Rear drive engine, which one??

[millard]

I'm in the process of deciding which engine to replace my 2.3 v6 colonge with (and 4 speed box). What are your suggestions assuming the following criteria:

1*Has to fit a 7 engine bay
2*comes with 5 speed box
3*weight around 100kg as mine is closer to 170kg
4*I'm after as much power as possible without having to change much from the original (ie if i can use the standard injection I'm laughing as budget does not stretch to new throttle bodies)
5*Turbo is an option, but it needs to be a simple install and not requiring an intercooler

all advise and suggestions appreciated ; )

[jon Ison]

bike engine, comes with a 6 speed box though

[annodomini2]

Toyota 4age, should have the same bolt pattern as the ford box, if not swap it for a 5 speed type 9.

[millard]

4age- from which car? and what power would you expect?

ps is it really as simple as connecting a ford gearbox?

cheers alex

[Mutant Rat]

4AGE is usually sourced from an MR2, but I don't think it will bolt straight up to a Ford bellhousing...unless someone knows different, my understanding is that the the bolt pattern is completely different.

I think this developed from the myth that the 4AGE is just a Cosworth BDA with Japanese threads. Sure, the specifications and general arrangement have a lot in common...twin belt driven cams, 16 valves, even down to identical bore and stroke and valve sizes...but they are thoroughly different engines in detail.

This link and This link might be helpful.

Raw Engineering can supply a kit of parts required for inline installation and custom alloy bellhousing to mate the engine to a Ford 5-speed.

>> Edited by Mutant Rat on Thursday 4th August 22:16

[andygtt]

honda engine and box from the S2000... buy the lot for under £2500, its light, comes with 6speed box, revs like crazy for a car engine and yet be reliable.
Its also quite powerful at well over 200bhp out of the box and 280bhp with small mods. There are even supercharger kits out there for it.

[denisb]

I can highly recommend the 4A-GE as -

a) I race one in a RWD Corolla GT, and have done for over 15 years.

b) I have a spare lightly tuned race/rally/fast road engine (168BHP) and Quaife S/C C/R non-syncro box for sale if your are interested.

If you want to know any more about these engines, please feel free to contact me. Even if you aren't interested in buying mine.

[ccharlie6]

after sampling 4AGE in corolla's and MR2 i love them and thats why ive decided to use one when i start building my kit in the future (got a red top sitting in the garage right now)

revvy and sound great (and look great!) it won't be as easy as just dropping a zetec or crossflow in and will cost a few more bottle tops probably

[Incorrigible]

S2000 but it may be pricy

A cheaper option would be 200SX 1800 turbo

Toyota's good as well. and you have K series, duratec etc etc

How much have you got to spend ?

[millard]

Budgets the killer on this one, I'm looking at picking up something for sub £500 if I can and fit it myself. Luckily this doesnt limit the options too much as an old corolla, rover or mondeo can be had from the breakers or private adds.

Last night i came up with using a 924 or 944 engine as they are designed to be thrashed.... although getting one might be difficult.

a bike engine would be fantastic but guessing out of budget + theres the propshaft issue- how do you connect the two?

ps. some rovers use the honda engine- are these rear drive?

>> Edited by millard on Friday 5th August 12:55

>> Edited by millard on Friday 5th August 12:57

[Incorrigible]

In that case I'd go 200sx, engine and 5 speed box in one lump, loads of Jap car experts for this engine too

[busa_rush]

millard said:

a bike engine would be fantastic but guessing out of budget + theres the propshaft issue- how do you connect the two?

MK, Fisher, Westfield etc sell a sprocket adaptor, basically shaped like a normal bike sprocket that fits on the gearbox output shaft but rather than having teeth has a flange that matches the std Ford prop flange so you just bolt on a prop using a UJ and 4 high tensile bolts. I've also seen these on eBay for about £40 or so.

Bike engines prices vary a lot but a carbed (rather than injection) Fireblade will be £700 - that's 130-140 bhp. You can get engines cheaper than that, ZZR1100's and older engines are cheaper but nothing will be less than £400 or so now if it comes with everything you need to get it running.

[Mutant Rat]

millard said:

a bike engine would be fantastic but guessing out of budget + theres the propshaft issue- how do you connect the two?

If it's for the Tiv on your profile, Millard, I'd think very carefully before going down the bike engine route. They are a valid solution for ultra-light 'Seven' type cars, but unless you gear it so short that the engine is bouncing off the rev-limiter (at 12K rpm! ) at motorway cruising speeds, it'll struggle to pull the weight of a 3000M with any real enthusiasm.

[millard]

I wish I still had the tiv www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/42681.htm
had to sell last month due to finances but picked up a very very cheap replacement and want to getting it going with some real speed (as you can see from previous spec I like speed!).

On the bike engine front I would love to do it but worried that I'm going to end up spending a fortune on rebuilds/gearboxes etc.

Best option so far seems to be a toyota 2.0 or 1.6 as it comes with a reardrive box, revs well (the thing i love the most about bike engines) and relatively cheap to pick up a running car.