I have desided to go 4 a vauxhall, 2.0 16v, and i have been lookin at older posts and what is the diffence between the xe vx, which has more power,
which is cheaper and which is more Reliable out of the two
Thanks 4 ur time
Philip Moreton
The 2ltr 16v is commonly known as the red top or xe, from it's engines codes: 20xe and c20xe (later engines with a cat).
earlier engines are better, had mahle pistons, lighter cranks and larger round toothed pulleys. the later engines are listed as 5bhp less powerful,
this is due to the catalytic converter. some earlier engines had their heads cast by cosworth and are known as 'coscast' though there is
imho no performance difference between gm and coscast heads. gm heads are ported slightly better and coscast heads have fractionally smaller
combustion chambers (about 1 or 2 cc)
check my website for pics and details on identifying early and late engines.
155bhp standard, 180bhp with twin 45's for a well built engine.
Ned.
quote:
Originally posted by ned
this is due to the catalytic converter.
As far as i know all red tops were either 150 or 156bhp, according to wether there was a cat fitted or not. The red top head was designed by cosworth
hence the extra power over the vauxhall "ecotec" 2.0 16v which had 139bhp. I have read elsewhere that red tops are capable of over 200bhp
but thats probably with mad tuning. If u want to go another route try a 2.0 turbo from a calibra or cavalier 4x4. Over 200 bhp but i wouldn't
like to be the person trying to fit it to a locost.
Probably the best place to find info on any vx engine or part is on the migweb forum at www.migweb.co.uk.
They seem to reckon that the 1.6 16v ecotec engine is more tunable than the red top though.
A testomony to the XE... you can get 220bhp without touching the bottom end. That came from a engine tuners/racers that work round the corner from my
dad.
The 1.6 16v is more tunable... but you know what they say. There's no replacement for displacement 
If you get a cat engine, you can throw the cat away..... As long as the cars not K reg or above.
The LET (2.0L turbo) was fitted to the caterham, cos it's in my book.
quote:
I have read elsewhere that red tops are capable of over 200bhp but thats probably with mad tuning.
Hi Chaps,
A word of warning if using Vx Ecotec petrol engines. The majority, if not all, Ecotecs use a pair of cam belt pulleys with a black ABS plastic outer
on which the belt runs. These rollers basically help space the belt. Unfortunately the ABS appears to work harden with age, eventually crack up and
fall off causing a reduction in diameter. Experience says that when this happens valve anhiliation occurs on at least 8 if not all 16 valves. If
using Ecotecs please always check these rollers and fit the high mileage cam belt at low mileage intervals.
Memory says that both the XE and LET engines also have one of these same rollers. Please be wary!!
Regards. Ken.
the early XE's and the LET's don't have any plastic idler pulleys.
I know the very late (one or 2 years worth) XE's have plastic idler pulleys (Not Cam Pulleys) with an auto tensioner. But these can be changed
for metal ones. So it's neither here or there. and 99% of people aren't going to be using the ecotec engine, cos it's under powered
and crap, compared to the superb XE 
spot on Ben
just to clarify, the cat on a k plate or later would have to be used for emissions at sva but might be able to be removed after. n/a engines can be
built to 300bhp as stu says, sbd do a kit (for about £10k or more!) to go to 299bhp! turbo engines i've heard of at 400bhp with hybrids and lots
of trick bits, but as with all big power engines, you need a very, very fat wallet.
Ned.
According to this thread, it is pre 95. A 'K' plate is 92.....
Apologies Ben!
I meant to say "Idler Pulleys", my brain was in a sling, the problem with working permanent night shifts.
The LET motor I remember had only half the ABS ring left and was still running OK. Caught just in time!!
Cheers. Ken.