Hi All,
Mate of mine has a Dax rush with a pinto lump in it on Carbs (Twin 40's)
We're looking for some more power in the form of an engine transplant.
It looks like a red top could be a good way to go, sensible money and strong but what is needed to convert?
Engine, Carbs or ITB's, Bell housing, Loom, new mounts, new manifold.. what else?
Also, if we just bolt carbs on will it run ok or does it need new ignition management?
Any idea on costs to do the change? I've done a bit of research but an idea would be great!
Any thoughts on Zetec as an alternative, or sigma? What are the costs like here??
Sorry for all the Q's but Im simple and BEC!
The ignition is integrated into the Bosch ECU on the C20XE, if if you want to run carbs you will need a standalone igntion ECU such as the MBE (or a
Megajolt for cheapness).
It's possible to mount a distributor from the older 8v Cavalier engine and use clockwork ignition, but it's a backwards step IMO.
The C20XE is going to give the best power increase of any of the engines you have listed. A Zetec E will be cheaper to install (no special
bellhousing needed), but it will be somewhat down on power compared to the Vauxhall engine in stock form. You should be able to get ~175bhp from a
well set-up XE on carbs with decent exhaust manifold.
The Zetec SE (Sigma) might be of interest because the inlet/exhaust is on the same side as the Pinto, so you may be able make use of existing bodywork
modifications. Sweet little engines and very light, but it would need quite a bit of tuning to approach the standard performance of the XE.
Another possibility is the 1.6 Vauxhall Ecotec, a very overlooked engine. It's all alloy so nice and light and has great tuning potential.
SBD know a lot of tuning the Vauxhall engines. Yukspeed
usualy has the best price for the XE/Type9 bellhousing (get the straight one, not the 7 degree one).
Just a thought...one expense not on your list is a modified sump. You can fit a steel one from the 8v engine onto the XE, so you can cut it down and
weld with MIG instead of paying to get alloy sump modified, or you can buy a steel sump from Yukspeed or a nice shallow alloy sump from SDB or see if
you can find an ex-Caterham one.
red tops are good standard power. if you get an early dizzy one you wont need to worry about ign side. Then just bolt the twin carbs on and away you
go.
A senator/carlton box would sort your transmission.
Personally id go for a zetec!
The engines are cheap. will bolt to the gearbox he has. Twin 40 manifold. Then you just need some ign which megajolt will sort. Engine 150 quid.
manifold 80 quid. megajolt 100 quid. Plus what ever exhaust u choose.
Youl need a mondeo clutch and capri release bearing. 1.8 escort water pump.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
quote:
Originally posted by Danozeman
red tops are good standard power. if you get an early dizzy one you wont need to worry about ign side.
How well would it run on 40's? Would they be a little restrictive?
Another vote for the zetec here, bolts straight onto the existing box, bike carbs, megajolt, cheap easy, but.. sadly a new exhaust on the other
side.
As above get a 1.8 from an Escort and its very simple, otherwise water pump, flywheel, sump etc from a 1.8 onto a 2.0 (silvertop)
Blacktop zetec just needs the 1.8 flywheel and a sump chop on the steel bit. Very modern engine with huge bhp potential.
Steve
Ill vote for small block VX
[Edited on 15/12/08 by westy turbo]
the pinto manifold wont bolt on the Zetec is different, I have twin 40's on a 1.8 zetec at the moment they are a little hesitant between 1200 and 1700 rpm but they haven't been set up properley, still plenty of power when you floor it, you may be as well off selling the webbers and going bike carb these are the rage at the moment with plenty of people making manifolds to suit and appear to give power hikes and infcreased torque at the bottom end.
AFAIK the Small block (c14/16xe) VX lump will not suit the big block (c20XE) to type 9 bellhousing converter. Anyone know of one that would work?
quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
AFAIK the Small block (c14/16xe) VX lump will not suit the big block (c20XE) to type 9 bellhousing converter. Anyone know of one that would work?
quote:
Originally posted by charlierevell
How well would it run on 40's? Would they be a little restrictive?