Tiparraco
Member
Hi there,
I thought I already opened a thread for the car, but seems obvious I didn't... Anyway, since an engine swap is intended for this car, and it would be most likely a z22 unit, I think you all guys might like something different.
Car has been with me since 2009, and only gave me lots of fun and enjoyment. Registered in June 1988, a healthy 16v, almost stock, unless light flywheel and not much more to list. It ran like a dream, set 152 bhp and 228 Nm on the rollers back in late 2011.
I always thought that would be interesting to upgrade heavily this car and see how different can it handle and feel. I usually do a lot of this stuff in my job, as I am ride and handling test engineer, but we do have severe boundary conditions and we can't do anything we want usually. I have here a blank sheet to work in. There are legal limitations, but this is other topic we can discuss in another moment
Since this has been a very long project, and there has been changes along development, I will try to summarize major features:
Car stripped and up to rotisserie:
Checking G/H front axle swap feasibility:
Strut towers moved backwards for increased caster and camber adjutment enhanced:
Next up, fully new platform with cross beams and longitudinal rails. First step, set current attachments for seats, handbrake, etc. All must go in the exact same position:
Bye floor:
VIN at place again:
Handbrake back to the place:
Reinforced jacking points:
Spare wheel floor deletion, since I might need space for either device implementation (external ARB or watt links, or whatever):
And right now, preparing Astra MK5 rear axle swap:
So, basically, it will be another car. I've been playing with different ideas for engine, initially it was an X30XE, but considering handling-focused mods, it dropped off. Planned to keep the 16v, just squeezing it throttle bodies (forgot to mention, it's MANDATORY NA, and ITB'd), but the engine caught fire while being fitted in another MK2 I bought in 2019, causing serious damage in my garage and almost a complete loss for any item inside. It has been a tough year, honestly. Obviously, the car was ruined and scrapped this summer, only kept a few usable parts, but mostly it was burnt.
I don't need 3xx nor 4xx bhp, my goal is flirting in the 200's, with the sweet noise of ITB's, and keeping the car light and "simple". Since all "oldschool" engines here in Spain are quite high in mileage, and are becoming expensive, I discovered this forum and z22se capabilities. Another reason is how it sits on the car, just for reference, this is roughly how 20XE sits on front subframe, and how it sits Z22SE, although most of you already know:
So, since Z22SE is an underappreciated but definitely very tuneable engine, I think I will give it a chance. I hope you guys like this project, I will ask for information when I arrive to engine swap, I hope to be soon!
I thought I already opened a thread for the car, but seems obvious I didn't... Anyway, since an engine swap is intended for this car, and it would be most likely a z22 unit, I think you all guys might like something different.
Car has been with me since 2009, and only gave me lots of fun and enjoyment. Registered in June 1988, a healthy 16v, almost stock, unless light flywheel and not much more to list. It ran like a dream, set 152 bhp and 228 Nm on the rollers back in late 2011.
I always thought that would be interesting to upgrade heavily this car and see how different can it handle and feel. I usually do a lot of this stuff in my job, as I am ride and handling test engineer, but we do have severe boundary conditions and we can't do anything we want usually. I have here a blank sheet to work in. There are legal limitations, but this is other topic we can discuss in another moment
Since this has been a very long project, and there has been changes along development, I will try to summarize major features:
Car stripped and up to rotisserie:
Checking G/H front axle swap feasibility:
Strut towers moved backwards for increased caster and camber adjutment enhanced:
Next up, fully new platform with cross beams and longitudinal rails. First step, set current attachments for seats, handbrake, etc. All must go in the exact same position:
Bye floor:
VIN at place again:
Handbrake back to the place:
Reinforced jacking points:
Spare wheel floor deletion, since I might need space for either device implementation (external ARB or watt links, or whatever):
And right now, preparing Astra MK5 rear axle swap:
So, basically, it will be another car. I've been playing with different ideas for engine, initially it was an X30XE, but considering handling-focused mods, it dropped off. Planned to keep the 16v, just squeezing it throttle bodies (forgot to mention, it's MANDATORY NA, and ITB'd), but the engine caught fire while being fitted in another MK2 I bought in 2019, causing serious damage in my garage and almost a complete loss for any item inside. It has been a tough year, honestly. Obviously, the car was ruined and scrapped this summer, only kept a few usable parts, but mostly it was burnt.
I don't need 3xx nor 4xx bhp, my goal is flirting in the 200's, with the sweet noise of ITB's, and keeping the car light and "simple". Since all "oldschool" engines here in Spain are quite high in mileage, and are becoming expensive, I discovered this forum and z22se capabilities. Another reason is how it sits on the car, just for reference, this is roughly how 20XE sits on front subframe, and how it sits Z22SE, although most of you already know:
So, since Z22SE is an underappreciated but definitely very tuneable engine, I think I will give it a chance. I hope you guys like this project, I will ask for information when I arrive to engine swap, I hope to be soon!