LeMans 1.6 info?

LeMonster · Post by **LeMonster** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:17 pm

Hello everyone! Being a proud Daewoo owner, I decided to join the forum and ask some questions.

I own a 91 LeMans 1.6 sohc /3spd auto. Its a good car, but slow in a blunt way. Finding parts or information for this car can be like looking for the proverbial 'syringe in the bale of legumes'. So I figure this forum is the best place to find anything comprehensive!

Introduction aside, I'll ask my questions now.

{What is the engine code for my car?}

{In what other cars has this engine been used?}

{Are there any parts that can be swapped from newer cars?}

{What are my best bets for improving performance?}

That should do it for now. Thanks guys!

Pir0 · Post by **Pir0** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:51 pm

Your car's based on a Vauxhall/Opel from Europe. Called the Vauxhall Astra mk2, or, Opel Kadett E.

I'm not familiar with the 1.6 Auto, but Garrett might be off this site, gse_turbo's his name. If it's anything like what i think it'll be, it'll probably be something like c16se, or 16se.

Easiest, and best way to get performance outta your car, is to swap the engine lol. No pint lying. Because the 1.6's a small block version of this engine, any upgrade, 1.8 - 2.4 4 cylinder, will need a different from engine mount, to suit the bigger block.

Most engines from Daewoo's, will fit in, with the addition of the front engine mount.

If you need more info etc, im sure someone will be able to help ya. Lots of knowledgable guys on this forum that'll be willing to help

.

Ps. Good choice with the Lemans, love that generation of car.

gse_turbo · Post by **gse_turbo** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:03 pm

Hey Monster, welcome to the site.

I have an '89 Lemans GSE, I was lucky enough to get the 2.0. most popular motor in any Opel, Vauxhall, Daewoo... site is the 2.0 DOHC. it's in expensive and plentiful and quite capable.

I don't know the engine code exactly but i can get it in a couple minutes if you like. as Paul said it's likely C16SE, just based on the standard that Opel sent in the codes.

the motor wasn't used in anything else that I knoe of just the verious Lemans chassis's around the world and older smaller Opel and Vauxhall cars.

the motor is still being used, atleast the block is. the current Chevy Aveo 1.6 DOHC uses the same basic motor with a very uprated head and computer. the Daewoo Lanos uses the same basic DOHC as the Aveo, just a couple inovations back.

the 1.6 SOHC doesn't get a lot of press so I can't really say what's going to be involved in that regard with motor swaps. what you can do is rebuild the 1.6 you have with the head and pistons from a Lanos. you would likely have to swap out the wiring and ECU as well. you caould also swap the complete Lanos/Aveo 1.6 into the Lemans, the motor mount and transmission brackets and bellhousing flange are all the same.

you could also do the 2.0 swap mentioned, the bellhousing flange and transmission mounting bracket is the same but you would need to use the conversion kit I sell. if you choose to go with the 2.0 or 2.2 you can use the DOHC from the Nubira and Leganza or the Suzuki Reno and Forenza.

what you will have to do is deside what you are wanting to spend, how much power you want to add and what the car is going to be used for. once that is layed out we can help you make the best choices for the money.

here is a list of all the cars (that come to mind) that can be swapped into the Lemans with little to no issues, all of these cars use a veriation in the same family, all of them use the same transmission bell housing. there are literally hundreds more once you add in the UK, Europe and other markets around the world.

