91 replies to this topic

[techieboy]

Can't believe some of those R32/R36 FI turnkey conversion prices. Crazy money. If you're DIY'ing from scratch, fitting a suitably sized Rotrex supercharger can't be that sort of cost and would fit in nicely with the track driving characteristics you're after.

[Korkey]

Just been speaking with Courtney. If I could get the ecu from the V6 engine to work outside of the VXR Vectra in the VX220 then they could/would change the torque curve, (they only work with factory ecu's not any stand alone) and it would not destroy the gearbox. ( so that does away with sub frame problems) At the same time pushing the rev limit to 7000Rpm with suitable HP. (standard internals.) They have had problems with this ecu outside of the Vauxhall car though. They where asked by a company to sort it out and they did not want to get invoved. They do not know if the company that came to them ever go it sorted or if they went to a stand alone system. Even the standar V6 power graph is non too shabby. Be that the early or better still later engine. I think that I have delt you a curved ball with refrence to the race track.............. this is not what I aiming for, that was just an observation point. This is for 99% road use. Of course a stand alone ecu would solve the problem anyway. my ecu man, tim is away at tyhe moment. So need to speak to him. But by way of a different project this V6 is looking mighty fine. We know that it fits. Looks like it leaves a usable boot also. How would that translate to the VX from the Lotus? Korkey

[siztenboots]

better view of Z28NET + f40 and rear mount

[Nev]

Well thats a good turn up for the books, sounds like the z28 is a contender then

[siztenboots]

for not a lot of money, buys you a lot of saab hardware, ( http://www.ebay.co.u...32008690&_rdc=1 )

[techieboy]

Surprised the first mention of a B203/B204/B234/Bwhatever and some truck turbo has taken this long. Would still prefer a nice modern V engine rather than a lardy old lump of I4 iron though.

[Korkey]

Alright. There was a lot of reading to do and some phone calls to make, all of you have been a great help. I have now looked at all the "new" information of today. I have decided that from what I have seen here, and been told on the phone that the V6 Vauxhall 2.8Lt Z28 NET/L as fitted to the Vectra VXR ................... I hope that all that is right, is so far the front runner. Siztenboots points out that it is a good candidate, see his post on this thread. Along with what Ross has told us about the Lotus. Maybe a plan................ This engine coupled to either the standard VX 5 speed or the Astra VXR 6 speed which I also already have. Because this fits our sub frames and I have it/them. Further more first choice is to try to get that lot to work with the standard Vectra ecu. Failing that a stand alone ecu. From the pictures from Ross the Lotus boot area has had some modification to it, I think, but still looks to be Ok ish. Does anyone know what the Lotus boot area is like when compared to the VX........ie, will I have to chop up the VX boot area as the Lotus one looks to be modified? So now I need to find out everything that I can about the V6 engine. Such as what year to look for. Did any improvements take place inside the engine from the early one to the late one and so on. What to do about the turbo air cooling.......here we go..............front mounted or side pod mounted. I would like to keep the work as simple as possible so if a side mounted system such as the standard VX would work then that would be just fine. If I can get any of you intrested in my so far "paper-project" please do help me out. I am sure that there are those amongst us who know a lot about this engine and any tips on anything will be a great help here. I think that this engine has a "spiritual" home in the VX....well it is a Vauxhall. And a VX with a very small V6 badge on it would bring a smile to the face. Thanks again everyone. Regards. Korkey.

[Duncan VXR]

Should be a nice conversion Look forward to the progress reports DG

[Korkey]

Thanks Duncan. But as you of all people for sure know..........this is the easy bit. With help though I believe that it can be done. I am still wanting to keep to my £15k budget. Korkey.

[techieboy]

And a VX with a very small V6 badge on it would bring a smile to the face.

And there be the most important part of the whole thing.

Smooth, modern, quick rev'ing V6 is the natural choice (and sounds better than a flaccid Yankee style V8 anyway). I understand there's a certain firm in the wilds of Norfolk that came to a similar decision. Though they did it properly and fitted a supercharger.

[Korkey]

I forgot to ask. When I was doing the LS and sbc into whatever I had an expanded foam type material and a plastic full size engine. This obviously weighed next to nothing and was just what was needed for those projects saving a lot of back ache and time. Is ther one for the V6 ............. could I get one made? Korkey.

