buy or build a c20let??

[scooby-KILLER]

i am aiming for a healthy 350hp with room for future improvments so stock pistons/rods wont do

do i buy a motor with forge pistons/rods for aprox £1200 or spend less than that on pistons/rods and build it?, obviously i will end up spending more with gaskets bearings etc

i have a good xe block i could use to convert and a spare head not sure if it has enough meat on it for a let? plus i still have a standared inlet minus injectors and a few other bits and pieces

just wondered what you guys thought?

cheers

[richiecs3]

well if u buy it done would u trust it cause i would like to no for fact it has been done.... unless u no its from someone stand up and will stand over there work penny wise pound foolish if u start it then u know its done....hope that helps in any way

[scooby-KILLER]

i am a little confused!,

do you mean if i bought a used motor with forged bits would it last? & would i get any money back if it didnt?, removal of sump would tell enough before handing any money over, but i wouldnt expect to get a refund on a used motor as i could have done anything to it that may have caused it to fail

and building one would sertainly ensure piece of mind but what would the cost of building one be?/what parts are used it a hard choice

[richiecs3]

yes if u bought one would it last.... plus if u get one with forged in it how much are you saving in the long run... how do u no how many hours and how much HARD driving its done so for me it would be just piece of mind building from the start..... i think over the years i just found if you no what gone in from the start its more helpful... plus if u send at the start it saves in the long run

[richiecs3]

i no one lad sellin a complete calibra 1993 big ends gone tho.. i think he is lookin around 1600 euro its meant to have a rare body kit on it and black leather fully standard... he is in ireland so dont think it will be any use to u

[jonlem]

Build one yourself unless its off a trusted seller and even then I'd be asking a few questions.

The problem with people who build engines is not enough care is put into the build, cleanliness is as important as using the right parts.

[scooby-KILLER]

ireland is a bit far lol

jonlem i totaly agree with you but i have never completely built a motor would easy give it a go but would just be a little worried i missed something or got something mixed up and ended up wasting a build/money

cleanliness is a MUST thing is my garage isnt as clean a place as i would like to build one and wouldnt be able to get it down the stairs if i done it in the house lol

[seabodSXI]

build id say ..... tbh anything is possibal on mig i feel i could build a euro fighter typhoon with the help people give on here as for clenslenas ( not sure if thats how you spell it sorry ) im going to build mine in my bedroom and get the wife to keep it spotless lol

[jonlem]

There is plenty of info on here really, and people are willing to help. I am sure you could probably find a engine for that sort of money, I would just rather spend a little more and do it myself knowing its not thrown together etc..

If your garage is dirty clean a area, cover the engine over everytime your not working on it.

I'd imagine all aspects of building a short motor have been covered on here before.

SBD Motorsport gives you the torque settings for nearly everything, don't rush it and you can't really go wrong.

[scooby-KILLER]

aye the flat was the best option mrs wouldnt mind but like i said getting a built c20let down 3 flights of stairs has epic fail written all over it, and my gran would have my bollocks on a plate if i done it in her house as every thing is spotless and there would be no chance me keeping it that way lol

what sort of money would a build set me back £500-ish for pistons, £250 for rods (for sale on here), £500-£1,200 for turbo, £700-ish for mani and all other bits and pieces so an EASY 3k+???

or could i budget a bit more on turbo and mani??

[jonlem]

build id say ..... tbh anything is possibal on mig i feel i could build a euro fighter typhoon with the help people give on here as for clenslenas ( not sure if thats how you spell it sorry ) im going to build mine in my bedroom and get the wife to keep it spotless lol

Bedroom !

You really want a compressor to clean the galleries out, lots of brake cleaner etc.. not exactly the sort of thing you want to be doing inside !

[scooby-KILLER]

ah never thought about the cleaning prosess re brake cleaner/comp etc so garage it would be, i have a engine stand and xe block but not to keen on drilling/tapping the oil return, 19mm drill bit is a fair size it would be pilot drilled with smaller bit first and could use 3/4" bsp male x standpipe for the return, and a rebore for 86.5 pistons at my locat engineering shop is £100

[scooby-KILLER]

i might just give it a go like, if it fails i only have my self to blame and lack of patience would be my biggest enemy

[jonlem]

Ask your machine shop to drill the turbo return, you will want the block decking if your going to use a Cometic gasket.

[jonlem]

i might just give it a go like, if it fails i only have my self to blame and lack of patience would be my biggest enemy

Its better to ask how to do it rather than f**k it up then have to be told where you went wrong

[scooby-KILLER]

Its better to ask how to do it rather than f**k it up then have to be told where you went wrong

this is very true, i take it having the block decked is to make sure the surface it 100% flat?, i think realisticly if i am going to build an engine that would be the long term part of my gsi build due to money other parts required for my build and looking into buying a house with the mrs

would be so satisfying to build a motor and for it to work lol

[philip2]

better off building, i bought an xe recently, ment to of done 4k miles since a full rebuild, stripped it too see if what parts it was sold as were in it and to do some headwork etc

had no double kent springs that it was sold as having, block had broke by rear main where bolt sump into and been siliconed on to hide, snapped sump bolt, oil press sender siliconed in as threads were knackered on pump, when i re-rung it one piston was also damaged so needed new piston. i was going to strip it anyway, but for most people they would of seen it as a very good buy, recently rebuilt and good to fit straight away. condition it was in i dont think would of lasted that long imo

spend the extra and build the let up from an xe block, steel rods, low comp pistons etc, more in long run but you know its got what its ment to have in it.

[seabodSXI]

Bedroom !

You really want a compressor to clean the galleries out, lots of brake cleaner etc.. not exactly the sort of thing you want to be doing inside !

id get all that sorted befor i took it up ( i also have a flat ) id get all the parts gleaming the build up in bedroom

[richiecs3]

better off building, i bought an xe recently, ment to of done 4k miles since a full rebuild, stripped it too see if what parts it was sold as were in it and to do some headwork etc

had no double kent springs that it was sold as having, block had broke by rear main where bolt sump into and been siliconed on to hide, snapped sump bolt, oil press sender siliconed in as threads were knackered on pump, when i re-rung it one piston was also damaged so needed new piston. i was going to strip it anyway, but for most people they would of seen it as a very good buy, recently rebuilt and good to fit straight away. condition it was in i dont think would of lasted that long imo

spend the extra and build the let up from an xe block, steel rods, low comp pistons etc, more in long run but you know its got what its ment to have in it.

well put philip thats what i was trying say from the start but as you can c from my post not that good with putting words down on paper....

[scooby-KILLER]

I would say phil you have pretty much hit the nail in the head man, Richie I wouldn't worry about I'm not the bet at it either

[steveboyslim]

I would say phil you have pretty much hit the nail in the head man, Richie I wouldn't worry about I'm not the bet at it either

It is more dependant on your final requirment and wheter you will be using an after market engine managment.
There are nearly two hundred different components used on an LET when compared with an XE (late xe dis is nearest)
The biggest problem is buying rubbish from ebay.
Without sounding biased I have several LET engines available with all parts, which have new rings, bearings etc all put back to factory specification with any damaged components replaced or repaired, but still needing service parts for avbout £1200 per engine.

Steve

[Cavalier-C20LET]

Tbf adrian id buy one . if steve has one then you know your getting a good well built engine. the time and ballache thats involved when your spending say an hour r two a day on it. id defo buy next time.

youll build it then sell it on anyway lol

[scooby-KILLER]

What would 1 actualy Get for £1200 steve?

Iain I know what your saying man,