Zx Engine Swap

[ax_oli]

just got myself a 1991 citroen zx 1.4 which i quite like

im used to my old ax's which have tended to be quite nippy .. especially the GT :D

 

I cant help but modify my car, not the typical chav mods thank you

i was just wondering is it possible that the 306 engines may fit?

i.e a rallye or gti-6?

wouldnt mind some more poke in something a little unexpected :P

 

Cheers

Oli

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Yes, they'll go in OK as the ZX is basically the same car as the Pug 306. What you WILL have to do is change the front hubs as well, (The driveshafts are bigger). The front (at least) brakes will need up-rating to cope with the extra oomph as the 1.4 brakes are a bit marginal at best. The insurance people take a dim view of such mods as well.

 

You may be just as well off looking for a 1.8. An Aura is virtually indistinguishable from a Temptation or elation. Have a look on Autotrader http://www.autotrader.co.uk/ . Register (It's Free) and you'll be able to use the search Facilities. There's a couple of 1.8s for under £500 which will probably be cheaper than trying to mod yours. They also made a 2.0 16valve version with full leather etc, and the well liked "Volcane". You'll end up with a better car too! Cheers.

[Shemer]

just got myself a 1991 citroen zx 1.4 which i quite like

im used to my old ax's which have tended to be quite nippy .. especially the GT ;)

 

I cant help but modify my car, not the typical chav mods thank you

i was just wondering is it possible that the 306 engines may fit?

i.e a rallye or gti-6?

wouldnt mind some more poke in something a little unexpected :P

 

Cheers

Oli

 

I wouldn't try that.

 

Been there myself. Originally my Aura was 1.6L engine, replaced engine&gearbox to 1.9 16V (taken from BX GTI16V, same as in Pug 405MI16/309GTI16).

 

First of all- you current engine is TU type (exhaust front, inlet back), while any PUG engine bigger than 1.6L (1.8,1.9,2.0 - No matter if 8V or 16V) is XU (inlet front, exhaust back), means engine seats are different.

 

Second - as said above - brakes are too small for stopping the car from high speed.

Best way is to change the whole rear beam to disk brake (will force you to change handbrake cables, which, in turn, require dismantlling the exhast pipe (but you're gonna do it anyway if you change the engine) so it's a lot of work.

 

For the front, best is change to bigger discs and calipers - from ZX 16V, PUG 306XSI/S16/GTI6, or believe it or not - Citreon Berlingo/Peugeot Partner.

Note that bigger wheels needed rather than the original 14" , unless you get the Volcane wheels (matter of wheel offset). Else new bigger calipers touch the wheels.

 

Yet, you need to consider changing the original torsion and ant-roll bars (2 torsion at the back, one anti-roll in the rear beam, one in the front, since the one used for 1.4 model are not good enough (think it's 19mm compared to 24mm , or even 26mm if you get the pugsport products).

 

Also, steering rack - you'rs is not power assisted , I suppose, and even if so - it's 3.2 turns, side to side. Better take the one from the Volcane (2.8 turns), or, if you're lucky, the one from the 16V (2.4 turns. quick as hell :lol: ). If you don't have the power assisted system - lot lot of work.

 

we did not yet mention the need for different Radiator and cooling system (the 1.4 works in the old way, means with regular unit stuck in the Radiator, while the bigger engines work with the Bitron electronic unit, controls both fans.

 

There's also this small thing of fitting in the injection and electric systems, including the harness (nightmare, if you don't have the exact drawong for both your car and the car where the engine is taken from, and probably alternator changing, and other non-important but time consuming things.

 

When you're done - you'll probably hate those uncomfortable seats, where you find yourself with no side support at quick turns, and the bad looking steering wheel, etc. etc.

 

 

If you see where I'm getting, then good - else - take my advice and buy yourself a Volcane, or, if you can afford , a 16V (3 doors only) , although it's engine is not that reliable.

 

Forget modifying your 1.4L. will cost you lot of money, lot of time, and lot of pain.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Knew all that really! :lol: Just couldn't be Ar**d to type it!

 

Nice one Shemer. You've obviously been there! (Got The T shirt too?) Things have come a long way since I messed with Mk1 Escorts / Capris and HB vivas! All great cars in their day and emminently tuneable. The HB with a 2.0 VX490 engine was AWSOME! It was so LIGHT! It's good to see young uns trying to do the same now but it's just so much more complex, not to mention the dreaded "I" word (Insurance) It's a real minefield now. All in all it's probably best to buy a reasonably quick car like a Volcane and breathe ever so lightly on the engine (management system chip if poss) and some better pads in the braking system and leave it there unless you really want to tear up the street! Cheers. ;)

[Shemer]

Thanks for the compliments, although I'm not that young anymore (try 40... :) ).

 

Modifying cars from the regular models to the sportier models is becoming harder and harder, since the systems of the car are getting more and more complicated.

 

My ZX has no airbags, ABS, or any of the electronic gadjets, so I skipped the ABS part (although I wouldn't mind having such one). Also, we have to bare in mind that the new engines and gearboxes are now run by encoded computers, so you need to get the original keys, or at least "break" the locking system.

 

Also have a "duck" (2CV) - there I could almost manufacture almost every broken part by myself, and tune it (as much as you can tune an engine that would fit a lawnmow :lol: ) by yourself.

 

Today - no way - too hard. You must have a garage (talking about expensive tools and/or computer with the right SW and special cables), and a lot of knowledge and spare time for doing so.

 

BTW - If you think you got problems with the law or the Insurance, think again.

 

Where I live (Israel) - it's not allowed to change even a single screw in the car, unless you have it all checked by the MOT. Any policeman can take your car out of the road if he stops you and find out that you made any change from the original. :(

[Guest Colin Hunter]

The 1.4i ZX which we also have is in my eyes a splendid car. It's un-complicated and VERY easy to work on. Parts are inexpensive as well. You really can't beat £35 for a new set of discs/pads FROM THE DEALER! However some parts prices make your eyes water! I was "doing up" a spare set of brake calipers (Bendix) which came off my neighbours 1.9D ZX (Since sold) which had sheared bleed nipples. I drilled out the old nipples. tapped out the threads and "Helicoiled" them down to 6mm. The original nipples are 7mm which is an odd size, not being a standard thread. It's worth knowing that the tap in the helicoil kit is the same pitch (1.0mm) and very slightly larger than 7mm. this part of the overhaul went away no bother.

 

When I inspected the caliper slides I found they were badly corroded. Rust is a great enemy here in the Shetland isles. I asked at the dealership if they were available. They told me they were £50 (PLUS VAT) for each pair! You can buy the complete caliper for less than that from GSF and other suppliers. (Don't know about Israel) I measured them up and discovered they were 20mm Diameter. I went to an engineering supplier and bought a piece of 20mm stainless steel stock bar for a paltry £3.50 and made them up on the lathe at work. I put the calipers on my sons car as his was pulling to one side and it's spot on! I'm overhauling the calipers off his car now and oddly enough the slides are perfect! The pistons aren't great so it might be back to the lathe again!

 

As for ABS. The 1.4 brakes are not that easy to lock up unless it's wet or icy. Does you good to drive without such luxuries from time to time and remember your "Cadence" braking techniques! Less to go wrong too.

 

Well it's nearly time for our New Year dinner so I'll wish you all a Very happy and prosperous 2008! Remember to keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down and you'll be OK. Cheers!