Engine Alternatives
Discussion
Assuming I can sell the Elise, once I've paid the tax man I'll have a bit left over and was thinking of spending it on something other than the house (as per 'her' plans).
I won't have a huge amount, but as I'm building a Fisher Fury at the moment, I thought that might be a good place to put it - basically I have a tuned 3.5ltr Rover V8 to put in her, but have been thinking about alternatives.
Ideally I don't want a 4-pot, even an F20C from an S2000, I want more cylinders, the reason for the V8 was the noise as much as anything.
It has to be relatively light, but then the RV8 isn't featherweight (roughly the same as a Pinto).
The more bhp that comes as standard the better, I've had enough of highly stressed engines and want a few years of cheap, low maintenance fun.
I thought about a 3.0 Duratec V6 with an Emerald or similar - would this be a realistic option? It's aluminium, has 200+bhp as standard and is a Ford engine, so sourcing a bellhousing for my T5 gearbox shouldn't be too hard (should it?)
I don't see the engine being used in kits, but Morgan and Noble use derivatives, so I'm guessing parts such as a dry sump and throttle bodies must be available.
Anyone with any experience of installing the Duratec, or suggestions for alternatives?
I won't have a huge amount, but as I'm building a Fisher Fury at the moment, I thought that might be a good place to put it - basically I have a tuned 3.5ltr Rover V8 to put in her, but have been thinking about alternatives.
Ideally I don't want a 4-pot, even an F20C from an S2000, I want more cylinders, the reason for the V8 was the noise as much as anything.
It has to be relatively light, but then the RV8 isn't featherweight (roughly the same as a Pinto).
The more bhp that comes as standard the better, I've had enough of highly stressed engines and want a few years of cheap, low maintenance fun.
I thought about a 3.0 Duratec V6 with an Emerald or similar - would this be a realistic option? It's aluminium, has 200+bhp as standard and is a Ford engine, so sourcing a bellhousing for my T5 gearbox shouldn't be too hard (should it?)
I don't see the engine being used in kits, but Morgan and Noble use derivatives, so I'm guessing parts such as a dry sump and throttle bodies must be available.
Anyone with any experience of installing the Duratec, or suggestions for alternatives?
Coincidentally, I was thinking about 'Interesting Engines' for a Fury just this weekend. How's about an Alfa V6, say the 24V 3.0l out of a 164. It will give you 230bhp without any modificatons, revs to 7,200rpm all day long, it's all alloy, sounds fantastic and, well an Alfa engine and thus cool. On carbs with simplified pipes it would be fantastic! I have no idea of the practicalities but I am sure an adapter plate could be made up to fit the box or perhaps go for a transaxle from a 75? Paint it red, stick some serpents on the side call it a furyioso and Bob's your mo's bro.
Hi Mark,
From what the guys at FBS told me when they were doing the Census, the Duratec V6 is actually surprisingly heavy for an all alloy unit.
If you do want to go with one, both Morgan and Noble are supplied by Power Torque Engineering in Coventry who should be able to supply you with the parts to convert to rear drive.
See www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=9903
From what the guys at FBS told me when they were doing the Census, the Duratec V6 is actually surprisingly heavy for an all alloy unit.
If you do want to go with one, both Morgan and Noble are supplied by Power Torque Engineering in Coventry who should be able to supply you with the parts to convert to rear drive.
See www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=9903
I've got a 12V Alfa V6 unit in a car of mine (mid-engine) and it's a surprisingly tall old thing since the V angle is only 60 degrees. They can make some reasonable power if you don't mind mucking about with turbos. Apart from LC pistons, an otherwise standard 12V V6 made 350bhp/350ftlb on 12psi of boost on Dave Walkers rollers when we took it there last year. I know of another car with the same motor that was running more boost and better charge cooling and was allegedly making over 450bhp. I'm planning a supercharger for my 12V motor......won't be massive power but it should get me near to 300bhp with a bit of luck if I can sort out the charge cooling properly.
That Audi V6 is a good call - very compact, plenty of RWD gearbox options, potential for serious levels of power & torque. I saw one at Emerald a while back and was impressed with how nicely engineered it all looks.
