18 replies to this topic

[MarkGTT]

Hi, one for the vauxhall engine mini owners / builder etc,

been doing a fair bit of reading of late on an engine conversion, and was kind of set on the X16XE from a 90's corsa or tigra but has anyone used a Z16XE or a Z18XE from a later model zafira or astra?

does this fit an allspeed frame and can you still use TB for the Z motor? was thinking of using R1 bike carbs.

sorry about all the q's - im sure i could speak to allspeed about this but thought that you guys might know and it could come in useful for someone else considering the conversion.

cheers Mark

[Turbo Nick]

have you looked at the honda D16 engines chap?

the one in my old crx was a sweet little motor, 130hp stock from a 1.6

[MarkGTT]

have you looked at the honda D16 engines chap?

the one in my old crx was a sweet little motor, 130hp stock from a 1.6

yeah but transplant looks like a bit more work.. could be wrong tho?!

[Burnard]

Transplant on the honda is more work, and more work to put back due to the bulk head mods.
Vauxhall engine only needs a lil box to clear the gear linkage, or you can modify the linkage, and then not need the box welded in.
There isnt a pre made box for the honda conversion, but allspeed sell a bulkhead box for the vauxhall for about £18. so thats one less thing to fabricate.

Ive been looking at it for a while my self and deceide vauxhall 1600 is the best way to go.

I am also interested in answers to the origional questions


Chris

Edited by Burnard, 29 August 2010 - 09:59 PM.

[MarkGTT]

Chris - Just found out that the Z18XE has the same subframe mounting points.. so could be an option.

But im sure there are others out there that have more info.

[GreaseMonkey]

If they have the same mounting points then I would think you could, I've just never seen anyone do it with an engine code starting with Z, normally its the C and X. You can fit the 1.8 in, Jayare on here is doing just that http://www.theminifo...howtopic=140687 The inlet mounting on the 1.8 points slightly more upwards than the smaller engines so not sure if that helps with clearance or not. A benefit of buying a late engine if you can is that it may have the hydraulic clutch so you wouldn't have to buy them bits or if you want to run a diesel box to keep the revs down you could just swap the hydraulic stuff over?

Edited by GreaseMonkey, 30 August 2010 - 09:45 AM.

[MarkGTT]

been trying to find out if the sump sits lower on the Z18XE.. and if the TB will fit under the bonnet - not being able to search on the 16v mini forum is a pita.

[Burnard]

So the C, X, and Z, series of engines all have the same mountings, in 1.6 and 1.8 versions.
Are they different for the 2.0?

Are the power outputs and cylender heads similar on the X and Z series engines?
I wanted to fit a set of thottle bodies from SBD to a x16xe, much like alex crosse has, are we thinking this would still be the same part for the Z series.
Anyone know valve sizes?

I really need to join that forum

[MarkGTT]

So the C, X, and Z, series of engines all have the same mountings, in 1.6 and 1.8 versions.
Are they different for the 2.0?

Are the power outputs and cylender heads similar on the X and Z series engines?
I wanted to fit a set of thottle bodies from SBD to a x16xe, much like alex crosse has, are we thinking this would still be the same part for the Z series.
Anyone know valve sizes?

I really need to join that forum

i believe that the 1.6 and 1.8 have the same mountings (small block) the 2.0 is a big block.

i 'think' from what i have read that the inlet from the X and Z are the same so the TB will fit but the heads are different..

The advantage (as i see it) of the Z is its newer so you should get a lower mileage lump and its a 1.8 - however the sump of the Z is different and might cause clearance issues..

i will still be looking for a low mileage X16XE.. but might take a put on the Z18XE / X18XE1 if i come across a good one.

[GreaseMonkey]

I wanted to fit a set of thottle bodies from SBD to a x16xe, much like alex crosse has, are we thinking this would still be the same part for the Z series.

I hope you have deep pockets But they are a quality piece of kit

[Burnard]

Yer i know
Monkey, i was told you had done, a internal pedal box conversion, is this right?

I wanted to go for a 1600, mainly for insurance reasons. is there a z16xe?

one other thing thats got me confused is, whats actually wrong with the cable clutch setup? everyone seems to be converting to hydrolic

[GreaseMonkey]

No not me, there is someone on 16v who did it, its not ideal to be honest. I ordered the Minitec pedal kit from the States which uses the Wilwood pedals, much easier The Hydraulic clutch is just easier/better, some people have said there's nothing wrong with the cable clutch, where as some say it doesn't feel right.

Edited by GreaseMonkey, 30 August 2010 - 07:39 PM.

[Burnard]

Have you got any pics with that fitted, or mocked up?

I was thinking of using an OBP pedel box, so going cable clutch wouldn't be difficult for a conversion, just need to sort out the cable route.

[jayare]

Where to start!!!

All the small-block engines use the same block casting so all will fit in the Allspeed subfame. Engine codes can be a little confusing, especially the X18XE (big-block) and X18XE1 (small-block).

There are several differences between the X and Z series engines: The position of the crank sensor which is external running off the front pulley on the X and machined into the crank and using a sensor in the oil pump for the Z. The throttle body - cable operated on the X and fly-by-wire on the Z. You should be able to fit the earlier throttle body to the Z engine to run with a cable, although whatever happens you WILL have to run a bespoke inlet manifold as the standard one is mahoosive! The exhaust manifold on the X is a cast 4 into 2 and a 2 into 1 downpipe with the catalytic converter sitting under the floor and on the Z it's an one piece 4 into 1 Manicat/Maniverter or whatever you want to call it!

The above relates to both X18XE1/Z18XE and X16XE/Z16XE from what I can make out. Going newer on the engine front there is also the Z18XER/Z16XER which are the VVT version of the Z18XE/Z16XE but I think this will be much more difficult to fit it in a Mini as the whole of the front of engine set-up including oil and water pumps and auxiliary drives are different and it all seems to stick out quite a way!

The SBD throttle body inlet manifolds for the C16XE/X16XE wont fit onto the 1.8 as the head design is very different - there are some pics in my build diary (link in sig) of the 1.8 head.

Burnard - I think most people use the hydraulic clutch because the Vauxhall internal slave is a pretty good match to the standard Mini master cylinder and gives good pedal feel. There are a couple of ways to hook the cable up to the Mini pedal but neither are particularly neat. As for insurance, I doubt there will be much if anything in it between the 1.6 and 1.8 in a car originally designed to have a 30bhp 850cc engine!

Mark - I haven't had the engine in yet to find out if there are any clearance issues with the Z18XE sump but as the block is the same, I'm sure you'd be able to swap it for an earlier on if it was a problem.

JR

[GreaseMonkey]

Have you got any pics with that fitted, or mocked up?

Not yet, still waiting for it to be delivered and to be bent over for the tax/duty But the Minitec version pretty much bolts into the standard mounting place which is why I went for it, OBP needs a little fabrication on your part.