My vx220 project

vocky

The reason for the Darton sleeves is to allow for a 90mm bore, so 2493cc = 2.5 litre

I realise the cams won't be as aggressive on a bigger engine and it's going to be a 'suck it and see', however they are easy to change.

OAKMERE

Very nice

JohnnyN

What's the difference between Eagle Rods and the Carrillo rods?

vocky

The Carrillo are much better quality, which is reflected in the price, the Eagle rods are less than a third of the price :eek:

But the Carrillo rods are only available for the 2.0 LSJ and 2.4 LE5 engines, they don't make any 2.2 L61/z22se rods 🙁

vocky

Not much to report, block and sleeves are at the machine shop (4-5 weeks until it's done), but I suspect the Wiseco custom LE5 pistons will be another 5-6 weeks so not really any rush for them.

I have been busy doing plenty of minor jobs;
Replaced the throttle cable for Webcon's latest heavy duty version - that was a particually frustrating job because the throttle pedal had to come out to change the ball joint from a M4 to a M5. Plus the throttle bodies linkage needed a slot installing to allow the inner cable to slide into the threaded hole for the outer sheath.
I have also mounted the Davies Craig temperature sensor into the cylinder head, quite pleased with that as it looks neat.
The coolant pipework has been modified several times over the years and I've managed to remove most of the joins by replacing the hoses.
Rewrapped the engine loom as it was looking tatty.
Modified the cylinder head combustion chamber for the 90mm bore, this has removed approx 1mm from behind the valve so hopefully they will flow a little more for the bigger engine.
Modified the cam cover breather system and repainted the cam cover.
Modified another CV heat shield to fit the M32 gearbox as the original had started to crack (a common vx220 problem).
Moved the Davies Craig controller so I can view the LEDs whilst sitting in the drivers seat.

I have a few other minor jobs to do so will be getting them all done over the next few weeks.

vocky

Done a few jobs today, been away so haven't had much time to spend on it

love this pic for some weird reason :cool:

vocky

took a pic of the Davies Craig temp sensors new location, not ideal as it's supposed to be at the same position as the original thermostat but it wasn't getting warm fast enough where it was on the outlet hose

vocky

progress has stalled, the engine shop decided they couldn't fit the liners and a potential piston supplier (wiseco) hasn't replied in nearly three weeks 🙁

Omega pistons wanted me to buy three sets of pistons :confused:

I've got one more piston supplier to try (JE pistons) and then my back up plan may have to be used, which isn't what I want to do.
Use 10.5:1 CR / 2.4 / LE5 / JE pistons and skim the head to get 11.5:1 CR, I don't want to skim the head that much and I don't really want a 2.4 either.

Tubbe

Why they couldn't fit the liners? o_O

vocky

they haven't fitted any before and after some research decided their equipment wasn't really up to the job.

It's not really a problem as I know of a coupe of companies that will fit them, just means a few hours drive to drop them off and the same to collect. Also I need the pistons before I take the block and liners otherwise they won't accept the job.

My biggest hurdle at the moment is getting the 2.5 pistons made :rolleyes:

vocky

another job on my 'to do' list :rolleyes:

removed the battery (surprisingly it came straight out), then removed the crap standard heater unit - which is getting replaced

The floor has some surface staining where the battery was leaking when I purchased the car all those years ago, so I decided to clean it up and will probably paint it with POR 15 paint to make it look shiny 😃

I have a terrible habit of bidding on 99p genuine parts on ebay, if I win it great, if not whatever :LOL:
So a few years ago I won some vx220 brackets for 99p, I had no idea what they were for :confused:
Today I found out and I was quite glad that I won them, although I only need the one as it's the battery lower location bracket 🙂
The new one on the left and the corroded one on the right, which is now in the scrap bin :whistle:

vocky

90mm LE5 pistons are ordered 😃

JE Pistons are happy to supply 🙂

Sjdickso

That's good news for you Vocky.

Matt

Excellent news, so the project is still a go then

vocky

still have to wait for them to be made and then shipped over, so another six weeks to wait before I can do anything to the block.

I really should have built this bottom end before flogging my last one 🙁

Matt

So it's just sat in the garage with no engine at the minute then?

vocky

been like that since the summer rain stopped and the sun came out 🙁

Matt

vocky said:
been like that since the summer rain stopped and the sun came out 🙁

Boooo. Hopefully be worth it though when it's all done

vocky

I used acf50 on the battery tray, it's a corrosion inhibitor for aeroplanes so hopefully should stop anything getting too serious 🙂

Next job was to fit the new battery lower bracket, just three rivots and it was done (y)

vocky

not much happening with my car at the moment, got some brand new vx220 stainless sill plates but need the car out of the garage to fit them (n)

New heater is just about ready to fit - took a while to figure out how to assemble all the many parts, now just waiting for some M3 stainless bolts to arrive and then it can go in.

Other than that no progress with the engine, not heard anything from JE pistons

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