Topic: How to guide: Calibra engine swaps (Read 5691 times)

Bad Kid · « **on:** February 21, 2009, 00:45:28 AM »

I'll just cover the 4 cylinders, as I'm not too hot on the V6's... although they are also a fairly straightforward swap and great for towing caravans.

For starters lets stick to engine codes, for those of you that don't know
C20NE = 2.0 8v
20XE = 2.0 Early "redtop"
C20XE = 2.0 Redtop with a cat
C20LET = 2.0 Turbo
X20XEV = 2.0 Ecotec

Remember, if the spark plug cover is L-shaped, it's a 20XE or C20XE even if it says ecotec!
C20XE/20XE are the same engine for the purposes of engine swaps discussed here! Ecotec = straight spark plug cover.

I'll split the conversions up into different areas, and deal with each of them separately.

Engine/gearbox mounts
All 4 cylinder Calibra engines have one engine mount. It's the same on all engines, so no need to swap it but use the one in the best condition. The gearbox has two mounts. I believe these are all the same except possibly the F28's front mount.

Here you see the engine mount used on C20NE, C20XE, C20LET and X20XEV

Gearboxes and driveshafts
Any Calibra gearbox will fit any Calibra engine! As a guide, you're best off with an F20 for anything non-turbo, or an F28 for a turbo or V6.

Use a flat flywheel for a more responsive engine. Downside is it wont have as much momentum for launches and it wont be as smooth. Use a pot flywheel for added momentum and smoothness, but less response.

All the C20NE, XE and XEV driveshafts are the same, and will work with either F18 or F20 gearboxes. All the speedo cables just unscrew and swap straight over. The clutch cables are even easier. Beware, some gearboxes (ie some F28) are electronic speedo drive. This means you'll have to swap over the wiring and speedo clocks too. If possible stick to a gearbox of the same type you already have.

The F28 has a shorter O/S driveshaft because of the transfer box too, so you need this on a 4WD car. If converting the F28 to 2WD, use any NE, XE or XEV O/S shaft along with your 2WD conversion kit.

Fitting 4WD to your 2WD Calibra

It's do-able, but it is a fair amount of hassle and involves cutting up your floor. Do a search for Peachprformance on MIGWEB. He has a very good thread on this conversion.

Non-turbo Calibras do not need 4WD.

C20LET Calibras do need 4WD, so it doesn't make much sense to fit a C20LET into your 2WD Calibra. Just buy a Calibra Turbo. It's cheaper, easier and you get more benefits as well.

Fuel feeds
The two fuel rail unions are the same on all 4cyl Calibra engines, there's nothing to swap here, just dont get them the wrong way round on the rail.

ECU
Use the ECU from the donor car. They all mount behind the drivers footwell kickplate. If the donor car has an immobiliser, you need the transponder ring and key from the donor car, OR you need to chip the ECU in the case of the C20LET. C20LET PK and PJ code ECU's are non-immobilised. HD ECU's ARE immobilised.

A non-immobilised C20LET ECU

Wiring loom
Use the engine wiring loom from the donor vehicle. Where this reaches the drivers footwell, there are three plugs to connect to the car loom. Plus the giant plug for the ECU, and the vacuum pipe for the ECU map sensor on a C20LET. Don't touch your car loom, or the loom for the battery/alternator.

The engine loom passes through this grommet, next to the O/S suspension turret

Radiators
NE, XE and XEV radiators are very similar if not identical. Keep what you have already, and use the pipework off the donor engine if different (the thermostat to the top of the radiator varies). It is also worth noting these radiators are a good upgrade for a C20LET engine that's no longer using it's factory intercooler.

Exhaust
Use the manifold and downpipe from the donor car. If it mates to your existing cat, all well and good. If not you may need to change the cat as well.

Powersteering
All C20NE, XE and XEV pumps are the same, so take your old engine out with the pump attached. Put the new engine in (with it's pump attached) then just connect up the two PAS pipes and you're done.

Standard Calibra PAS pump

Odds and sods
Use the airbox from the donor car. When swapping an 8v for another engine, you'll need the throttle cable from the donor car as it has a different fitting on the end.

Mr V · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2009, 01:02:32 AM »

Quote from: Chavtastic on February 21, 2009, 00:45:28 AM

as I'm not too hot on the V6's... although they are also a fairly straightforward swap and great for towing caravans.

Seeing as you need a bit more info here's a piece for you -

Caravan towing car of the year 1994

Vauxhall Calibra Turbo.

