Welcome to vvon

Tom · #11 24-02-10, 12:40

Ask the Mrs if you can Z20LET it instead then, and regarding other mods- maybe some VVON stickers haha

Dom · #12 24-02-10, 13:09

yeah maybe I could do with some small ones for the rear quater windows as I already have this in my rear window

violator · #13 24-02-10, 15:12

buy it off you dom lol

i dot need to ask the mrs to LET it...il finish it off lmao

Dom · #14 24-02-10, 20:36

lmao, ok you buy it off me then LET it then I will buy it back, lol thats an easy way round the mrs

Leeky · #15 24-02-10, 23:18

It would be cheaper to C20LET it yourself.

Its a fairly easily job when you already have a X20XEV as well.

I'd advise against using an Z20 series Turbo engine, because you will require a lot of work to get it all running; stick to a C20LET, but I'd be rebuilding the engine before fitting it, because most are tired these days if we're honest!

violator · #16 25-02-10, 00:25

whats the wage in fitting a c20 to a 2ltr vec lee ??

Leeky · #17 25-02-10, 00:54

Its not something I would be looking to do personally. If you dead set on getting it done, I recommend only one person for this conversion; Spankee, on VVOC or migweb, or well he's everywhere really! lol.

Hes an absolute perfectionist, and has fitted this engine to many Vectra's in the past, including his own as well. He won't come cheap, but you get what you pay for. Having seen his work many times I wouldnt recommend anyone else.

In reality, its easy enough to do yourself. Get a C20LET, the engine loom, all the electrics and ancillaries, and the ECU etc, a F28 (plus the 2wd conversion kit), a decent clutch, the F28 mounting and I think the C20LET goes either straight on the X20XEV mount or you use the C20LET one. You obviously also need the manifolds, turbocharger and downpipe as well, and well anything the engine needs to run.

I've never done it before myself, but I have removed a C20LET from a Vectra and it was suprisingly easy to do. I can't comment on the wiring, but from memory I believe its only 4-5 wires, or something to that effect.

The C20LETs mate to F23 gearboxes very well too. So if your not prepared to spend decent money on a F28 get a F23 instead.

Expect to lose around £1k for fitting, including the rebuild of the engine. It could be more, it could be less, and obviously all parts and items are on top of that price as well.

Expect to pay around £500-1250 for the gear needed, and thats without any mods to the engine, like the custom exhaust, welding for the downpipe, top hats etc etc. Good LETs are very expensive, but there is nothing to stop you buying a older one, and then have it rebuilt to whatever spec you want.

Also accept you need to have big pockets though. I'll be going the route of a 2.8t for my St200 once I'm well enough too, and we've moved etc etc. For me its not too bad, I can do most myself (given time), and any fab work I can have done for next to nothing as well. Even for me though, its not going to happen overnight, and its going to be seriously expensive even though I'll probably only do 200-300 miles a year once complete!

My opinion is this for Vectra's:

1.6's: Dont even bother, just sell it and get something below!
X18XE/X20XEV engines: Either V6 it with a 3.0, or fit a C20LET
Z22SE: Just supercharge it!
electronic throttle 1.8/2.2 (if you dont want to S/C): Z20LET/LEH etc.
2.5's: Fit either a 3.0 or 3.2
2.6's: Fit a 3.2!

Thats now I see it anyway.

violator · #18 25-02-10, 01:24

why dont u reccomend the Z20 ? i'm still thinkin of dropping a 3.2 into my 2.6, but i also like the thought of a little turbo lump ie; LET...sure i love the sound of the V6, but i also love the sound of a turbo dumpin through a dump valve lol...see my problem here...ive heard to turbo a V6 is nigh on impossible...what to do...what to do...

Leeky · #19 25-02-10, 10:40

	Quote:
	Originally Posted by violator why dont u reccomend the Z20 ? i'm still thinkin of dropping a 3.2 into my 2.6, but i also like the thought of a little turbo lump ie; LET...sure i love the sound of the V6, but i also love the sound of a turbo dumpin through a dump valve lol...see my problem here...ive heard to turbo a V6 is nigh on impossible...what to do...what to do...

For your car I'd say a Z20 is possible.

The problem is more to do with electrics, and it controlled electrical parts. True facelift models (Z18/Z22/Y26) have electronic throttle controllers. They are also wired for all these electronics. A Z20 series turbocharged engine is also fly-by-wire powered, so splicing into existing wiring is easier because all the electronics are already there.

In contrast, fitting a Z20 series Turbocharged engine to a prefacelift, old generation X18/X20/X25 immediately gives you wiring problems for the throttle controllers, because the setup is cable operated. You could retrofit the electronic throttle system, but then you'd have major wiring issues unless you also replaced the wiring loom with a facelift generation one. To do that requires the entire dashboard, right down to the bulkhead removing, not to mention massive work in the engine bay after removing the engine/gearbox. You'd then spend forever adapting the wiring loom to work.

For V6 engines you'd also need the 4 cylinder petrol clocks, because the rev counter is set to read for v6 engines, not 4 cylinders and therefore will not work correctly.

To date, I've never seen a prefacelift car fitted with a Z20 turbocharged engine; I've only ever seen it fitted with a C20LET.

When I eventually fit the 2.8t I'm going to have serious work with the wiring. I will likely have to make my own loom, and I'm going to have to add things like the fly-by-wire. It is a massive job, and unless you have the confidence to overcome mountains of issues, I'd keep it simple. For me its OK to not be able to use my car; I have another one, and I'm in no rush. IF its your only/main car you don't have that luxury!

violator · #20 26-02-10, 01:10

what cars is the Z20 in am i right in sayin its the astra coupe turbo engine ? what about the astra vxr engine ??