A silver Vauxhall VX220 on track
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Drivetrain

Gearbox removal with the engine out

The factory steps for taking the gearbox off an engine that is already out of the car, and for separating and rejoining the NA gearbox and engine, from the Vauxhall TIS.

vx220.info/guides/gearbox-removal-with-the-engine-out · Last updated 25 October 2026

Applies to: VX220 and Speedster, NA, TurboDifficulty: HardTime: Not stated

Tools

  • KM-412
  • KM-412-27

Torques & specs

Install transmission to engine assembly60 Nm
Install transmission to engine assembly40 Nm
Install 7x bolt 60 Nm symmetrically Note: Includes installation of support bracket for engine harness.60 Nm
Install 4x bolt 40 Nm symmetrically40 Nm
the bolts on the transmission.60 Nm
the bolts on the transmission.22 Nm
Install the knock sensor.23 Nm
Attach the intake manifold.9 Nm
Attach the exhaust gas recirculation pipe.9 Nm
Attach the exhaust gas recirculation pipe.8 Nm
Attach the wiring harness bracket8 Nm
Install the engine control unit.9 Nm
Install the engine control unit.10 Nm
Install the oil dipstick guide tube.9 Nm
Tightening torque 60 Nm60 Nm
Tightening torque 22 Nm22 Nm
Tightening torque 23 Nm23 Nm
Tightening torque 9 Nm9 Nm
Tightening torque 8 Nm8 Nm
Tightening torque 10 Nm10 Nm
The steps below are shortened from the Vauxhall TIS pages for the Speedster. The VX220 shares the same engines and most of the car, but check anything unusual against your own car. The TIS pictures and the full wording aren't reproduced, so use the workshop manual if you are doing the job. We haven't seen owners' accounts of this job, so there are no owner tips here.

For dropping the gearbox with the engine in the car see F23 gearbox removal and clutch replacement.

The knock sensor must make full contact with the cylinder block across its entire contact surface – ensure utmost cleanliness. Make sure that the tightening torque is exactly as specified.

Gearbox removal and refitting, engine removed

Turbo (Z20LET)

Remove

  1. Remove turbocharger heat shield from engine and transmission assembly (Remove 2x bolt)
  2. Remove transmission from engine assembly (Remove 11x bolt)

Install

  1. Install transmission to engine assembly (Install 7x bolt 60 Nm; Install 4x bolt 40 Nm)
  2. Install turbocharger heat shield to engine and transmission assembly (Install 2x bolt)
  3. Check oil level and top-up if required

NA (Z22SE)

Remove

  1. Attach the adapter KM-412-27 on the right–hand side.
  2. Remove the oil dipstick guide tube.
    • 1 clip
    • Pull the oil dipstick out of the oil dipstick tube.
    • 2 clips
    • 1 bolt
    • Pull the oil dipstick guide tube out of the oil pan.
  3. Drill out the shear bolt.
    • Centre–punch
    • Max. depth 10 mm (Use a 3 mm drill.)
    • Until the head of the bolt comes free. (Use a 6.5 mm drill.)
  4. Remove retaining bolt.
  5. Remove the bridge piece. (Reposition the ground cable to one side.)
  6. Remove the retaining bolts. (2 bolts)
  7. Take out the engine control unit.
  8. Detach the wiring harness bracket. (1 nut)
  9. Detach the throttle body wiring harness connector. (Release the wiring harness connector(s).)
  10. Detach the wiring harness connector from the intake manifold pressure sensor.
  11. Unbolt the exhaust gas recirculation pipe. (2 nuts; 2 bolts)
  12. Detach the intake manifold. (4 clips; 5 bolts, 2 nuts)
  13. Remove the knock sensor. (Detach the wiring harness connector.)
  14. Attach the adapter KM-412-27 on the left–hand side.
  15. Attach the engine to the assembly stand KM-412. Note: 2 technicians required
    • Detach the retaining cables from the engine lifting eyes.
  16. Detach the lambda probe wiring harness connector. (1 clip)
  17. Detach the starter motor wiring harness. (1 clip, 1 bolt)
  18. Unscrew the transmission. (Take out 6 bolts.)
  19. Detach the transmission.
    • Attach the securing cables.
    • Hook the transmission into the workshop crane.
    • Remove 1 bolt.
    • Detach the engine/transmission flanges.

Install

  1. Attach the transmission.
    • Hook the transmission into the workshop crane.
    • Attach the gearbox/engine flanges.
    • Install 1 bolt.
    • Unhook from the workshop crane.
    • Detach the securing cables.
  2. Tighten the bolts on the transmission. (Tightening torque 60 Nm; Tightening torque 22 Nm)
  3. Attach the starter motor wiring harness. (1 bolt, 1 clip)
  4. Attach the lambda probe wiring harness connector. (1 clip)
  5. Hook the engine into the workshop crane.
    • Attach the securing straps to the engine lifting eyes.
  6. Detach the engine from the assembly stand KM-412. Note: 2 technicians required (Carefully set down the engine.)
  7. Detach the adapter KM-412-27 on the left–hand side.
  8. Install the knock sensor. (Attach the wiring harness connector.)
  9. Attach the intake manifold. (Use new gaskets.; Tightening torque 9 Nm; Attach the 4 clips.)
  10. Attach the exhaust gas recirculation pipe. (Clean the sealing surfaces.; Use a new gasket.; Tightening torque 9 Nm; Tightening torque 8 Nm)
  11. Attach the wiring harness connector for the intake manifold pressure sensor.
  12. Attach the wiring harness connector for the throttle body. (Secure the wiring harness connector(s).)
  13. Attach the wiring harness bracket (Tightening torque 8 Nm)
  14. Clean the engine control unit.
    • Clean the engine control unit and the plug contacts with
  15. Install the engine control unit.
    • Tightening torque 9 Nm
    • Attach and secure the wiring harness connector.
    • Route the ground cable.
    • Tightening torque 10 Nm
  16. Install the oil dipstick guide tube.
    • Coat the oil seals with silicone grease (white).
    • Insert the oil dipstick guide tube as far as the stop into the
    • Tightening torque 9 Nm
    • Insert the oil dipstick.
    • Attach the knock sensor wiring harness to the oil dipstick
    • 2 clips
  17. Detach the adapter KM-412-27 on the right–hand side.
  18. Attach the engine to the workshop crane. Note: 2 technicians required
  19. Raise the engine.

