modern engine for a vauxhall viva/chevette

[crofty1984]

OK, obviously redtop, but I@ve beard that's actually a lot more dificult than you'd think. Any othe ideas?
Also toying with the idea of a cossie V6 cortina.

[thinfourth2]

A k-series being damn light and small with lots of tuning potential or a duratec if you fancy something a bit heavier and modern

[wackojacko]

Not very modern but 2.1 lotus twincam
Ford Duratec ?
Vtec of some sort ?

[Cotty]

What did the HSR's run? perhaps find somethig similar sized

[interloper]

Cotty said:

What did the HSR's run? perhaps find somethig similar sized

Dont know the name of it but it used Vauxhall's big (2.2) canted over four cylinder, with a rare 16v head. This engine was supposed to be the basis of the old Lotus slant 4 and the heads are interchangeable.

Good looking unit it was too!


As these engines are hard to come by I would go for a modern GM Ecotec 2ltr, with some head work, big cams and throttle bodies etc. Not as tough or as tunable as the XE (red top) but there is a good supply and they still make good power for little outlay.

I wouldn't want to put a big six in a chevette, they're quite light cars. I suspect that would easily mess up the handling.

Edited by interloper on Wednesday 14th April 21:32

[h4muf]

Durabang.

The end.

[Crafty_]

XE would go, what you will struggle with is the dizzy cap, sticks out a fair way off the engine - in this case towards the firewall.. ok if you don't mind cutting the scuttle / firewall around.
If you look around the later XE engines (post '91 IIRC) have a dizzyless ignition system, all you have is a neat cap - like this pic http://media.photobucket.com/image/vauxhall%20xe/7... the coilpack can be moved to anywhere you like.
If you go with throttle bodies (will save you some space) they have solutions for this, as most of the kit cars (caterhams/westfields etc) also have this problem.

The engine that replaced the XE was the X20XEV - 136bhp "ecotec". Much maligned for being not as good as the XE, however the top end is actually more refined - ditch the stock injection and intake for throttle bodies and you'll have a competent little engine.

Depending on budget you could look around for a Z20LET (Astra Gsi / Astra Coupe Turbo / VX220). 200bhp or so, much the same packaging as the XE and XEV. Or if you do have a spare bit of cash Z20LEH (Astra VXR engine), 240hp and a decent torque curve.

If you are happy to cut the car about a fair bit why not a LSx engine from a monaro etc ?

ETA : I have seen XEs running a dizzy by mounting it where the alternator is and running it off the belt. The alternator is mounted where the power steering pump was originally (front of the engine, down low).

Edited by Crafty_ on Wednesday 14th April 21:50

[Mr2Mike]

crofty1984 said:

OK, obviously redtop, but I@ve beard that's actually a lot more dificult than you'd think.

The standard 20XE inlet manifold gets in the way a bit, but it's not that bad a conversion

[TallPaul]

I stuck an RS2000 engine in my Chevette when I was a lad. There used to be quite a lot of V8 engine conversions in America, they looked pretty easy too, the engine bay is suprisingly roomy for such a small car!

[jbi]

you should end up with something like this

Edited by jbi on Wednesday 14th April 23:16