I want to build a kit car with Knighty in the next year or so when I have some issues out the way.
Ive been looking and think that the LeightWeight model from Robin Hood Kit Cars ( http://www.greatbritishsportscars.com/kitrange.php ) is the best. As its the cheapest mainly.
It uses the Sierra as a donor car. So the 2.9V6 from the Granada could fit. But what other engine would be good? or could fit I wonder?
They say it can use a range of power trains too... so Im just trying to think what engine would work well? (if it could fit)
I was thinking the 2.5L engine from the 2.5L petrol E36 BMW engine. the M50 I think it is. Few of them on the bay for around £300. But maybe a bit heavy... Im sure we could get something that could fit.
Suggestions
going to want to use it on the road or just track? the project 2b might be easier to SVA (just after reading the descriptions) i quite fancy building one myself after seeing that site!
id probably use a vauxhall C20LET or Z20LET (2.0 4cyl turbo)
Personally Id love to build an Ultima GTR but I dont have £15K :( and an extra 7K for the V8 chevy engine
2.0L turbo sounds good tbh
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220490974401&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
That could be fun ;)
Quote from: mr_rollhttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220490974401&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
That could be fun ;)
would be cool but 280bhp isnt great for the size and weight of it and only 10mpg.
a light car needs a light engine.
might be worth thinking motorcycle engine
Shame. You can get the 1JZ-GTE engines cheap :D
2.5 Twin Turbo.
Yeah I would just like a car with a HUGH engine, but I know I need a light engine in it.
Id preferably want somthing that can be upgraded in the future... after engine mods to get it turbod or even supercharged.
What about the 1.8K series engine. Wasnt that in the Lotus Elise a while ago? 160bhp... anyone know about that one? hmm Although I wonder what Vtec power units could work... Something like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Honda-Prelude-H22A-2-2Si-VTEC-Engine_W0QQitemZ270456827712QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item3ef87baf40&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
I have thought about motorbike engines, but they are a bit more expensive.
Although thinking about the Honda engines... theres a lot of parts available for those for upgrading them. So could be something to consider...
the k-series is perfect for a light kit car, hence why caterham and lotus used them.
You can get the 1.8VVC 145bhp one very cheap these days. The newer 1.8 VVC 160bhp is more expensive. The 1.8Turbo 160bhp is good too but you dont see many of them.
They all weigh about 110kg.
They have the bad rep with head gaskets but if the cooling system is sorted its not an issue.
The VTEC engines would be perfect but the good ones are very expensive, B16, B18 etc
That prelude one looks tidy but doesnt come with any ancilleries and dont forget you need a loom and ecus for the engine.
What about the Toyota 4-AGE engine from a MK1 MR2?
forget the ford V6 - its crap.
Best V6 of that size would be the PSA 3.0 24V (As found in the clio V6) - really cheap. I got a full engine, with loom and gearbox on ebay for £150
If youre going 2 litre and below, the Mi16 is simply the best engine. Even compared to modern engines. 160bhp standard, no messy variable timing, just good old fashioned excellent head design. They can be worked to 300bhp (with a large budget) and 220bhp or so with a mediocre budget. Thats putting it on a par with high end VTEC units (That have absolutely no torque) Its also lightweight - all alloy. Id run it on throttle bodies and maybe an Emerald ECU. I have a good map for an emerald ECU for a TBd Mi16 that I have developed on one of mine - but that was in a saloon car. It would be a good base though. Mine runs about 245bhp, but at big revs - 8500 or so (I had to upgrade the crank as well)
The only issue is oil starvation - a baffled sump or dry sumping cures this easily.
Theyre easy enough to turbo when funds allow. Depending on what way you mount it of course.
BTW - a chevrolet engine is nowhere near 7 grand.
Oh - and while I remember - the all alloy Jag engines are dirt cheap as well - because theyre reliable.
http://www.britishamericanengines.co.uk/chevy_prices.asp
Yeah I had a thought of the Mi16 engine. my friend had a 205 with one in producing 170bhp. It was FAST in that thing. (he had it rolling roaded)
I just remember seeing a price list for the chevy engines from some link on ultimas site for a BIG chevy engine 6.3L iirc for around 7k. It was a while ago however.
The Monaro has that engine.
You can get a brand new one, for about 3 grand.
LS2 6.0 iirc
I hear the best Mi16 engines come from Citroen BXs :D
Well, when I have enough dosh I may go for a V8 in the Ultima...
But for this project a smaller engine is needed.
Quote from: soopahflyI hear the best Mi16 engines come from Citroen BXs :D
Unfortunately - they generally do, as they used the original all alloy 160hp unit in them for the longest.
I have no more room for them (have 5) and Ill keep those in decent order - so the rest can rot!
