Printable Version | Subscribe | Add to Favourites
New Topic New Poll New Reply
Author: Subject: Bought a Red Top !
stevegough

posted on 8/4/09 at 03:14 PM Reply With Quote
Bought a Red Top !

I know lots about engines -

they are usually dirty, they are heavy, ones with bigger numbers are more powerful, they have lots of complicated pipes and wires.

Clever, eh!

NO, Sorry, I don't know much else about them?

So, I have been advised that this 'red top' is a good engine to get - so its on its way to me - good old ebay - complete with ECU, wiring loom, oil cooler, manifolds, injectors, etc, etc.

Question coming up - why are people advising me to get rid of the injectors and fit carbs ?

Is this the best way forward?

How will this affect the emission levels - (I want to SVA it - sorry, gold plated IVA it) ?

Thoughts, Guys, Please !!





Luego Locost C20XE.
Build start: October 6th 2008.
IVA passed Jan 28th 2011.
First drive Feb 10th 2011.
First show: Stoneleigh 1st/2nd May 2011.
'Used up' first engine may 3rd 2011!
Back on the road with 2nd engine may 24th
First PASA mad drive 26/7/11
Sold to Mike in Methyr Tydvil 19/03/14

View User's Profile E-Mail User View All Posts By User U2U Member
cd.thomson

posted on 8/4/09 at 03:17 PM Reply With Quote
nooo dont fit carbs , go injection.

good choice of engine..


http://www.sbdev.co.uk/History_files/History_BudgetHorsepower.htm

I'm fitting one myself.

U2U me if youve got any specific questions. This site has given me a wealth of knowledge





Craig

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
blakep82

posted on 8/4/09 at 03:25 PM Reply With Quote
i went for a newer ecotec (same block) i'm going with bike carbs :p
they're simpler, and better/more power than the ecotec injection system





________________________

IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083

don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
Badger_McLetcher

posted on 8/4/09 at 03:27 PM Reply With Quote
V. Good engine, you can get something like 200 odd hp out of it with ease (from what I remember).
Carbs are generally simpler to install (well less or no electrical), but also generally don't produce the same amount of power and higher emissions. Since you've got the parts (ECU and injectors) I would stick with injectors.





If disfunction is a function, then I must be some kind of genius.

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
owelly

posted on 8/4/09 at 03:44 PM Reply With Quote
I also bought a red top.....

...but it's too tight. I should have got an extra large......





http://www.ppcmag.co.uk

View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
Ben_Copeland

posted on 8/4/09 at 03:50 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by owelly
...but it's too tight. I should have got an extra large......



Well if ya don't want it..... i'll ave it





Ben

Locost Map on Google Maps


Z20LET Astra Turbo, into a Haynes Roadster

Enter Your Details Here
http://www.facebook.com/EquinoxProducts for all your bodywork needs!

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
piddy

posted on 8/4/09 at 04:45 PM Reply With Quote
I don't know much about the red top apart from it's a good choice. However if it's a later that 1994 it will need to meet emissions that will require injection and a cat to pass.
View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
mediabloke

posted on 8/4/09 at 05:42 PM Reply With Quote
Nah, you don't want it. Sell it to me instead...

Seriously? Excellent choice if it's in good nick.

There's an redtop Manta with bike carbs on youtube IIRC. Noise that would shake the pavement...

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
Charlie_Zetec

posted on 8/4/09 at 05:58 PM Reply With Quote
Aha, a man in support of the mighty griffin! I used to be a Vauxhall man myself, have spent many an hour underneath my old mk2 Astra GTE 16V and Calibra 16V.

Circa 150bhp as standard, there is a variety you can do to them to boost power up.

My astra ran a set of twin Webber 45's on a standard engine, but I used to run my calibra on reprofiled cams, a sard fuel pressure regulator, top hat (courtney metal unit to replace SFI box), mounted to a lightened and balanced flywheel, and 2wd converted F28 6-speed gearbox from a calibra turbo, as well as a few trick little other bits.

There were 2 models made, early and late. The early one ran a dizzy, whilst the latter ran a distributor-less ignition system; if you want to run anything other than standard injection then you'll need the dizzy unit.

I was going to put a redtop in my latest GTS project, but it came with an 1800 zetec engine in place, and I couldn't warrant spending more money on the engine, bellhousing and all ancillaries. It's also a cast block, as opposed to the zetec, which is a lighter, alloy block.

But still, if you need any more advice or help, please let me know! I also might have some spares in the garage from my old engine, so let me know if you need anything and I'll take a look.

Good luck!





Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity!

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
Danozeman

posted on 8/4/09 at 06:11 PM Reply With Quote
Good engine choice. If you have ecu and loom etc itl be easy enough to set up with standard gear. You just need a carlton gear box. 156 bhp standard.

Is it a pre 95?? If so easier emmissions and no cat.

I had a redtop calibra and my mate had a cav gsi they went like stink.

As an aside, if you want some fast road cams my mate has a piper pair sitting in his shed. Let me know if theyr any use.

Also check the head. They go porous and put oil in the water. You really want a coscast one.

[Edited on 8/4/09 by Danozeman]





Dan

Built the purple peril!! Let the modifications begin!!

http://www.eastangliankitcars.co.uk

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
skippad

posted on 8/4/09 at 06:59 PM Reply With Quote
The last MK i built with a Red top installed.
People usually ditch the stock injection (restrictive in tintop mode) for either dcoe45 carbs/bike carbs or throttle bodies.
Carbs are easier and cheaper to install but if you've more cash, throttle bodies are the way forward.
I had Weber 45's on mine with 170bhp and loads of torque, the only quirk with them is keeping em in tune, but with an air meter and a good ear you soon become an expert.
Any install questions just ask.

View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
Ben_Copeland

posted on 9/4/09 at 03:03 PM Reply With Quote
Can anyone point me in the direction of which bike carbs are good for the xe?

Want to run injection instead of the dellortos I currently have lined up for my engine....





Ben

Locost Map on Google Maps


Z20LET Astra Turbo, into a Haynes Roadster

Enter Your Details Here
http://www.facebook.com/EquinoxProducts for all your bodywork needs!

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member

New Topic New Poll New Reply


go to top






Website design and SEO by Studio Montage

All content © 2001-16 LocostBuilders. Reproduction prohibited
Opinions expressed in public posts are those of the author and do not necessarily represent
the views of other users or any member of the LocostBuilders team.
Running XMB 1.8 Partagium [© 2002 XMB Group] on Apache under CentOS Linux
Founded, built and operated by ChrisW.