Pick my engine!
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Former Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
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From: Oakland
Pick my engine!
I've got a small, featherweight, RWD, independent rear end, convertible sports car sitting in my garage, and I've been mulling over what sort of engine I want to put in it for some time. The stock engines that came with these cars are superheavy cast iron four-cylinders and make all of about 70hp. Not my cup of Tea.
Popular swaps include Chevy V8's, Mazda NA 12bs and 13bs, and Range Rover V8's (small displacement, and all-aluminum). So I got to thinking, well I've got this extra B18C1 sitting around, that'd be a neat little engine for it. The S2k has already been swapped, and I don't want to be a Johnnycomelately. Well, the six thousand dollar RWD, opposite rotating transmission they sell for the B-series engine put the whole project out of my reach. So I perished that idea.
Now what I am looking for, and I'm asking your advice about is what would be the best choice for a swap? I want something fuel-injected, perferably turbocharged, easy to find parts for, light, and something that is RWD in it's natural form (or at least hooks up easily to a RWD transmission like the Ford Zetec). Oh yeah, make it compact too... something smaller than the K-series, as the hood would have to be cut to fit that engine.
Right now I'm mulling the SR20DET, although I'm having a hard time finding answers from those most Anti-Honda of intolerators (is that even a word?). I think the issues with finding harnesses, coilpacks and ignitors for the SR20DET would make it cost prohibitive too... especially since I'm looking at a goal of 500 WHP when everything is said and done and modified. Any thoughts, suggestions, denouncements, etc.?
Popular swaps include Chevy V8's, Mazda NA 12bs and 13bs, and Range Rover V8's (small displacement, and all-aluminum). So I got to thinking, well I've got this extra B18C1 sitting around, that'd be a neat little engine for it. The S2k has already been swapped, and I don't want to be a Johnnycomelately. Well, the six thousand dollar RWD, opposite rotating transmission they sell for the B-series engine put the whole project out of my reach. So I perished that idea.
Now what I am looking for, and I'm asking your advice about is what would be the best choice for a swap? I want something fuel-injected, perferably turbocharged, easy to find parts for, light, and something that is RWD in it's natural form (or at least hooks up easily to a RWD transmission like the Ford Zetec). Oh yeah, make it compact too... something smaller than the K-series, as the hood would have to be cut to fit that engine.
Right now I'm mulling the SR20DET, although I'm having a hard time finding answers from those most Anti-Honda of intolerators (is that even a word?). I think the issues with finding harnesses, coilpacks and ignitors for the SR20DET would make it cost prohibitive too... especially since I'm looking at a goal of 500 WHP when everything is said and done and modified. Any thoughts, suggestions, denouncements, etc.?
Thread Starter
Former Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Oakland
Tubbed out '69 Triumph Spitfire. Unofficial weight with its prior 12a Rotary was 1100lbs.
I should also point out, that the rear suspension would likely have to be converted over to whatever car the engine came from... so the weight is likely to rise some. The stock rear end could handle 125hp from the little NA rotary, but I think it'd throw an axle with even 200hp to it.
I should also point out, that the rear suspension would likely have to be converted over to whatever car the engine came from... so the weight is likely to rise some. The stock rear end could handle 125hp from the little NA rotary, but I think it'd throw an axle with even 200hp to it.
Thread Starter
Former Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Oakland
I can't multiquote to save my life...
a Hemi was thought about (it's only about a hundred pounds heavier than the stock Triumph engine), but it was quickly dropped. My priorities had to be re-realized. I want an insanely fast sports car... but one that I could still drive at more manageable speeds up and down the coast. The Hemi compromised a lot of driveability.
I also considered the RB26DETT as well as its bastard offspring RB25DET and RB20DET. The RB20DET was dropped because I could get the same power out of the physically smaller SR20DET. The parts for the RB25DET are too rare over here to be reasonably priced. The RB26DETT isn't an option because I believe its 6000+ price tag (thats not including the suspension, steering rack, and AWDriveline I'd have to buy in addition to that) is exclusive. Same thing with the S15 SR20DET. It requires too much cash to transplant it. Parts are ridiculously expensive, even by import car standards.
Some other thoughts I had were:
Subaru Ej20 (still AWD, but much lower investment than the RB26DETT)
Toyota 2JZGTTE (supra parts aren't cheap, but easier to find in junk yards here. Size would be the only concern)
Ford Zetec which can fit a Miata transmission if I'm to believe this geezer I raced with in Texas
13B TwinTurbo
13B FC single turbo, for which the mounts are already fabricated and it would be a bolt-in (although I don't particularly like the oil consumption of the rotaries and I don't think I could see the FD power potential with the FC's tranny)
S13 or S14 SR20DET
Grand National/T-type V6 (it's been done by a guy just down the street from me)
Any more thoughts? suggestions? complaints? I'd like to hear your ideas, even if they're to the effect of "you're a mad scientist. stick the 12a back in it and leave it alone you loon!"
a Hemi was thought about (it's only about a hundred pounds heavier than the stock Triumph engine), but it was quickly dropped. My priorities had to be re-realized. I want an insanely fast sports car... but one that I could still drive at more manageable speeds up and down the coast. The Hemi compromised a lot of driveability.
I also considered the RB26DETT as well as its bastard offspring RB25DET and RB20DET. The RB20DET was dropped because I could get the same power out of the physically smaller SR20DET. The parts for the RB25DET are too rare over here to be reasonably priced. The RB26DETT isn't an option because I believe its 6000+ price tag (thats not including the suspension, steering rack, and AWDriveline I'd have to buy in addition to that) is exclusive. Same thing with the S15 SR20DET. It requires too much cash to transplant it. Parts are ridiculously expensive, even by import car standards.
Some other thoughts I had were:
Subaru Ej20 (still AWD, but much lower investment than the RB26DETT)
Toyota 2JZGTTE (supra parts aren't cheap, but easier to find in junk yards here. Size would be the only concern)
Ford Zetec which can fit a Miata transmission if I'm to believe this geezer I raced with in Texas
13B TwinTurbo
13B FC single turbo, for which the mounts are already fabricated and it would be a bolt-in (although I don't particularly like the oil consumption of the rotaries and I don't think I could see the FD power potential with the FC's tranny)
S13 or S14 SR20DET
Grand National/T-type V6 (it's been done by a guy just down the street from me)
Any more thoughts? suggestions? complaints? I'd like to hear your ideas, even if they're to the effect of "you're a mad scientist. stick the 12a back in it and leave it alone you loon!"
Thread Starter
Former Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Oakland
Originally Posted by qtiger
d15b7. Rockin.
And to reply to the post about the LS1, it would suffer all of the drawbacks that the Hemi and nearly every V8 suffers. Too much weight, too much size.
I'm looking for a peaky HP curve. V8's are out of the question for me because of this: http://www.ye-beast.com/ I want to do more with less... and inject some non-american flavor into it as the same time.