C20LET

The C20LET is the turbocharged variant of GM’s C20XE engine, which was used in many Vauxhall models. The C20LET engine is a 16 valve DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshaft) engine with a displacement of 1998 cc (2.0 L). This inline 4 cylinder turbocharged engine develops 204 bhp @ 5600 rpm and 206.5lb/ft of torque @ 2400 rpm. It used an advanced catalytic converter and had a compression ratio of 8.5:1 to 9.0:1. The C20LET was launched almost two decades ago, and was very advanced for its time. It was well sought after, and was widely used in many motorsports events, in many specialist race version cars. It has developed some sort of a cult following and is still scouted for by enthusiasts.

Many Vauxhall models used the C20LET engine. The most famous of these was the Vauxhall Calibra Turbo, which first unveiled in 1990, used a 204 bhp variant of the C20LET engine. The Vauxhall Cavalier Turbo, which was launched in the autumn of 1992, used the same 204 bhp C20LET engine that was used in the extremely successful Vauxhall Calibra. The Vauxhall Vectra Turbo, launched in 1993, also used the same 204 bhp C20LET engine. GM also produced a turbocharged 204 bhp C20LET third generation Mk3 Astra for the South African market. Though a C20LET Mk3 Astra was never sold in the UK, many car enthusiasts and car modification companies supplied C20LET conversion kits for the UK market. Modified Vauxhall Astra Mk3s, featuring C20LET engine conversions, are extremely popular amongst the boy racer crowd and can be found on sale on many online shopping portals.