Just wandered if anybody has used a Vauxhall 1600 Ecotec engine in their build ?
and if they have, any issues ? or what they've done to it ?

a Mate has bought a Westfield in boxes and its come with a 1600 Ecotec


Thanks

We talking early 1600 16v that was found in the Corsa (B) GSi's, or later 1600 8v or 16v's as found in newer Astra's etc.?

From my knowledge of Vaux engines, they were quite nippy, and relatively robust - more so than the 2.0l 16V redtops which were prone to noisy tappets and porous heads.

Can't comment on installing in a 7, mind!

I wanted to use one of these in my build, the c14xe and x16xe and a little underpowered when standard, (about 110bhp) but can be extensively tuned (i believe 275bhp (NA) was achieved for the race bred engines!).
The only thing that stopped me was the fact I want a new reg, so needed a brand new engine component, (hence the zetec option ive opted for)

Check out SBDs website for loads of tuning options.

And with regards to the 2.0 being less robust, I think its fair to say thats a missinformed coment. The redtop is probly the most robust engine ive ever owned. Porus heads are easily fixed, and the tappets are slightly more common, but only an issue on cold start and soon disipate. (in fact my highmileage XE i had in my nova ran for about 25k in my ownership, it had 140k on clock when i bought it and never displayed a porus head and wasnt even tapperty)
The only reason I would have opted for the c16xe over the c20xe would be the weight, the 2.0 is a 'big block', where as the 1.6s are small block lumps therefore that little but lighter. However, the 150bhp factory figure, still makes the redtop an incredibly attractive option IMO

its worth noting the later x16xel, x18xel z18xe (amongst others), are the later engines, also good but standard managment is a pain (fly by wire throttle etc) but the bonus is the 1.8 is still small block, so more tuning potential.

[Edited on 20/8/10 by loggyboy]

Took these at a hillclimb a few years ago, spot the procomp sticker, maybe mat know the car. I talked to the guy but I can't remember his name, Bob maybe ?! 'eluva nice guy though

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