useless mk2 astra and engine trivia thread

[DarrenH]

Re: useless mk2 astra and engine trivia thread

in 1986/1987 general motors contracted cosworth to develop a twin cam version of their 2 litre family 2 engine, in conjuction with opels advanced engine development. the engine was production ready in 1987 at cosworths wellingborough site and was designated "KBA". it produced 156bhp in road trim and 220bhp in the group A competition version. the road going version was fitted to astra/kadett vectra/cavaliers, the cylinder head was cast by cosworth at their wellingborough site and laterly worcestershire, and assembled on site in low volumes in paralell with GMs own production line. opel designate this engine 20XE and 20XEJ

UK and european recessions, plus cost saving of mass line production forced GM to take over production and assembly of the engine. as a final cost saving measure production of the cylinder head was farmed to german engine component manufacturer kolbenschmidt

[dancedj]

Re: useless mk2 astra and engine trivia thread

correct, but you cant fit champion rear head rests as the holes arnt far enough apart

Well that saves me attempting that mod!

[dancedj]

Re: useless mk2 astra and engine trivia thread

Did you know that cavalier mk3 boot badges
are a perfect fit for Speedline Alessios 2 centres.
Champion editions abroad came in 5 door Belmont versions
and several colours

[dongaz]

Re: useless mk2 astra and engine trivia thread

in 1986/1987 general motors contracted cosworth to develop a twin cam version of their 2 litre family 2 engine, in conjuction with opels advanced engine development. the engine was production ready in 1987 at cosworths wellingborough site and was designated "KBA". it produced 156bhp in road trim and 220bhp in the group A competition version. the road going version was fitted to astra/kadett vectra/cavaliers, the cylinder head was cast by cosworth at their wellingborough site and laterly worcestershire, and assembled on site in low volumes in paralell with GMs own production line. opel designate this engine 20XE and 20XEJ

UK and european recessions, plus cost saving of mass line production forced GM to take over production and assembly of the engine. as a final cost saving measure production of the cylinder head was farmed to german engine component manufacturer kolbenschmidt

are the early 20xej heads prone to the pouris fault or is it just the later gm heads i ask as mine is a 87 xej which is a very early one

[dancedj]

Re: useless mk2 astra and engine trivia thread

are the early 20xej heads prone to the pouris fault or is it just the later gm heads i ask as mine is a 87 xej which is a very early one

I always heard it's the non-coscast ones

[tiff_lee]

Re: useless mk2 astra and engine trivia thread

I always heard it's the non-coscast ones

Correct, there is a good thread by Darren in the how2 members section providing more details.

http://www.astra-mk2.com/forum/showthread.php?396-20XE-Coscast-Cylinder-head-dossier

[dancedj]

Re: useless mk2 astra and engine trivia thread

Not really useless trivia but perhaps helpful - Champion Inner wheel logos Part no 90374337 were pushed on to silver new logo Vxl no 90425840 so the original black ones are not available unless used

[Davey J]

Re: useless mk2 astra and engine trivia thread

Gary yours is the only 20XEJ lump I have seen with a 1987 GM head on it. Proper red herring that one. GM heads are more likely to go but if it hasn't gone it probably won't and if it does it is a cheap fix................fear not.

[Astra Dan]

Re: useless mk2 astra and engine trivia thread

When the engine is overheating and the gauge is in the red and the box around the icon is flashing, if it's at night with the lights on, the dash automatically switches itself to full brightness!

[GTEBaby]

Re: useless mk2 astra and engine trivia thread

Same i got given the red1 too