130 replies to this topic

[Duncan VXR]

I don’t know 2 weeks paternity leave and I am outsourced lol Only joking and I suggested to Zac that it made more sense for Steve to do the extra bits as he is more than upto the job and gets things moving again with him doing the machining/balancing. Then can get it all back in the car for some miles before that real turbo goes on Interesting that there is only 1 part number for the LEH/LET pistons and bonus if they are confirmed to be the same Arrow rods is just been posh imagine them with the cosworth pistons ......ops to late DG

[siztenboots]

is that confirmed about the let leh pistons being the same, or is just all new parts are supplied as single part number.

[Duncan VXR]

is that confirmed about the let leh pistons being the same, or is just all new parts are supplied as single part number.

That is what is currently been confirm Steve, Mahla have the same part number listed for both. Trying to confirm the number printed on a LEH piston to cross reference

Also option to lower the compression by machining the piston

DG

[cnrandall]

AFAIK the LET and LER have the same pistons. Certainly the LER has cast, heavy pistons and the LEH has pressure cast pistons that are way, way lighter - http://archive.hofma...index.asp?id=69

[steveboyslim]

AFAIK the LET and LER have the same pistons. Certainly the LER has cast, heavy pistons and the LEH has pressure cast pistons that are way, way lighter - http://archive.hofma...index.asp?id=69

New Mahle pistons purchased are now all made the the LEH specification, that is that latest piston susperceds previous design.

Steve

[zebwach]

Thankyou for clarifying that steve. What would you recommend having done regarding the machining of the pistons? What is the max safe bhp that can be ran without lowering the compresion? If 380ish bhp can be achieved without having the piston machined, this would be preferable as to not induce any unnecesary lag. Zach

[zebwach]

Just a quick update as I have been a little quiet of late. Due to snow, delivery of parts and the scratching of the heads over selection of the correct pistons for my build, dates have slipped mildly. Machining and construction of my engine and gear box has began and, fingers crossed, should all be returned to Duncan on the 13th of Jan. So I should have the car back mid-late Jan for the running in process. 1500 miles later and four changes of oil it will be going back to Duncan for the fitment of the following: Garret CMS inlet and exhaust manifolds Chopping and welding of the exhaust CMS top hat Uprated recirc valve Possibly larger throttle body depending on the results of other recent fitments. At this point, if VXTyrant still desires my AET turbo, then I shall post it to him. The car shall then be either trailerd to CMS for mapping or driven on a very safe map with no boost. Some time after this, pending I dont kill myself, it will be returned to Duncan for removal of the Garret, exhaust and manifold so they can be sent away for ceramic coating. Duncan doesn't know this yet, but im pondering over the idea of having traction control fitted while those parts are away and he has the car! A few alterations have been made to the spec of the build since my last update also, which include the following: The head shall be stripped and refurbished, inc the installation of uprated valve springs. Mahla pistons shall definitely be used. Under piston oil spray jets shall be installed. I finally decided to have the block painted red to match the color of the car. I don't want it to look chavy and would like it to remain as OEM looking as possible. Another close contender was to simply have it painted black. Any other color suggestions or feedback before it is too late? Zach

Edited by zebwach, 23 December 2010 - 09:53 AM.

[siztenboots]

replace water pump uprated valve stem guides change gb ratios for the close ratio set, really depends on rpm limit and how you like 3rd gear mph to be otherwise check condition of gb baulk rings change to brass selector fork guides

[Duncan VXR]

Zac you gezza Always good to find out on the .org you have more work for me lol Yes weather and parts have caused a bit of delay as I had planned for it to be back to zac by now and be building my little project over xmas but it's all good and zac knows it Is a shame the bits were not still with me as one of the main reasons for getting Steve to do the engine was my limited time but of course could have built it and got back in with last few weekends spare :S - could be worse though....could have been in the garage freezing building an engine and garage is working just fine as a big fridge for the beer Water pump that came off not that old and of the metal version so suggested Zac use it but has new oe plastic version in backup - not sure which he is going for I would paint black zac but only becuase I like the oe look, red for your car would be my 2nd choise Sure Steve will check the condition of box but def worth looking at selector fork - ref ratios kind of what you have already said Steve, + & - to having them on the 5 speed DG

[coople]

Hi all what is the spec of the AET turbo please? Could I have 2nd dibs please depending on spec. What power did you make on it? Hope Baby life is treating you well Duncan :-). I changed a wishbone on my fiat coupe yesterday in the snow. Not fun working in the cold and snow this time of the year. Is Santa bringing you a garage heater?

