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Author 1.8 Smallblock Corsa B
DaveyLC
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Registered: 8th Oct 08
Location: Berkshire
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13th Oct 08 at 20:21   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote



Corsa X18XE1

I hope this helps people!

Please be aware I did the conversion on a 1.2 Corsa Merit with no PAS, ABS and a mechanical speedo.



Mechanical

The engine literally bolts in on the standard mounts and onto the standard F13/F17 gearbox, there isnt really much to talk about in this respect

Cooling system

This is where things get a little bit fiddly, the huge variable inlet on the 1.8 almost touches one of the heater matrix pipes and is very close to the other, my solution to this is to either cut the pipe shorter (down to the next rib) or cut the pipe at a 45 degree angle and re-solder/braze it so it is facing towards the passenger side at 45 degrees, this will allow you to fit the hoses without them fouling the inlet.

You will also need to relocate the expansion tank, this isnt a problem if you dont have ABS or you want a relocate the battery as you can use the space on the inner wing to mount a tank.

The 1.8 has the same rad hose connections as the 16v corsa so this isnt a problem, if you are upgrading from an SPi engine then you will need the 16v top hose.

Starting & Charging

You need to transplant the starting and charging loom from the corsa lump, this is very simple and takes no time at all, it allows you to simply plug in to the original loom without having to mess about.

Engine Loom

The X18XE1 uses the Simens Simtec70 ecu which has two connectors, one for the engine loom and one for the car loom. This makes things much easier for the conversion as you dont have to go sifting through loads of wires

Before doing the conversion you need to unplug the original corsa loom from down in the drivers footwell, remove the ECU and pull the loom through the bulk head. Once the loom is out cut off the small black multi-plug from the inside end.

For the conversion you just need to cut the car loom side as far back into the car as possible (making sure you include the purple fuel pump relay that is in the engine bay).

Once you have the loom make sure you have enough to go from the ecu and down into the drivers foot-well. Now its just a case of matching up the wires:

Corsa Loom -> X18XE1 loom
1 Red/Blue -> Red/Blue (fuel pump relay output)
2 Blue -> Blue (Temp)
3 Thick Black -> Thick Black, ECU Power feed (IGN 12v)
4 Thick Red -> Fuel pump relay feed (12v)
5 Brown/White -> Brown/White(Immo)
6 Brown / Blue -> Brown / Blue (Immo)
7 Blue/Red -> Brown / White (Immo)
8 Green -> Green (Revs)
9 Brown / Yellow -> Brown / Yellow (Diag)

*Note both pin 5 and 7 goes to the brown/white wire on the 1.8 loom!

NOTE: You need to make sure you use the transponder (box from the ignition barrel) and keychip from the Vectra or your car will NOT run.

Fueling

The X18XE1 has a single input fuel rail and thus has no fuel return so the fuel pressure regulator is integral to the fuel pump/filter this means you need to fit an after market fuel regulator in the engine bay.. I opted for a pump with a gauge allowing me to fine tune the pressure; fitting is simple you just fit a t-piece to the fuel feed line connect one side to the fuel rail and one side to the input on the fuel pressure regulator then connect the output to the fuel retun line:



If you are converting a 1.2 or 1.4 SPi then your fuel pump will not be up to the job; I used a Vectra B 2.2 pump which is a straight swap!

Exhaust

You can use your original system and fabricate a joint between the vectra down pipe (cut off the cat) and the middle of your original system. I would advise however to buy an after market 2" or bigger system.

Here is the finished product including the Z18XE manifold which can be found on ebay for less than £100..





[Edited on 27-04-2009 by DaveyLC]

[Edited on 03-10-2010 by DaveyLC]

[Edited on 03-10-2010 by DaveyLC]
James_H
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Registered: 16th Sep 07
Location: Slough, Berkshire
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13th Oct 08 at 20:42   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

in berkshire!!

Where abouts?

Nice change from the red top!!
DaveyLC
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Registered: 8th Oct 08
Location: Berkshire
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13th Oct 08 at 20:43   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

In hurst, so just down the road from you.
l15ter
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Registered: 1st Feb 08
Location: Berkshire
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13th Oct 08 at 20:44   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

its looking good..and yea where in berkshire lol?
DaveyLC
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13th Oct 08 at 20:55   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

See above lol
l15ter
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Registered: 1st Feb 08
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13th Oct 08 at 20:56   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

is that the garage you work at?
DaveyLC
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13th Oct 08 at 20:57   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

I rent a workshop with a mate.
James_H
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Registered: 16th Sep 07
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13th Oct 08 at 20:57   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

wheres hurst?
DaveyLC
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13th Oct 08 at 20:58   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Between maidenhead and woodley/twyford

[Edited on 13-10-2008 by DaveyLC]
l15ter
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13th Oct 08 at 21:03   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

oh, really need a job

so whats the plans for it next?
DaveyLC
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13th Oct 08 at 21:04   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Next I need to tidy everything up, sort the handling and get it resprayed.
jr
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Registered: 20th May 02
Location: Kent
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13th Oct 08 at 21:04   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

impressive davey

ge it sorted and bring it to the SE rr day in uxbridge

be alot of people intrested in it
DaveyLC
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Location: Berkshire
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13th Oct 08 at 21:09   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Whens the RR day? if ive got insurance sorted i might
DaveyLC
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13th Oct 08 at 21:27   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Durr read the stickied post.. will see what I can do
Warren G
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Registered: 14th May 06
Location: Kent
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14th Oct 08 at 18:57   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

about time someone did this

just a shame you beat me to it!
pow
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Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
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14th Oct 08 at 19:05   View Garage View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Davey, James and I might hjave to come have a look

Looks hot
DaveyLC
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14th Oct 08 at 22:04   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

My all means mate
Mobby
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Registered: 31st Dec 07
Location: Leicestershire
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14th Oct 08 at 22:18   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

and you didnt use the 1.6 sump did you?? can i get a picture of clearance?
DaveyLC
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15th Oct 08 at 09:50   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

I used the standard 1.8 sump, will get some photos.
James_H
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15th Oct 08 at 09:54   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

corsa_rob
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Registered: 22nd Jan 06
Location: Birmingham
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15th Oct 08 at 10:38   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

pictures of everything please...looks cool little lump haha
fazza
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Registered: 7th Feb 08
Location: Plymouth
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15th Oct 08 at 10:39   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

sweet conversion mate. considered using the z18xe instead of the x16 for my turbo conversion but my turbo manifold wont fit it
Mobby
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Registered: 31st Dec 07
Location: Leicestershire
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15th Oct 08 at 17:26   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

alright, can i have a picture of the front wheel
(to see how much its lowered), and then a picture of underneath the car, please please please
pow
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Registered: 11th Sep 06
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15th Oct 08 at 17:35   View Garage View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

quote:
Originally posted by DaveyLC
My all means mate


Tell us when
DaveyLC
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Registered: 8th Oct 08
Location: Berkshire
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15th Oct 08 at 22:20   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Sorry forgot to take pics tonight, I was polybushing the rear end..

I had a peek underneath, the sump comes hardly any lower than the front x-member.

Still having running problems, the FSE regulator i've got is being a CNUT!

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