Anyone fitted a BDR engine into a Vixen

[Moto]

Surfing the web I came across info on the Cosworth BDR engine. I'd not previously realised that it's based on the Xflow 711M block and that you can buy a conversion kit.

http://www.wilcoxengines.co.uk/bda_parts.htm (page down till get to BDR kit)

A lot of £'s but I'm curious whether anyone has already fitted or converted their Vixen? If so I's love to know what's involved and if it's worth the cost and effort.

Moto

[heightswitch]

BDA, BDG, BDR Etc etc etc will all bolt straight in since they are essentially based around the crossflow block.

These were always expensive engines so not many around and today the engine will cost more than the car it is bolted into!!

there are a few lotus twin cam vixens kicking about.

Modern way without any of the fuss and delicacy of a BDA is a Zetec. and at those prices about 100th of the price second hand

N.

Edited by heightswitch on Friday 22 April 12:25

[timelord]

Now that alloy block has got me thinking, with an alloy crossflow head, an even lighter crossflow lump. Ah well I can dream. Geoff

[DavidY]

There was a BDA fitted to a Vixen in the early 70's and roadtested in Hot Car magazine. Can't remember the issue though, could have been an early Broadspeed conversion.

davidy

[Moto]

heightswitch said:

Modern way without any of the fuss and delicacy of a BDA is a Zetec. and at those prices about 100th of the price second hand

I know Zetec makes sense but I really like the idea of correct era, no electronics or ecu's, but just good old mechanical engineering. When my engine needs a refresh or sooner if I win the lottery, the BDR seems like it would tick those emotive boxes..... if you know what I mean.

Moto

[tr7v8]

BDx parts prices are literally eye watering. Go over to the Burton website for a look if your not convinced. They are also quite picky on how they are screwed together, needing careful spannering.

[heightswitch]

Moto said:

I know Zetec makes sense but I really like the idea of correct era, no electronics or ecu's, but just good old mechanical engineering. When my engine needs a refresh or sooner if I win the lottery, the BDR seems like it would tick those emotive boxes..... if you know what I mean.

Moto

Well each to their own.
You can always use a Bogg bros manifold and bolt a 38 DGAS carb onto a Zetec if you are so inclined!! Then you only need a crank trigger for sparks and a basic electronic ignition set up.

I like old cars, I don't like old unreliable mechanicals.

you could also use crossply tyres, felt seals, mineral 20/50 oil..etc etc. the world has moved on. if you are going to modify anything away from originality then I cannot see the point of modifying with equally tempramental antiquated stuff? Admittedly the BDA engine is a sexy looking thing..

People have actually made replica BDA covers that fit over a Zetec.

A few wires and throttle bodies shouldn't put you off using a modern BDA!

£8600 plus VAT for a kit to convert your own engine is a hell of a lot of money to pay for essentially the same output that a £350 modern equivalent will give you!! tell you what. give me £5000 and I will convert your car for you and you can buy the wife something with the £4k change!!

N.

Edited by heightswitch on Friday 22 April 21:13

[THREEFISHORANGE]

I had a ford lotus twin cam in my vixen. I admit it sounded and looked amazing. Also went pretty well. After all the costs of re engineering the block/ head carbs ignition. I had nowt but a load of problems. In the space of 18 months had the engine out 2 to 3 times with various issues. Put a crossflow in after much deliberation . If I had the car again I would probably go for a zetec etc .

[Slade Alive]

Lovely one at BNG last year fitted Alfa Twin Cam. Good clean install.

[heightswitch]

Slade Alive said:

Lovely one at BNG last year fitted Alfa Twin Cam. Good clean install.

I heard about this one. Apparently a very pretty car with a very neatly packaged engine, Would also tick the no electronics box for Moto. Trouble is although a reliable engine they are getting a bit long in the tooth now, and I don't know for sure but possibly more difficult to buy parts for these days?

N.

[vixen]

DavidY said:

There was a BDA fitted to a Vixen in the early 70's and roadtested in Hot Car magazine. Can't remember the issue though, could have been an early Broadspeed conversion.

davidy

Yep I have got this magazine at home it was a Vixen fitted with a BDA engine.
It was a prototype from Martin Lilley.

[Moto]

vixen said:

Yep I have got this magazine at home it was a Vixen fitted with a BDA engine.
It was a prototype from Martin Lilley.

Hi Eric, any chance of emailing me a scanned copy?

Moto

[kabaman]

Wow I looked at the link Moto and thought "they're pretty good value" it was only after looking at the price of parts I realised I'd missed off a digit.

I'm not aying they are over-priced - they look like works of art after all - just expensive.

I'm with Heightswitch on this - just grab something modern off the Ford (or other) shelf for a fraction of the price.

N

[TVR_owner]

Please form an orderly queue here to devalue what would otherwise buck the trend of most "used" TVRs.

[heightswitch]

TVR_owner said:

Please form an orderly queue here to devalue what would otherwise buck the trend of most "used" TVRs.

You've got me confused with that statement John? I am guessing that on an Easter Sat night at this time of night Linda will have you well lubed with the red stuff by now

I think you are saying that theirs nowt wrong with the crossflow??

N.

[thegamekeeper]

Love is........................Linda and John and a bottle of cam lube.

Happy Easter

[TVR_owner]

No sign of red wine N, or cam lube Mr R

Zetec = money spent to devalue end result.

BDA is period and may enhance value in some eyes, but it's expensive. Certainly woul appeal to me if done well.

All in my sober opinon of course...

[heightswitch]

TVR_owner said:

No sign of red wine N, or cam lube Mr R

Zetec = money spent to devalue end result.

BDA is period and may enhance value in some eyes, but it's expensive. Certainly woul appeal to me if done well.

All in my sober opinon of course...

Nah.

Dads will never be worth any less than this......








Neil.

[Comadis]

reading some above statements i must correct:

a Zetec does NOT have an Alloy Block!!! its cast iron, plus an alloy head, plus 16valves, 2 camshafts....so the weight is higher than a crossflow...also the engine itself is higher from the dimensions-->centre of gravity higher, evtl. bonnet clearance problems....


http://westfield-world.com/engineandtransmission.h...

fitting a Zetec is an "easy" tuning for low money, with a reliability of a modern engine, less service, but...there is a big but:

it has nothing to do with "period" tuning and may negatively effect the value of the car, especially when you may think to resell it in the future.

also, laws do get more and more strict, so sooner or later the government will do something, e.g. deprive the historic status of non-original cars

[Moto]

Eric has kindly sent me the Custom Car magazine test in November 1970 of Martin Lilly's Vixen with the BRM twin cam engine fitted. The article states this was the development car where as the forthcoming S3 would have the BDA engine offered as an alternative to the crossflow... such a shame it never reached the market.

Does anyone know what happened to the car? It's not known to DVLA so guessing it's either been scrapped or gone abroad.

Moto