Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: megaOmega on 26 July 2009, 17:27:53

Title: Installing a C20LET
Post by: megaOmega on 26 July 2009, 17:27:53
Hi, i am looking to buy a omega in  the future but i was wondering if you could install a C20 LeT in place of the C20XEV engine, they are simmilar engines so is it a case of using the mounts and brackets from the XEV and just dropping the LET in.  ::)

Ps, dont say "just get a v6" because most of the problems on this site are v6 related and the seem too complicated. :-/

thanks :y
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 26 July 2009, 17:37:05
What's so special about the C20LET - what's the performance of them and, are they expensive to buy?

I want an engine for my MV6...
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: TheBoy on 26 July 2009, 17:42:09
I would doubt that the LET would be a drivable engine in a heavy car like Omega. The engine needs to rev hard to get power.

If you have the capability to replace an engine, you have enough capabilities to resolve most issues with V6
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: 924boy on 26 July 2009, 17:42:25
200 bhp as standard, lighter than a v6 engine. hard to get hold of a good one for decent money though. Not sure about setting up the emissions to pass the mot though as they are quite an old engine now? maybe worth going for the z20let instead to help with modern emissions??
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: Andy B on 26 July 2009, 17:43:59
Quote
.....
Ps, dont say "just get a v6" because most of the problems on this site are v6 related and the seem too complicated. :-/

thanks :y

The V6 is complicated, but not so that you can't work on them or keep them in good running order.
You DO want a V6 anyway as the 4 pots are under powered for such a big car.

Waits for the howls of dischord from the 4 pot owners!  ::)  ::)  ::)  ;)
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: megaOmega on 26 July 2009, 17:46:58
hi, i do like the sound of a v6 but maybe in a few years time, i like the idea of a turbocharged car!.

The main trouble i have with the v6 omega is the cooling system seems over-complicated.

I never knew there was a newer version of a c20 LEt but i am interested,

how hard is it to actually do the transplant

ps, when i said it was too complicated i mean compared to a 4 cyl, when i canged the cam belt and fuel pump on my 306 it seemd quite straightforward but with a v6, there are 2 banks so..... ;D
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: Andy B on 26 July 2009, 17:48:59
Quote
.....
The main trouble i have with the v6 omega is the cooling system seems over-complicated.  .....

  :-/  :-/  :-/  :-/  :-/ How's it complicated?  ;)
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: Martin_1962 on 26 July 2009, 17:50:22
Is that the turbo 2.0 engine which is less powerful than the 3.0 and  3.2 V6s?
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: megaOmega on 26 July 2009, 17:50:27
Quote

  :-/  :-/  :-/  :-/  :-/ How's it complicated?  ;)


coolant bridge, pressurisation of the system .. .. .. .. ..
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: megaOmega on 26 July 2009, 17:51:54
Quote
Is that the turbo 2.0 engine which is less powerful than the 3.0 and  3.2 V6s?
yes it has 200bhp, but it is lighter!!! and has a TURBO!! i mean whats not to like!!
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: TheBoy on 26 July 2009, 17:52:24
Not sure what would be involved, never looked too much at management system of LET engine.

You would need to use the V6 cooling system - which is simple as any other car/engine.

Not sure what box you would use, as LET is FWD application.
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: TheBoy on 26 July 2009, 17:54:07
Quote
Quote

  :-/  :-/  :-/  :-/  :-/ How's it complicated?  ;)


coolant bridge, pressurisation of the system .. .. .. .. ..
So the same as any other engine? Water comes in to block, pumped round, and depending on stat, goes via rad or straight to block.
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: TheBoy on 26 July 2009, 17:55:21
Quote
Quote
Is that the turbo 2.0 engine which is less powerful than the 3.0 and  3.2 V6s?
yes it has 200bhp, but it is lighter!!! and has a TURBO!! i mean whats not to like!!
200bhp but nothing low down. So you have to rev the arse off it to get it to move, trying to lay 200bhp in one hit.  That will soon get tiresome ;)
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: megaOmega on 26 July 2009, 17:56:41
the XEV is used as RWD in the omega but in the vectra it is FWD, also the 2.5v6 is FWD in the vectra! so i would imagine the let would mate to the omegas gearbox, the xev and let blocks are simmilar so i could probably use the mounts from the xev on the let.