Gearbox and engine: separate and reattach (NA)

NA (Z22SE) only.

Procedure

  1. Attach the adapter KM-412-27 on the right–hand side.
  2. Remove the oil dipstick guide tube.
    • 1 clip
    • Pull the oil dipstick out of the oil dipstick tube.
    • 2 clips
    • 1 bolt
    • Pull the oil dipstick guide tube out of the oil pan.
  3. Drill out the shear bolt.
    • Centre–punch
    • Max. depth 10 mm (Use a 3 mm drill.)
    • Until the head of the bolt comes free. (Use a 6.5 mm drill.)
  4. Remove retaining bolt.
  5. Remove the bridge piece. (Reposition the ground cable to one side.)
  6. Remove the retaining bolts. (2 bolts)
  7. Take out the engine control unit.
  8. Detach the wiring harness bracket. (1 nut)
  9. Detach the throttle body wiring harness connector. (Release the wiring harness connector(s).)
  10. Detach the wiring harness connector from the intake manifold pressure sensor.
  11. Unbolt the exhaust gas recirculation pipe. (2 nuts; 2 bolts)
  12. Detach the intake manifold. (4 clips; 5 bolts, 2 nuts)
  13. Remove the knock sensor. (Detach the wiring harness connector.)
  14. Attach the adapter KM-412-27 on the left–hand side.
  15. Attach the engine to the assembly stand KM-412. Note: 2 technicians required
    • Detach the retaining cables from the engine lifting eyes.
  16. Detach the lambda probe wiring harness connector. (1 clip)
  17. Detach the starter motor wiring harness. (1 clip, 1 bolt)
  18. Unscrew the transmission. (Take out 6 bolts.)
  19. Detach the transmission.
    • Attach the securing cables.
    • Hook the transmission into the workshop crane.
    • Remove 1 bolt.
    • Detach the engine/transmission flanges.
  20. Attach the transmission.
    • Hook the transmission into the workshop crane.
    • Attach the gearbox/engine flanges.
    • Install 1 bolt.
    • Unhook from the workshop crane.
    • Detach the securing cables.
  21. Tighten the bolts on the transmission. (Tightening torque 60 Nm; Tightening torque 22 Nm)
  22. Attach the starter motor wiring harness. (1 bolt, 1 clip)
  23. Attach the lambda probe wiring harness connector. (1 clip)
  24. Hook the engine into the workshop crane.
    • Attach the securing straps to the engine lifting eyes.
  25. Detach the engine from the assembly stand KM-412. Note: 2 technicians required (Carefully set down the engine.)
  26. Detach the adapter KM-412-27 on the left–hand side.
  27. Install the knock sensor. (Attach the wiring harness connector.)
  28. Attach the intake manifold. (Use new gaskets.; Tightening torque 9 Nm; Attach the 4 clips.)
  29. Attach the exhaust gas recirculation pipe. (Clean the sealing surfaces.; Use a new gasket.; Tightening torque 9 Nm; Tightening torque 8 Nm)
  30. Attach the wiring harness connector for the intake manifold pressure sensor.
  31. Attach the wiring harness connector for the throttle body. (Secure the wiring harness connector(s).)
  32. Attach the wiring harness bracket (Tightening torque 8 Nm)
  33. Clean the engine control unit.
    • Clean the engine control unit and the plug contacts with
  34. Install the engine control unit.
    • Tightening torque 9 Nm
    • Attach and secure the wiring harness connector.
    • Route the ground cable.
    • Tightening torque 10 Nm
  35. Install the oil dipstick guide tube.
    • Coat the oil seals with silicone grease (white).
    • Insert the oil dipstick guide tube as far as the stop into the
    • Tightening torque 9 Nm
    • Insert the oil dipstick.
    • Attach the knock sensor wiring harness to the oil dipstick
    • 2 clips
  36. Detach the adapter KM-412-27 on the right–hand side.
  37. Attach the engine to the workshop crane. Note: 2 technicians required
  38. Raise the engine.

Sources & credit

Written up from these owners' original posts. Thanks to everyone who contributed.

  • Vauxhall TIS: Transmission, Remove and Install (Z 20 LET) (Engine Removed) by Vauxhall TIS
  • Vauxhall TIS: Transmission, Remove and Install (Engine Removed) (Z 22 SE) by Vauxhall TIS
  • Vauxhall TIS: Manual Transmission and Engine, Separate and Reattach (Z 22 SE, MT, engine removed) by Vauxhall TIS

Last updated 2026-10-25

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