stevejones Posted October 29, 2001 Share Posted October 29, 2001 I have had a 1992, 1600CC X flow, Twin 40's, 5 spd SEI for 6 months now. It is standard engine, goes well but I am thinking it should go quicker. I would not be able to do the work myself but can pay so can anyone suggest an organisation that would upgrade or fit a replacement engine that dished out say 130BHP or so? I live on the Essex/Herts border. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterg Posted October 29, 2001 Share Posted October 29, 2001 try Vulcan Engineering or Burton-Power or Redline for xflow tuning - adverts in CCC or someone else will put up their numbers as I haven't got them to hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian crocker Posted October 29, 2001 Share Posted October 29, 2001 Dump the x/flow and install a modern twin cam like a Zetec, or go Vauxhall power. Cheers, Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted October 29, 2001 Share Posted October 29, 2001 I would have to agree with the previous post. For more power which will be measurable go for 16v. I changed my 1991 Westfield from X-flow to 16v and the unit goes in pretty easy with the minimum of fuss. Bear in mind a standard engine on 45s will produce 170 bhp adn 200+ is achieved without too much fuss. with regard to your chassis then only thing to check is that the mounting points (trianglular plates welded to the two lower chassis rails) are sufficiently sized to line up with the VX mounting points. exhaust exit holes are similar you existing gbox is probably OK (5 speed best) you will just need a new bellhousing. Just the job for that winter project and trust me its worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damianc Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 I suspect the Zetec will be the easier route. Keep the bellhousing & g/box. The exhaust's on the same side. If you've a narrow bodied SE(i) youll need to meake some adjustments to the westfield engine mounts as they overhang the chassis a bit (2 inch each side). Power's more up the top end, but smooth, more powerful, fewer leaks!. With all parts to hand and someone to help out it's do-able in a long weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickie C Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 I seems to be in the same boat as Steve here. I have a 1990 SE (not wide bodied) with 1700cc x-flow, twin 40's etc and am looking for a bit more power. Damainc - You mentioned putting a Zetec into a narrow bodied car, have you done this before? It is something that I am considering but I wasn't sure how feasible it would be. My car has a four speed box so presumably this would need to be changed as well? Any other advice? any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 Damianc, I get the bit about Zetec would be a sightly easier power plant change I guess because of the bell housing? although most seem to favour MT75 Gearboxes but you still need new exhaust / intake sparking and plumbing ? but compared to Vx 16v More Power ? Fewer Leaks ? Vx seems to be the engine of choice in 2l Speed Series ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 Mickie, I too have a 1690 cc xflow with twin-40's and 4-speed box; and also wanted more power. In the end I opted for fitting a quaife LSD, that not only adds more fun (ie. donuts etc..!) but also the ratio is different, so the 0-60 is slasheds to about 5secs. This is fine as long as you don't mind the top-end coming down a bit. Gary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyG Posted October 31, 2001 Share Posted October 31, 2001 If you're going for the vauxhall 2litre 16v engine (a la Astra GTE) please note the more common 'red top' engine are prone to cylinder head failure, a better choice would be to go for the slightly less powerful but more reliable and more recent opel 'black top' engine as red top availability is dropping. Another engine choice might be the twin cam toyota block. I've got a 1660 x-flow running twin weber 40's and a BCF2 fast cam. I know of fellow club members who have very hot 1600-1700 x-flow engines so looking at some more drastic tuning and tweaks may be an option. Vulcan engineering state their full 1700 x-flow engine pumps out 148 bhp so improvments are possible for your existing unit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westfieldman Posted October 31, 2001 Share Posted October 31, 2001 If you choice to go Zetec I have all the Ford part numbers for this conversion from block to type nine gearbox keep the type nine cheaper to change the ratios and the boxes are cheaper to get from the scrap yard, the carbs you have would do for now rejetted 45's latter my local scrap yard is selling Zetec engines for £250.00 then you need to change the sump for a Dunnell low line and light weight flywheel and a crossland 659 oil filter and it should fit the spigot bearings are about £3.00 Ford part Ring me if you want to talk about any of the above 01472 590325 Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajpearson Posted November 1, 2001 Share Posted November 1, 2001 I am after a 2.0l Zetec 16V, possibly two If anybody has one going cheap then let me know. Condition is inrelevant, email me at pearson_alan@hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison Posted November 2, 2001 Share Posted November 2, 2001 Steve, Ring Protune on 0208 449 4447. They are in Barnet. Ask for Rob Morley. They will sort your X-Flow for you and you will be amazed. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian.m Posted November 4, 2001 Share Posted November 4, 2001 Going back to Andy G's Comment, anyone who had a VX Redtop engined car really would not enjoy the drop down to the Ecotec version. Believe me you would lose less than 20 BHP but it feels like more, all the "sparkle "of the engine seems to disappear, and yes I have had both. Search out an untouched pre 94 cav 16V with motor way miles and it will last as long again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevejones Posted December 3, 2001 Author Share Posted December 3, 2001 Well, thanks to everyone who replied. I have called many specialist engine tuners and spoke to many people, with every response being different. Also the cost can go anywhere from £1000 to £3500 for about 145BHP on the xflow. My conclusion is that money is the issue here. With £3k+ I would opt for 16V and Vauxhall is quicker, but you do need technical skills to do this (or even project manage) this yourself, which I dont have. Uprating the Xflow with stage 2/3 type head & fast road cam is the easiest and cheapest. Also the simplest. I am still kicking this over but wanted to say thanks to everyone for their reply and I hope this post was of use to others. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damianc Posted December 4, 2001 Share Posted December 4, 2001 Sorry for the replies I missed on this thread. Mickie C. I swapped my X-Flow for a 2l Zetec in an '89 narrow SEi with few hassles. I also went with a type 9 5 speed (the MT75 won't fit!!). Most of the work really is a weekend, but you will most likely need an exhaust manifold and the associated wait. In total the conversion probably cost me 2-2.5k. I'd agree with others that the Vx has more potential; the zetec is a little long stroke. Steve. One thing I suffered as have many others is collapsing pistons. They seem to go around the rings a little too readily. At 145bhp I'd definitely go with forged pistons which ups the cost a little, though a mapped ignition system may help avoid detonation & ease the problem. damianc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.