20 replies to this topic

[paulk]

Hi folks

 

so challenge for 2014 is building a new engine for the vx (already have a stg4 with forged internals. I'm thinking that the best best is a second hand z20let or leh as I can't see the point of buying a new LEH and throwing half the bits away. Anything specific to the either engine to be on the lookout for that would render a potential purpose unusable.

 

Any thoughts welcome

 

Paul

[vocky]

have you considered using the x22xe Vauxhall Omega / Frontera bottom end to create a 2.2 turbo 

[Nev]

have you considered using the x22xe Vauxhall Omega / Frontera bottom end to create a 2.2 turbo 

IMO, the longer stroke isn't ideally suited to a turbocharged engine really as it promotes torque and also that will reduce the rev limit (which wont be a problem on a KKK04 turbo, but would be on a mid sized turbo). The price of a brand new Z20LEH is only £2500 when I last checked, not too bad really.

Edited by Nev, 11 January 2014 - 10:42 AM.

[paulk]

Interesting idea I hadn't really thought about changing the bottom so will investigate further. I presume as the block is about 1cm taller fitting it'll still fitt under a standard boot lid. Depend on how much I'll need to pay of the base engine too - less spend here more to spend on shiny bits.

Nev - I know you pegged your block - did you get it lined too - thinking that darton liners might not be a bad way to go to add a bit more strength (not thatI'm going for silly bhp rather just a bit of future proofing)

 

P

[vocky]

klassen seemed to think the 2.2 conversion was worth doing on his turbo engine 

Edited by vocky, 11 January 2014 - 12:49 PM.

[Nev]

klassen seemed to think the 2.2 conversion was worth doing on his turbo engine 

"used to", however after he was nearly sued by a customer I think he might have abandoned that idea. I know he did at least couple of engines like that, but the one that Carsten had died very quickly. In short, I think performance (ie tuned) TC'ed cars prefer a shorter stroke to bore ratio really. Base engines like the high reving VVT Jap engines are perfect for it IMO.

Edited by Nev, 11 January 2014 - 06:42 PM.

[cnrandall]

 

have you considered using the x22xe Vauxhall Omega / Frontera bottom end to create a 2.2 turbo 

IMO, the longer stroke isn't ideally suited to a turbocharged engine really as it promotes torque and also that will reduce the rev limit (which wont be a problem on a KKK04 turbo, but would be on a mid sized turbo). The price of a brand new Z20LEH is only £2500 when I last checked, not too bad really.

 

 

£2500 for a brand new LEH… Where from?  My vauxhall dealer quoted me several multiples of that!

[paulk]

£2500 - bargain - forged rods, intake mani and a garret - would be a bargain

 

where can I get one?

 

[Nev]

Interesting idea I hadn't really thought about changing the bottom so will investigate further. I presume as the block is about 1cm taller fitting it'll still fitt under a standard boot lid. Depend on how much I'll need to pay of the base engine too - less spend here more to spend on shiny bits. Nev - I know you pegged your block - did you get it lined too - thinking that darton liners might not be a bad way to go to add a bit more strength (not thatI'm going for silly bhp rather just a bit of future proofing)   P

Yea, I semi closed the deck (though I'm not 100% sure it was required, more of a precaution). I didn't get it lined because of the risks and costs. A second hand block is just £200, so why bother spending 2 or 3 times that on liners that might move? I've heard (internet rumours only) that even the Darton ones can shift about, so I wouldn't do it personally, though that's not to say that putting in liners isn't out of the question.

Edited by Nev, 11 January 2014 - 07:27 PM.

[Nev]

have you considered using the x22xe Vauxhall Omega / Frontera bottom end to create a 2.2 turbo 

IMO, the longer stroke isn't ideally suited to a turbocharged engine really as it promotes torque and also that will reduce the rev limit (which wont be a problem on a KKK04 turbo, but would be on a mid sized turbo). The price of a brand new Z20LEH is only £2500 when I last checked, not too bad really.

  £2500 for a brand new LEH Where from?  My vauxhall dealer quoted me several multiples of that!

Yea, I was a bit surprised as well, I did try and make sure he was quoting for a Z20LEH (as opposed to a Z20LET), but he sounded a bit thick, so maybe he made a mis-quote. I rang up my local main Vauxhall (http://www.drivevaux...hipDetails.aspx) dealer in Bristol approx. 2 months ago just to get a feel for the price. If you ring up, see if they can discount for 2 pls. The key advantage is those brilliant Z20LEH pistons (in brand new bores), they are far better than people give them credit for. They are forged well enough to easily cope with 500 BHP (probably 600+ in reality) and they have a high silicon content (12%) which means they don't expand much, so the OEM piston to bore clearance is nice and tight (way better than the Omega pistons I currently have).

Edited by Nev, 11 January 2014 - 08:04 PM.

[Gedi]

Why stick with a GM engine?

I'd look into a conversion, probably something like a supercharged Honda i-VTEC (k20A2) which is really popular with the Elise guys

Edited by Gedi, 11 January 2014 - 09:04 PM.

[Duncan VXR]

Why stick with a GM engine? I'd look into a conversion, probably something like a supercharged Honda i-VTEC (k20A2) which is really popular with the Elise guys

Or a much better vag tfsi s3 engine conversion DG

[robin]

how is the bag conversion going not been much mentioned in ages

[Nev]

Why stick with a GM engine? I'd look into a conversion, probably something like a supercharged Honda i-VTEC (k20A2) which is really popular with the Elise guys

Because the effort/labour costs/bespoke fabrication/bespoke fitting/risk/extra parts/time etc stack way over the same for a GM engine. Simples. Such a suggestion is viable IF you have access to fabrication, are skilled and have plenty of time.

[paulk]

Well it's a vxt so I'll be sticking with a turbo and I want it to be as simple to install as possible hence let/leh. If a new leh can be had for 2.5k then as i said a set of forged rods and new bolts would be a good option - only real fabrication needing to be done will be the tullet to match the garrett. currently running 300bhp and i've done over 70k miles in that state of tune - but 400 is another nice round number . I still want it to be a reliable daily driver.

 

P

[Bumblebee]

I've got a garrett turbo,mani,forge actuator that I'm going to be selling if it's of any interest?

[Dave E]

The key advantage is those brilliant Z20LEH pistons (in brand new bores), they are far better than people give them credit for. They are forged well enough to easily cope with 500 BHP (probably 600+ in reality) and they have a high silicon content (12%) which means they don't expand much, so the OEM piston to bore clearance is nice and tight (way better than the Omega pistons I currently have).

Which is why I went for them despite being more expensive than the omega and other forged options.

[slindborg]

The x22xe engine thing was done and abandoned in Vauxhall circles about 10years ago migweb might still have info about its seeming pros, then cons. Effort far out weighed the gain.

[siztenboots]

The key advantage is those brilliant Z20LEH pistons (in brand new bores), they are far better than people give them credit for. They are forged well enough to easily cope with 500 BHP (probably 600+ in reality) and they have a high silicon content (12%) which means they don't expand much, so the OEM piston to bore clearance is nice and tight (way better than the Omega pistons I currently have).

Which is why I went for them despite being more expensive than the omega and other forged options.

I am always on the look out for more sets of VXR pistons

[Duncan VXR]

how is the bag conversion going not been much mentioned in ages

It completed sir, owner Crabash posted under project thread vxt heart transplant DG