C18xe ecotec opinion

[ccm640]

the c18xe still has just the stright plug cover it don't have the same L shape to it as the c20xe but insteadof having ecotech printed on a black cover they are red with vauxhall on and as already said the c18xe has no egr ect that the ecotech has. so is short.... THEY ARE NOT ECOTECH

[Big Col]

As far as Vauxhall are concerned the C18XE is an ECOTEC engine

[vxlgsi]

Early c18xe's found in astra gsi's (1993) were not listed or advertised as ecotec engines, The brand ecotec didnt exists when they were released. They were just 1.8 16v engines, ecotec is just a brand name for a range of engines like zetec and duratec.

X20XEV
The first engine Opel branded as Ecotec, a mass-market successor to the C20XE with a Lotus-developed cylinder head. The new cylinder head had a smaller valve angle compared to the older C20XE, which was supposed to give more torque in the lower revs. It is a 1,998 cc (121.9 cu in) naturally aspirated engine with 16 valves and belt driven double overhead camshafts (DOHC). 86 mm (3.4 in) bore and stroke in cast iron OHC-derived cylinder block and aluminium cylinder head. X20XEV was equipped with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions and air injection reactor (AIR) to speed up the warming up of the catalytic converter and to reduce unburnt hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. Power 100 kW / 136 hp.

This engine was used in:

Opel Calibra 94-
Opel Vectra 94-
Opel Astra 94-
Opel Omega 94-

[Big Col]

Early c18xe's found in astra gsi's (1993) were not listed or advertised as ecotec engines

[Kev_G]

it also says they are 121bhp and ive never seen one do that there all near 140bhp

[vxlgsi]

what year is that leaflet from? I have 1 for a 1.8 gsi and it says nothing about it being an ecotec and has a pic of the engine with a red cover.

[vxlgsi]

it also says they are 121bhp and ive never seen one do that there all near 140bhp

Yep they out performed the 2.0 so they lied, just like they do with all there power figures so that they fall into certain insurance groups etc.

[Big Col]

what year is that leaflet from? I have 1 for a 1.8 gsi and it says nothing about it being an ecotec and has a pic of the engine with a red cover.

May 1993

[vxlgsi]

they did three versions 115bhp 121bhp and 125bhp, 125bhp was in the gsi.

[vxlgsi]

interesting ill dig the one out i have

[Rusty 16v]

however I believe the C18XEL was ecotec branded and had the straight black plug cover and the EGR like the X18XE.

Nope.

It had an Ecotec plug cover, but that's all. You can tell if an engine is a "true" Ecotec (ie with ERG and all the crap) by it's code. They start with X (or Z now).

[redtop_16v_cali]

Originally Posted by BigDave1979
however I believe the C18XEL was ecotec branded and had the straight black plug cover and the EGR like the X18XE

thats spot on that i have a c18xel in my 1995 astra gsi

[Fow16v]

too help sort a bit of confusion

C18xe
Red plug cover, no egr, single pipe from stat


C18xel
ECotec cover, no egr, 2 pipes from stat


X18xe
Ecotec cover, egr valve below dis pack


X18xe1



Im not sure on the book power figures for each, maybe someone else can post them

Hope this helps

Ryan

[Rusty 16v]

C18XE = 125bhp
C18XEL, X18XE and X18XE1 = 115bhp

[8valve-craig]

I had one way back before i knew much about vauxhalls, astra 1.8 Gsi with the red plug cover, I remember a crack appeared in the cast manifold so replaced it with a 4 branch, (which are not cheap) It was easily on parr with my brothers Gte 16v

[ccm640]

fow16v how is the engine into the nova coming along? and could you pm me your adress ct please as phone screen has packed up so not had chance to get paper work ect sent to you also forgot to give you spark plug cover

[Fow16v]

engine is stripped atm dude, giving it a once over before it goes in new gaskets and a clean etc. there is progress updates in my nova project thread in my sig. pm on route with address. have been looking on the net for a plug cover thought i would have to buy an ecotec one and paint it lmao

[turbo_nik]

Had a Mk3 Gsi with the C18XE on a 94 M plate.They also came in 93 L reg Astra Gsi's too.Had a black plug cover fitted.Exact same as the 1st engine in Fow's pics but with black Ecotec plug cover.
Yeah was a quick motor but from experience,wasnt anywhere near as quick as a C20XE Gsi i tried to have a play with,and didnt feel as quick as the C20XE Mk3 Gsi i had after it.

[Corsa_B_C18XE]

Hi im new t this forum ive not been playin with vauxhalls long. Usually play with my 106 turbo aha. But basically I've got the proper c18xe Redtop not a crappy ecotec one and it's due to go in my 1.0 corsa b. before I put it in I was just wondering at weather I will need a bigger radiator and if so how big? Thanks Tom

[Paul]

Welcome to MIG

Please avoid bumping old thread, although to answer your question you'll be fine with the one you have.

[BigDave1979]

Capacity wise, any Corsa radiator will be man enough for the job. The 1.0 12v radiator however has the inlet and outlet on the same side so it'll be a nightmare to plumb in. You'll want a radiator and fan from any non-aircon manual petrol model but not a 1.0 12v or a 1.2 16v.

[Corsa_B_C18XE]

Thank you for your replys. I'll see if I can get a chromed gsi one or something like that then t make it look a bit prettier haha. I'll let you know how I get on with dropping the engine in thing I will do it this weekend or next I'm just a mount short I believe.

[Melv]

C18XE corsas are good fun.

[Paul]

Capacity wise, any Corsa radiator will be man enough for the job. The 1.0 12v radiator however has the inlet and outlet on the same side so it'll be a nightmare to plumb in. You'll want a radiator and fan from any non-aircon manual petrol model but not a 1.0 12v or a 1.2 16v.

Ah good point

[Corsa_B_C18XE]

hi again aha. decided to put the engine in other day but im having troubles with the coolant hoses. basically the pipe from the bottom of the header tank goes to a metal pipe running down the o/s chassis rail then connects into the bottom hose on the 1L rad. basically im thinking of scrapping the one litre rad but if i do what do i put in the bottom of the header tank? what do i join to what etc..?please help