[Duncan VXR]

It going really well thanks Basically it is a ported / polished version of the std vxr turbo machined to take a K06 comp wheel on the cold side and uprated bearing / actuator. Looking at 315-320bhp max There are a few threads on it for more info aqnd I think even the build pic of one covered in vaux mag Fitted 4 of these now and work well as a cheaper straight swap option No heater but well done getting stuck in this weather :S DG

[zebwach]

I shall definitely be staying with the standard gear ratios. With the torque and power band, I think it has been proven that, if anything, a different final drive ratio is a hindrance to acceleration overall. Thanks for the ideas Siztenboots. All those points have been covered accept for the 'brass selector fork guides'. I was aware of there being a problem with week selector forks, mine are going to be checked and replaced if necessary. But do the guides play a role in their failure? Do you have a link(s) to where they can be bought from or any further info? Can uprated selector forks be bought also? I agree with you Duncan. But the child in me kinda likes the idea of people knowing that the engine is that little bit special when they look in without making it look garish. Zach

Edited by zebwach, 23 December 2010 - 10:53 AM.

[Duncan VXR]

Think BOT sell the brass selector fork but something techiboy prob knows off the top0 of his head Do you not think the BIG pipe work to turbo, larger top hat, diff inlet manifold will tell them go for red DG

[zebwach]

Coople, what Duncan said! You can take place as fourth dibs! I have had a lot of interest in the AET. It also comes with the VXR manifold, which is supposedly stronger and less prone to cracking than the VXT manifold. Zach

[zebwach]

Think BOT sell the brass selector fork but something techiboy prob knows off the top0 of his head

Do you not think the BIG pipe work to turbo, larger top hat, diff inlet manifold will tell them go for red

DG

Cheers Duncan, ill have a nosey. The big Samco hose going from tophat to CC might be a clue also. But the redness implies that the engine has been out and now contains fancy bits inside!

Just to clarify, how big is BIG?!

[zebwach]

I have just phoned BOT and the only uprated ones they have fitted were supplied by the customer, who sourced them from the States. Basically, the OEM fork have plastic ends which is the part that wears/snaps off. The uprated items use brass instead of said plastic. Any one any ideas of a 'States' supplier?

[coople]

OK thanks Zach/doubt I will have a chance then On the AET website in shop under Astra; I take it the prices are for swapping your original turbo for a hybrid version. The website has no details on it?
AET shop

Looking forward to your results, will you not loose a bit of off boost/spool performance if you lower the compression ratio?

Regards

Steve

[techieboy]

Think BOT sell the brass selector fork but something techiboy prob knows off the top0 of his head

I had heard them mentioned in conjunction with BoT but no inside knowledge, I'm afraid.

Any one any ideas of a 'States' supplier?

Would be interested to know myself as it might be a nice thing to do, if I do ever tinker with the ratios on my gearbox.

[zebwach]

OK thanks Zach/doubt I will have a chance then On the AET website in shop under Astra; I take it the prices are for swapping your original turbo for a hybrid version. The website has no details on it?
AET shop

Looking forward to your results, will you not loose a bit of off boost/spool performance if you lower the compression ratio?

Regards

Steve

That price is based on you supplying a donor turbo and that price does not include VAT, if I recollect correctly.

The compression will only be lowered by a tiny fraction to add a little safety, if at all.

[siztenboots]

picture , thousand words etc, with the appropiate selector. left counter shaft (1st+2nd), middle input shaft (3rd+4th), right output shaft (Rev+5th)

Imagine the gear lever , (albeit upside down)
move left, left shaft, then up down moves the selector 2+1
move center, middle shaft, then up down moves the selector 3+4 (yes upside up)
move right, right shaft, then up down moves the selector Rev+5th