Iv been thinking about this again..
Thinking about locost racing with one.. not sure what the rules etc are but its on my mind, probably get the more expensive 2B plus kit if i do it though for an easy SVA.
Also thinking maybe straight 6 lump and drivetrain from a BMW might be cool...
Cheaper to get a straight 6 drivetrain from a Toyota, but harder to find a Manual.
can get a ruined 320 for sub £500 to rip diff gearbox and engine from, doesnt sound expensive to me
The Locost racing series by 750Motor Club - you need a 1300 Ford Xflow engine.
6 cylinder would be useless. Too heavy and too long.
These go like a bomb with virtually any reasonable engine in, 2 litre would suit you fine IMO, although I have seen one with a 3.5 Rover v8 lump in.
gonna throw one in for consideration. Ive got a mate who is building the first audi 20vT Dax Rush. first one to use factory mounts. once he is finished Dax will be offering it as a kit.
20vT is a great engine for power, very tunable, very reliable.
Might have to get me one of these to set up with the wife - she actually asked if we could buy a track car :D
20V turbo VAG engine is good, but has an undeserved rep for ultra reliability on stock internals.
The 3 that I have had havent been able to go above 275hp on the standard bottom end. I have one for the 924, but I am going to be rebuilding it.
If you get a later one you have to use aftermarket management unless you get the whole loom and clocks and key from the donor car (Like most modern engines)
The 2,2 Audi 20V is better, imo - particularly because of the noise.
The worst engine of all time of course - is the rover V8. What a lump of powerless sh*te.
Quote from: MarkThe worst engine of all time of course - is the rover V8. What a lump of powerless sh*te.
it was designed over 40years ago, you cant really expect it to compete these days, even though it was produced up untill 2006 in various types and some new cars still use it .
also it is VERY light for a big v8 and the power and torque are not bad at all. 180bhp/340nm from most standard 3.5l that you can get for pennies.
I still wouldnt put on in my kit car.
I would be looking K-series, Vtec or 20vT.
Ive always been told the 20vT is good for 300bhp on standard internals.
Nearly all other american V8s (The rover V8 being a crap Buick engine) of the same age and older are much, much better.
Even the flathead from the 1930s!
The only thing it has going for it is weight. It makes really sh*t power, and you cant get any decent power out of it.
For the same money as a 250bhp rover V8, you can have a 400bhp LS1 !
The cheapest bang for buck V8 you can buy in the UK is probably the jag V8.
*Cough1uz-feCough*
Dont see an LS1, Rover V8 or Jag engine in "Wards 10 best engines" list.
Can get a shabby LS400/Celsior for under £500.
Rover V8 is 160bhp/210lb ft.
1UZ - in earliest form - 256bhp / 260lb ft, and comes in at around 470lbs with gearbag.
Although in the rovers defence...
(http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s100/chodjinn1980/MG%20Beast/DSC_0042.jpg)
A guy I know used to have a twin turbo RV8 - he dumped it for a supercharged LS6 because the rover was useless for dragging..
Here is the result
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgWRCDtiTQ0
http://www.youtube.com/user/blow0me#p/u/8/SYYxHRWw23A
Not a kick in the ass off 1000hp.
Quote from: soopahfly*Cough1uz-feCough*
Dont see an LS1, Rover V8 or Jag engine in "Wards 10 best engines" list.
Can get a shabby LS400/Celsior for under £500.
Rover V8 is 160bhp/210lb ft.
1UZ - in earliest form - 256bhp / 260lb ft, and comes in at around 470lbs with gearbag.
Although in the rovers defence...
(Image removed from quote.)
1998 and 1999 both have LS1 listed.
Its not a current engine. The LS6 - 9 are current.
When it comes to V8s - unfortunately the americans have everyone else licked.
You can buy a crate LS-6 with 475bhp standard.
british american engines have a damn good range, but theyre pricey.
Quote from: MarkWhen it comes to V8s - unfortunately the americans have everyone else licked.
You can buy a crate LS-6 with 475bhp standard.
british american engines have a damn good range, but theyre pricey.
I wonder if Ascari would sell you a tuned V8 from the old M5 they use in their A10. 625bhp!
Quote from: Mark20V turbo VAG engine is good, but has an undeserved rep for ultra reliability on stock internals.
The 3 that I have had havent been able to go above 275hp on the standard bottom end.
they can, but youll end up rebuilding them. but then, thats the case with most modern engines that you try and get 30% extra out of. at some point, theyll give up.
but if you dont go silly, theyre good engines. plenty of BAMs out of S3s that have been mapped to 260+ hitting 140k miles aobut now...
Matt
Theyre definitely top notch!
Im putting one in here
(http://www.mark-chapman.com/uploads/newproject.jpg)