Corsa X18XE1
I hope this helps people!
Please be aware I did the conversion on a 1.2 Corsa Merit with no PAS, ABS and a mechanical speedo.
![Image]()
Mechanical
The engine literally bolts in on the standard mounts and onto the standard F13/F17 gearbox, there isnt really much to talk about in this respect
Cooling system
This is where things get a little bit fiddly, the huge variable inlet on the 1.8 almost touches one of the heater matrix pipes and is very close to the other, my solution to this is to either cut the pipe shorter (down to the next rib) or cut the pipe at a 45 degree angle and re-solder/braze it so it is facing towards the passenger side at 45 degrees, this will allow you to fit the hoses without them fouling the inlet.
You will also need to relocate the expansion tank, this isnt a problem if you dont have ABS or you want a relocate the battery as you can use the space on the inner wing to mount a tank.
The 1.8 has the same rad hose connections as the 16v corsa so this isnt a problem, if you are upgrading from an SPi engine then you will need the 16v top hose.
Starting & Charging
You need to transplant the starting and charging loom from the corsa lump, this is very simple and takes no time at all, it allows you to simply plug in to the original loom without having to mess about.
Engine Loom
The X18XE1 uses the Simens Simtec70 ecu which has two connectors, one for the engine loom and one for the car loom. This makes things much easier for the conversion as you dont have to go sifting through loads of wires
Before doing the conversion you need to unplug the original corsa loom from down in the drivers footwell, remove the ECU and pull the loom through the bulk head. Once the loom is out cut off the small black multi-plug from the inside end.
For the conversion you just need to cut the car loom side as far back into the car as possible (making sure you include the purple fuel pump relay that is in the engine bay).
Once you have the loom make sure you have enough to go from the ecu and down into the drivers foot-well. Now its just a case of matching up the wires:
Corsa Loom -> X18XE1 loom
Thick Red -> 2x Thin Blacks (+12v)
Thick Black -> Thick Black (IGN 12v)
Green -> Green (Revs)
Blue -> Blue (Temp)
Blue Red -> Brown / White (Immo)
Brown / Blue -> Brown / Blue (Immo)
Brown / Yellow -> Brown / Yellow (Diag)
NOTE: You need to make sure you use the transponder (box from the ignition barrel) and keychip from the Vectra or your car will NOT run.
Fueling
The X18XE1 has a single input fuel rail and thus has no fuel return so the fuel pressure regulator is integral to the fuel pump/filter this means you need to fit an after market fuel regulator in the engine bay.. I opted for a pump with a gauge allowing me to fine tune the pressure; fitting is simple you just fit a t-piece to the fuel feed line connect one side to the fuel rail and one side to the input on the fuel pressure regulator then connect the output to the fuel retun line:
![Image]()
If you are converting a 1.2 or 1.4 SPi then your fuel pump will not be up to the job; I used a Vectra B 2.2 pump which is a straight swap!
Exhaust system
To start with I have simply use the vectra downpipe and matched it up to the standard corsa system but I am going to order a performance manifold for a Z18XE (Corsa C SRi) which are readilly available on Ebay for around 170 quid.
![Image]()
I hope this helps people!
Please be aware I did the conversion on a 1.2 Corsa Merit with no PAS, ABS and a mechanical speedo.
Mechanical
The engine literally bolts in on the standard mounts and onto the standard F13/F17 gearbox, there isnt really much to talk about in this respect
Cooling system
This is where things get a little bit fiddly, the huge variable inlet on the 1.8 almost touches one of the heater matrix pipes and is very close to the other, my solution to this is to either cut the pipe shorter (down to the next rib) or cut the pipe at a 45 degree angle and re-solder/braze it so it is facing towards the passenger side at 45 degrees, this will allow you to fit the hoses without them fouling the inlet.
You will also need to relocate the expansion tank, this isnt a problem if you dont have ABS or you want a relocate the battery as you can use the space on the inner wing to mount a tank.
The 1.8 has the same rad hose connections as the 16v corsa so this isnt a problem, if you are upgrading from an SPi engine then you will need the 16v top hose.
Starting & Charging
You need to transplant the starting and charging loom from the corsa lump, this is very simple and takes no time at all, it allows you to simply plug in to the original loom without having to mess about.
Engine Loom
The X18XE1 uses the Simens Simtec70 ecu which has two connectors, one for the engine loom and one for the car loom. This makes things much easier for the conversion as you dont have to go sifting through loads of wires
Before doing the conversion you need to unplug the original corsa loom from down in the drivers footwell, remove the ECU and pull the loom through the bulk head. Once the loom is out cut off the small black multi-plug from the inside end.
For the conversion you just need to cut the car loom side as far back into the car as possible (making sure you include the purple fuel pump relay that is in the engine bay).
Once you have the loom make sure you have enough to go from the ecu and down into the drivers foot-well. Now its just a case of matching up the wires:
Corsa Loom -> X18XE1 loom
Thick Red -> 2x Thin Blacks (+12v)
Thick Black -> Thick Black (IGN 12v)
Green -> Green (Revs)
Blue -> Blue (Temp)
Blue Red -> Brown / White (Immo)
Brown / Blue -> Brown / Blue (Immo)
Brown / Yellow -> Brown / Yellow (Diag)
NOTE: You need to make sure you use the transponder (box from the ignition barrel) and keychip from the Vectra or your car will NOT run.
Fueling
The X18XE1 has a single input fuel rail and thus has no fuel return so the fuel pressure regulator is integral to the fuel pump/filter this means you need to fit an after market fuel regulator in the engine bay.. I opted for a pump with a gauge allowing me to fine tune the pressure; fitting is simple you just fit a t-piece to the fuel feed line connect one side to the fuel rail and one side to the input on the fuel pressure regulator then connect the output to the fuel retun line:
If you are converting a 1.2 or 1.4 SPi then your fuel pump will not be up to the job; I used a Vectra B 2.2 pump which is a straight swap!
Exhaust system
To start with I have simply use the vectra downpipe and matched it up to the standard corsa system but I am going to order a performance manifold for a Z18XE (Corsa C SRi) which are readilly available on Ebay for around 170 quid.
