[Corsa B 1993-2000] Project: C20XE Re-Build & More

[Dave]

Project: C20XE Re-Build

So, a new year in, I wanted to start something new. What with Brocade II biting the dust late last year, my modded car ownership came to an abrupt halt. I know have the MR2 as a daily (even if it isnt at all economical, and quite a weekend car tbh). This means I need a project, modding the MR2 was never high on my list, it's not the car I want to own.

So onwards!

With all the time in the world, and a large garage on pricate property with electicity and lighting, things are on my side for a little project

The Plan:

Completely strip/clean/repair/replace a late type C20XE with the future aim for it to be running aftermarket management and carbs, most likely Yamaha R1 Carbs on a custom manifold. Fitted into a corsa of course

Items of note:

• The C20XE will retain a fucntioning hydraulic PAS system[/*]
• Will be running high lift cams, but standard pistons.[/*]
• Most items will be replaced with new GM parts. Uprating will be done only in choice areas.[/*]
• I don't have a colour scheme yet, so I'm open to suggestions.[/*]
• Lastly, power figures arent important. I'm mainly undertaking this as a learning excersise, I'm not retarded but I'm certainly not an engine builder. That beign said, I've not taken apart an engine to this extent before, if you see somethign wrong or I'm about to **** something up, tell me, I won't be annoyed [/*]

Enjoy, stay tuned for updates

Dave

[Dave]

Part 1: Engine Sourcing & Delivery



Okay, so a few weeks ago I started looking for what was essentially a broken engine. One that didnt work, blown headgasket, dropped valve, timing belt slipped or snapped, main or big end bearings worn, extreme high mileage.. All of those could have been possibilities. Unfortunately, right now in the C20XE world is a little odd, they are in obscenely high demand, and although the supply is steady, all the engines being sold are either rebuilt already at ?600, or they are fully functioning ones from conversions at around ?4-500 for a complete conversion kit.

This annoyed me somewhat, I wanted an engine to take to bits and rebuild, it didnt need to be working. So anyway, long story short, I upped the budget a bit and started looking for general bargains. A local friend, Tom (Corsa_Power or RedTom depending which forums your on), had a tigra come in that he was breaking. Low mileage, late type XE, F20 box. The price was haggled due to me not needing a loom or ecu for the time being.

So, we arranged for him to drop the engine off tonight to my garage in Maidstone (few towns over from me, sisters house). Here it is:

















So, as you may be able to see, we have a few things of interest. One is the corsa PAS pump, on a proper bracket, ready to go. Handy, and worth a few quid. Powder coated bits include; Rocker cover, L piece, Timing cover, Sump, Coilpack bracket, Entire inlet manifold, Throttle cable bracket.

Overall a little dirty, it's certainly had some grubby hands over it recently, but the paint underneath appears to be absolutely great!

The block has been painted black, the head has been fully cleaned recently it seems.

Opinions? Comments? Suggestions? Wanna hear 'em!!

Dave

[Vegas]

Finally we can talk about it in here

[JOJC1313]

Sounds like a lot of fun.

I thought your original plans were C20LET? or have i missed something along the way?

Do i see "brocade III" on the horizons?

[Danny]

Looks great. Been waiting for you to stick this project up

Brocade Corsa I presume?

[Kitson]

Looks in good nick from the outside Dave, i dont know a huge amount about XE's so i will keep an eye open .

Did notice a few days ago on CS you had an engine sorted lol

[dannyboy]

looking good! remember seeing the breaking thread of the tigra

[Martin Turner]

Looks awesome mate!

Cant wait to see this through...will be good to see some more technical content on here

Any reason your keeping standard pistons? or you skimming the head instead of installing high comps?

(working from my brief knowledge, this will do around the same thing?)

[Kitson]

Looks awesome mate!

Cant wait to see this through...will be good to see some more technical content on here

Any reason your keeping standard pistons? or you skimming the head instead of installing high comps?

(working from my brief knowledge, this will do around the same thing?)

Cost at a guess Martin?.. new pistons dont come cheap

[Dave]

Finally we can talk about it in here

Indeed we can

Sounds like a lot of fun.

I thought your original plans were C20LET? or have i missed something along the way?

Do i see "brocade III" on the horizons?

C20LET was the original plan, I had the same plan for that, buy a broken one and rebuild, but the supply of LET's isnt that plentiful, and a broken one at bargain price gets snapped up by engine builders at scrap yard level, lol. For a decent one its anywhere from ?800 upwards, out of my league this ear im afraid

Brocade III, who knows at this stage, PVS is looming.

Looks great. Been waiting for you to stick this project up

Brocade Corsa I presume?

Lol, everyone assumes I'll be going brocade again??

[Dave]

Looks in good nick from the outside Dave, i dont know a huge amount about XE's so i will keep an eye open .

Did notice a few days ago on CS you had an engine sorted lol

Haha, yeh anyone on CS would have already known if they poach the For Sale forums. But enough about CS, it gets people in trouble on here This thread is for AC. I know a little about XE's and I'm willing to learn and experiemnt, should be fun

looking good! remember seeing the breaking thread of the tigra

Lol, yeh couldnt really hide that part

Looks awesome mate!

Cant wait to see this through...will be good to see some more technical content on here

Any reason your keeping standard pistons? or you skimming the head instead of installing high comps?

(working from my brief knowledge, this will do around the same thing?)

They would both result in the same thing, yes, higher compression ratio, but I'm not really looking to go down that route. Cams will be the highest lift possible without pocketed pistons. New high compe pocketed pistons come in at ?400 upwards :/ RE: The technical content, well, im not sure how correct any of the content will be, but yes, I do hope to share the entire thing with you guys. I've not done this before, you've not done this before. I have an engine. I want to rebuild it, lets go!

Cost at a guess Martin?.. new pistons dont come cheap

Certainly dont!! And if you have new pistons, it'd be rude and stupid not to have new steel rods! Another ?400!

dave

[hoppydan]

brocade is the sexyist colour.. that is why .. unless you want purple...

[Dave]

Puprle is of gay. Fact.

[dannyboy]

have a change, that copper colour?

[Dave]

Ginger you mean? "Apache Gold"