1.6T 180bhp questions

[raimon]

Hi folks,

Who has this engine A16LET in their J/GTC?

What improvements have you done to it?

What mpg are you getting?

Overall opinion on this engine?

Cheers

[raimon]

Anyone? Or you all got diesels lol.

[sheppy1]

All about that diesel! Ha. I'm sure someone has a petrol on here! Haha

Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

[bhalay207]

I've seen a few users show their 1.6T as having the same mpg as a vxr.

Diesel life for me though lol

Sent from my LG G4 using Tapatalk

[raimon]

All about that diesel! Ha. 

Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

I do miss driving a diesel. All about the pulling power.

---

I've seen a few users show their 1.6T as having the same mpg as a vxr.

Diesel life for me though lol

Sent from my LG G4 using Tapatalk

They can be quite thirsty depends how hard it is driven.

[Shorty S91]

i've got the 180 1.6T and its still standard performance wise at the moment due to my circumstances. That said I love it, even though it is quite thirsty at times I can live with that especially when you get onto the B roads in scotland. worst mpg I had was 22 mpg, but I was hooning a fair bit. When I found out it had the A16let I was a little worried because I knew the later corsa vxr's had them and they were still having piston four issues. I think when vauxhall put these engines in the GTC they upgraded the injectors again and I haven't heard of the 1.6t with a P4 failure to date. Given the engines history I'm still a little bit skeptical about doing big mods without forging, you could probably get away with a custom exhaust and induction kit with a decent remap but I personally wouldn't push it past 240bhp without forging, or at least see how the engine is coping. And then theres the m32 gearbox. it grinds its clunky and generally the bearings fail. The bearings got uprated in the GTC again compared to the smaller ones in the corsa vxr. I've always said with every vauhall i've owned that the gearboxes are garbage, but apart from that I love it and enjoy it

[raimon]

i've got the 180 1.6T and its still standard performance wise at the moment due to my circumstances. That said I love it, even though it is quite thirsty at times I can live with that especially when you get onto the B roads in scotland. worst mpg I had was 22 mpg, but I was hooning a fair bit. When I found out it had the A16let I was a little worried because I knew the later corsa vxr's had them and they were still having piston four issues. I think when vauxhall put these engines in the GTC they upgraded the injectors again and I haven't heard of the 1.6t with a P4 failure to date. Given the engines history I'm still a little bit skeptical about doing big mods without forging, you could probably get away with a custom exhaust and induction kit with a decent remap but I personally wouldn't push it past 240bhp without forging, or at least see how the engine is coping. And then theres the m32 gearbox. it grinds its clunky and generally the bearings fail. The bearings got uprated in the GTC again compared to the smaller ones in the corsa vxr. I've always said with every vauhall i've owned that the gearboxes are garbage, but apart from that I love it and enjoy it

That is a very good explanation. I don't think they have upgraded the injectors, but still cautious if tuning the engine. Do you find this engine quite slow and you really need to push it past 3000rpm for it to get the true power out, and throttle response is not that great either. It seems really lack of torque. Economy wise it is ok not great especially coming from a diesel (more power and economy). I average 34mpg on my combined run. Motorway i get just over 40mpg. This is according to the display.
Now the M32 gearbox is just crap like you said, its notchy and harder to get in 3rd gear. I have replaced my gearbox oil with premium oil hoping this will help, so far my car has done 50k, don't think gearbox has gotten worse yet touch wood.
Warren G is an specialist on this engine and the m32 gearbox. He wouldn't recommend remapping to above 205bhp without uprating injectors.

http://www.wgmotorworks.co.uk/repairs/en...-piston-4/

http://www.wgmotorworks.co.uk/repairs/tr...2-gearbox/

I like my car its very high spec, shame about the engine power output and crap gearbox.

[GTC180]

Hi folks,

Who has this engine A16LET in their J/GTC?

What improvements have you done to it?

What mpg are you getting?

Overall opinion on this engine?

Cheers

I've got a Superchips Bluefin remap, although not their stock map as I wasn't impressed with that and they sent me another map to try which is excellent, DTUK pedal box and k&n panel filter fitted. Love the car now, always felt that the engine was being held back but not now. Usually get about 30mpg.

[Shorty S91]

I think given the engines history it has been held back a bit performance wise. I know what you mean with the power bottom end doesn't have much boot until your over 3500 rpm but thats just your turbo lag, even with N/A engines most of the torque is up the mid to top end. I think its a good sized engine for the GTC, there is enough torque there In my opinion given the weight of the car to and I can get to 120 relatively easy and its still standard. I think if you put a bigger engine in the non vxr models it would feel a little bit unstable without altering the suspension to. A decent remap should be all it takes give you a big smile with the 1.6t, youve got to remember when you give it full throttle that the ECU will be programmed to only give 70 % or round about that. Theres plenty tuning potential for the engine to. Ive seen some corsa d vxr's with more than 400hp from the A16.