[Korkey]

I did not realise that these where so cheap.
I feel that this is the way to buy all that i need to get started.

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item33775131c8

Korkey.

[Mangham54]

I know it will be more money, but if your budget could stretch to it, why not go for a new 'crated' engine. As that would add that extra reassurance for the build - rather than an ex-police engine that has probably has been subjected to lateral shocks and carefree aggression by the plethora of drivers it will have had. I have no idea what the cost of a new engine would be...

[Rosssco]

Yeah but that ones got a cop motor, cop suspension, cop tyres, cop shocks...

[Nev]

Blimey, 3k is so low for such a beefy and relatively new car

[luke.]

And being an ex police car even though it has more than likely been ragged about it has full service history and guarantee they use all OEM parts as it's not going to be coming out of anyone pocket for servicing ect. Abused but well looked after if that makes sense. Really is a good thread this with tons of ideas and even what the OP doesn't go for this would be a good benchmark for any other people contemplating new engines in the near future.

[Korkey]

Hi Luke. Glad you are liking the thread.......bit of an unknown swap, but I feel that it will be a good one. I have decided on this motor now and I am gathering information about it. I only show the e-bay sale as I too was surprised at how cheap the cars are. I have now seen 3 ex police cars of the right spec and all between £2500 and £3000. A guy in Basingstoke specialises in getting them in. Seeing as I will be buying the donar car this way I will try to use the gearbox as well. I realise that the sub frame will need to be modified. Also the donor might be worth a couple of bob without the engine and gearbox......who knows? I am not at all worried by the mileage as the servicing will be as it should be. I am better off by getting the whole car with it all working and running so that I then know for sure that everythinbg works and all those little buggerish parts that seem to be missing when one buys a "complete" package will be there. Such as the ecu is the right one and so is the loom and not one that might work and so on. The GM ......... "High Feature" engine has a massive family tree. If we where able to get the latest ones then I would not even bother with the turbo charger. The Chevrtolet Camero one..........I think that I am reading it right.............. 323Bhp @ 6800Rpm & 278Lb-Ft @ 4800Rpm Anyway, that is by the by. I want to do a few other mods at the same time, but none of this will start before September............we might get some sunshine and I want to use my VX. Regards. korkey.

[Rosssco]

Glad to hear your going to give it a go Rich.. Was worried for a second you were going to surrender to the usual options for more oomph.. I'd look into using a charge cooler system with this engine in your car - easier to package, less chance of heat soak, potentially better response, and there are already a number of CC parts available such as the proalloy rads / tank and experience with such systems on here. I don't think there's sufficient space to use an air-air intercooler that will handle your requirements, but sure the tubby guys will advise better. Keep me advised if you decide to start on a 'kit' Also interested to find out how well (or not) the F40 gearbox fits, as it's much cheaper, available and stronger than the M32 option. Ross

[Korkey]

Hi Ross. If possible I will for sure try to create a "Full-House" kit of parts. This would be based upon the purchaser having to have a donor car. I have been told of a few issues that might crop up with the factory ecu. My way of trying to overcome this will be to purchase the car as I have already said and then item by item negating them whilst still having the car road legal and insured. This way by a trial and error approach I should be able to sort out the transfer of the ecu. I have done it this way before with other engines and it has worked. I might even be able to use the Vectra turbo cooling unit. All of these things will be very clear as soon as I purchase a Vectra. I will try very hard to also use the F40 gear box. The more I look into this engine and gear box, their weights, the physical sizes, future enhanced performance potential, the fact that it is a modern engine, it is a Vauxhall and the costings etc the more it just seems to be a "right" choice for the VX........ if you feel the need that is, which I do. Well thanks to everyone here I have a plan. This is such a good forum for putting things out there for getting help and feedback. Regards. Korkey.

[Rosssco]

Even if a kit contained an engine mount, it would allow the engine to be installed using a VX gearbox.. There may even be an existing clutch / flywheel combo that works. The electronics side of things put me off the engine, so agree that purchasing the complete donor vehicle with all required parts to allow it to run in another vehicle.. Any idea of the weight of the complete unit minus AC and PS? Would imagine its similar all up to a Z20LET...