BEC performance from a car engine - what are the options?

[Goochie]

I've been mulling the engine options for a 7 type car for some time now and whilst a bike engine sounds ideal for track use, I think a car engine is more suited to my circumstances.

However, my goal is to go faster than my boss's Ferrari F430 for less than £10k

So what are my options? I guess I would be looking for something with a turbo - maybe the VAG 1.8T that I know well and can be tuned to 300bhp, ormaybe a turbo'd Zetec of some form.

[Snake the Sniper]

When you say BEC performance, do you mean 0-60 times? Or the later braking and so on you can get from the lighter weight? If 0-60/0-100 times, then anything with more than 200 bhp should do. A red top Vauxhall lump with ITBs and a good map will get you nearly all the way there in a light car.

[ruaricoles]

My Fury has a Cossie turbo engine in it, currently in the classifieds for under £10k - hint hint! But more seriously, it puts out an easy 300+bhp in pretty standard form but with the boost increased a bit. Not sure what the engine weighs - with a cast iron block and turbo it's certainly more than a Zetec - but it does the job rather nicely! A completely different approach to a bike engined car, and certainly will show an F430 a clean pair of heels, until 140-150mph anyway above which there's no substitute for even more bhp!

A friend has a Cossie-engined Sylva Striker and there are a few Dax Rush's around with the engine in so it certainly will go in a 7-style car if that's what you're after. Have fun!

Ruari

[antnicuk]

I have just fitted a turbo rotary engine and gearbox from an RX7 to my Stylus. I havent had it dynoed yet as i'm still running it in but from previous experience with rotary engines i should see 300 flywheel HP, and with just a turbo change 450 - 500. The engine is lighter than a cossie, as is the gearbox, they rev more and have a much better linear power curve than a rotary. The car had a cossie engine it before and the fron pulley sat inbetween the front (inborard) shocks, mu engine sits 6 inches further back.

I paid £72 for the engine on ebay and £300 in parts to re build it.

Edited by antnicuk on Wednesday 1st October 20:48

[Furyblade_Lee]

I can vouch from personal experience that Ruari's Cosworth Fury would not just beat your bosses F430, it would pull its pants down and smack it's bum. You would probolby not go any faster for less than £10k. Its rock stable at 140 too....

[fuoriserie]

antnicuk said:

I have just fitted a turbo rotary engine and gearbox from an RX7 to my Stylus. I havent had it dynoed yet as i'm still running it in but from previous experience with rotary engines i should see 300 flywheel HP, and with just a turbo change 450 - 500. The engine is lighter than a cossie, as is the gearbox, they rev more and have a much better linear power curve than a rotary. The car had a cossie engine it before and the fron pulley sat inbetween the front (inborard) shocks, mu engine sits 6 inches further back.

I paid £72 for the engine on ebay and £300 in parts to re build it.

Edited by antnicuk on Wednesday 1st October 20:48

Very interesting engine for a kitcar, and wonder how many have considered the rotary engine ?

Are they reliable ?...fuel consumption?

[Goochie]

There is one problem with the Fury though.... I just dont like the way they look. If that engine was in a 7 type car...............

[antnicuk]

fuel consumption is no different to any car with 400 hp, when they are stock power the fuel economy isnt great compared with cars with the same power but the economy can actually get better with mild tuning as the stock car runs so rich.


Reliability:

I have rotaries for years and would describe them as sensitive. If everything is working as it should and your fuel, water/air temps are all good, they are strong engines. If you dont know about them they can be a bit a bit of a nightmare which is why you hear about so many problems.