1.8 Turbo Build - Project Turbo - Chevy Cruze OT... Kinda

C

Crewz

Member
I just want to share this info...

ZackD92686 said:
Where did you find the info about the 1.6 connecting rods working for the 1.8?

Thanks Zack
Click to expand...

I had to trace a bunch of steps, but Opel makes / made the engines for our cars and I came across info that the 1.6 rods are the same sizes. It was on an Opel Astra forum. For connecting rods that cost $200, I figured I wouldn't lose out on much if they don't work, but I bet the will...

Here are the specs on the 1.8
https://www.chevroletcruze.net/showthread.php/31-Chevrolet-Cruze-Mechanical-specs

Compare that to the MaXpeeding 1.6 rods.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Connecting...836178?hash=item342806d692:g:jQwAAOSwKptcfj02

The 1.8 has been made under different variations, but all the same block.
2H0, ours...
https://www.wersis.net/gm/2h0.html

A18XER
https://www.wersis.net/opel/a18xer.html

Z18XER
https://www.wersis.net/opel/z18xer.html

There are even turbo kits over seas for the Opel / Astra market that produce 250 hp.
https://dbilas-shop.com/en/manufact...-opel-astra-h-signum-vectra-c-zafira-b-z18xer
 
C

Crewz

Member
Quick update. I have been working on tuning the car with HP Tuners. I'm a complete noob when it comes to that stuff. Got the idle dialed in, but working on getting everything out of lean. So here are a few pictures of the intercooler and all installed. My gauges are installed as well, Wideband and boost gauge, in a ZZP pillar setup I got cheap from their blemish closeout.

I'll keep you guys updated.
 

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C

Crewz

Member
TboneMinister said:
How's the tuning coming?
Click to expand...

Pretty awesome. I have the car running on 8 lbs of boost and e85. It's definitely taken me some time to really figure things out, but I got a handle on it now. I'll have some video up of that soon. Work has been busy, now I'm trying to catchup on everything I've recorded. lol
 
C

Crewz

Member
Okay, so you guys are getting the inside scoop. I have my gauges installed, and started tuning. Just to get the hang of using HP Tuners I left the charge pipe off and kept the stock air box. Tuned the MAF sensor, everything has been going well. Added the charge pipe, and the MAF sensor is out of range. So I'll have to rethink my intake pipe situation. I could do a MAF delete, but I would prefer to have it because in Houston we go from freezing to a swampy 100+º's during summer. It's summer, so I'd like the MAF to do the work to keep the AFR / lambda spot on.

Because I'm still learning, in which I'm on HPTuners forum, I'm trying to figure out how to scale the MAF. I've gotten some replies, but for a noob it can be a little confusing. So switch the car over to running strictly off of the VE table.

The next thing I quickly ran into was I ran out of map sensor, so I got a 1.4 3 bar sensor and scaled my MAP. Tuning the VE table has been pretty straight forward. I have her pretty dialed in, and went ahead and put e85 in. She's running even stronger on e85.

Before I mention some of the issues I have been running into, I just want to note I have been slowly moving towards boost. Keeping the RPMS low, keeping an eye on my KR, and lambda. I've been logging my drivability as I would normally drive keeping things out of boost. Light throttle kinda stuff. Dailed in. Now were moving to boost. I've got the car into waste gate pressure. The highest it's logged has been 9 psi, but it generally kicks in around 7-8 lbs of boost. BTW, she pulls nice!

ISSUES...
1) What I have been running into, is more than likely an improper crankcase ventilation setup. Now that I'm getting into boost, I'm getting oil spray everywhere. The longer it stays in boost, the more oil shows up in my engine bay.

As you may have seen from the videos, I have a bung coming out the back of the intake, to an oil catch can, and back into the intake side of the turbo inlet. BIG MISTAKE. I'm getting oil shooting out of the catch can, and there is some oil in the entire system. So that'll require some cleaning out. I did give it a try with a baffle, used a piece of hose and a hose clamp to see if perhaps the camshaft has just been tossing oil into the bung. No success, and still having the same issue.

I've looked at how the 1.4 is setup, but unfortunately it doesn't do me a whole lot of good because the 1.4 intake is designed with an additional port to pull the crankcase pressure. Although the check valves seem to give me a little clue as to what I can try.

My question is, and after research without any real clue as to the best way to setup the crankcase vent for the 1.8, what ideas do you guys have to properly setup the crankcase vent on this NA motor? I'm stumped at this point. I'm going to ask on a turbo forum, but I'd figure you guys are pretty knowledgeable.


2) Plug selection. I ordered a set of colder range plugs, tried the gap initially at .30. Got a little spark plug blow out in boost, but this was after the intake side of things already had oil in it. Let's just say I fouled a couple set of plugs already.

I bought a set of 1.4 plugs, colder range, gap is .28. Once I get the oil catch can situated, what plugs would you recommend? A buddy of mine, mechanic by trade, said to give a set of plugs that doesn't have the tiny point, can't think of the proper name at the second.

I'm thinking the stock style 1.4 plugs should be fine? Any help or suggestions in this area would be great.


3) Once I scaled the VE table for the 3 bar MAP sensor, my timing tables are out of wack, and really only running on one column of the timing table. I scaled up the grams of air with no success. I'm still only getting data one row. I'll check with the HP Tuner guys, but I'd figure I'd ask here just in case because we are talking Cruze specific and this is uncharted or undocumented territory for the 1.8.

