R1 Fuelled XE GSi project...

[corsaboi1992]

part now then

[antvasquez10]

What grade sand paper did you use to sand the wheels down before primering them ?

[Chrex]

well, they have been in touch today. Everything is back together and sorted. They are going to put it on the rollers and set it up in the morning and then its sorted

The engine is a completely standard and rather tired item unfortunately. Although this is being resolved asap, either myself of with the guy i bought the engine off, who is a bit annoyed that its all happened but it appears to be a genuine mistake (s'all good chris!). Either way i need the bottom end swapping at some point in the near future.

However, i now know that the top end is solid and that its ready to recieve a bottom end that will give the punch to match it. Only things that i may do is get a set of uprated springs and some o/s valves eventually. Just keep on trying to get it to do what i need it to.

[MattyB]

Thats good news Chris,

Bet you can't wait to have it back!

[Chrex]

nope...although knowing the bottom end is tired, i may go easy on it. However, i may not.

Think i may have a couple lined up now, if i can get a decent bottom end or an XE bottom end, then s'all fine and dandy.

[Chrex]

Rang AB this morning, and with the ignition set-up and the cam at the standard neutral position, its 104@wheels. so 10bhp so far, but he said its responding alot better, and that is with a slight blow in the exhaust manifold due to a damaged gasket which he is gonna sort when he gets the new gasket through.

So am hoping i can drag 110 from it in the meantime, and then sort the bottom end out and try to drag another 10bhp from that using higher compression pistons and lightening it up.

[Chrex]

Phonecall update.

its pretty much done, but they cant get any more than 105@wheels. Its smoking quite heavily on the overrun so the bottom end is completely hammered. This certainly accounts for the pretty extreme power loss, so im hoping i can get another one sorted and on before it gets real, real bad. hopefully in the next week or so.

Shame because im gonna have to take it easy even tho i've had a new cam fitted.

[Chrex]

well i've got it back now, and the drive home was fun. I decided i couldnt be bothered holding back and just gave it stick. Responds so much better and the power is now following all the way up to 6600 (it was tailing off at 4300 before).

I have got some pics to put up that were taken of the bottom end and the head they took off...and the pistons are in a bit of a mess...so that is defo next on the list!

Will get some pics up shortly...but first impressions are good. Power increase of 10bhp, but the response and how it carries that power is superb. Just got to give it some compression to give it the boot now!

[Chrex]

ok, some photos that they took whilst doin the job. One tired little engine...













Old port


New Port


So yea...new pistons defo required. They can hone the bores on my other block, as well as polishing the crank and then putting the thing together, although i think i can build it up for the most part. We shall see. This week could be a big one if i get the performance engine tho!...

[CorsaTD]

niceeeee

[Chrex]

well, i found my spare crank and block today...that have been sat around since last March (2008). So i have got to take them up to AB on Tuesday to see what they think of the condition and i should have the pistons arriving midweek, so i will see if they can let degrease the lot in their hot bath...and see how much they can get bearings and rings for. Plus they will need to Hone the block and polish the crank at least i know that much!

Could have a new bottom end build up by the end of the month, which means i could have a huge jump in power sorted by this time next month.

will keep the updates rolling...going through a busy period at the moment, which is always good (although not on the wallet).

[fatboi567]

I want, i want !!!!!

looking really smart mate, wish I could afford to insure one never mind run it

[Chrex]

i have found a project of some guy doing what im looking to do with the bottom end...and it seems its not as easy as it looks...but this guy does have a tendancy to blag on...and on...

http://www.tomstickland.co.uk/astra/mod ... .htm#carbs

also he has this pic of the seh/zlet (top/bottom respectively)


it seems the only difference is the top right coolant galley. How hard is it (if neccessary) to get this cut out to have the correct hole?? if i can get away with it then yey...but i dont want to risk overheating by blocking a coolant galley.

[Chrex]

well, over the last week i have been collecting various bits together for the bottom end build.

I have managed to get a block and some pistons and rods from a 20XE. The pistons are the Mahle forged ones so much stronger than the cast later ones. I will get my original crank polished and possibly worked a little, as well as the whole lot getting degreased and then get the bearings ordered, piston rings and ARP's. Then all the gaskets.

Shouldnt take me too long to sort, and i want to have valve springs too for the head for when it all gets taken off again.

No more than a couple of months and we should have some big improvements.

Am also hoping to get some eibach springs too for the front, which should help the handling substantially.

Also got a special suprise on the way...so watch this space!

[Chrex]

Well, a quick update...and a hint as to what is coming next.

I have just taken delivery of 4 Toyo T1R's inb 195/50R15, bought from ebay for a very, very reasonable price. There will be no more on what is coming...but im sure you can all guess now.

Also, once i have been paid, and paid my road tax for the next 12 months, i will be ordering myself the bottom end end bearings, and maybe the piston rings for the bottom end. As well as giving AB the crank and block for degrease & polishing/honing. Hoping to get as much as possible sorted on it...and maybe try to get the bearings and crank on, with pistons in...then get the oil pump and ARP's the next month. Want i sorted though, the fact i know its currently smoking annoys me, and i want that extra punch. it feels a bit lack lustre again now, so i need it doing.