Vauxhall is one of the oldest UK vehicle manufacturers, being first founded in 1857. Owned for almost a century by the american giant General Motors from 1925, Vauxhall is now part of the larger european Stellantis group. With such an extensive history, there is a very broad range of engines in the Vauxhall range.

One of the most popular engines in recent history, for road performance or track use, is the C20XE.  Originally conceived for motorsport use, and based on the ‘Family II’ engine series, with a Cosworth developed double-overhead camshaft alloy cylinder head, this engine first appeared in 1988 in the Astra GTE 16v.  It proved to be something of a landmark engine at the time, capable of 150bhp in standard production form, but capable of much more with further development for motorsport. The C20LET added a KKK turbocharger, and featured in the Cavalier and Calibra Turbo models of the era.

Scholar Engines were successful in the 1990s with the C16SE engine used in Formula Vauxhall Junior.  This was a 1600cc 8-valve ‘Family I’ engine, producing around 100bhp.  The single seater formula was intended as a learning series, allowing upcoming drivers to experience single seat formula racing, often for the first time – similar in concept to Formula Ford. A number of FVJ drivers went on to successful motorsport careers, including Dario Franchitti, the winner of the inaugural series in 1991.

Many Vauxhall engines of this era remain popular today in motorsport, the C20XE continues to be a powerful and durable choice in rallying and stock cars.  Whilst the smaller capacity 1400 and 1600 variants (14XE, 16XE, 14SE, 16SE) are also choice engines in class structure for stock car / hot rod oval racing.

We can offer many different services for these engines including but not limited to:

• Full or partial engine builds, from a standard engine to a race spec.
• Machining services for your own build.
• Engine dyno testing, running-in, and basic set up.
• Parts supply for your required specification.