••••••••••• US and CANADIAN SPEC CARS •••••••••••••
• 83-86 Buick Skyhawk 1.8 SOHC turbo (not sure on tranny specs) FWD
• 81-86 Buick Skyhawk 1.8 SOHC (not sure on tranny specs) FWD
• 87-89 Buick Skyhawk 2.0 SOHC turbo (not sure on tranny specs) FWD
• 81-?? Oldsmobile Firenza 2.0 SOHC turbo (not sure on tranny specs) FWD
• 81-?? Oldsmobile Firenza 2.0 SOHC (not sure on tranny specs) FWD
• 87-88 Pontiac Grand Am 2.0 SOHC turbo (not sure on tranny specs) FWD
• 87-93 Pontiac Lemans/Optima 1.6 SOHC 4-speed manual and 3-speed auto FWD
• 89-90 Pontiac Lemans/Optima 2.0 SOHC 5-speed manual (F16CR) and 3-speed auto FWD
• 81-88 Pontiac J2000/2000 1.8 SOHC carberated 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic FWD
• 81-88 Pontiac J2000/2000 1.8 SOHC TBI 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic FWD
• 81-88 Pontiac J2000/2000 1.8 SOHC MPFI turbo 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic FWD
• 88-94 Pontiac Sunbird 2.0 SOHC 5-speed manual and 4-speed auto FWD
• 88-90 Pontiac Sunbird 2.0 SOHC turbo 5-speed manual and 4-speed auto FWD
• 04-08 Pontiac Wave 1.6 DOHC 5-speed manual and 4-speed auto FWD
• 81-94 Chevy Cavalier 2.0 SOHC 5-speed manual and 4-speed auto FWD
• 04-08 Chevy Optra 5 2.0 DOHC 5-speed manual (D20) and 4-speed auto FWD
• 04-07 Chevy Aveo 1.6 DOHC 5-speed manual (D16) and 4-speed auto (4T40-E) FWD
• 08-on Chevy Aveo 1.6 DOHC 5-speed manual (D16SW/R)(RPO code MLM) and 4-speed auto (AW81-40LE)(RPO code MLQ) FWD
• 91-92 Isuzu Impulse RS 1.6 DOHC turbo 5-speed manual and 4-speed auto AWD
• 90-93 Isuzu Impulse XS 1.6 DOHC 5-speed manual and 4-speed auto FWD
• 90-93 Isuzu Stylus S 1.8 DOHC 5-speed manual and 4-speed auto AWD
• 90-93 Isuzu Stylus XS 1.8 DOHC 5-speed manual and 4-speed auto AWD
• 90-93 Isuzu Stylus RS 1.8 DOHC 5-speed manual and 4-speed auto AWD
• ??-?? Lotus Elen 100 1.6 DOHC 5-speed manual FWD
• 98-99 Isuzu Rodeo 2.2 DOHC 5-speed (not sure if an auto was available) RWD
• 98-99 Isuzu Amigo 2.2 DOHC 5-speed (not sure if an auto was available) RWD
• 98-03 Daewoo Lanos 1.6 DOHC 5-speed manual (D16?)and 4-speed (4T40-E) auto FWD
• 98-03 Daewoo Lanos 1.5 SOHC 5-speed manual (D16?)and 4-speed (4T40-E) auto FWD
• 98-03 Daewoo Nubira 2.0 DOHC 5-speed manual (D20)and 4-speed auto (4T40-E) FWD
• 98-03 Daewoo Leganza 2.2 DOHC 5-speed manual (D20) and 4-speed auto (AW50-40LE)(RPO code MN4) FWD
• 04-08 Suzuki Forenza 2.0 DOHC 5-speed manual (D20) and 4-speed auto FWD
• 04-08 Suzuki Reno 2.0 DOHC 5-speed manual (D20) and 4-speed auto FWD
• 08-on Saturn Astra 1.8 DOHC VVT 5-speed manual (F17CR) and 4-speed auto FWD
• 90-93 Geo Storm 1.8 DOCH 5-speed manual and 4-speed auto FWD
• 99-05 Saab 9-3 2.0 DOHC turbo 5-speed manual and 4-speed auto FWD
• 99-05 Saab 9-3 2.3 DOHC turbo 5-speed manual and 4-speed auto FWD
• ??-?? Saab 900 2.5 V6 (not sure if it came as a manual) 4-speed auto FWD
• ??-?? Saab 900 3.0 V6 (not sure if it came as a manual) 4-speed auto FWD

••••••••••• UK and EUROPEAN SPEC CARS •••••••••••••
• 05-on Opel/Vauxhall Astra (G) VXR 2.0 DOHC turbo 6-speed manual (not sure if there was an auto) FWD

••••••••••• AUSTRALIAN SPEC CARS •••••••••••••
• 94-98 Daewoo Cielo 1.5 SOHC 5-speed manual and 4-speed auto FWD

good luck, and feel free to ask as many questions as needed.

Garrett

LeMonster · Post by **LeMonster** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:51 pm

Wow! You guys have already been more helpful in the last hour than others have been in the past five years!

The Aveo head swap sounds interesting and is probably the biggest gain I could get with this motor. I know that a nicer engine/transmission is the practical choice for more power, but where's the fun in that?;)

I like autocrossing the car and it performs better than most non-Woo drivers expect. I bet things would improve if I replaced the blown shocks/struts and the 13" all-seasons! With regard to that, are any suspension parts compatible with the car?

By the way Garrett, I live in Estes Park, so we're neighbors! (sort of)

Thx

gse_turbo · Post by **gse_turbo** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:13 am

LeMonster wrote:Wow! You guys have already been more helpful in the last hour than others have been in the past five years!

The Aveo head swap sounds interesting and is probably the biggest gain I could get with this motor. I know that a nicer engine/transmission is the practical choice for more power, but where's the fun in that?;)

I like autocrossing the car and it performs better than most non-Woo drivers expect. I bet things would improve if I replaced the blown shocks/struts and the 13" all-seasons! With regard to that, are any suspension parts compatible with the car?

