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XEwithTBs or LET???

700 views 24 replies 8 participants last post by  andy16vturbo 
#1 ·
Right then i Pulled my 16v lump of the GTE bout 3weeks ago and i looking for ideas as what to do with it. First off if i keep the XE lump(89 20xeJ) its going to need a rebuild, which is no problem as i kinda no what im doing in that field. At the least it needs all new shells, crank regrind, honing, pistons, valve guides and valve seats re-cuting.

I quite like the idea of TB, but alot of my people have said take the LET road, but im not overly keen on second hand engines. Ive been offered a big power 20LET with 270bhp for 2.5Ks But havent seen it yet. My other thought is to rebuild the XE with a turbo.

Basically my question has anyone got any opinions on which works best, turbo or TBs on an XE and how much it to spend. I have seen a kit that QED do for under 3Ks which includes pistons, cams and TB and around 200-210bhp, but no turbo kits.

Any help please
 
#3 ·
as a persoanl preference i like the turbo route, but a lot of people on here will disagree. i like the wads of torue available from the LET where as other folk like the instant sharp throttle responce from the throttle bodies. its all swings and roundabouts mate. completetely down to driver tastes. so what do YOU want?

turbos are far more tuneable than an XE aswell.

rodgerq
 
#4 ·
i dont agree that turbos are more tuneable sbd get 299 bhp from there no compromise engine and regal get 370 from a phase 4.5 (sorry if i have ot any of these figures slightly wrong there from memory) but turbos are cheaper to get power from in a pound per bhp ratio so if you want big power get a turbo if you want instant power that you can not really brag about but goes like stink get some tb's
 
#13 ·
my opinion..
If you looking for stupid torque and power, without care curves, high speed in curves and etc.. choose turbo without doubts.
But if you looking for good distribution power band, for get high perfomance in curves, choose the aspirated engine.
I love two types. One day, if i have good money, i will build a C16XE for use TB. And i will can feel the power of turbo in my Kadett, and the high rpm and perfect estability of my aspirated. :)
I have a Astra GTE 8V turbo, and in road with a lot of curves, a Volkswagen Gol(Brazilian model), with only 200 bhp estimated aspirated(two Weber 50) beat me in after curves, because i can´t use the boost in curves, my front goes off the road, is really danger.. this is really negative point of turbo engine.
And about SBD, really nice, 300bhp from N/A 2.0 engine is much.. much power..



Cheers,



Matheus S. Almeida!
 
#21 ·
I want a semi useable car that i can take to trackdays a run wat u brung days and not have my *** kicked by RST and 5GT. My car handles very well and will keep with most stuff throught the twisty bits, but get it on the straights and its a bit lacking.
 
#24 ·
I under stand that lag can be a big problem with turbos which will also up set the way it corners but would, and bearing in mind i have never driven a car with big boost or TBs, a 220bhp be able to out pace a 270bhp boosted beast. Is i cus of the extra revs u get from TBs. Lets surpose i pulled up along side a Impreza at 60mph (in a MAXPOWER Saxo 1.1 with 24inch rims kind of way) and wanted to it in to the weeds. Would Throttle Bodies of say 230bhp be better or would a Turbo with a few more ponys be better suited?????????????
 
#25 ·
if you are already moving the turbo will always kick arse! i have a nova let AND a nova xe! the xe is more fun to drive, due to the snappy throttle response etc, but my 300 brake turbo nova is out of this world. get it on the motor way and nothing will touch it! my mate built a mk 3 escort with 4x4 cossie, all stripped out with nearly 400 brake, a real mental car, but we had a race last night and i was a bout a metre in front of him till 140 mph ,then he blew his turbo hose off lmao . the point i am making is i have 2 of the same cars with each engine in! xe =fun.... let =mental. depends what you want! the xe will always be better to potter about at low revs, turbos need to be opened up. :beer:
 
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