[WoZLinGToN]

I've got the 1.6t 180 as well, completely standard apart from an open cone k and n air filter. Sounds nice with the air filter but I think it would sound so much better with the exhaust at least cat back and the ecu remapped. I find the car has hardly any torque until you hit the higher end of the rev's, which is a shame because when I am getting on average about 26mpg and paying over 200 pounds for my tax I am paying out similar to what I would with a 2 litre.

One thing I do really enjoy with this car is the handling around long bends, with the same suspension as the insignia vxr on the front you can tell the difference. So much so it makes it difficult jumping into my mrs civic that we used to share due to the MASSIVE difference in cornering ability.

The shape of the car with the overly large A and B pillars makes sharp corners a little bit difficult to see around sometimes and I find myself leaning forward to see around the bends, and parking is awkward which is why my mrs doesn't like to take my car out. Although the huge amounts of gadgets and handling ability as well as the way it looks are enough to make up for these minor annoyances. It just needs modifying to make it that bit more driveable.

[Shorty S91]

have you noticed a noticeable loss in power with your induction kit fitted. I felt as though mines lost a fair amount of power.

[WoZLinGToN]

have you noticed a noticeable loss in power with your induction kit fitted. I felt as though mines lost a fair amount of power.

I would say its a bit better if anything power-wise, obviously not by much but there is a slight difference up top end rather than at low revs. I think until I can afford a remap i'll have to live with it. Did you fit the panel filter?

[Shorty S91]

No I didn't fit a panel ive got a cone on but it feels as though ive lost about 20hp, because when the standard airbox is back on  the difference is night and day

[raimon]

Thank you for the response chaps, least I know my engine is not faulty lol. So the conclusion is I definitely need a remap to sort this power issue out. The amount of times I looked on autotrader at changing back to diesel for more power but just can't justify the change paying more money and losing the high spec giz of this car.

---

have you noticed a noticeable loss in power with your induction kit fitted. I felt as though mines lost a fair amount of power.

I would say its a bit better if anything power-wise, obviously not by much but there is a slight difference up top end rather than at low revs. I think until I can afford a remap i'll have to live with it. Did you fit the panel filter?

Any pics

[Shorty S91]

Have a little look through this post

https://www.vxoc.org.uk/forum/showthread...uction+kit

[WoZLinGToN]

No I didn't fit a panel ive got a cone on but it feels as though ive lost about 20hp, because when the standard airbox is back on  the difference is night and day

Looks nice mate,

Just out of curiosity have you gone for the 80mm diameter alloy pipe? I noticed with the standard airbox it reduces back to 70mm when it gets to the airbox, with mine I bought a silicon 80mm to 70mm reducer and used a 70mm alloy pipe to the k and n because the standard airbox is 70mm at the box. It might be worth a try, the reducer I bought cost about a tenner and so did the alloy pipe.

I was going to get an 80mm cone and see what it was like, but mine has been fine so far so leaving it as it is, where did you buy the maf housing from by the way? I wouldn't mind mine being that little bit more secure without the sealant and tie straps haha

[Shorty S91]

its a 70mm internal diameter thats why I was stumped. I got the housing made custom at the fabricators. I'm going to order a closed filter with a cold air feed and have a mess around with that. A guy I spoke to said that We may need to use the honey comb plastic before the MAF filter to try and reduce air turbulance as he's thinking that the MAF readings might be inconsistent and thats why the cars dropping power.

[raimon]

I been looking at Air Filters there are so many to choose from and so many price difference. Not sure what is the difference between them.
Here are some examples
Expensive one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pipercross-PK1...1425252665

Mid Range
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PIPERCROSS-AIR...2399968134
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ASTRA-VXR-Z20L...2376244985

Cheap ones
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNIVERSAL-4-5-...0574878181
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLUE-UNIVERSAL...1928861730

I'm a bit confused, and the other thing is heat soak, you would definitely need to put a heat shield in to prevent this.
The cost is adding up if you intend on replacing the pipes with silicone hose or metal.

Might be cheaper and easier just stick this in and have the same result i assume
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PIPERCROSS-PAN...1298718084

2 good video here that explains everything
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAIxeQUSg-Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCi2yo4UqPI

---

I just want the noise and not lose any performance and economy.

[WoZLinGToN]

Hi Raimon,

The open cones won't really suffer heat soak if you leave them in the bottom half of the original box as this directs cold air straight to the filter. It would help but I spent about 40-50 pounds at most on my filter, I got the silicon reducer for about a tenner and the aluminium pipe for about a tenner. I bought the maf housing from a cdti gtc for 20 pounds and the filter cost me tenner off gumtree. If you're careful it shouldn't cost too much, but I wouldn't bother with the panel filter as you wouldn't notice much difference in my opinion.

