30 replies to this topic

[export001]

Hi all,

Im new to the vx220 forum but I have been around the Vauxhall world for years....

Last week I got the chance to work on a vx220, 1st time for everything hey! tbh not really took a lot of notice of them apart from when you rarely see them on a sunny day parked up by the coast or blasting down A roads! " ooooh a vx220", but since I started working on this one at work I have began to admire them abit although the one im working on is in for a engine rebuild 2.2 n/a with high mileage.

Its not the cleanest of examples its been damaged in the past and nothing seems like it lines up properly, but when I got into it (with great difficulty to start with haha) It made me want one.

the engine is away being rebuilt currently but when It goes back in I cant wait to drive it further than 20ft and get a feel for it on the road.

 

My question to you vx220 owners are.... would it make a good project for a summer weekend car?

ideally id like one with a blown engine or minor body damage that's not to catastrophic to repair. My plans would be to Saab turbo it with the b204 engine (I know this engine is a good base to start with I have one in my Vectra supertouring which was pushing about 300bhp)

are there differences in the body/chassis from the 2.2 and turbo? i.e. larger engine space in the turbo to accommodate boost pipes and intercooler?

 

this is just a idea I have at the moment for a potential project something abit different

 

input please guys

thanks

Phil  

[turboluca]

Welcome , you won't be disappointed with a Vx forsure ! Iv got 2 Vx at moment that could intrest you .

[TazN]

Afternoon Phil,

 

Not sure why it's getting a rebuild as they are usually pretty reliable!

 

You don't normally find one with a 'blown' engine up for sale because the engines are petty cheap to pick up second hand. Usually you'll find them cheap with body damage due to the cost of replacement parts and lack of parts from Vauxhall.

 

The chassis is the same, sub frame is different afaik. The rear clam on the turbo has a smaller boot - I'd presume to help with space. Turboluca has lots of vx come his way so I'm sure he can tempt you in to vx ownership! I highly recommend it

[export001]

Hi guys

its getting a rebuild because the rear crank seal is leaking.... but the main big ends are wearing as I took the sump off and found parts of the bearings in the gauze of the pick up pipe bad times!

 

thanks like I said its just a idea at the moment.... probably because of the fact I worked on one and the summer weather... and performance Vauxhall mag has just featured one in the latest issue! its made me look into them abit more...

so there is a difference between clams and subframe... I wonder what else is different? see if im going to change the engine all together I have to make a custom engine mount which is not a issue but if there's a difference between subframes there could be a lack of space.... do the 2.2's use the same ecu as the astra? fundamentally I cant see why not but I couldn't find it in the car to check...

 

 

[TazN]

Have a look over in the project section, there are several guys running or in the process of fitting b204's. Most will be more than happy to discuss it with you.

[techieboy]

Have a look over in the project section, there are several guys running or in the process of fitting b204's. Most will be more than happy to discuss it with you.

Those are B207's. B204's are a whole different kettle of heavy fish.

[export001]

I don't think anyone has done a b204 engine yet.... hencee why I would like to be the 1st to try it

[cressey]

Hi there. Sounds like you've got some good plans and I'm sure you won't be disappointed with it. I currently have 2 also and one will be for sale soon. It's a silver Cat C Tubby but it's mint with 12k on it so might not be what you're looking for. There is this which is about to end on eBay soon though. Seems a bargain at the moment and is a high miler so might appreciate a new engine. http://pages.ebay.co...lobalID=EBAY-GB

[myles]

I don't have one for sale, but I can wholeheartedly recommend them. Mine is a daily driver (apart from the last 2 and the next 4 months!) and is easy to tinker with.

[export001]

hi guys

I will say a lot of my friends are asking me why I want one... and the only answer I can give them is there smart to look at and they must go well being a turbo from the astra.... but i haven't even driven one far at all to have a feel for one...

The things i am looking for are information on which one to ideally go for as a base model to put my project forward.... I .e. I have noticed 2.2's are cheaper than turbos and there doesn't seem that many turbo ones for sale... but if i buy a 2.2 am i going to find issues from space and different routed items and should have picked a turbo to start with? someone mentioned that the rear clam and subframe is slightly different on a turbo?

ideally I want one on sky mileage abit tatty and turbo that requires some tlc as it will have a different engine and along as the clams aren't destroyed to badly.

 

opinions please and info guys

 

[jackturbostage4]

You won't find a hi mileage Vxt that's shot I think , your better off getting a cat car or smashed one an rebuild yourself . Your best bet is seeing what turboluca has to offer on here , get in contact with him .

