The Corsa C was offered to the market with various engine and transmission combinations, and the ones that boasted the best performance were the SRI models.
However, whether you own an SRI model or not, a boosted engine (or upgrading the existing turbo setup) will give you significant performance gains.
This handy guide will tell you how to upgrade your Vauxhall Corsa C with a turbocharger.
What Is A Turbocharger?
A turbocharger spins a turbine by using exhaust gases and compresses air and forces it into the engine. It also increases the amount of oxygen and fuel that can be burned, resulting in more power, torque, and better fuel efficiency.
Manufacturers often fit turbochargers to petrol and diesel engines to increase performance and fuel economy, and virtually all modern diesel engines have them fitted as standard.
The only Corsa C engines that had turbochargers as standard were the Y17DT, Y17DTH and Z17DTH turbodiesel engines. Only the newer Corsa generations also had them fitted to specific petrol engines, like the ones fitted to the VXR models.
The Right Upgrade For A Corsa C?
Driving a turbocharged Corsa C appeals to people for many reasons. The first is performance – the most powerful engine that came standard is the Z18XE (1.8 16v) 123 bhp naturally-aspirated unit.
Another is fuel economy, believe it or not. If less effort is required to accelerate your Corsa, and you don’t drive like a boy/girl racer everywhere you go, a turbocharged engine could mean you use less fuel.
Lastly, some people want to make their Corsa Cs unique and turbocharging their otherwise standard engine is one way to achieve that goal.
3 Ways To Boost Your Corsa C
The good news is you’ve got three realistic ways to turbocharge your Corsa C (or improve the performance and efficiency of an already turbocharged engine):
1) Turbocharge Your Naturally-Aspirated Engine
If you want to make your Corsa truly unique, one way to do that is by turbocharging your existing naturally-aspirated engine. Theoretically, you can boost any N/A engine – but you’ll likely need to fabricate some custom parts.
You’ll also need deep pockets, as one-off turbo conversions can cost thousands of pounds. Some tuning companies offer turbo conversion packages that are bolt-on modifications to engines – but they’re still not cheap.
For example, German tuning firm Dbilas offer a retrofit turbocharger system for the Z12XE 1.2 16v engine, with prices starting from €4,982 (around £4,271).
Some owners have fabricated parts and carried out DIY turbo conversions at their homes. Take a look at the following video from someone who installed a turbocharger from an Astra with the 1.3 CDTI engine:
A DIY turbo conversion would typically require the following:
- Turbocharger and custom exhaust manifold;
- Custom exhaust system; and
- Remapped ECU (or a custom standalone ECU).
If you wanted extreme performance gains from a DIY setup, you should also upgrade some internal engine components, such as:
- Forged pistons;
- Forged connecting rods (conrods);
- Higher flow injectors; and
- Aftermarket intake system.
2) Install A Turbocharged Engine From Another Car
A more mainstream and cost-effective option is to remove your Corsa’s existing engine and transplant a higher displacement turbocharged unit.
The two most popular options are the Z20LET engine from the mk4 Astra GSi or Zafira A GSi and the Z20LEH from the mk5 Astra VXR or Zafira B VXR. Both engines are 2.0 16v turbo petrol units and, as standard, produce 197 bhp and 237 bhp respectively.
Depending on the spec and condition, you can typically pick up one of those engines for anything up to £1,000. Corsa owners usually opt for the 5-speed F23 gearbox from the mk4 Astra GSi or the 6-speed M32 from the mk5 Astra VXR or Zafira B.
The following video gives you an idea of what it’s like to improve and renew a Z20LET engine, along with the various stages of installing it into a Corsa:
Aside from the engine and gearbox, you’ll need the following parts/changes to complete the conversion:
- Custom exhaust system (the bore on the standard Corsa exhaust is smaller than the Astra GSi/VXR and Zafira B;
- Intercooler;
- Engine wiring loom modifications;
- ECU from a 1.2 non-TwinPort model;
- Steering knuckles from a Corsa C or Meriva A 1.7 CDTI;
- Wheel bearings and hubs from other Vauxhall models to keep your four-stud wheel setup;
- Driveshafts from an Astra GSi; and
- Custom engine and gearbox mounts (readily available from various Vauxhall tuning companies online).
You’ll need other parts and changes, but the ones above are the most significant ones. Check out Jay’s Instagram to see more pics and videos of his build progress!
Of course, some people prefer a high-performance turbodiesel engine in their Corsa. If you’d rather not go down the petrol turbo conversion route, consider a Z19DTH 1.9 16v CDTI engine used in various Vauxhall and Saab models.
3) Upgrade The Existing Turbo In Your Corsa C
Lastly, if you have a turbodiesel Corsa, you could always upgrade the turbocharger for more significant power gains, better reliability, and more engine tuning options.
Many tuning companies offer hybrid turbocharger conversions for the CDTI and Isuzu DI/DTI engines used in the Corsa C.
A hybrid turbo has upgraded internal parts, such as reinforced components and more efficient compressor wheels. Sometimes, the turbine housing has a modified design to improve efficiency and reliability.
Hybrid turbochargers are perfect for owners embarking on stage three engine modifications.
Final Thoughts
Bolting on a turbocharger to your Corsa C isn’t just about the horsepower numbers; it’s a thrilling transformation that can make your car a whole new beast on the road.
But like any modification, planning, research, and executing with precision is essential. Know your goals – whether it’s a balanced mix of power and efficiency or an all-out speed demon.
This will guide your turbo selection and overall upgrade approach. Good luck – and have fun!
