Right peps, my long running resto is getting to the point where i need to make a choice, engine wise. Havent got the heart to put the lethargic 35bhp a series offering back in, and in true locost stylee am looking for something else to put in. I think a pinto is too heavy, cosworth and redtop an ideal choice but space between the inner wings is v tight, zetec has crossed my mind but i think it'll cost too much to get it running, so my weapon of choice at this moment in time is a midly breathed-on 1600 crossflow. Opinions please? is there any other RWD variant that makes reasonable power that i havent thought about?

Check out the Jan edition of PPC , guy in there has an A30/35 with a K series & sierra box

have a proper look at a zetec, before you dismiss it, i paid £150 for my engine complete, stick megasquirt on it, you can use the standard throttle body etc if you have room for it.

Ray

I'd try to keep it in 'the family' with a Rover K series or Turbo T series

[Edited on 26/12/05 by Project7]

i do like the idea of a k series, what box do you use? anyone got any links to any info? westfield use the k series engine dont they?

I've got a K-series with a Type 9 5-speed box plus an alloy bellhousing from Fisher Sportscars ... before Mark Fisher sold up to Kit Car Woskhops, so not sure if they still do the parts, but lost of Fursy have K Series engines linked to Type 9s. May be worth a call

http://www.fishersportscars.co.uk/

Frontline Spridget do a similar thing for Midgets

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/frontline/index.htm

Caterham do K Series in the Classic Seven model, not Westfield as far as I know.

350 Chevy or ford V8!! Get some real power in the old girl!

what about a 2.0 8v from a carlton/manta?
bit old fashioned but simple and the block is quite uncluttered below the manifolds.

thanks for the replies people, its nice to know that however random the topics, there is still helpful advice readily available! im still leaning towards the crossflow route at the mo, has any one got any dims of a common-or-garden 4 speed Ford box to hand? i can borrow a xflow lump to dummy the bay up, just need either a box, or some dims to check out the feasability of it all!

I must admit that I like the x-flow - maintaining it is like working with Meccano! It's so easy...

Lots of tuning parts, nice engine noise, etc.

... but I am biased.

David
(who's got a x-flow in his Locost)

If the A30 is using an A series type motor..... Would that bolt up to a metro turbo engine? That would give you 93hp without too much hassle if it did....

The turbo looks easy to tweak past the whimpy 4 psi boost - any more on the original fwd box and 3rd gear would have blown even more often!

atb

steve


[Edited on 27/12/05 by steve_gus]

IIRC the FWD variants of the a series engine used a different crank to the RWD and hence are not interchangeable, mores the pity! cant believe how hard it is getting hold of a crossflow nowadays! at one point i was falling over them! any one got a CHEAP 1600 unit and 4 speed knocking around they dont want?!! at this point condition is pretty much immaterial; just looking for something to mock mounts and tunnel up from..