ps. do i sound mad to you people?
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: 924boy on 26 July 2009, 18:01:56
tbh i quite like the idea, if you add a nice big intercooler and lob a bigger turbo on there it could be quite interesting!  :y
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: TheBoy on 26 July 2009, 18:06:25
Quote
the XEV is used as RWD in the omega but in the vectra it is FWD, also the 2.5v6 is FWD in the vectra! so i would imagine the let would mate to the omegas gearbox, the xev and let blocks are simmilar so i could probably use the mounts from the xev on the let.

ps. do i sound mad to you people?
Lot of work and expense for no gain, and a load of downsides
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: megaOmega on 26 July 2009, 18:10:05
Quote
Quote
the XEV is used as RWD in the omega but in the vectra it is FWD, also the 2.5v6 is FWD in the vectra! so i would imagine the let would mate to the omegas gearbox, the xev and let blocks are simmilar so i could probably use the mounts from the xev on the let.

ps. do i sound mad to you people?
Lot of work and expense for no gain, and a load of downsides


is that a yes then?

from what i imagine, the let would behave like a xev until the turbo came on boost and then it would be like a V6 ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: TheBoy on 26 July 2009, 18:14:05
Quote
Quote
Quote
the XEV is used as RWD in the omega but in the vectra it is FWD, also the 2.5v6 is FWD in the vectra! so i would imagine the let would mate to the omegas gearbox, the xev and let blocks are simmilar so i could probably use the mounts from the xev on the let.

ps. do i sound mad to you people?
Lot of work and expense for no gain, and a load of downsides


is that a yes then?

from what i imagine, the let would behave like a xev until the turbo came on boost and then it would be like a V6 ::) ::) ::)
No, from what I recall, its tuned differently (like most small turbo cars), reliant on the turbo for all its power.  I seem to recall its low down torque is virtually non existent. On light Astras, thats not so much of an issue. On a 1700kg car, thats going to result in either it bogging down, or throwing 200bhp through the tyres with the predictable outcome.
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: Andy B on 26 July 2009, 18:15:20
Quote
Quote
Is that the turbo 2.0 engine which is less powerful than the 3.0 and  3.2 V6s?
yes it has 200bhp, but it is lighter!!! and has a TURBO!! i mean whats not to like!!

There's substitute for cubes!  ;)  ;)  ;) :y  :y
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: TheBoy on 26 July 2009, 18:15:33
Quote
Quote
Quote
the XEV is used as RWD in the omega but in the vectra it is FWD, also the 2.5v6 is FWD in the vectra! so i would imagine the let would mate to the omegas gearbox, the xev and let blocks are simmilar so i could probably use the mounts from the xev on the let.

ps. do i sound mad to you people?
Lot of work and expense for no gain, and a load of downsides


is that a yes then?

from what i imagine, the let would behave like a xev until the turbo came on boost and then it would be like a V6 ::) ::) ::)
LOL, either mad or genius - life needs people who are prepared to try 'stupid' (in the eyes of some) things, else we'd all live in caves....
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: megaOmega on 26 July 2009, 18:17:19
ooh, i didn't know that . i have driven a volvo s40 t4 and that is  a heavy car with a 2.0 turbo and that was bloddy mental!
it had 200 bhp with 300nm's of the twisty stuff (Torque) ::)

i understand your point and i withdraw my idea :(

i'll get my coat :P :-/
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: TheBoy on 26 July 2009, 18:23:55
Quote
ooh, i didn't know that . i have driven a volvo s40 t4 and that is  a heavy car with a 2.0 turbo and that was bloddy mental!
it had 200 bhp with 300nm's of the twisty stuff (Torque) ::)

