Jump to content

C20Xe Conversion - Tunnel/bulkhead Modifications


GMC
 Share

Recommended Posts

I'm not far away from dropping my rebuilt C20XE into my Manta B, but appear to be getting some conflicting info regarding Tunnel/Bulkhead modifications.

Basically, can you confirm whether the top end of the transmission tunnel / underside of the bulkhead needs cutback to accomodate pipework?

No need to worry about the distributor clashing with the heater as I've done a front side mount conversion using a 1.8 set-up.

Thanks

Edited by GMC
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nope it doesn't as long as you either:

block off the rear cylinder head water outlet (if you're not using a heater OR

if you are using a heater, use a VERY short silicone hose 90 deg elbow (cut it down so there is the bare minimum on one side of the bend to allow you to jubilee clip it on)

You may want to slightly re-route the brake pipes where they cross the bulkhead as they can rub the water pipe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not recomended blanking the rear water pipe on the head as its the main head coolant, i cut a small square in baulkhead to allow hose not to run a tight route to my heater, trans tunnel is fine no mods needed if using a 1.8 box, mods needed if using a omega box, thats how i have done 3 of mine including my let.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

use the tunnel top off a newer manta if yours was a four speeder. :thumbup

i ran a c20xe for 3 years with rear of head blocked off with an alloy bung. grass trackers also block this heater pipe off with no problems :blink:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As has been said you don't NEED to modify the bulkhead to get the engine into a manta, and plenty of people have fitted them so far.

But if you want to its not a big job, you don't need to chop loads out.

This is one i modified a couple of years ago (during build photo)

e203-16v%20(6).jpg

The lip at the front of the bulkhead tray (where the heater box sits) has been ground back directly behind the engine by about 10mm

Then i seam welded it along the join

You can see at the bottom of the picture where the front edge is normally.

I did it to give myself a little more room around the pipe and also better access to the top 2 engine/gearbox bolts :thumbup

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not recomended blanking the rear water pipe on the head as its the main head coolant, i cut a small square in baulkhead to allow hose not to run a tight route to my heater, trans tunnel is fine no mods needed if using a 1.8 box, mods needed if using a omega box, thats how i have done 3 of mine including my let.

Its fine to blank off, as rutts says above.

I have several XE's in various vehicles with this blanked and no problems yet (including race engines)

I think the "rumour" around this one comes from people running other inlet manifolds with blanking for the forward head circulation. If you blank at the front of the inlet manifold as well then you get no head circ. when the stat is shut...........that said on my "lotus 7 clone" with an XE in it on throttle bodies, I have blanked the inlet one off as well, just keeping the bleed pipe on the top of the inlet. Just drilled a couple of small bypass holes in the stat to get a bit of bypass circulation to prevent boiling in the head.

Mine has a 90 degree pipe put on the rear of the head to solve the ussue

that's a neat way to do it :thumbup

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 years later...

Stradacab, where did you get the 90degree elbow for the back of the head please, stripped my head last night to clean and rebuild it and found the original steel hose rotted through :(

It was done when I bought it so Idont know sorry. I am sure you can source a 90 bend and get your local machine shop to fit (Hell, I'd even have a go myself with a good blowtorch and a mallet)

Edited by stradacab
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

johnboy you can Tap the head 5/8bspt  and insert a hose tail fitting to suit as i have just been told by retropower 

Sorry I made a balls-up with this advice... Did one the other day and it's half inch bsp!! Sorry, no idea where 5/8 came from!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...