The c20xe on trademe?

[bulldog]

What's everyone's thoughts on the c20xe on trademe at the mo for $2000? he has another complete motor there which is standard too.

This could be a good swap for my slant 4 boat anchor. Assuming the sump etc is good for the chevette steering rack and roll bar clearance. I have twin 45s already to throw at it.....it's very tempting.

I'd need to find a box for it tho although I have a w50 supra box here might be able to get a bell housing made up.

www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=146263547

[jaygti]

I would be very surprised if the sump didn't fit but if not you can still get Manta sumps off ebay.co.uk for reasonable-ish money.

It's still not a light engine, but in terms of the potential of the XE it far outstrips the van engine. Has been rallied with huge success in the UK for years, go to any club rally over there and you will lose count of Mk2 Escorts with these under the bonnets. Whereas 170-180 might be near the limit of sensible power you'll get out of the slant, this is just the beginning of the power you could get out of the XE (although it gets expensive from there).

Gearbox-wise, not 100% but the same Commonsleeper box as Mikuni's should fit, if not then a type-9 replacement would be simple to source... or just go with the w50.

Do it!

[bulldog]

Is someone else from here bidding on it? I'd hate for us to bid each other higher.

[bulldog]

I just bought it! Man I hope it's all it's cracked up to be.

[jaygti]

Awesome, it's a way, way better option than the slant and when you want more power, just add money. Circa 270hp is not uncommon in the rally Mk2 Escorts (that is lots of $$$ of course, but it means it's possible for you some time in the future, should you want).

www.sbdev.co.uk/History_files/History_EngineTechVauxhallXE.htm

(now if you need to raise some money, seeing as you have 2 engines for your car... ahem, you can sell me those Stromies for what you paid for them, ahem... ;D)

[cuteweegem]

Good stuff man, I definitely think you did the right thing, no doubt these things are far superior to a bedford engine, making the same, if not more power on mostly stock components and not to mention it doesn't have to work as hard to make the power, in turn being reliable.

Plus they're just Barry Whitein' sweet ;D

I'd even goto the extent of buying the other one he has incase of repair, cause its cheap and it'll be hard to get one for the same price. I looked for about 4-6 months and could only find whole cars which all seemed to be highly priced

Also, don't use a w50 if you want light weight, get a w55 as they're alloy case. you'll never break them with a n/a 2l power either

[geminimad]

you wnt be dissapointed with that motor. should go pretty quick in a chevette hatch. hw much did u pick it up 4?

[gordo]

Hmmm, looks like you've got a nice little engine.
With the carbies you've already got, it's not much more than a rejetting and setting up engine mounts and fueling and you're largely set. T9 gearbox is just a 5 speed Sierra box - should do you OK (I'm also using one) and there're a bunch of upgrade options for them.
Overall, with the ancilliaries, the engine works out as a darned reasonable price. Heck, the exhaust would cost over a grand to have built, alone!

[mikuni]

Awesome! I was watching the auction for the standard engine and I saw that this one had sold and was gutted that someone I didn't know got it.. until I read this! Good stuff man. You are going to be very happy with it I'm sure.

If it were me doing it I would probably just go the easy road and find a type 9 gb to wack in. The big advantage of these is that they have a sliding yoke as I understand? The commodore box like I used doesn't, it uses a solid flange which results in a difficult to setup driveshaft. This will cost around $300-400, as it did for me. So yeah, find a type 9 and go from there. Or do a w55 type thing but again, making an adaptor plate or a custom bell would probably not be worth it.

I think the exisiting mounts on it will go straight up aswell. You will need to modifying the gearbox crosmember and probably cut out the existing chevette mounts from the tunnel because these wil be in the way.

[bulldog]

Thanks mate, he's giving me an old Type 9 which requires a reco and I've already found a sierra 5 speed to put on so I totally agree with you. There's bound to be plenty around anyway. I'll come back to you with more questions

[mikuni]

Cool, I'm happy to help and I can even give you a ride and see what XE(V) power feels like, even if mine is ecotec lol

I asked gaz on oldschool if he would sell the type 9 and I think he has a spare too. He's in wellington though but would probably give it to you for an alright price if you do want one off him. Hope they're strong units.

[jaygti]

mikuni said:

Hope they're strong units.

They don't like torque very much, a 3l Essex V6 will pulp one in no time, but the later 2.8 Cologne-powered (and relatively torque-free) Capris had them as standard. Plenty of uprated gearsets and the like available for them though (6-speed sequential dog box anyone?)

[mikuni]

Yeah but I'm just thinking for the cost of doing that you might aswell just use the getrag opel unit that bolts straight up like I have done. I don't think you'll be popping one of them any time soon. Or a w55 toyota box. Apart from the sliding yoke people just use that stuff in the UK because its so common and cheap and then other people over here copy what they do because parts and there and its easy. I like the thought of adding a kiwi spin to the project, hence me doing things differently and ecoteccy. Lol. I'm going to love it if I get my engine making better power with less mods like I'm expecting.

[jaygti]

Depends where the car is heading, the type-9 is popular in the UK primarily because it's cheap and plentiful, but because of that reason there is also a lot that can be done to make it suitable as a strong fast road or competition box.

Agreed that it's the expensive option compared to others you mention, but with anything from stronger full-synchro standard shift-pattern gearsets with custom ratios (standard Sierra ratios aren't great) to silly things like the sequential 6-speeders, if the car is going to be used in anger and that engine developed to anywhere near it's potential, it could be worth it in the long run.

In the meantime, if he lunches one type-9, just bung in another one... ;D

[zep]

I remember looking at a website which had XE-type9 bellhousings for sale in the UK. It was the same place that does those 298hp XEs I think. Brad may recall the address.