i understand your point and i withdraw my idea :(

i'll get my coat :P :-/
Its not the peak figures you're interested in (unless its a track car). Try and get the torque/power curves for let and compare
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: johnboy27 on 26 July 2009, 19:43:04
I have a old cavalier that i put a c20let into, the conversion from a normal 2.0 was quite straight forward & the loom from the c20let engine was very similar to the old one so i would presume this would be the case with the omega. although the ecu sits inside the car on a cavalier instead of under bonnet on the omega.
Owning both a cavalier c20let & a omega 3.0v6 its hard to say either engine is good or bad, but i would say the v6 is suited better to the omega. :y
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: NiallyV6CDX on 26 July 2009, 22:23:01
What is the code of the newer 2.0 Turbo they used in the previous Astra Coupe/ SRI/GSI ?? :-?
That is a relatively modern and tuneable engine and probable a lot less laggy the the old calibra (C20LET) engine. Anyone familiar with those engines?
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: 924boy on 26 July 2009, 22:48:22
thats the z20let engine. probably more of an easier swap for the x20xev that omegas have. the c20let is more the equivalent to the older 16v (20xe) as fitted to early calibras, astra gte's etc.
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: sparkyw666. on 26 July 2009, 23:16:12
Quote
hi, i do like the sound of a v6 but maybe in a few years time, /quote]
i know how u want the 2.0 its because of the insurance is it .used to have a 1.8 mondeo and i only pay a hundred more a year for my 3.0 mv6 trust me mate it worth it in the long run and the nose of that v6 lump its like sweet music :y
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: johnboy27 on 26 July 2009, 23:19:04
Yeah the Z20LET engine is newer & probably easy to get hold off nowadays.
Also they are more drivable with power lower down the revs. the old red top c20let is a bit flat low down, so you find yourself thrashing them to make them go, especially in an heavier car like the omega.
Anyway good luck in which ever you chose. :y
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: mathewst on 26 July 2009, 23:22:26
S40 compared to omega is a lightweight toy  ;D
My old A6 was even lighter than the mig.
Why simply not try to put the turbo on the V6, then you would have the sound and the power  :y
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: andyc on 27 July 2009, 09:28:19
stick a V8 in it.............Job done ;D
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: Kevin Wood on 27 July 2009, 09:35:44
A turbocharged engine will have very much lower compression than a natasp and will be tuned differently so it's not true to say it will have equivalent power until it comes on boost.

A mate of mine had a Lotus 7 replica (so light - 600Kg car) with a 270 BHP Cosworth Turbo engine.

That engine was on boost at an 80MPH cruise - that's how gutless it would have been without a turbo.

It was something else when given a bootful through the gears though. :-*

With a light car it's not a problem if there's a bit of a hole at low RPM before the boost builds - it will pull through it quickly enough. Add another tonne of weight and it's a different story.

Personally, given that the V6 suits a heavy car better, and is available without any effort, it would be my choice. Having said that, get into a project like this and it's amazing what you learn. I just think an Omega might not be the most rewarding recipient of a LET. ;)

Kevin
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: candyman on 28 July 2009, 23:41:48
theres a member on here has done it already, saether, you'll see his post in the gallery but i think its only a clet, could be wrong, but now he's building a 3l v6 so....
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 29 July 2009, 08:50:24
Well, the C20LET would work well as contary to what has been said, it does have reasonable low down grunt (210bhp in standard form to).

Its easy enough to tune.

Will bolt straight onto an R28 geabox (use the LET clutch and flywheel setup.

Would drop onto a 2.0 16V front subframe.

Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: johnboy27 on 03 August 2009, 16:32:15
Is the r28 gearbox standard fitment to most omegas or is it just for the 2.0.
Its just to keep in mind for a little 2.0 redtop project i want to do in the future. :y
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: TheBoy on 03 August 2009, 18:14:57
r28 only fitted to 3.0l v6
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: johnboy27 on 04 August 2009, 19:46:31
Nice one cheers.
Want to put my old redtop in something rear wheel drive one day.
Sorry to go off topic slightly.
 :y
Title: Re: Installing a C20LET
Post by: andyc on 05 August 2009, 10:32:40
Have you looked at this
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1249253947
click on the photobucket short cuts and scroll through

Turbomega has the Zlet running and looks a very nice install

Andy