Calibra Engine Specifications
From Calibra Wiki - Vauxhall, Opel and Holden Information and Technical Resource
Power was initially from 2.0 L 8-valve (85kw/115 bhp C20NE) and 16-valve fuel-injected (110kw/150bhp C20XE) four-cylinder engines. In 1992 a turbocharged 2.0 L engine (150kw/204 bhp)(a C20LET, the turbocharged version of the C20XE) was added to the range. With four-wheel drive, a six-speed Getrag manual transmission (F28/6) and a claimed top speed of 240 km/h (150 mph), this flagship model finally gave the Calibra the dynamics to match its looks.
In 1994 a 125kw/167 hp 2.5 L V6 (C25XE) was introduced, thus creating what many considered to be the finest Calibra to date. Available with both manual and automatic transmissions, the V6 wasn't as fast as the Turbo, but was rather more civilised, and proved to be more reliable than the complex four-wheel drive model with its notorious transfer box issues. 1995 saw the introduction of the X20XEV Ecotec engine, more reliable derivative of the classic C20XE 16-valve or "red top" engine. This marked a reduction in power from 150 bhp to 136 bhp for the 16-valve version, although the Turbo continued with the C20LET.
Engine Data
The Calibra had several engines.
- 2.0 L 8-valve SOHC I4 - 115 PS (85 kW) (all years) (C20NE)
- 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC I4 - 156 PS (110 kW) (1990-1995) (C20XE)
- 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC 'Ecotec' I4 - 136 PS (100 kW) (1995-1997) (X20XEV)
- 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC turbocharged I4 - 204 PS (150 kW) (1992-1997) (C20LET)
- 2.5 L 24-valve DOHC 'Ecotec' V6 - 170 PS (125 kW) (1994-1997) (C25XE) '94-'96; (X25XE) '97
Understanding Calibra Engine Codes
The table below can be used to help interpret the engine code of your Calibra. Examples follow the table...
Exhaust Emission Limit -
- ECE R 83 A (Non Cat Models)
- C EC 91/441/EEC (1st Generation Cat Models)
- X 94/12/EC or EC 96 (2nd Generation Cat Models)
Engine Capacity = Capacity in litres x 0.1
Compression Ratio
- L > 8.5 – 9.0 : 1
- N > 9.0 – 9.5 : 1
- S > 9.5 – 10.0 : 1
- X > 10.0 – 11.5 : 1
Mixture System
- E Multipoint Fuel Injection
Special Version
- H High Output / Supercharged
- J Adapted Output
- L Low Output / Supercharged
- R High Power
- V Volume Model
- T Turbo charged
Something that may not be easy to follow is the Exhaust Emission Limit part. Basically what it is saying is that engines have to conform to the laws set by these emission codes. The first ever emission law to incorporate catalytic converters is shown against the ‘C’ prefix at the beginning of the engine code on models registered after 1991 when the law was set. It was later changed to ‘X’ in 1994 again to conform with new legislation regarding emissions.
Below are a few examples using the most popular engines fitted to the Calibra as standard:…
C20XE
- C = EC 91/441/EEC (1st Generation Cat Models)
- 20 = Capacity in litres = 20 x 0.1 = 2 litres
- X = Compression ratio of between 10.0 – 11.5 : 1
- E = Multi-point Fuel Injection
C20LET
- C = EC 91/441/EEC (1st Generation Cat Models)
- 20 = Capacity in litres = 20 x 0.1 = 2 litres
- L = Compression ratio of between 8.5 – 9.0 : 1
- E = Multi-point Fuel Injection
- T = Turbo charged
Engine Specifications
