Jimbo's V6 Tigra Project

**jimmyhillock** · 26-05-2009 01:07

Hello people this is my first post so please any constructive criticism is welcome!
I've recently got my first project car this Tigra 1.4, as you can see the engine is out and the fun is about to begin..

The plan is to fit a V6 2.5 in and go terrorizing the neighbors. I've got a hold of said engine and am now in the process of getting the block and f20 gearbox in, some cutting is required to the fire wall to allow the throttle body and inlet housing, so that should be fun!

I've got the engine mounts from Christ Astley Motor Sports and am off the the scrapers for some gearbox mounts as they went the journey with the 1.4 engine

. Things you learn as you go along i guess.

These Two fine young gentlemen are some of the fools helping the build, the chunky fellow is my welder friend and the small mouse like guy is the one who gets all the fiddly bolts off, this is mainly thanks to his weirdly small hand.

And here is one of the man himself the one and only Jimbo!!! (and the crowd goes wild)

More photo's to follow. I'll also post some info tomorrow once i get back form the scrapers.

**jimmyhillock** · 26-05-2009 18:19

Ok so today we have mounted the engine block and gearbox, not and easy thing to do when you've only got one jack and a bit of rope!

One thing i should mention at this point, the rear gearbox mount that is attached to the center of the car has to be grounded down a little bit to allow for the spacer kit. I'll post a photo of this once the engines back out.

Now things that are to be done next:-

Cutting the fire wall to allow for the throtle body and inlet housing, and welding the engine bay up.
So as soon as someone gives me a mig welder i can post some more.

or not.

**brad35** · 26-05-2009 18:30

You have all the makings of a great project there.

I wasnt brave enough to tackle the V6 so good luck. All I can say is if you get stuck there is plenty of people on here that can help you out.

**jimmyhillock** · 26-05-2009 21:04

Thanks mate, here's hoping we don't run out of steam or money.

EY · 26-05-2009 21:07

Keep us posted with your mincing

**jimmyhillock** · 26-05-2009 21:30

Ok here's the photos of today, Engine and gearbox in.

I still need to take the pipes out for the power steering. I'm going to use the electric rack out of a corsa.

And also before i forget this is my number two who's helping with the build, i call him Fangers!

More to come people, as always all comments welcome.

**Mark T** · 26-05-2009 21:51

vectra lump might make space at the back easier, Omega certainly will but is 20mm taller.

**lomas** · 27-05-2009 00:40

hope it goes well. just the rear manifold that needs cutting to miss the steering rack and should fit in ok. if you need any rebuild parts pm me i have head sets, new gm shells, piston rings, rebuilt heads.

**davie_slim** · 27-05-2009 02:12

any pics of where you cut the fire wall?

davie

**jimmyhillock** · 27-05-2009 08:25

I'll be doing that tomorrow, I'll put some pic's on then.

**jimmyhillock** · 27-05-2009 08:34

Here are some pics fangers chris found of a nova v6 build, this kinda shows what needs done to the rear manifold and down pipe. I wasn't quite sure if the front one needed done. i haven't put the heads on yet so we will see.

**jimmyhillock** · 28-05-2009 16:02

Today we have got the manual steering rack and mounted it to see how much more room there would be for the rear down pipe, and guess what, not much! So what we've done is to cut the manifold mid way down then bend it toward the engine block away from the rack.

As you can see not much space, needs a little more ground down to give a couple of mm clearance.

Here's a picture of the fire wall before its been cut to allow for the throttle body.

**jimmyhillock** · 29-05-2009 14:45

Got the fire wall cut today.

I forgot to get a photo of the finished thing, so I'll post them tomorrow.

**Greydj** · 29-05-2009 16:30

Interesting

Shouldn't you have those bores covered to stop bits like grinder filings getting into them?

**philip2** · 29-05-2009 16:36

doesnt look like theres even pistons in the blocklmao

looking good so far matey. that front engine mount doesnt look to good though, looks like its on the piss!

**Greydj** · 29-05-2009 17:02

Originally Posted by philip2

doesnt look like theres even pistons in the blocklmao

You're right lmao but the oilways are open

**jimmyhillock** · 29-05-2009 22:31

Very good points, the engine mount is a bit off but thats not a problem at the moment as we just wanted it in to get the bulkhead cut, and as for the engine block being open thats also not a problem either as its all being sent away to get cleaned and re-bored along with the heads.

**tigracrew** · 30-05-2009 21:11

nice1 mate sounds like a plan, i perticualy like the grinder action!
i to have a tigra that iv just put a x20xe in i did think of taking the 3.0 out of my cav but didnt have the balls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**jimmyhillock** · 31-05-2009 13:22

Looking at the amount of work me and the boys have to do makes my ball retreat into there fleshy sack! But i can totally understand why people tend to go for a four cylinder rather than the V6. Thanks for the positive comment.

**14_sr_nova** · 31-05-2009 13:38

looking good enjoy the project

**mikegray** · 31-05-2009 20:10

Good project mate, 6 Cylinders FTW

**jimmyhillock** · 04-06-2009 17:37

Got the sump and starter on order so I'll be getting them start of the week, had a bit of a nightmare getting the shells for the bottom end, I was hoping they wouldn't be much of a problem but turns out there gonna cost about £100.

The rate this engine is eating up money I'm gonna have to start using my hand to wipe my arse.

**jimmyhillock** · 07-07-2009 20:57

Sorry I ain't posted for a bit, just for a quick update, I've got all the bits to rebuild the engine. I got new water pump, timing kit, oil seals, alternator, gaskets and other bits. Everything except new oil pump - the reason being Vauxhall wanted £200+ and the budget can't allow, so I've got to hope that the engine is low miles and the pump is good for a few more miles. I should be getting the welding done in the next couple of weeks after i get some ink work done. I'll have many more photos soon. Jimmy

**mikegray** · 07-07-2009 21:33

Looking forward to the update

**jimmyhillock** · 01-09-2009 19:47

Hi, things done over the past weeks, heads re-coned thanks to Fangers. Got all parts needed to get the engine in and going again mainly thanks to Fangers. He has been breaking his V6 calibra sorting me out with ECU, loom ect. He has many other parts still up for grabs, including the best leather interior you'll ever get. PM me if anyone wants parts, I may even put them up on here.

Some pics for you viewing pleasure.

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