4) Lastly, I'm not really seeing any options for an upgraded coil? Looks like I may have to stick with the stock NKG setup. I'm going to reach out to ZZP, and see if they have any solutions, but we'll see.

Thanks for you time and feedback!
 
TboneMinister

TboneMinister

New member
Crewz said:
Okay, so you guys are getting the inside scoop. I have my gauges installed, and started tuning. Just to get the hang of using HP Tuners I left the charge pipe off and kept the stock air box. Tuned the MAF sensor, everything has been going well. Added the charge pipe, and the MAF sensor is out of range. So I'll have to rethink my intake pipe situation. I could do a MAF delete, but I would prefer to have it because in Houston we go from freezing to a swampy 100+º's during summer. It's summer, so I'd like the MAF to do the work to keep the AFR / lambda spot on.

Because I'm still learning, in which I'm on HPTuners forum, I'm trying to figure out how to scale the MAF. I've gotten some replies, but for a noob it can be a little confusing. So switch the car over to running strictly off of the VE table.

The next thing I quickly ran into was I ran out of map sensor, so I got a 1.4 3 bar sensor and scaled my MAP. Tuning the VE table has been pretty straight forward. I have her pretty dialed in, and went ahead and put e85 in. She's running even stronger on e85.

Before I mention some of the issues I have been running into, I just want to note I have been slowly moving towards boost. Keeping the RPMS low, keeping an eye on my KR, and lambda. I've been logging my drivability as I would normally drive keeping things out of boost. Light throttle kinda stuff. Dailed in. Now were moving to boost. I've got the car into waste gate pressure. The highest it's logged has been 9 psi, but it generally kicks in around 7-8 lbs of boost. BTW, she pulls nice!

ISSUES...
1) What I have been running into, is more than likely an improper crankcase ventilation setup. Now that I'm getting into boost, I'm getting oil spray everywhere. The longer it stays in boost, the more oil shows up in my engine bay.

As you may have seen from the videos, I have a bung coming out the back of the intake, to an oil catch can, and back into the intake side of the turbo inlet. BIG MISTAKE. I'm getting oil shooting out of the catch can, and there is some oil in the entire system. So that'll require some cleaning out. I did give it a try with a baffle, used a piece of hose and a hose clamp to see if perhaps the camshaft has just been tossing oil into the bung. No success, and still having the same issue.

I've looked at how the 1.4 is setup, but unfortunately it doesn't do me a whole lot of good because the 1.4 intake is designed with an additional port to pull the crankcase pressure. Although the check valves seem to give me a little clue as to what I can try.

My question is, and after research without any real clue as to the best way to setup the crankcase vent for the 1.8, what ideas do you guys have to properly setup the crankcase vent on this NA motor? I'm stumped at this point. I'm going to ask on a turbo forum, but I'd figure you guys are pretty knowledgeable.


2) Plug selection. I ordered a set of colder range plugs, tried the gap initially at .30. Got a little spark plug blow out in boost, but this was after the intake side of things already had oil in it. Let's just say I fouled a couple set of plugs already.

I bought a set of 1.4 plugs, colder range, gap is .28. Once I get the oil catch can situated, what plugs would you recommend? A buddy of mine, mechanic by trade, said to give a set of plugs that doesn't have the tiny point, can't think of the proper name at the second.

I'm thinking the stock style 1.4 plugs should be fine? Any help or suggestions in this area would be great.


3) Once I scaled the VE table for the 3 bar MAP sensor, my timing tables are out of wack, and really only running on one column of the timing table. I scaled up the grams of air with no success. I'm still only getting data one row. I'll check with the HP Tuner guys, but I'd figure I'd ask here just in case because we are talking Cruze specific and this is uncharted or undocumented territory for the 1.8.

4) Lastly, I'm not really seeing any options for an upgraded coil? Looks like I may have to stick with the stock NKG setup. I'm going to reach out to ZZP, and see if they have any solutions, but we'll see.

Thanks for you time and feedback!
Click to expand...


You should look at the PCV fixes for the 1.4T; the stock PCV system is garbage and always fails. There are threads in the 1.4 section.

As to coils, there is an LS7 upgrade kit for the 1.4T's. Not sure if there's any compatibility issues, but maybe worth a look?
 
mcanderson0

mcanderson0

Member
Holy hell, I'm tuned in... I'm at work so I'll have to check your videos later, but this is awesome man! I'm in Houston (Cypress-ish), so I'll have to see your build sometime since I was considering a turbo build for the second sonic that I'm buying soon. Keep at it buddy!
 
C

Crewz

Member
TboneMinister said:
You should look at the PCV fixes for the 1.4T; the stock PCV system is garbage and always fails. There are threads in the 1.4 section.

As to coils, there is an LS7 upgrade kit for the 1.4T's. Not sure if there's any compatibility issues, but maybe worth a look?
Click to expand...

Thanks, I appreciate it!
 
C

Crewz

Member
mcanderson0 said:
Holy hell, I'm tuned in... I'm at work so I'll have to check your videos later, but this is awesome man! I'm in Houston (Cypress-ish), so I'll have to see your build sometime since I was considering a turbo build for the second sonic that I'm buying soon. Keep at it buddy!
Click to expand...

HAhaha, awesome! You're more than welcome to swing by... once I get this oil catch can PCV issue situated, and finish tuning.
 
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