All XU9 petrols are alloy blocked. It's the diesels and later 1.8 & 2.0 petrols that are iron.jayw wrote:If nothing else, XU9J4 block is alloy, the rest are steel and 16v compression is higher due to different pistons so the EMS won't function correctly and your pistons will hit the valves! So, it can't be done without changing the pistons and then, to be honest, you wouldn't want to!
16v has over 8v:
Different crankshaft
Uprated oil pump
Improved oilways and piston skirt spray bars
Pistons have cut-outs for the valves
Various smaller components use uprated materials
Wouldn't be too hard to do, but the real question I'd raise is why would you do it? Unless the 16v as a car is hard to find where you are.
Personally if I was going to the trouble of transplanting an engine, I'd fit something that was never fitted as standard. Xsara VTS 2.0 16v, Xantia Activa 2.0CT, XM V6? Otherwise it's just alot of work to end up with a car you could already buy.