z20xx transplant

dedko

My Astra 2.2 blew up the other day (threw a conrod) but apart from the engine block and internals, everything else seems to be ok. So, got me thinking about fitting a z20let or leh. Thing is, I don't have the space or know-how where to begin with a transplant. I already have uprated brakes and freeflowing exhaust.

Anyone got any pointers or contacts where to begin?

astra22bertoneauto

Si.C1978 has done this sort of thing before. Have a read of his posts :thumbup:

Matt

Yep, he fitted a Z20NET into his MK4 Astra.

sdbutler10

Iv fitted the z20let in mine and it was a bloody nightmare!

dedko

Yeah, you managed to do that in 1 day, :clap: can't be that much of a nightmare, really?

sdbutler10

It is had a few bugs to sort out afterwards but I work quick no messing about lol. Buts it's deff not a job for the faint hearted!

si_c1978

sorry im a bit late on this one it keeps dissapearing off the board!
it all really depends on your knowledge, expierience, willingness to do the job, and how simple you want to make it.
i started a bit green and had to learn hell of a lot for my setup but i was held up by having to go aftermarket ecu which meant a lot of standard stuff on the engine would never work and solutions hqad to be found.
indeed im still learning and making changes now even tho' i now have quite a advanced/civilised setup
now scotts let project is probably the fastest, but many more parts and a good working knowledge of the EXISTING electronics.
for instance your exhaust and engine mounts will be very different as the engines for the let (not so sure on leh) are the other way around e.g inlet to the back.
also the more modern engines will run a can based setup (all the cars components read back to all the ecu's in order to fire)
i found this impossible to get around hence the aftermarket ecu. on the upside the wiring for that is quite easy (ish) as long as you do the reading up first.
feel free to ask more relevant questions i hope this helps :thumbup:

sdbutler10

Heres a little list of what iv had to replace.
Engine
Gearbox
All mounts
Exhaust system
Engine bay wiring loom
Engine loom
Dash loom
Complete car loom
Abs pump and module
Coolant control module
Ecu
Imboliser and chip
Coolant pipes
Intake pipes
Mfd and stalk
And there's prob more so you get the idea!

si_c1978

:wtf:
thats a lot!!!
intercooler + run pipes
hand built coolant system utilising old parts and piping from both engines,
cable throttle cable throttle pedal etc,
fast idle valve,
umpteen sensors (some origional to z20 net)
exhaust system,
wideband lambda,
boost gauges + vacuum piping,
manual waste gate actuator,
aftermarket ecu +thirst for knowledge,
lots of wire,
patience,
and need to build programming skills
to list a few on mine.... probably a few more again
the basic swap was easy, attaching everything was more difficult, and required sourcing of parts from various vehicle setups to solve issues,
getting it to run like a normal car (warming up cycles fueling boost etc) was almost rocket science! :lol:

on the upside the origional mounts gbox power steering and all of that were a straight swap from the old engine (z20net only id have thought)

astra22bertoneauto

Wont it be easier just to buy a second user GSI or SRI turbo mk4 and start from there? At least some things will already be in place........

si_c1978

im sure scott will agree.......

NEVER!!!! :lol:

the leh swap is tempting to me, i would have done it but the engines at the time were mega bucks.

sdbutler10

Never it would have been cheaper but I don't want to lose my car lol.
My let package still cost me over £1700 and it's still going up now lol.
Buts it's so worth it all day long.

si_c1978

same here, it may be faded red and look like a shit heap at times, but every time the wheels skip in third you get an imense feeling of well being, and terror lots of terror.
apart from that the z20net can produce somewhere in the region of 300ft/lb of torque tuned, you just aint getting that out of many of the other engines.

si_c1978

also to be fair me and scott have both done it succesfully, and this should save some of the re-search and parts shopping that is required. :thumbup:

sdbutler10

Very true we both have thrown loads of time sorting out what parts you need and what u don't need.
But I can say I won't do it again!

astra22bertoneauto

It must be a real sense of achievement too when finished. I must admit the only conversion job i helped with was putting a 1.5 lump into a 1.3 Hillman Avenger :silent: And that was many many years ago.......

si_c1978

i will do it again as most of the bits on my car have been chosen on a universal basis soooo.....

when she blows up again ill just add a new engine and keep most of the electrics as they are already calibrated for my ecu. :thumbup:

Blue_2_2

Omg!

How did you blow it up?
It was ment to be bullet proof!

si_c1978

uuuh caning seven shades of shit out of it up a very steep hill for about 4 miles!

my mate does it all the time which makes me feel a little better! when i spoke to him his latest build had just fried his rings too.

we dont like to own cars without destruction testing them down here :shifty:

theres a lesson learnt there about stopping when its working good and not getting power hungry!

astra22bertoneauto

si.c1978 said:

we dont like to own cars without destruction testing them down here :shifty:

Erm same here 63.. 😃

I think when we destroy them it encourages us to build them stronger than before rofl..