Jap engine of choice for RWD kit car?
Discussion
I just bought a rolling chassis Austin Healey kit car, of unknown origins. I have yet to see it, but it is a complete car, sans engine and transmission.
I live in the Philippines, which is where the car is also at, and about the only readily available engines over there are Japanese. So, what would be a recommended and common four cylinder motor to go for, bearing in mind I don't want massively complex ignition and fuel injection problems to solve, and that a lot of normal UK type upgrade parts won't be available.
A carb and a simple self contained electronic ignition system as stock would be preferable.
Anything with a complex brain and microprocessor system would be a nightmare.
And how about a straight six, Skyline, as I hear they are available in, but I know nought about them?
I live in the Philippines, which is where the car is also at, and about the only readily available engines over there are Japanese. So, what would be a recommended and common four cylinder motor to go for, bearing in mind I don't want massively complex ignition and fuel injection problems to solve, and that a lot of normal UK type upgrade parts won't be available.
A carb and a simple self contained electronic ignition system as stock would be preferable.
Anything with a complex brain and microprocessor system would be a nightmare.
And how about a straight six, Skyline, as I hear they are available in, but I know nought about them?
You want a nice simple carb engine then you mention SKYLINE??!! Would that be the twin-turbo fuel injection version??? Old non-GTR Skylines were non-turbo and may have run carbs once. But they have a cult following and might be hard to source?
You could try a RWD Datsun Fairlady/240Z/260Z/280Z straight six, they run carbs and give about 150bhp minimum.
You can also run the Toyota 4-age 4 cylinder lump on carbs, and that did come RWD in some models so you get a gearbox. Also comes in 20V on throttle bodies though... Look at the RAW engineering website for information.
But dont rule out injected engines, early ones are not that problematic to install in kit car or classic cars.
BMW straight six or 4 cyl.
Early Toyota Celica , Celica Supra or Supra, the early versions of these would have run carbs and RWD
You are probobly better off though asking in the Jap PH sections.
You could try a RWD Datsun Fairlady/240Z/260Z/280Z straight six, they run carbs and give about 150bhp minimum.
You can also run the Toyota 4-age 4 cylinder lump on carbs, and that did come RWD in some models so you get a gearbox. Also comes in 20V on throttle bodies though... Look at the RAW engineering website for information.
But dont rule out injected engines, early ones are not that problematic to install in kit car or classic cars.
BMW straight six or 4 cyl.
Early Toyota Celica , Celica Supra or Supra, the early versions of these would have run carbs and RWD
You are probobly better off though asking in the Jap PH sections.
Edited by Furyblade_Lee on Monday 16th April 19:17
Hmm, a veritable smorgasbord of engine power.
I'm a V8 man at heart, but I fear one of those would be far too heavy for this car, and would need the tunnel and bulkhead cutting and shutting to fit, plus it would be harder to register with something that size.
I'd definitly go for a standard motor and gearbox combo, not interested in swapping and making adaptors and all.
Toyotas of all ages are quite common over here, as is the tuning gear, so I may head towards an older one of those.
I'm a V8 man at heart, but I fear one of those would be far too heavy for this car, and would need the tunnel and bulkhead cutting and shutting to fit, plus it would be harder to register with something that size.
I'd definitly go for a standard motor and gearbox combo, not interested in swapping and making adaptors and all.
Toyotas of all ages are quite common over here, as is the tuning gear, so I may head towards an older one of those.
If your car is a Sebring (UK) or Saxon (USA) Austin Healey replica, they are both designed to take the carb fed L28 Nissan 2.8 litre straight six which is not dissimilar to the BMC C series originally used by Austin Healeys so a perfect match for a 100/6 or 3000 replica I'd say.
Info inc. applications and 'poormans' 2.9-3.2 modification.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_L_engine
Info inc. applications and 'poormans' 2.9-3.2 modification.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_L_engine
Roman said:
If your car is a Sebring (UK) or Saxon (USA) Austin Healey replica, they are both designed to take the carb fed L28 Nissan 2.8 litre straight six which is not dissimilar to the BMC C series originally used by Austin Healeys so a perfect match for a 100/6 or 3000 replica I'd say.
Info inc. applications and 'poormans' 2.9-3.2 modification.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_L_engine
A 2.8 in standard form would give you more grunt than original healey had.Info inc. applications and 'poormans' 2.9-3.2 modification.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_L_engine
Roman said:
If your car is a Sebring (UK) or Saxon (USA) Austin Healey replica, they are both designed to take the carb fed L28 Nissan 2.8 litre straight six which is not dissimilar to the BMC C series originally used by Austin Healeys so a perfect match for a 100/6 or 3000 replica I'd say.
Info inc. applications and 'poormans' 2.9-3.2 modification.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_L_engine
There is a lot of folk lore about where the original mould came from, and who updated and sorted it out, because it was dire originally. My wife sent me some pics last night and the car does look a lot more 'together' than I thought it was.Info inc. applications and 'poormans' 2.9-3.2 modification.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_L_engine
There's something going on with the swage lines along the doors, like they are too low at the back. It can be sorted though with some GRP work.
I really like the idea of the Nissan 2.8 6 pot though. Unfortunately it'll be a question of what is available here.
So far I have little more than £1000 in this project, and I'd like to keep it fairly low as I already have one hot rod project underway.
Edited by King Herald on Tuesday 17th April 16:40
You say there are a lot of Toyotas around, they've been making straight sixes for yonks too and will have gearboxes that bolt straight up.
I'd go for a 1JZGE probably (or God's own engine, the 1JZGTE if I wanted turbos and more power - keeping it simple though turbos are probably a bad plan). 7MGE or 5MGE could work too, bit older and maybe easier to find cheaply - none of them are exactly new though! They're fitted to things like Supras, Cressidas, Crowns and Mark IIs of various vintage. They're all electronic fuel injection, but use distributors for ignition. I think some of the older 'M' series engines were on carbs as standard, don't know anything about them though.
I think a straight 6 would suit the car better than a 4 pot, but if you're looking for a Toyota 4 cylinder then 4AGE every time - well proven and understood in kit car applications.
I'd go for a 1JZGE probably (or God's own engine, the 1JZGTE if I wanted turbos and more power - keeping it simple though turbos are probably a bad plan). 7MGE or 5MGE could work too, bit older and maybe easier to find cheaply - none of them are exactly new though! They're fitted to things like Supras, Cressidas, Crowns and Mark IIs of various vintage. They're all electronic fuel injection, but use distributors for ignition. I think some of the older 'M' series engines were on carbs as standard, don't know anything about them though.
I think a straight 6 would suit the car better than a 4 pot, but if you're looking for a Toyota 4 cylinder then 4AGE every time - well proven and understood in kit car applications.
FlatPack said:
You say there are a lot of Toyotas around, they've been making straight sixes for yonks too and will have gearboxes that bolt straight up.
I'd go for a 1JZGE probably........
......I think a straight 6 would suit the car better than a 4 pot, but if you're looking for a Toyota 4 cylinder then 4AGE every time - well proven and understood in kit car applications.
Thanks for the info, I'll stash all this info and go scouring the 'surplus' shops, as they call them in the PI. See what I can turn up. I'd go for a 1JZGE probably........
......I think a straight 6 would suit the car better than a 4 pot, but if you're looking for a Toyota 4 cylinder then 4AGE every time - well proven and understood in kit car applications.
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