Engine Swap Daydreams

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addo
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Engine Swap Daydreams

Post by addo »

I try not being too one-eyed about marques to the point of overlooking some good modern(ish) motors.

Don't know how many times I've wondered how well a transverse Cadillac V8 would go in a Xantia or 406.

Then there's the Alfa Twin Spark - a ripper with VVT and motorised throttlebody but old enough to make blindsiding of the ECU quite do-able. Plus the Selespeed would be no probs to anyone with traditional Citroen background...

Even the current crop of C5 powertrains; I often wonder about back-compatibility of the large diesels into a Xantia.

With the low value of older cars in the UK, I'm surprised more people don't try stuff like this.
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Post by CitroJim »

Just drop an ES9J4 and 4HP20 in yours Adam. Simple (relatively) and it fits...

I like the thought of an Alfa V6 though :P They sound gorgeous...
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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Post by addo »

Had I a spare ES9J4 and manual box - it'd be in my (thence) "Mi24". :twisted:

I'm reasonably happy with the white Xantia; just these warped thoughts (like wanting to build a V8 RWD Fuego :? ) pester me.

Having had an Alfa motor in and out, and in the process eyeballed a lot of related hookups, it is a good compact package - even the six. And as you say - a gorgeous sound under hard pedalling.
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Post by evilally »

The VAG 1.8 Turbo unit is a popular choice for engine transplants. It's tough, can be cheaply tuned to big power, and small enough to fit in just about anything. There was a lad on one of the Clio forums who had an old 1.2 which then got a 425bhp 1.8T conversion.
'96 405 1.6 GLX with 306 GTI engine on Cat cams @ 195bhp

'05 RenaultSport Clio 182 Cup, 102k

'97 406 1.9TD, 314k.
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Post by KP »

are we talking straight swaps or improving during the swap as well??

I have wondered how Rachels SSS would cope with say a nice Renault 19 16v 1.8 unit or the williams 2.0 jobby.

Or how the activa would have coped could a Fiat 20v Turbo engine in the boot as well as in the front :D
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Post by addo »

Nissan SSS? I was pwn3d by one of them last year.

Then again, small manual car with quick motor vs fully loaded Xantia with autobox... :lol:
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Post by KP »

This kind of SSS Addo :)
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Post by HDI »

Would love to drop a pokey lump into a DS :wink:
Now using '00 Xantia LX HDI, pov spec :(
My past Citroens :-
'00 Xantia SX HDI, now dead due to accident :(
'99 Xantia HDI 110 Exclusive, RIP :(
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'96 Xantia TD LX
'96 ZX TD
'89 BX TD
'88 AX GT
'79 CX2400 Pallas (scrapped :( )
& a couple of Peugeots !
addo
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Post by addo »

You haven't worked on one enough. Mechanically, they define the two basic "Rules of Citroën" - viz:

1. If you can see it, you can't touch it.
2. If you can feel it, you'll never be able to see it.

More seriously, the way their engine is slotted so far back between the chassis horns makes a swap potentially a real fiddle. Then there's the reverse rotation issue...

Having said that, I reckon they are a good candidate for a modest shot of nitrous.
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Post by HDI »

Was more fantasy than realistic proposition, I have seen enough of them to realise that :wink:
Ultimately , the DS deserved a better engine than it ever had, definitely more powerful anyway !
I know the standard engine is a tough old beast, but the car was more advanced than it's motor !
Now using '00 Xantia LX HDI, pov spec :(
My past Citroens :-
'00 Xantia SX HDI, now dead due to accident :(
'99 Xantia HDI 110 Exclusive, RIP :(
'97 Xantia TD SX
'96 Xantia TD LX
'96 ZX TD
'89 BX TD
'88 AX GT
'79 CX2400 Pallas (scrapped :( )
& a couple of Peugeots !
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Post by reblack68 »

I'd like to put an HDi engine in a 205. If it can give 50mpg with brisk performance in a Xantia imagine what it would be like in a 205. As far as I know the HDi is basically the same block as the XUD so the physical installation shouldn't be too hard, but making the electronics work might be more of a challenge.

I've often wondered if it's possible to take an ordinary 1950s-1970s saloon car and NOT shoehorn a Rover V8 into it.
Richard

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Care of a 1994 205 D.
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Post by addo »

The 205Hdi sounds interesting, and - as you say - feasible. Would go well in a 405, also.
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Post by KP »

I'd love to have one of the V6 HDi units in a xantia but with a mechanical pump instead for vegging :D
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