28.02.05...I have now purchased a modified 1600 Ecotec which has a lot of the work done that I intended to do myself. According to the engine builder it has 199 BHP and he is adamant that figure is correct. Personally I think that is a fair bit exagerated and I would expect somewhat less from this spec of engine. Untill I can get it on the Dyno I wont quote any figures but the basic engine spec is as follows:
1600 16V Ecotec, Jenvey Throttle Bodies,long trumpets,DTA management, modified head, matched manifolds, Pocketed pistons, 285 Cams, de-seamed rods,Lightweight flywheel. I have also bought a full stainless race exhaust system and a beautifully manufactured Manifold to suit.
Before Installing the engine, i have given it a clean up and painted the engine block to help with cleaning in future. The throttle bodys are removed as is the old rusty exhaust manifold. I have also removed the sump in order to make a modification to the oil system, A large threaded alloy fitting has been welded to the side of the sump to accept a -12 pipe fitting, this will be used as an oil return line from a catch tank but more about that later. Next task is to mate the engine to the F20 gearbox, A straightforward task untill I discovered that the Gearbox shaft splines would not fit on to the clutch plate that came on the engine. A bit of ringing around and I discovered that I needed a different plate which has the diameter to suit the 1600 flywheel (200mm) but the spline center to suit the F20 input shaft (23 spline). I have to thank Martin Bowyer of Bowyer Developments for his help and advice, he supplied me a competition paddle clutch very quickly to solve the problem.
