Discussion
So I'm the guy who built the Spyder with a Renault V6 Turbo motor when I was 21. Car's still in my garage and going strong. In fact, the engine hasn't been out of the car since I finished it in 1999. But it's always needed a little more guts.
I've been collecting bits for a while to put a V8 in - originally to go SBC. I have a G50, SBC adaptor plate & clutch & flywheel assemblies, gear shift mechanism and so forth. The only bits I've not got are the motor & exhausts.
I want 400ish hp (mirroring s
thotfasts comments about horsepower some time back), but I also love how light my one is - so was wondering about engine options.
I can't really see any benefit of going SBC these days, but don't know so much about the LS engines:
1. What is the difference from a mounting perspective of an SBC vs an LS engine? I believe the adaptor plate will bolt up (will it?), but what about the flywheel, clutch and starter motor and so forth?
2. Does anyone have experience of the L33 motors? I am quite drawn to the all alloy idea and believe they can make 400hp without needing different heads (plus are quite revvy)?
Thanks
I've been collecting bits for a while to put a V8 in - originally to go SBC. I have a G50, SBC adaptor plate & clutch & flywheel assemblies, gear shift mechanism and so forth. The only bits I've not got are the motor & exhausts.
I want 400ish hp (mirroring s
thotfasts comments about horsepower some time back), but I also love how light my one is - so was wondering about engine options. I can't really see any benefit of going SBC these days, but don't know so much about the LS engines:
1. What is the difference from a mounting perspective of an SBC vs an LS engine? I believe the adaptor plate will bolt up (will it?), but what about the flywheel, clutch and starter motor and so forth?
2. Does anyone have experience of the L33 motors? I am quite drawn to the all alloy idea and believe they can make 400hp without needing different heads (plus are quite revvy)?
Thanks
Now that's not a reply I expected - I didn't consider that it'd have any value at all as something a bit different - maybe I should turn up at the next factory open day! 
Keeping the motor is an option, and with it so light it is exceptionally chuckable. I have a spare turbo for it too and have considered turning the boost up a fair bit - but the exhaust manifolds are pretty restrictive, and at the end of the day, it's a 1986 motor in it now with spares not being the most easy to get (although same engine as the Alpine GTA is a plus). Basically, to get the power I'd like, I reckon I'd spend as much as it'll cost me (beyond the bits in the garage already) to put a mid range LS in.
Keeping the motor is an option, and with it so light it is exceptionally chuckable. I have a spare turbo for it too and have considered turning the boost up a fair bit - but the exhaust manifolds are pretty restrictive, and at the end of the day, it's a 1986 motor in it now with spares not being the most easy to get (although same engine as the Alpine GTA is a plus). Basically, to get the power I'd like, I reckon I'd spend as much as it'll cost me (beyond the bits in the garage already) to put a mid range LS in.
The crank boss on the LS is different .. bolt centres and boss depth so the flywheel needs replacing . The clutch/starter might well be useful... best to mail or phone Kennedy Engineering for correct info relating to the clutch/proposals you have.
The Ls motor itself sits in a different location to SBC and needs some simple adapter plates behind the mountings . With regard to the bell housing adapter plate it will bolt up to the sbc block pattern but is missing the lower sump support bolts which form part of the stock Ls motor install.
A few subtle differences between the old and new Chevy Small Blocks .
The Ls motor itself sits in a different location to SBC and needs some simple adapter plates behind the mountings . With regard to the bell housing adapter plate it will bolt up to the sbc block pattern but is missing the lower sump support bolts which form part of the stock Ls motor install.
A few subtle differences between the old and new Chevy Small Blocks .
I don't think the 3.5 would be much of a step up, hp wise? Admittedly I don't know too much about it, but I'm reticent to go too far off the mainstream this time. Even getting the turbo V6 to fit (turns out it's a different block casting to the earlier NA V6 of the renault 30), and run (in a day when most people were still doing carbs) was fairly challenging. So I think a GM V8 is the direction I want to go which will ensure parts and upgrades are plentiful.
Some pics are on the Ultima site on the Spyder gallery page - my link at the top.
I also have a few pics here
And this is my favourite pic of the car:
Some pics are on the Ultima site on the Spyder gallery page - my link at the top.
I also have a few pics here
And this is my favourite pic of the car:
Edited by MattYorke on Wednesday 13th November 10:37
MattYorke said:
Seems to me you lot are getting a little carried away with my cheque book!
We are quite good at that.Swapping to an LS motor is not cheap. Remember that the additions to the fuel system to run a high pressure system are not cheap. Then there are the exhausts, drive shafts, ECU, engine loom, catch tanks, etc. etc.
Then there are the brakes. Did you fit Ford or AP when it was built originally? The Ford one's may struggle with the increased performance!
I know to my own cost that expenditure can run away when making an engine change.
How about looking for an engine from a mid engine Clio and adding turbos to that.
Paul
Storer said:
F.C. said:
Storer said:
How about looking for an engine from a mid engine Clio and adding turbos to that.
Paul
Cos there's plenty of those lying around in junk yards going cheap! Paul
I like the idea though.
Turns out that this engine is shared with more mundane fodder......The 3.0 60º V6 engine, sourced from the PSA group ES9J, the same utilized in the Peugeot 406, 407 y 607, and the Citroen C 5..........(Source Wikipedia)
Who'd have thought?
Paul
F.C. said:
Storer said:
How about looking for an engine from a mid engine Clio and adding turbos to that.
Paul
Cos there's plenty of those lying around in junk yards going cheap! Paul
I like the idea though.
Or maybe the Alfa V6?
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