Confused again
 

I have just been given a 1992 Vauxhall Calibra ....... Popped the bonnet & find that it has the C20XE Red top engine fitted.

That would explain why the car was so lively :D

Engine is sweet & runs very well ..............Now here's the problem. :rolleyes:

Do I stick with the 1.8 Zetec install or fit the Red top engine instead :confused:

I have both Megasqirt and Megajolt built & ready for use ........I also have Throttle bodies & Bike carbs ready for use.
So on that side of things, the money has already been laid out.

Common sense says stick with the Zetec & swap for a 2 litre one if I need more power.

The trouble is.......... I find 150 BHP of Red top power very tempting !!??

I know where I can lay my hands on an Omega gearbox for less than £50 but don't know how it compares in size to the ford type 9 gearbox ??

As per poll ....... Fit it ..... Flog it ...... Save it for a rainy day ??

I think the best thing you can do is to build a giant catapault and launch the engine towards my place lol
anyway they are a lovely engine very short skirts on the pistons beautifull conrods etc very tunable
if you dont use it definately save it for your next build
Ray

Must admit Ray. I don't know too much about the Red top engine ...... Other than knowing that they are quite desireable & fetch decent money.

I thought they were quite tuneable as I had noticed one on Ebay with a dyno printout for a claimed 280 BHP :eek:
Took it with a pinch of salt though ;)

Thanks for your input mate :)

i have got an omega box in the shed i can measure and see if it will fit in the type 9 tunnel if you like?

i would wip the engine out and store it until you make up your mind. other option is to sell it to fund the build.

200 BHP is pretty simple with a Red top, Megasquirt and throttle bodies and a good rolling road set up.
200 out of a Zetec is a fair bit more money.

That would be brilliant if you could do that Ash :cool: :)

From my limited knowledge .... I believe the Omega box is a direct fit to the C20XE engine.

I have found a bell housing to convert to the Ford type 9 selling for £153 + vat, have not got a clue what flywheel n clutch mods would be needed though :o



Cheers Snapper ... Definately sounds like keeping at the very least ;)

I hate prety much everything to do with vauxhall front wheel drives..

So in my opinion.

Fit the XE.


I thought all Libras had an XE?
280BHP is a Lie! unles it's a Turbo, to get that sort of power out of a non blown 16v you would have to have horrid cams and balance it to rev realy hard. And do a lot of head, exhaust and other work.

Don't bother with a 2.0 Zetec either, the 1.8 is the better unit overall.

TT

Here's a picy :)



A bit grubby as you would expect for an engine of this age ....That said ....The block is clean, drives well & pulls like a good un

Junior has allready nicked the Angel eye front lights for his Calibra

I'll keep the gearbox as a spare just in case he trashes another one !! :rolleyes:

TT

The later Calibras were fitted with the 2 litre X20XEV Ecotec engine 130 bhp ( ish )
More or less the same engine as fitted to the Vectra

Ronnie you can sell me the throttle bodies and the megasquirt (please):D Iam going the zetec way.

If ya want to know what 285BHP takes..

http://www.ricwood.com/XE.html

TT

Interesting link :cool:

Quite a versatile engine then, not that my pockets are deep enough to chase that sort of power !!??

When I started my build, I had a chat with a well respected engine tuner & former lo-cost racer.
Sort of came to the conclusion that 150 BHP was the max power that would be needed for the performance I desired

Having been in a completed car that had 100 BHP at it's disposal was a real eye opener .........Plenty quick enough for me :eek:

After a light overhaul ..........I would be more than happy if I could restore the BHP back to the original factory spec ( Power bound to be down a tad given its age )

Going to concentrate on my new workshop roof before I make a final choice ........That said i'll definately keep the engine if I don't use it for my current build :)

I'd go with the original plan of 1.8 Zetec, very tunable motor especially with ITBs. Shelve the Vauxhall lump for a future project, I'd wrap it in cling film to keep out air borne moisture but squirt a shot of oil into each bore first and turn it over by hand to spread the oil up the bores.

D.

Bolt it to a VAG box for the single seater Ronnie (you know you want too):D

Now there's food for thought :)

Junior thought it would be a nice replacement for his Calibra's Ecotec engine !! .......... Sorry son, it can't be done :D :D