Confused again

[Bonzo]

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

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

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

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 ??

[RAYLEE29]

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

[Bonzo]

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
Took it with a pinch of salt though

Thanks for your input mate

[AshG]

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.

[snapper]

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.

[Bonzo]

That would be brilliant if you could do that Ash

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



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

Originally Posted by AshG

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.

[twinturbo]

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