By the way Garrett, I live in Estes Park, so we're neighbors! (sort of)

Thx

haha, more a neighbor than I've found to date.

I've always wanted to play with the 1.6, I've been looking for a lanos for that reason.

there is a difference in the design of the intake from the Lanos to the Aveo so which ever head you choose you have to stick with that. basically if you use an Lanos head you have to use a Lanos intake manifold. everything else pretty much the same, IE head gasket, header...

I would go with the Lanos parts, they are more available and because they are from a woo most salvage yards will practially give the parts away. a lot of the time in a salvage yard the same part from the Aveo will be more expensive than the one from the Lanos.

the lanos is basicaly the same chassis with different skin but most lanos owners look to the Lemans for parts because they are more available and less expensive.

glad you have come to the community and got the reseption you hoped for.

Garrett

Isaac · Post by **Isaac** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:58 pm

So this is what i've been looking for. I am a newbie, I also have a '89 Pontiac Le Mans LE, 1.6l sohc /3 spd tranny. And thanks above for the information.

gse_turbo · Post by **gse_turbo** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:35 pm

glad to see more LeMans joining the forum

Post by **Efratech** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:04 pm

LeMans are cool

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:37 am

I've got four of them ( two are Pontiac LeMans 1.6L 8V and two are Passport Optima 2.0L 8V )

Both the Passport Optima's have turbo 2.0L engines in them.... lots of fun... very fast.

Davinci_360 · Post by **Davinci_360** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:19 pm

Wow! BIG thanks for all the info, gse_turbo! I have an '89 Lemans VL 4 speed manual & an '89 Lemans LE 5 speed, and I've always wondered about the bellhousing compatibility on certain engines. I never would have thought that the list of potential engines was THAT long! Knowing what the engine swap options are now opens up a new world of oppurtunity ... I'm like a kid in a candy store now.

I'm not sure, but I think I have corresponded with precisionboost (aka GsiTurbo ...?) via 360dynamics. Been awhile, though!

So, do you guys recommend using the 5 speed in my Lemans, or upgrading to a more modern equivalent ...?

daewoomofo · Post by **daewoomofo** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:30 pm

precisionboost and gsiturbo are two different people. they are friends but they are different ppl

Davinci_360 · Post by **Davinci_360** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:44 pm

Oh, ok - It was GsiTurbo, then!

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:07 am

Tom ( GSiTurbo ) is a good friend of mine... we work together and I now own his "GSiTurbo" car ( he's moved out of cars and into boats )

He still owns a Daewoo... I purchased a Silver Lanos from a guy on this board from Hamilton... then we swapped in a low Km engine and tires from one of other Lanos.

So he's still around here and there.

The old 5 speed is not much different than the current ones so unless you want to spend a pile of money I would suggest holding onto your standard 5spd and simply upgrading the clutch.

The best "bang for your buck" with respect to the Lemans is the C20GET found in the older Sunbird GT.

A complete engine can be picked up relatively cheap and rebuilt fairly reasonably as well.

I have a C20GET block that had about 175,000 miles on it and it's borderline as to whether it needs to be bored out.... they are very long lasting reliable engines as long as you take care and change the timing belt regularly.

I have a C20GET powered Lemans and trust me when I say it's a handfull..... and that's a completely stock C20GET.

I get so much torque steer it actually scares me a bit.... the power is very quick... it's like someone turned on a switch and doubled the torque in a matter of seconds.

The "GSiTurbo" car spools up differently and it's a little easier to handle ( using a heavily modified T20SED engine ) but it's still a beast.

Pir0 · Post by **Pir0** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:41 am

I have a C20GET block that had about 175,000 miles on it and it's borderline as to whether it needs to be bored out.... they are very long lasting reliable engines as long as you take care and change the timing belt regularly.

Couldnt agree more about maintaining the engine and it'll last a life time, but, arent the heads none interferance on all those 8v engines? So snapping a belt will pretty much be the only problem you'd get from it, a snapped belt. No wrecked valves or anything. Just wondereing, correct me if im wrong, cause ive never seen the c20get in person, just going by every 2.0 8v from the same family i have seen over here.

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:12 am

Well.... I know that the 1.6L 8V is for sure non interfering engine.... and you might be right about the C20GET.... I don't remember off hand.... it's been so long since I was into those engines.

It's a great engine anyways..... very hard to completly kill.... usually the main culprit is the stupid intake design and or the injectors ( resulting in lean and or detonation events )

Lots of Sunbird guys cranked up the boost from the stock 8psi to 12psi with absolutely zero problems.