M Series alternative engines

[robgte]

Question: What non standard engines have been fitted into the M series cars and which do you consider the best option?

When I bought my Taimar the gent showing me around said he'd put a vauxhall 16 valver in it, if it was his...

[bravenrace]

Hi,
I've seen or heard about the following:

Small Block Ford V-8
Small Block Chevy V-8
Datsun 240Z inline 6
BMW inline 6
Honda S2000 inline 4
GM 3.8 L V-6

I haven't seen it, but I'm thinking about a Mazda Miata MX-5 engine with a turbo. The Honda also appeals to me, but prices for these engines are real high.

[DavidY]

Ford Cosworth Tubo Engines
And of course the Rover V8 (and later TVR variants)

I think you have to consider what type of vehicle you want, a screaming high reving 4 pot or a lazier more torquey bigger engine. The Essex Engine is heavy, there is no doubt, but in a way a suits the character of the car. You can make it rev (talk to GAjon) but it's the torque that really makes the car.

At the end of the day it's your choice, many engines can be made to fit

davidy

[heightswitch]

A 2ltr Zetec bolts in with no chassis mods?? Taking that a step further a 2.3ltr Duratec turbo and anywhere between 225 - 300 hp depending on boost. and no weight.

I am currently nailing together a 2ltr zetec vixen S2 and close ratio type 9 with full sequential injection and about 200hp. this will still give 40mpg and will give the car all the performance it needs (with my dad driving)

in my opinion this is the best engine available anywhere. because.

1. lots of them
2. cheap to buy
3. cheap to mend (new ones are only £1400 from ford)
4. Easy to get good power
5. very light
6. Modern
7. Reliable

every other engine will fall down on at least one of the 7 points.

Neil.

[supaspark]

Neil,
What is the stock BHP of the 2.0ltr Zetec?

[GAjon]

Neil,

I got one out of seven!

John

Edited by GAjon on Thursday 24th May 23:24

[heightswitch]

supaspark said:

Neil,
What is the stock BHP of the 2.0ltr Zetec?

They are good for 130hp in std trim, most people however junk the ford engine management and go to throttle bodies and straight away with a proper manifold you get 165 - 180. add cams and you are up to 195- 200.

rally design do a brand new 200hp crate egine for £4000

N.

[heightswitch]

GAjon said:

Neil,

I got one out of seven!

John

Edited by GAjon on Thursday 24th May 23:24

I think my 5.0 small block scores about the same.

N.

[sybaseian]

robgte said:

Question: What non standard engines have been fitted into the M series cars and which do you consider the best option?

When I bought my Taimar the gent showing me around said he'd put a vauxhall 16 valver in it, if it was his...

see my profile.....

I've got a 2.0ltr vauxhall red top in mine with a 5 speed Cosworth gearbox.

[robgte]

sybaseian said:

robgte said:

Question: What non standard engines have been fitted into the M series cars and which do you consider the best option?

When I bought my Taimar the gent showing me around said he'd put a vauxhall 16 valver in it, if it was his...

see my profile.....

I've got a 2.0ltr vauxhall red top in mine with a 5 speed Cosworth gearbox.

Oooops........

Have to say I would be looking for an engine with more cylinders not less. The throb off a 5.0V8 must be awesome . You need to add throb, kudos and visual appeal to that list

The engine weight must have a big effect on the handling and general balance - I would be scared that by putting a 4 pot in that I might get blown away by a gust of wind

[GAjon]

There must be plenty of the Ford 24V V6 engines from the Scorpio's avilable cheap, might be worth a look at?

John

[heightswitch]

GAjon said:

There must be plenty of the Ford 24V V6 engines from the Scorpio's avilable cheap, might be worth a look at?

John

There are a few about Jon. I have heard that they are a bugger to tune past 200hp though and cost a small fortune to make power.

I am just waiting for the day that you announce that you have found some genuine GAA heads to sit ontop of that glorified diesel engine of yours

Are you at Tatton?

N.

[heightswitch]

robgte said:

sybaseian said:

robgte said:

Question: What non standard engines have been fitted into the M series cars and which do you consider the best option?

When I bought my Taimar the gent showing me around said he'd put a vauxhall 16 valver in it, if it was his...

see my profile.....

I've got a 2.0ltr vauxhall red top in mine with a 5 speed Cosworth gearbox.

Oooops........

Have to say I would be looking for an engine with more cylinders not less. The throb off a 5.0V8 must be awesome . You need to add throb, kudos and visual appeal to that list

The engine weight must have a big effect on the handling and general balance - I would be scared that by putting a 4 pot in that I might get blown away by a gust of wind

Yes I ignored the 7 reasons for my engine choice.
if you want a factory look, go for a Rover V8. or better still a 347 stroker all alloy V8 small block ford and emulate some of the factory sanctioned 5000M's which were screwed together in the states.

The griffin XE engine is a good one for easy cheap power, they are starting to get thin on the ground these days though and most need re-builds. It is also a good bit heavier than a zetec plus a bit trickier to bolt in and then put a proper box on.

[GAjon]

I am suprised about the 24V V6, I thought they would have been prime to extract more power from.
When's the Tatton weekend? I'm up my neck in bits of TVR at the moment, and seem to have lost the picture from the front of the box.

By the way, I have had the opportunty of the GA heads on several occasions, but have declined, on advice.

John

[heightswitch]

GAjon said:

I am suprised about the 24V V6, I thought they would have been prime to extract more power from.
When's the Tatton weekend? I'm up my neck in bits of TVR at the moment, and seem to have lost the picture from the front of the box.

By the way, I have had the opportunty of the GA heads on several occasions, but have declined, on advice.

John

Tatton is next sat / Sunday John, 2nd and 3rd June. see Melly for a ticket.

Neil.

[Daftlad]

GAjon said:

Neil,

I got one out of seven!

John

Edited by GAjon on Thursday 24th May 23:24

I think we can get 4 out of 7....or am I kidding myself??

[GAjon]

Daftlad.

I think we can get 4 out of 7....or am I kidding myself??

But is that adding all your cars together??

John

[Jasper Gilder]

I'd always thought of something exotic - Alfa V6 is a fabulous engine as is the lexus twin turbo. As I'd got an Essex V6 in mine I just rebuilt that - but there are some stunning engines out there - often in only average cars ( like many Alfas)

[Daftlad]

GAjon said:

Daftlad said:

.

I think we can get 4 out of 7....or am I kidding myself??

But is that adding all your cars together??

John

It's just the old one all by its lonesome...but I'm probably convinced now that I am kidding myself. Will confirm next week after picking it from paint, general refurbishment and some good old fashioned bulling up.

[DavidY]

Daftlad

I'm not sure the S Turbo qualifies on any of the criteria! (and its all the better for that!!!)

davidy