I like the deep noise and whoosh sound like a dump valve you'll get, if I was you I wouldn't buy a foam type cone filter in case oil blocks the maf sensor from working correctly I'd get a k and n or something that looks a bit drier. you can pick them up cheap enough, but if I did it again I would get the housing made like shorty has done. It's a bit of a pain on these cars as the maf is attached to the airbox, if you've got the money maybe getting a fully made kit similar to the injen one that was mentioned on my thread would be easier.

I've got the mesh in my maf housing that came with it, although if you dismantle the airbox I managed to get the mesh that directs air into the maf sensor out and it should hopefully fit in the housing.

[Shorty S91]

im guessing that if you have the mesh then that the air turbulance is causing an issue with mines. ill take it off the standard airbox and give it a go. heat soak again I would say isnt to much of an issue because the air is gonna be cooled before it goes into the inlet anyway but im gonna buy an enclosed cone with a cold air feed anyway. Ive got everything set up to take readings with the standard filter on and compare it with the cone, just haven't got round to driving it yet

[WoZLinGToN]

Nice one shorty, it will be good to see what difference an enclosed filter will make.

And hopefully it is just the turbulance from the mesh, another thought i've had is it may have something to do with the maf sensor on mine being in an 80mm housing, where as if yours is 70mm the air passing through may well be going a little too quickly for the maf sensor to read the air correctly.

I have no idea why it makes any difference, but on the corsa vxr a16let the maf housing is 70mm standard but theyve opened it up on ours to 80mm and then reduced it either side back to 70mm.

Hope the enclosed filter sorts out the issue though mate, let me know how you get on.

[raimon]

Hi Raimon,

The open cones won't really suffer heat soak if you leave them in the bottom half of the original box as this directs cold air straight to the filter. It would help but I spent about 40-50 pounds at most on my filter, I got the silicon reducer for about a tenner and the aluminium pipe for about a tenner. I bought the maf housing from a cdti gtc for 20 pounds and the filter cost me tenner off gumtree. If you're careful it shouldn't cost too much, but I wouldn't bother with the panel filter as you wouldn't notice much difference in my opinion.

I like the deep noise and whoosh sound like a dump valve you'll get, if I was you I wouldn't buy a foam type cone filter in case oil blocks the maf sensor from working correctly I'd get a k and n or something that looks a bit drier. you can pick them up cheap enough, but if I did it again I would get the housing made like shorty has done. It's a bit of a pain on these cars as the maf is attached to the airbox, if you've got the money maybe getting a fully made kit similar to the injen one that was mentioned on my thread would be easier.

I've got the mesh in my maf housing that came with it, although if you dismantle the airbox I managed to get the mesh that directs air into the maf sensor out and it should hopefully fit in the housing.

Thanks i take what you said keep in mind. Just noticed you live in Derby, where abouts?

[WoZLinGToN]

I live in Ilkeston mate, so not far from Nottingham. I haven't seen many on here from our ends, good luck and keep us updated with how you get on.

Cheers

[raimon]

I live in Ilkeston mate, so not far from Nottingham. I haven't seen many on here from our ends, good luck and keep us updated with how you get on.

Cheers

Thanks, I'm in Toton, not too far from you lol. Yeah i shall update what i be doing.

[sanj424]

I have the A16LET too in the sports tourer body and its an auto as the family car. Given its weight, it is thirsty and feels weighted down on stock tune. I have a stage 1 EDS tune + sports auto transmission tune and a pipercross dry foam panel filter. The stage 1 tune does make a significant difference in performance. Torque comes more immediate, better throttle response, less turbo lag, and pulls strong until 5,500. As for mpg, no difference on normal driving from stock tune, but obviously drinks more as I enjoy giving it more throttle with the tune now. The pipercross gives a slightly louder intake sound, but hardly any performance felt if any.

[srea064]

Hi all,

I know this thread is a little old now but wanted to share my experiences with the GTC 1.6T 180. I bought a Power Red SRi 1.6T after changing jobs and not doing as much mileage, traded my Astra J 2.0 CDTi (60 Plate) for it. The new car was fabulous looking and very smooth to drive compared to the diesel but like the OP said thirsty, I noticed this straight away, used to driving a diesel with plenty of torque!

In order to get the GTC 1.6T to move I had to floor it all the time and constantly work the gear box. This returned crappy mpg...24mpg on average.

I replaced the standard air filter for a Ram Air panel filter, dry foam and very good. I also bought a Superchips Bluefin map/unit as well. This moved BHP up to 200BHP and actually improved mpg, didn't have to floor it as often.

In the end though I only kept the car for a year as I thought with mpg still only returning 28-30mpg I might as well be running a VXR, had the VXR now for a year, bought new in 2015.

Different car altogether and still getting 25-30mpg!