F18WR/F18CR/F20????

[Ben_L]

As a lot of people know, I've got a 1.6L Cavalier.

It's running an F13 Gearbox which is perfectly acceptable, however, I am looking to replace it as it's getting crunchy, the clutch is making some really weird noises and I want more cruising speed (I drive on motorways alot).

Is there any chance I can get one of these on or is it the "Big block - small block" issue?

Ben.

[Cavalier342]

To be honest, I wouldn't choose the 1600 as a motorway engine, trouble is the gearbox that is in the car is designed for all-round average performance, so if you're going for higher ratios, the engine will struggle like hell at motorway speeds. Bit like when you're tired and get on a pushbike and put it in high gear... Either fit a bigger engine in or clear out clutter out of the boot if there is any..

[Envoy CDX]

I don't think you can bolt a big block box to a small block engine.

You'd need a different clutch inner cv's and possibly shafts / hubs / legs.
(If you still have the 1800 - now is the time!!!!)

[Envoy CDX]

In terms of power, I think there is only 5-10bhp different, and the c18nz2 plodded on with an f16 box well enough when I owned one (but that was bigblock).

[Peanut_119]

You can fit a F15 too it, that's a small block gearbox, would save lots of messing around with big block parts

[Envoy CDX]

You can fit a F15 too it, that's a small block gearbox, would save lots of messing around with big block parts

Astra 3/4 box right?

[Peanut_119]

Yea think they were on the 1.6 8v's not 100% about the 16v's though

[Envoy CDX]

16v will be a big block surely?

[Peanut_119]

No its the same engine as the corsa gsi (c16xe and x16xe)

[Ben_L]

Nobody believes me when I tell them how good my car is on motorways. It really excels in most driving situations, other than tight town driving where the steering lets it down.

The 1800 wouldn't be suitable as it was automatic and the ECU would surely be different to accomodate that.

So F15 would have longer top gear than the F13?

Sounds like an idea...

[Peanut_119]

I wouldn't know about ratio's but I had a F15 on my nova and that was fine on the motorways

[gsi pie]

astra mk4 1.6 boxes are f17

[btcctroy]

Not much difference in power between 1.6 and 1.8 engine

[Envoy CDX]

Nobody believes me when I tell them how good my car is on motorways. It really excels in most driving situations, other than tight town driving where the steering lets it down.

The 1800 wouldn't be suitable as it was automatic and the ECU would surely be different to accomodate that.

So F15 would have longer top gear than the F13?

Sounds like an idea...

yes, I do beleive how good the engine is on motorways, I used to have an 18SV carb and that pulled well.
The 1800 can be easily converted to a manual be swapping the torque convertor to a flywheel and a standard F16 box bolted to it.

[ed2]

i reckon the 1.6 is the best cav, snd both of my 1.6 were brilliant on the motorway.

i drove my 1989 cav around europe in 1993 and found it would averaged 35mpg at around 100 mph and keep that speed easily. and bought it on 70,000 miles and never needed to even take the head off that engine, was 190,000 miles when rust killed it.

the e-drive 1995 x16xz was fantastic at motorways. Once drove at around 60mph for 200 miles and it did over 60mpg. but it would creep up to cruise so easily at 85/90mph it was hard work to keep it at 70mph