The Corsa VXR, was the first turbocharged Corsa to be released by Vauxhall, with a brand new design the 1.6 Turbo charged engine features a small but responsive K03 turbo. Released with 3 different emission coded engine variants, Z16LER (2007-2010) A16LER (2010-2013) B16LER (2013-2014) Both the A/B16LER engines typically produce significantly less than quoted figures, with 160-180HP being the average dyno result, these engines actually respond especially well to a software downgrade (back to factory Z16 mapping, then tuning)
Out of the box official power figures are 192PS (189bhp) with 230NM (170lbft) of torque, and 205PS for the Clubsport and Nurburgring models. but this is far from its potential. With the short stroke and rev happy characteristics of this engine we can cater for all needs and budgets with some choice modifications.
For those who are new to the VXR range and unfamiliar with 1.6 Turbo engine, like most things in life, there are good and bad points! In standard form, the engine internals are not deemed to be particularly strong, in fact they are often referred to as having ‘chocolate pistons’ . However, once the cast pistons and connecting rods are replaced with superior forged items, running 400HP+ and 8000rpm+ becomes easy work for this power unit, In fact, these engines are turned into a tuner’s delight!
VXR Engine ECU tuning is offered using Rabbid Tuning ECU software with its proven calibrations, various options are available, such as launch control, over run pops (decel). Map switching, Antilag, No lift shift is also offered using Rabbid Rom V2
For the power hungry folk, or those who simply want to improve their soundtrack - plenty of upgrades can be offered from MOT legal exhaust systems to full on track ready systems (Not road legal), along with Hybrid or Motorsport turbo chargers and engine internal upgrades.
Stage 1
The first step towards extracting power from the 1.6 Turbo engine requires no hardware changes, this is a software only upgrade. The ECU software runs a linear torque delivery, being mindful of the stock internals, while still seeing a massive ‘under the curve’ increase, with maximum power figures only telling half the story!
With our 'Stage 1' software upgrades the following features are included:
- Increased Rev limiter (7200RPM)
- Launch Control (Optional)
- Enhanced over run (Optional)
Expected Results, based on our Dyno Dynamics rolling Road:
205-215HP
215-225LBFT
WGM Stage 1 Tuning Package
Stage 1+
An additional mod which improves the flow of the stock turbocharger is to remove the catalyst from the downpipe, while another limitation of this engine is the standard fit injectors, which are not up to the job, therefore before you can safely gain the rest of the power normally available from a level 1 tune, they must be uprated to ensure safe fuel flow into your engine. Depending on your end goal we either recommend 395cc or 613cc injectors. Check our blog post here.
With the free flowing downpipe installed, fuelling can be optimized and new lambda targets set, allowing us to dial in a slight increase in boost pressure and ignition timing to take advantage of the new setup. Low end response is improved and turbo lag is reduced, and torque levels are increased across the entire rev range.
With our 'Stage 1+' software upgrades the following features are included:
- Increased Rev limiter (7200RPM)
- ECU Calibration to suit Larger Injectors
- Enhanced over run on Sports mode (optional)
- Launch Control (optional)
- Catalyst code removal to avoid EML lights
Expected Results, based on our Dyno Dynamics rolling Road:
215-225HP
220-230LBFT
WGM Stage 1+ Tuning Package
Stage 2
The limitation for the car is now the gas flow / back pressure out of the turbocharger, we therefore recommend fitting a free flowing turbo back exhaust system, with multiple options on sports cats and silencers to suit your taste - a 3" setup is recommended to accommodate tuning / scope at a later date. Engines with forged internals can benefit from high torque mapping.
With our 'Stage 2' software upgrades the following are included:
- Increased Rev limiter (7200RPM)
- ECU Calibration to suit Larger Injectors
- Enhanced over run on Sports mode (optional)
- Launch Control (optional)
- Catalyst code removal to avoid EML lights
Expected Results, based on our Dyno Dynamics rolling Road:
225-235HP
230-240LBFT (250-270LBFT Hi Torque)
WGM Stage 2 Tuning Package
Stage 3
The next limitation to power output is air intake temperatures, with increased boost the standard intercooler is at the limit of its capabilities, we now recommend to install our upgraded and dyno proven intercooler to reduce intake temperatures and increase air flow through the inlet pipe work. This results in a car with more consistent power levels in hot weather and during prolonged hard usage. Read more about our intercooler testing here. The added benefit is the engine runs more efficiently overall, thus making more power with careful tuning strategies applied. Engines with forged internals can benefit from high torque mapping.
With our 'Stage 3' software upgrades the following are included:
- Increased Rev limiter (7200RPM)
- ECU Calibration to suit Larger Injectors
- Enhanced over run on Sports mode (optional)
- Launch Control (optional)
- Catalyst code removal to avoid EML lights
Expected Results, based on our Dyno Dynamics rolling Road:
235-245HP
240-260LBFT (260-280LBFT Hi Torque)
WGM Stage 3 Tuning Package
Stage 4
The bottle neck after stage 3 is the standard Ko3 turbocharger, the exhaust turbine restricts flow, along with the compressor side, we can resolve this by installing new turbocharger internals. With larger compressor and turbine wheels fitted into the stock turbo housing, this 'Hybrid' will allow much greater air and exhaust gas flow, allowing a massive increase of mass air flow into the 1.6. At this point we have surpassed the limit of the standard internals and it becomes mandatory to replace the pistons and rods for forged items, and an uprated Clutch is also advised.
A larger MAF and suitable injectors will also be required at this stage.
With our 'Stage 4' software upgrades the following are included:
- Increased Rev limiter (7500RPM)
- ECU Calibration to suit 80mm MAF
- ECU Calibration to suit Larger Injectors
- Enhanced over run on Sports mode (optional)
- Launch Control (optional)
- Catalyst code removal to avoid EML lights
Expected Results, based on our Dyno Dynamics rolling Road:
265-285HP
Upto 300LBFT
WGM Stage 4 Tuning Package
Stage 4.5
The standard camshafts are very restrictive on the 1.6 Turbo engine, with a specification biased towards emissions requirements, low down performance and economy utilising a tiny 7.3mm lift and mild duration. When switching to our performance Fast Road Cams, both inlet and exhaust camshafts are changed allowing us to flow more air into the engine by increasing the lift and duration specifications, dramatically changing the flow characteristics of the Engine, widening the power band even more, and retaining power all the way past 7200rpm.
When fitting these camshafts It is also recommended to upgrade the valve springs for higher boost and improved high RPM reliability
With our 'Stage 4.5' software upgrades the following are included:
- Increased Rev limiter (7500RPM)
- ECU Calibration to suit 80mm MAF
- ECU Calibration to suit Larger Injectors
- Enhanced over run on Sports mode (optional)
- Launch Control (optional)
- Catalyst code removal to avoid EML lights
Expected Results, based on our Dyno Dynamics rolling Road:
290-310HP
Upto 290LBFT
WGM Stage 4+ Tuning Package
Stage 5
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE
Dyno Testing
All ECU remaps are carried out on our State of the Art Dyno Dynamics Dynotech rolling road, which can accurately read upto 1200HP
Data Logging
Each car is hooked up to a Wide band lambda sensor to ensure correct air to fuel ratio, along with data logging tools to ensure Boost, Ignition timing parameters are all in check
Diagnostic Check
We carry out a pre and post tuning ECU diagnostic trouble code check (DTC) to ensure no faults are present before or after tuning