536 replies to this topic

[Madmax]

how did it get on at the rollers tom boy?

[Purple Tom]

ah not too bad. Its better to drive than it ever has been Many thanks to ACDodd and ML Motorsport, absolutley 100% the best A-Series tuners available. But I'm getting fed up with working on the A-Series - its going to be due for a rebuild soon and I don't want it off the road for long periods every year while I rebuild the engine (because thats the nature of the engine - for high power you sacrifice reliability).

So.......I have a plan. I'm going to run it until July and give it a shot down the strip at the Showdown to see how it performs, then the engine is coming out and I'm going to the dark side....

I drove Allspeeds C16SE demonstrator yesterday and fell in love. I was initially looking at the B16A VTEC, but I plan on retaining the 10" wheels, and the VTEC unit causes all sorts of problems with doing this (new FD having to be made up, problems with the VTEC and when it comes in because of the different ratio's etc), and there's other issues, like having to modify the bulkhead to fit the standard inlet manifold (and then the cost of an aftermarket manifold if I wanted to keep the bulkhead original) blah blah blah. So I had a good look around the Allspeed demo car and have decided its the conversion I'm going to go for.

Its not hugely powerful in standard trim (110bhp and similar torque figure), but its plenty to be going with, and it provides 40+ mpg and will do well over 100k miles - thats really what's sold it to me. As much as I like the A-Series engine, mostly for its simplicity and *relative* ease to work on, the idea of that sort of reliability combined with equal if not better performance has turned me, in the space of about 3 days.

So, in between Showdown and BH2N 2006 I'll be beavering away on the C16 conversion. I'll get everything together that I need beforehand and it shouldn't take more than a month of spare time, providing I know everything thats going to happen beforehand....

It'll also mean I can ditch the earplugs and get a nice little stereo system in the car, meaning on long journeys it'll be much nicer. I built the car to drive not to work on all the time.

[Jammy]

Tom Tom Tom!! So close but yet soooo far!

What did Rob say about the ratios? I didn't realise the FD affected the Vtec much? I know if your not high enough up the rev range then it will drop out of Vtec on gear change. Did you tell him you have a Clubman? A Vtec should fit with no mods to the bulkhead.

[asteroth]

sell me your carbs when you go honda!

[Purple Tom]

I know I know.....I have to admit though this conversion is (for once) being done on a bit (read LOT) of a budget, and the Vauxhall stuff is cheaper, and also I'm thinking spares will be cheaper too....

Apparently altering the FD *can* alter the VTEC, although I'd already driven the demo car at that point as was busy poking around underneath so wasn't listening toooo closely.

I did say it was a Clubby, although the Allspeed frame might be different to other conversions, with the VTEC he said bulkhead mods were necessary.

Will be interesting to see how Marc's, yours and mine compare at BH2N (if any of them are ready!). 3 Clubby's, 1 C16 on 10's, 1 C16 on 13's, 1 VTEC on 10's (if you stick with them) - should be good fun!

[Jammy]

Hmmm, I think Rob gets commision on the Vaux stuff, when I rang him about what he suggested for using 10s with his frame he tried to persuade me to go Vaux, since the the Vaux gearing is more suited for 10s, but I've been dazzled by the light of the Rising Sun!

I'll definitely be going with 10s, Eddie has suggested a few times that I should make provisions for 12s, but to be honest I'll crawl through fire to keep 10s on my baby! But don't tell him that! lol

[Purple Tom]

sell me your carbs when you go honda!

You have first refusal

Regarding the A-series bits...EVERYTHING A-Series related will be for sale, as I need to recoup as much money as possible to start this conversion.

We're talking:

- Full Jack Knight ST straight cut box with X-Pin, 3.44 FD and 1:1 JK drops.
- Almost brand new twin carbs (as above).
- All the stuff off the 1293 engine (which I'll be stripping and selling individually)
- Stage 4 head
- Full roller rockers
- 21253 pistons
- Vernier duplex timing gear
- fully worked wedged bladed balanced crank
- Steel ultralite flywheel with grey diaphragm and race plate
- 1293 black
- MSPD phase 3 cam (x 2)
- KAD rose jointed engine steadies
- Special Products engine steadies
- Oil cooler with 'stat and braided hoses
- 2 core radiator
- KAD mk2 Quickshift
- KC ITG filter kit with stub stacks
- Maniflow phase 2 exhaust manifold
- Full 1-7/8" twin box Maniflow system

and more stuff I can't remember. I'll let you know when its on eBay..

[Madmax]

That sounds like a plan to me tom, would you let me have first refusal on your gearbox. Nearer the time, let me know how much you want for it, and i WILL have it off you, consider it a gentlemans agreement .

[TimS]

You too have far too many gentlemans agreements *

[rob mini]

tom theres a few bits id like off you when you split (one of the cams, manifold). Catch you on msn asap

[marc]

Tom you copy cat!!!! Lol, no, good choice, well i hope it is anyway! Its definitely making me more determined to get it done for bh2n so the 3 of us can compare

[Sam]

Crikey, didn't expect that tom

Could you use the same kit to use the c16xe (1.6 16v) engine if you wanted to in the future?

Keep up the good work, looking forward to seeing it at the ring

[marc]

I think you can use the frame for the 16valver as the block should be the same, you'd probably have to modify the bulkhead quite a bit though as the inlet manifold sits very close on the 8v.

The 16v is said to be a little less torquey and not soo much more powerful than the 8v, so its probably just worth modifying the 8v instead, thats my plan anyway.

[rob mini]

the 16v is very de-tuned as standard though as it showed up the red-top...

Think i might take a look at the 16v route myself next summer

[Purple Tom]

Right, I'm afraid both the engine and gearbox have already sold, so they're out of the equation - this includes all the internals, so Rob, if you want a Phase 3 cam, have a look at what I've got on eBay. When I remove the manifold I'll give you a shout matey.

I ordered the subframe and all the stuff needed yesterday, should be done in about 6 weeks time, can't wait!