tuning tips for 2.2 direct

**wanna veccy** · 27th December 2007, 19:31

Hi everyone this is my first thread so forgive my ignorance if this thread has been put forward before,but i'm just a lazy 5hite or just useless with the tinternet ( u can choose).ive enrolled myself into this mad world of vectra modding madness as i recently bought my (fisrt) jan 05 vectra 2.2i direct sri and was interested to what engine mods are possible to gain a couple of extra stallions. Already read a couple of threads bout air box mod so gonna go to halfords tomoz to get a set of torx bits so i can proceed. hope everyone had a nice crimbo and all the best for the new year.

**beefycol** · 27th December 2007, 19:36

not replacement panel filter
you want...
k and N cone filter, cold air feed, uprated spark plugs, fuel pressure reg, 2.4 inlet manifold, strut brace, tc switch if you aint got one, exhaust, cams, remap, uprated tyres

**VectraV6CDTi** · 28th December 2007, 01:29

From what others have said I dont belive there is a lot of scope for tuning the 2.2 unless you throw serious money at it. I think I'd be content with a K&N and a good dose of V-Power

**rushy** · 28th December 2007, 02:37

Firstly mate, welcome to the club.
You have the z22yh (engine code) in your car but the slightly older z22se (none direct 2.2) is basically the same lump apart from fueling and head mods that go with the "Direct" fueling part. So any mods you see for the older 2.2 will apply to you also.
Yes as said you will need to throw plenty of money at the 2.2 to get good power gains, but 200 bhp is easily achieved with mainly do it yourself mods and a good remap.
Forget about a cone filter unless it is a fully sealed unit like the piper Viper kit and the like as open cones even with a cold air feed suck in too much hot air (less dense than cold), the modern ecotecs are very sensitive to air intake temps. The better option would be to fit a K&N panel filter, as it still keeps the sealed and cold air flowing.
The 2.2 in the vec C has its cat right behind the lump, rather than underneath the car so fitting a sports cat is far harder than say the astra and vec b where the cat is underneath, also our lumps tend to throw fault codes with the sports cat fitted. So your best bet is fitting a good quality cat back system.
The other options for better "breathing" is to fit a larger better flowing inlet manifold from the US 2.4 ecotec. Unfortunately its import only so this adds to the costs but good results have been seen with this mod alone. You could also try Courtney Sport as they have just done a Group Buy on this and will possibly be doing another.
If you want to go further then your next step is mechanical so cams are your next port of call. Piper cams are your best bet as there a straight swap, there are better ones out there but they require head work or a swap for the saab 2.2 head.
You can also fit a switch to turn off your TC but looking at the age of your car it might not work, its worth a shot though at about £10 from the dealer.
Balancer shafts can be removed to add better spin up along with a lightened fly wheel but to the detriment to every day driving. Remember if your going for a remap do it last in your list of mods so the mods work to there full potential. I kid you not 800 bhp has been seen out of this little lump by GM race engineer's with mainly off the shelf parts, so there's plenty of scope if you have deep enough pockets.
There's a forum dedicated to the 2.2, nothing on there for the Vectra c as a car but for the engine its a wealth of knowledge. Give it a try, all the things I have mentioned are all well documented on there. z22se.co.uk

**ed taylor** · 28th December 2007, 09:38

Interesting write up Rushy, you seem well up on the 2.2 engine.

**wanna veccy** · 28th December 2007, 09:44

was looking at the 2.4 inlet mani last night but when making brackets was mentioned it has put me in two minds. will have a look at courtenay and that link its apreciated. cheers budy.