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Vauxhall instead of pinto
sg_frost - 2/1/04 at 09:47 PM

Anyone though of using a vauxhall 8valve engine instead of a Pinto. It's lighter, easy to modify, and can be tuned to give 180bhp (on split DCOE's), cheaper that pinto bits aswell.
Just an idea from us rally boys using them to effect in mk2 escorts sideways!!!!
Regards Stu


Stu16v - 2/1/04 at 09:52 PM

Yes, my mate fitted one to his Westfield, and there is a couple of folk on here using them too. However, the same amount of hassle (and money-other than for the engine itself) is required to fit either 8v or 16v, so most choose the 16v. Like me....


sg_frost - 2/1/04 at 09:59 PM

Got a 16v in the forest car, only allowed 8v in a road rally car, rules get complicated otherwise


Northy - 2/1/04 at 10:22 PM

Yeap, check out the picture on the left <---

Or in my photo archive.

Cheers


Ben_Copeland - 3/1/04 at 10:13 AM

8v is a nice little engine... I prefer my 16v tho


heyzee - 3/1/04 at 11:02 AM

what would the difference be between useing a z-tec and the vauxhall.as im un decided what engine route to take just yet,the z-tec seems to be a squeezen is the 16v vauxhall can the pair be run on twin 40s and how mutch are the bellhousing adaptor plates.i suppose both moters can be tuned to round about the same bhp but whats the differences in priceing and mods to get them both running would you need the wireing harnesses out of both the cars or just the engine bay wireing???


Ben_Copeland - 3/1/04 at 02:19 PM

I would imagine tuning a VX engine would be cheaper, plus the engines can be picked up for less. They are bullet proof too


david walker - 3/1/04 at 07:10 PM

I agree with the general comments regarding the 2.0, 8v Vauxhall. Due to a rule restriction their use in National Autograss racing is widespread and has been since the days when a few were used in National Hot Rods. 200bhp at the flywheel is achievable.

Those of you who say they are cheaper to tune one than a 2.0 Pinto have never tried it!

All Vauxhall engine parts are dearer than Pinto parts. Neither are they bullet proof. Rods fly off at high revs, as a minimum ARP rod bolts are required (about 80 quid a set) - same comment applies to 2.0XE.

Another couple of drawbacks for the 8v Vauxhall are - hydraulic lifters, which need to be dealt with in a high state of tune and the general lack of tuning parts in the second hand market - unlike the Pinto. The Pinto can be opened out to 2.2 at reasonable cost, the Vauxhall cannot.

A fair degree of cash is required to fit and equip an 8 valver. You would be far better to fit a std 16v XE motor, and it will certainly cost less on a bhp per pound basis.


PioneerX - 3/1/04 at 08:02 PM

Just to add my 2p.

I have a a Vx engine and gearbox from a E plated 1.8 Carlton. Picked-up the whole unit (perfect runner with 94k on the clock) for just £50.

The whole unit fits perfect in the book chassis, I'm a very pleased man , and is still tunable to 150 (115 as standard)BHP.

Simon


ned - 5/1/04 at 01:45 PM

I'm fitting the 8v to start with and have an xe which i'm going to build up a bit. 88mm pistons will give it 2.1 capacity. you can go 90mm for 2.2 but I'd rather spend the money on a nice crank and go the touring car spec route. bullet proof below 7500rpm i'd say over 8k and i'd go steel rod, solid lifters in addition to already having the arp bolts.

ned.


david walker - 5/1/04 at 10:49 PM

I said the Pinto can go to 2.2 at reasonable cost, the VX can't. I know it depends on the definition of reasonable but to anyone contemplating a 90mm bore 8v VX the whole bloody thing is unreasonable!

If youv'e got tons of money get a 2.2 QED alloy block. Bore your old Carlton motor to 90mm and be prepared to fit head gaskets daily!


david walker - 5/1/04 at 10:54 PM

Another way of doing 2.2 with a VX is of course to use the 2.2 engine, commonly fitted in the Frontera. Crank is heavy and they utilise balancer shafts in the sump but these can be discarded without detriment. The rods aren't pretty either.

I have built a couple of 8v, 2.2s for competition - the 2 litre 8v head will fit on. The Manta sump fits but you have to do a little local maching to clear the crank throw.

With ARP bolts and 16v (XE) pistons - same bore - they are OK at 7000 rpm.


Stu16v - 5/1/04 at 11:21 PM

But the 2.2 block is approx 1/4 inch higher, for those that are thinking about it, and are already tight for room....


ned - 6/1/04 at 10:02 AM

a cheaper option than the qed alloy block would be the 90mm steel touring car spec crank which i believe takes it to 2.2. the alloy block is £3k+ from qed, a steel crank with longer stroke is i think around half that price. (i guess you'd need special shorter rods to fit it in a standard block though)

all imho...

Ned.


Julian B - 6/1/04 at 02:20 PM

Last night i tried to keep up with a kiddy in a Nova. All i could do was keep up with him and on a long drag starting from 30mph i couldnt gain any ground at all.

I was in a 210bhp seat leon!

Im hoping he had a 2.0 red top ! and after that experience im seriously wondering wether the v8 im going to use in the 7 im building will have enough go


Ben_Copeland - 6/1/04 at 03:45 PM

hehe.. I used to help build novas with 2.0L 16v engines in... and a 2.0L 16v turbo one too Very quick, very scary. But then again, seat leons are heavy. 0-60 of a locost with even an 8v engine in, is going to be quicker then the novas


david walker - 6/1/04 at 10:24 PM

Julian, I'm suprised the Nova left your Leon - maybe you are a more sensible driver!

Most (but not all) of the big engine Novas I've seen have been mobile death traps, with too much emphasis on speed and not enough on handling & stopping.

As far as the Se7en goes, I find that I can drive much quicker in a good hot hatch than I ever can in my tuned 1700 x'Flow Locost. The reason isn't lack of sheer speed or acceleration it's just that being out in the elements, listening to all the noise, being aware of non-existent safety protection etc, I always become more safety concious and slow down! There again I am 50!!!!


Julian B - 7/1/04 at 09:23 AM

David

I found the same in my old Robin Hood. I could keep up with the Leon with my girlfriend driving it up to about 70. After that the Leon sailed away in to the distance, and I would chicken out, but I couldn't out accelerate it. That's one of the main reasons I sold the hood ; because of its poor power to weight ratio and interesting handling characteristics.
Still you cant take it away from those Vauxhall boys ,death traps Novas or not. If I weren't using the rover engine in my build it would defiantly be a 2L 16 valve redtop Vauxhall engine going in.