Having mucked about with RV8s in the past....I'd never bother with one again to be honest. Unless you spend stupid amounts of cash, you won't get big power out of it. If I was dong it again, I'd definately go SB Chevy or maybe SB Ford.
That Audi V6 is a good call - very compact, plenty of RWD gearbox options, potential for serious levels of power & torque. I saw one at Emerald a while back and was impressed with how nicely engineered it all looks.
Having mucked about with RV8s in the past....I'd never bother with one again to be honest. Unless you spend stupid amounts of cash, you won't get big power out of it. If I was dong it again, I'd definately go SB Chevy or maybe SB Ford.
There is a website somewhere that lists weights & dimensions for different engines (try a search on www.locostbuilders.co.uk)
I can't remember seeing any 6cyl engine noticably lighter than the RV8.
Jag V8 & BMW straight 6 are both nice though not especially compact or light.
I can't remember seeing any 6cyl engine noticably lighter than the RV8.
Jag V8 & BMW straight 6 are both nice though not especially compact or light.
Hmm, lots to think about, thanks.
one fo the other reasons for thinking of using a '6' rather than an '8' is packaging.
As it is, even with substantial chassis changes, I can't use the Rover unit without a remote oil filter, a remote water pump and the steering column is going to need some serious work to get it round the manifolds (though I admit to potentially facing the same problem from a V6).
The engine is as far back in the chassis as I can get it and still have legroom, but it is still quite far forward, just behind the front axle, a V6 is potentially quite a bit shorter and will have a better weight balance in the car.
Not sure about turbocharging, it has the potential to upset the balance of the car, and stright-line speed is not really my thing.
If the Duratec unit is quite heavy, maybe the Audi is worth a look as an alternative.
Cheers all.
one fo the other reasons for thinking of using a '6' rather than an '8' is packaging.
As it is, even with substantial chassis changes, I can't use the Rover unit without a remote oil filter, a remote water pump and the steering column is going to need some serious work to get it round the manifolds (though I admit to potentially facing the same problem from a V6).
The engine is as far back in the chassis as I can get it and still have legroom, but it is still quite far forward, just behind the front axle, a V6 is potentially quite a bit shorter and will have a better weight balance in the car.
Not sure about turbocharging, it has the potential to upset the balance of the car, and stright-line speed is not really my thing.
If the Duratec unit is quite heavy, maybe the Audi is worth a look as an alternative.
Cheers all.
TBH I dont know, it's not something I needed to consider as mine is going mid engined, but the chap I was speaking to about it was using his in RWD configuration so I pressumed something is available / adaptable! I'll see if I still have his number and or email and contact him for you.
Mark Benson said:
It has to be relatively light, but then the RV8 isn't featherweight (roughly the same as a Pinto).
The RV8 weighs much more than a Pinto!
IIRC the Pinto weighs about 300lbs.
The RV8 weighs well over 400lbs, those ultra low weights quoted for the RV8 are just nonsense.
Would an Alfa v6 fit?
How about the Duratec 2.3, it will easily make over 200bhp.
I think the Alfa is a bit tall to be honest. I'm sure there would be a dry sump kit somewhere for it, but even so, it's a tall engine, and quite heavy. I haven't completely discounted it though.
I had wondered about the claims for the weight of the Rover, mine has no ancillaries attached (no room as the front dampers are inboard) save for a small alternator (from a Jimny), but I was still skeptical.
Re: Duratec, a) Cost and b) Don't really want a 4 pot (assuming you mean the 4 pot when you say 2.3) although I'm beginning to think that a 'V' engine without the weight/size penalty is going to be a tough proposition.
I had wondered about the claims for the weight of the Rover, mine has no ancillaries attached (no room as the front dampers are inboard) save for a small alternator (from a Jimny), but I was still skeptical.
Re: Duratec, a) Cost and b) Don't really want a 4 pot (assuming you mean the 4 pot when you say 2.3) although I'm beginning to think that a 'V' engine without the weight/size penalty is going to be a tough proposition.
Gassing Station | Kit Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff