rwd inline 4 question

[Evoluzione]

Lampredi Twin cam.

[NotNormal]

If you want turbocharged then just use an engine already turbocharged from the start. Vauxhall/Opel engines already with a turbo would be C20LET from Calibra/Cavalier, Z20LET from Astra G/VX220 or if you want smaller capacity look at the new Corsa VXR's as these engines are used by Westfield in their kit cars.

[stevieturbo]

thatcoolwind said:

i would first like to tell that its not an off-road vechile

my friend operates a chassis and bodywork shop,a customer of his approached him for a tvr/lotus style small,fast no frills track toy,me and him will be building it in his spare time (why does the guy just dont buy one is beyond me but hey its a fun project and a good way to profit since all is custom made)

we will be building a space frame and bolt on aluminum body panels

the reason for those spesifics is that we'd like to choose the cams and internals,send it to someone for balancing and assembly,slap on a turbo then tune it and be done

i would also like to add that i have nothing against timing chains,i just prefer belts to them for reasons previously mentioned

anyway thanks for all the suggestions,i will be looking into opel and ford engines as well

So is it front engine, mid engine, rear ?

Your initial post seems to suggest n/a engines, but then you want to turbo at a later date. this route makes no sense. You need to aim for the turbo engine from a factory car, and install it, job done.
Trying to retrofit a turbo kit in an already built chassis will create more headaches and expense.
Build it with the turbo in mind from square one. Choose an already turbocharged engine.

For a mid engine, transaxle, a Subaru flat 4 would have a lot going for it. It's all alloy, not too heavy and a lowish centre of gravity, and comes in many turbo varieties.

Front engine rwd is also quite doable with this engine/box

[Mr MXT]

Another vote for Duratec / Supercharged duratec.

[Bobley]

I dont like using timing belt engines in track cars. If you put the car in the kitty litter there's a good chance of getting a bit of grit inside the timing belt cover and the cover stops it bouncing out again so it lands in the timing drive pulley - Crunch. I've seen some cars run without covers or try to fit wedges in the gaps. Timing chains are much lower maintenance and avoid all the issues of ingesting muck.

[PublicDrifter]

Toyota 3s-gte on a six speed Lexus box. Cheap, tuneable, readily available, simple loom and ecu.

Ford YB on a T-5 box. Readily available, highly tuneable, expensive.

Nissan CA18DET on 200SX box. In fact you could use a 200SX as a donor for the whole drivetrain.

Volvo 740 turbo engine and box.

Toyota 4a-gze on Toyota T-50 box or ford type 9 with off the shelf adaptor.

I'd be leaning towards a volvo lump for outright reliability and tunability. Would a 5cyl not fit, it would add an extra dimension with huge power and awesome soundtrack.

[Robmarriott]

Give us some more info on the car, that might help

I agree with everyone, I wouldn't not be fitting a duratec, whatever the scenario.

[MKnight702]

How about thinking so far outside the box that you can't ses it.

Use a FWD engine, turn it longitudinal, run two prop shafts, one to the front, one to the rear. Two diffs and drive shafts to make 4WD. Easy!

Only downside would be gearing, but it would make an awesome offroader.

Shamelessly stolen from Scrapheap Challenge where they messed it up by cutting through the engine loom and wondering why the car only ran in limp home mode

[PaulKemp]

Ford from Zetec back all have the same bellhousing bolt pattern so the ford Type9 or MT75 RWD or 4x4 box bolts straight on.
Duratec uses a bellhousing to mate to Type9
There are similar products for 4AGE and Vauxhall
It's not a hard job all the kit car boys do this

[Red16]

HustleRussell said:

Use a bike engine

Great way of keeping weight down, engine and gearbox assembly with oil in will be aound 70kg, it'll also have a sequential 6 speed gearbox too!

[Evoluzione]

MKnight702 said:

How about thinking so far outside the box that you can't ses it.

Use a FWD engine, turn it longitudinal, run two prop shafts, one to the front, one to the rear. Two diffs and drive shafts to make 4WD. Easy!

Only downside would be gearing, but it would make an awesome offroader.

Shamelessly stolen from Scrapheap Challenge where they messed it up by cutting through the engine loom and wondering why the car only ran in limp home mode

Nissan GTR trick IIRC:
http://www.gtr-world.net/en_r35gtr-special/test_an...

[Fastdruid]

Any 2wd Audi A4/A6/A8 While FF they're all transaxles with so stick it in the back instead and you have a pre-packaged MR setup. No need to mess with different gearboxes, adapter plates etc. Ok so you have to mess a bit with the gear linkages but same goes for any MR setup.

Go for one of the turbo petrols and there is plenty of go with no real engine mods required.