27 replies to this topic

[Andy D]

Hi All, I've been running a stage 2 modifed VX220 turbo (nitrons, LSD, charge cooler, full miltec and chip, so about 250hp) for about 18 months and it's completely brilliant - love it... however I'm starting to feel like upgrading the power a little. I've already bought an Z20LEH engine, I was planning to fit that with upgraded rods and a bigger charge cooler and GT2871 turbo etc. Initially I was hoping for about 350hp, but also secretly thinking in the future I might see closer to 400hp. The thing is the car is car is currently immaculate, with only 11k miles and so probably worth about 12.5k-13k I guess. The above mods are going to cost 6k+, and I guess the end result might be worth maybe 14k on a good day - it's not exactly a great investment ) So today I was looking at my pile of upgrade parts and wondering if I should sell my car and buy a much cheaper 2.2NA - a nice one looks like about 8k'ish (hoping not to offend anyone?), and then use that as a basis for all the new upgrades. Is that a completely crazy idea...? Are there any significant issues in upgrading the NA to turbo spec? I guess the final result will be worth marginally less than a modified Turbo, but on the face of it that seems like a more economical route? Even better if I could find a 2.2NA with some mechanical problems and AP's and Nitron's already fitted! I'm not expecting to make money on it - but it would be nice to think I would see some of it back!! Any advice would be very welcome indeed, Andy

[G-Bob]

So are you planning to put the Z20LEH into the NA?

[slindborg]

So are you planning to put the Z20LEH into the NA?

imho that would be the "better" option if you want to use the current parts...

however you can sell them on MIG/vauxhsport, get an N/A and dive in with a good S/C build on the 2.2.

[Winstar]

It has been done before, but it will be worth less than the standard NA if you come to sell it due to the level of modification. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. if your going for the levels of power where you need to change the internals, IE 350-400 bhp then the Z22SE engine is a better starting point due to all the component available in the US.

[techieboy]

Think you might need to save that reply as a template, Winstar.

[siztenboots]

It has been done before, but it will be worth less than the standard NA if you come to sell it due to the level of modification.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. if your going for the levels of power where you need to change the internals, IE 350-400 bhp then the Z22SE engine is a better starting point due to all the component available in the US.

if only it could rev

[rabidh]

You may also be able to look at the LNF engine (http://en.wikipedia....y_II_engine#LNF) which would bolt into an NA with the same engine mounts. I believe they're 260bhp standard and tweakable to crazy powers. There was talk about it a while back, but I don't know if one has been used in any engine swaps due to it being I guess a relatively advanced engine management system?

[Seb.F]

Why do you need to ask. Everyone knows what you should be doing to N/A's and it's got nothing to do with turbos. Z22SE all the way. So many parts available so easily.

[siztenboots]

Why do you need to ask. Everyone knows what you should be doing to N/A's and it's got nothing to do with turbos. Z22SE all the way. So many parts available so easily.

There is also a VX with a 2.4L engine conversion which has the variable valve timing head.

[Seb.F]

I did read something about the vvt yes.

[rabidh]

There is also a VX with a 2.4L engine conversion which has the variable valve timing head.

Yep, that's me. The 2.4L engine just bolts in too, although you'd probably have troubles with the ECU unless you go standalone.

However it turns out I can't find the standard maps for the cam phases anywhere (and the ones for the turbo aren't the best), so if you go for a standalone ECU you're looking at spending a lot of time trying to map the engine for the best performance - and even then you're not getting anywhere near Turbo/SC power

However, you could go nuts and have a supercharged 2.4 like has been done in the states

[vocky]

it really is better to tune the z22se than fit a z20leh, you would need to change the gearbox to a turbo F23 as the z22se box has a different bellhousing, plus various other parts will need swapping for tubby stuff. 380bhp will soon be the norm with a Harrop sc fitted to the z22se engine and that restricted power level is only due to the cylinder liners, upgrade those and 450bhp should be possible

[slindborg]

Just change the bellhousing

[rcvaughan]

380bhp will soon be the norm with a Harrop sc fitted to the z22se

Yes please!

[rcvaughan]

Just change the bellhousing

You're a bellhousing!!!

[Crazyfrog (Fab)]

Yes please!

to be collected tonight from me9 9ps

[Andy D]

Hmm... well, thanks for the info I think!? Since I've already got most the parts to do the upgrade, I'm pretty fixed on going the Z20LEH+Garrett route rather than the S/C NA route. I've got nothing against the S/C route - but when I was buying the parts I was intending to put them onto my existing car. Only in the past week have I wondered about whether it would make more sense to bolt the bits into an NA car.... So apparently the gearbox is different on the NA car, does that mean the driveshafts are also different? What about the brakes, suspension, chassis and engine/gearbox mounting points? Are these all the same between the NA and Turbo? Thanks, Andy

[Zoobeef]

Pm John Faulkner as he has done it. Are you wanting to use the LEH 6 speed box though or the LET 5 speed as both will have different costs attatched

[Andy D]

Pm John Faulkner as he has done it. Are you wanting to use the LEH 6 speed box though or the LET 5 speed as both will have different costs attatched

I was thinking that I would use the F23, as I wrongly thought that was what was already fitted to the NA - however, if that's not the case I guess it's a good excuse to upgrade to the M32 6 speed

Thanks for the tip - I'll PM John!

[slindborg]

the only extra you will need is a turbo drivers side engien mount bracket. possibly the turbo header tank and pipes too. Shafts are the same, brakes are the same