[export001]

I have noticed a lack of turbo ones for sale unless there damaged, im just after the info about them at the moment really, see what issues I could potentially have with doing this conversion 

[RabnaKS]

Go for it & keep us updated you won't look back! They're more thirsty for money than a woman, you see something you want to spoil it with every day. So even a roadworthy VX will keep you occupied?😆 welcome!

[export001]

thanks mate, I have just spent the last few hours on here looking at some people projects, and the woes that some people have had, but they seem a very easy car to work on once the clams are off....

tbh it would stay off the road till the project is complete, I already are using my last project as a daily and its taking its told on costs and issues.... but at the same time that's the point of a project right?

I have my eye on a potential perchase of a smashed up front end one on ebay.... its being sold by a salvage company but he has 2 of them for sale and in some of the pics you can see a 3rd one in yellow, but looking at it... its a full front end it needs, I have noticed the price for a front clam is around the £800 mark and a pair of headlights easily £600 and at a asking price of the car at £5600 its adding up quickly without even starting to see if anything else is wrong with it  

[hairy]

You'll be lucky to find a pair headlights for £600, more like each.

 

I think it will be a frustrating project but ultimately rewarding. Good luck, you will get lots of advice on here!

[export001]

I swear i read on here somewhere someone was selling a pair at £300 each... maybe i read it wrong

well i have done the conversion on my Vectra which was fairly straight forward 8 wires and it runs, custom engine mount and custom exhaust system.... i think it would be very worth while and to be the 1st to attempt it would be a little personal achievement to myself. i am still trying to find the info i need about the differences between the turbo models and the n/a models, i know they share the same f23 box BUT i know the 2.2 starter motor is located on the other side of the engine as apposed to the turbo engine which also means the gearbox bell housing is different but i need to know things like how different is chassis? or the body between the engine types?

if there's no real difference then either a turbo or a 2.2 will make a good base for my project im just trying to find the info to eliminate any potential unnecessary issues i could have if i got the right base to start with if you get me

[leevx2.2]

The rear clam on the Turbo gives you more space in the engine bay but not allot they are basically the same  from front to back go for a N/A you can buy them cheaper 

[export001]

that's the thing though if i am to change a 2.2 into a turbo and its a smaller space than a turbo already then i am going to be struggling surely? every little helps i would imagine hence why they did it form the factory, how much smaller i don't know things like this i need to find out.

do the fuel lines still sit in the same place between the models?

is there any car wiring loom (not engine) that is different?

are the clocks different between a 2.0 and 2.2?

im just asking the same questions as i did when i did my Vectra conversion as there is so many small details that can be easily overlooked and casue major issues

 

im set on doing it though, i think 300+ bhp and oooodles of torque will bring a smile to my face easily in something that weights next to nothing  

[RabnaKS]

The guys will be along with the experience of both! Going on what you've said already, the VXt allows more play room. If you're doing a project, like you say, it's not a value thing so paying the scrap, paying out for your requirements & you wanting a Saab conversion, turbo would be obvious choice imho? At least you won't need to get bogged down with the VXt/VX n/a debate?😉

[smiley]

that's the thing though if i am to change a 2.2 into a turbo and its a smaller space than a turbo already then i am going to be struggling surely? every little helps i would imagine hence why they did it form the factory, how much smaller i don't know things like this i need to find out.
[color=#0000ff;]Not so easy to find out. None done in the UK afaik. Lot's in Germany (dbilas)
Here's a dutch guy building in a turdo. http://www.vx220.org...-a-good-project[/color]

do the fuel lines still sit in the same place between the models?
[color=#0000ff;]No. Turdo go over left, NA over right side of engine.[/color]

is there any car wiring loom (not engine) that is different?
[color=#0000ff;]I would think yes. (at least there is a turdo and an NA loom in the TIS)[/color]

are the clocks different between a 2.0 and 2.2?
[color=#0000ff;]Yes. NA has a stack, and turdo has a fake stack.[/color]

im just asking the same questions as i did when i did my Vectra conversion as there is so many small details that can be easily overlooked and casue major issues
[color=#0000ff;]Check withthe dutch guy for the 2.2 aftermarket turdo, but for a B204 you will be breaking new ground.[/color]

im set on doing it though, i think 300+ bhp and oooodles of torque will bring a smile to my face easily in something that weights next to nothing  
[color=#0000ff;]300 will make it a dangerously fast car.[/color]

 

Edited by smiley, 27 June 2015 - 09:03 PM.