14 replies to this topic

[corsaboy]

Just introduce myself in the right sub-forum,
We bought past week a nice mini round nose from 1977

We need to do some welding and directly do a conversion.

Why? I have a lots of expierence with the vauxhall engines.
My own project is a Vauxhall Corsa with a C20XE (redtop) with an Eaton M90 supercharger and soon also NOS.

So spare parts from the several vauxhall engines is no problem for me.
Did a lot of conversions with the Nova and Corsa and own a site about conversion of these populair cars in the netherlands:

www.corsa-novatuning.nl (also in english)

Now i have a little dillema.

We want to hold the standard round nose. So a C20XE will be to thigh to fit. I think maybe to thight.
Will it fit with a small block xe, so the c16xe?

Because i have the most parts to build a nice engine, only need a set of camshafts to get a small 130-140 hp out of it..
So this could be very intressing if it will fit without cutting in the front vendors and the hood.

Can somebody advice me in this?

I will post update of the project in this topic.

If you want pictures or movies of the Vauxhall Corsa, just shoot

Cheers Marcel

[corsaboy]

well the mini has arrived.
I'll upload some pic's this week..

We are going to fit a combination of x14xe / x16xe parts with a gearbox of a diesel so a wide ratio version..

[The Matt]

Check out my build thread:

http://www.theminifo...-with-added-xe/

I used a C16XE, running Jenvey throttle bodies, mappable ECU, F15WR gearbox, 10" wheels, standard roundnose front end.

Main issues:

Inlet manifold: you'll need to sort out either a Mantzel style job, using the X14 or X16XE lower inlet manifold
Exhaust manifold: may need a custom one (needs to be pretty flat against the engine really)
Radiator: I use an alloy radiator from the MPi mini, which fits easily, but is probably a little small for race use, fine for road use though
Gearing: F15WR with the 3.55:1 is OK, but a longer FD ratio would be better, something like a 3.2:1 would be better for me
Brake and clutch: The standard mini master cylinders are in the way of the inlet manifold, so I run an internal pedal box from OBP, but I would never recommend the OBP pedal box again as I think it's too flimsy, way too flimsy. Many other people I've spoken to think the same thing.

Have you heard of Allspeed Engineering? They're a UK firm and they make conversion subframes to bolt into the Mini and fit the small block Vauxhall engine in. Rob Hall at Allspeed is a great guy and if you're willing to invest the money in the subframe he's really helpful and will talk you through what's needed, what he can help with etc.

And welcome to TMF! Hope you enjoy it

[The Matt]

Oh, I should have added, there are a load of small bore conversions on here:

Alexcrosse
Nudgerss
MJMW

The next step for me may be the Z18XE, or the X18XE1, which is the same physical size as the C16XE, but obviously larger capacity, so that's a better starting point for more power. Your target of 130-140bhp will easily be achievable with a C16XE or an X16XE though.

[Bungle]

just keep in mind the restrictions in what you can modify on the monocoque and stay with in the DVLA's 8 points system or build the car with a copy of the regs for a BIVA test

more and more of these conversions are being sold off cheap before they get caught for falling outside of the rules

you have the chance to build this right

[The Matt]

He's in the Nederlands Bungle, so the BIVA etc. may not be relevant there.

[Bungle]

i just assumed Twente was over the bridge in England

in that case modify away and have fun


p.s while your over there say hello to the wife's family for me (van den broek's) from Boskoop

[corsaboy]

Hi all,

thanks for the reply's so far.

I'm going to order the allspeed subframe and parts in the first months of 2012.
Already emailed with Rob Hall, very kind and quick in his reply's

The engine also is in stock.
It will be a x16xe with a x14xe flowed (2de stage) cilinderhead..
X14XE bottom part inlet and mantzel powerbox
Stainless steel exhaust manifold
other camshaft from catcams.

For the engine management system i'm still thinking what to use..
The x14xe and x16xe from the later builds needs a speed signal otherwise it doesn;t run ok..

So i'm thinking to use a DTA S40Pro..

About tuning of the vauxhall engines i have a huge expierence:

Some of my builds the past 10 Years (all the HP are on the crackshaft):

1.3 Carb => Conversion to 1.3 Irmscher MPI 100HP
2.0 (20seh) => tuning with confentional parts 150HP
2.0 (c20ne) => Conversion to Eaton M62 supercharged engine: +200 HP
1.6 (x16xe) => Conversion to 1.8 (x18xe1) 186 HP => Powered by a turbo => 260 HP
2.0 (c20xe) => Conversion to Eaton M90 supercharged engine: +260 HP => in 2012 more power and NOS injection so then over the 300 HP

From some builds you can find several build porject and youtube vids...


Back to this project..
So the mini is here, the engine is a few hours work

Now need to strip the mini..
Weld in some parts on the known places..


I'll user a f13 or f15 gearbox WR from a diesel so i don't need to changes gears so much.


What will be a good replacement for the pedal box, because our mini is left side steered..
Don't know if this is a bit more good for the placement of a masterbreak cilinderm because its then the gearbox side.

Or do i know miss a thing..

I'm going to look for the MPI Radiator and i'm thinking of the 8,4inch metro turbo brake conversion..
The wife need to stop in time with this car..

Also want to place a full rollcage and good seats (sabelt racers duo) and 3inch seatbelt harness

cheers marcel

[corsaboy]

[The Matt]

Aaah. With the left hand drive you will probably be able to use the standard Mini setup

Be careful with the Mantzel inlet though. From memory, I think the throttle body is on the right hand side of the car, but I imagine that will foul on the web that runs from the inner wing to the cross member. If you already have the Mantzel, then it's just a case of trying it to see how it fits.

[corsaboy]

i have the already a mantzel powerbox..
Because we have several vauxhall corsa's ;)

it will be a try, adjust and fit project..
Now hoping for dry sunny weather..

[M J W J]

MJMW

The next step for me may be the Z18XE, or the X18XE1, which is the same physical size as the C16XE, but obviously larger capacity, so that's a better starting point for more power. Your target of 130-140bhp will easily be achievable with a C16XE or an X16XE though.

Its MJWJ. Thought I would point it out so the original poster can find me easier.

Something to think about if fitting the X18xe1 is the inlet. The manifold is huge. You will need to look at making a custom inlet or using carbs/itbs. This is something I have yet to sort.

Bungle as for BIVA tests there is paragraph in there that says that a plg vehicle over ten years old is exempt however a test is optional.

[corsaboy]

@mjwj why don't you rebuild the 16xe to 1.8 with the camshaft en pistons of the x18xe1. I have already done such a conversion.

186 hp was the result with other camshafts and mantzel inlet from the x16xe.

Nobody can see it. Gave us a lot of fun. And you don't need to build your own inlet

Cheers

[The Matt]

Sorry, MJWJ is what I meant.

[M J W J]

@mjwj why don't you rebuild the 16xe to 1.8 with the camshaft en pistons of the x18xe1. I have already done such a conversion.

186 hp was the result with other camshafts and mantzel inlet from the x16xe.

Nobody can see it. Gave us a lot of fun. And you don't need to build your own inlet

Cheers

My engine is a x18xe1 not a x16xe. At the minuet as money is tight and it is the engine I have I am just trying to get it running and driving. As the mounts are the same I can look at building up an x16xe engine later on. They seem to be a bit more tuneable from what my limited research has shown.