enough to blow a hell of a lot of so called performance cars out of the water. If your after power on a budget, I think the best way to go is a gas flowed head with larger ports about ?500 from courtenay which will give u around 115bhp which is a nice noticable difference. other than that fuel pressure risers, induction kits and free flow exhausts are relatively cheap which will up power a bit.

[Breeny]

nooooooo not courtenay!! Bill Blydenstein! :)