Bad Kid · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2009, 01:10:18 AM »

*bait is taken*

xxx

Mr V · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2009, 01:20:44 AM »

Quote from: Chavtastic on February 21, 2009, 01:10:18 AM

*bait is taken*

xxx

Sorry to disappoint ................... but it ain't big enough

(Good guide

)

gorytus · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2009, 02:23:33 AM »

Perhaps add ignition coil or amplifier, clutch cable, alternator & mounts, to the get-from-donor car part of 'Odds & Sods'. The need for engine specific items varies depending on what is coming out/ going in, but getting those parts from the donor goes someway to reducing the gamble; also makes the extracted engine easier to sell if ancilliaries are attached.

Aircon engine mount is different. Haven't tried myself but I suspect that the XE thermostat-rad hose route might be blocked by the LET AFM Turbo intake.

*I don't think I have ever seen a Calibra with a tow hook; not a pleasant sight I imagine. $:-\$

Trigger · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2009, 09:59:07 AM »

Thread added to appropriate section. Good guide Chav

J@zV6 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2009, 22:58:37 PM »

Quote from: garyb on February 21, 2009, 02:23:33 AM

*I don't think I have ever seen a Calibra with a tow hook; not a pleasant sight I imagine. $:-\$

Will these do you..?

[attachment deleted by admin]

gorytus · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2009, 23:38:49 PM »

hhmmm, not as bad as some but definitely not my cuppa.

tens6 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2009, 14:29:37 PM »

short and sweet...good guide mate!!

shefflee · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2009, 14:43:12 PM »

good guide

J@zV6 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2009, 15:01:00 PM »

Quote from: garyb on February 21, 2009, 23:38:49 PM

hhmmm, not as bad as some but definitely not my cuppa.

The main advantage - apart from the ability to tow things - is that it protects the rear bumper from people parking T-O-O close!

carl · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2009, 14:16:42 PM »

good guide...but remember the early c20xe had the v belt so the engine mount was diffrent

Rich D · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2009, 17:47:04 PM »

this will come in handy thanks

Bad Kid · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2009, 18:04:47 PM »

Quote from: mr c on April 12, 2009, 14:16:42 PM

good guide...but remember the early c20xe had the v belt so the engine mount was diffrent

There are a few variants of mounts for these engines, depending on the belt setup and also aircon. But the main thing is blocks are all the same bolt pattern, so the bits can be swapped freely between the blocks.

So you could remove a non-aircon, narrow-belt 8v and fit an aircon LET in place. Or more likely you would use the mounts off the 8v to remove the aircon from the LET

teabag1 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2009, 12:29:12 PM »

I quote "Remember, if the spark plug cover is L-shaped, it's a 20XE or C20XE even if it says ecotec!"

SO YOUR SAYING EVEN IF THE COVER SAYS "ECOTEC" IT MAY NOT BE?

how can i tell?

Bad Kid · « **Reply #15 on:** April 25, 2009, 15:30:49 PM »

Quote from: teabag1 on April 25, 2009, 12:29:12 PM

I quote "Remember, if the spark plug cover is L-shaped, it's a 20XE or C20XE even if it says ecotec!"

SO YOUR SAYING EVEN IF THE COVER SAYS "ECOTEC" IT MAY NOT BE?
how can i tell?

Ecotec = always a straight spark plug cover

XE or LET = L-shaped spark plug cover, later ones say "ecotec" on them to fit in with the rest of the vauxhall range!

Post a picture of your engine if you're unsure

teabag1 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 25, 2009, 15:51:51 PM »

my luck it will be the worst 1 lol
k no prob

ill get a wee look at her n a wee pic up

seen this also..

Quite simple, if its an Ecotec, it will say "Ecotec" across the top of the engine

If its a redtop. it will have a red L-shape plug cover on it that says "Vauxhall"...(or Opel)

Shifty · « **Reply #17 on:** April 25, 2009, 18:16:37 PM »

The first pic is the first 2.0 16v ecotec (x20xev) engine, the second pic is not a redtop! it's a c20let turbo.

Richie86 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 25, 2009, 18:22:37 PM »

Quote from: teabag1 on April 25, 2009, 15:51:51 PM

Quite simple, if its an Ecotec, it will say "Ecotec" across the top of the engine

No, your Forum name is Teabag, are you one of these sir?

Shifty · « **Reply #19 on:** April 25, 2009, 18:37:59 PM »

Close richie, more like this

Author Topic: How to guide: Calibra engine swaps (Read 5691 times)

gorytus

gorytus

Shifty

Shifty