Thinking of next years project and trying to decide on which engine would be a good choice.
Looking for Lightness, Power and Pysical size. Please feel free to add your own choice.
My inclination would be to decide how much power you need,t hen choose the lightest engine that could provide that.
For instance, I wouldn't choose the 1.8T if I only needed 180bhp, because it's quite chunky.
On the the other hand, I would choose it if I wanted 300bhp because it would probably be the cheapest and lightest way of achieving that kind of
power
John
my vote went towards the vag 20v turbo, its an amazing engine and soooo easy to get more power from and very flexable, you can pootle round doing
1500rpm and then give it some and its a rocket ship, and not much turbo lag with the K04 turbo fitted, not a nice looking engine though!
[Edited on 6/12/08 by tomgregory2000]
Rover T16 if you can get a good rwd install, otherwise Ford Duratec/Mazda MX5 set up??
Had I stuck with the Caterham, then I would definitely have finished the RX8 engine and 6-speed box conversion!
Light, physically tiny, revvy... and 240bhp!
Bit of a guddle getting all the parts together but entirely achievable!
My vote goes to the vag 20v turbo. I drive an old (P reg) Audi A4 Turbo Sport which has been 'chipped' taking it from 150 to 180 BHP and I grin everytime I drive it. I love this engine with 40+ mpg on a run and great performance.
My vote is a Volvo T4 or T5
Definately a T5 volvo, its about the same size as an VAG 1.8T!
Weighs in about 170kg including oil, power steering and aircon pumps.
Its about 62cm high, including the filler cap which can be lowered. Its 65cm long, front to back flywheel. Not sure about the width, cause mine lacks
a turbo for the moment, but i'm told its about 55cm 
[Edited on 6/12/08 by rost]
[Edited on 6/12/08 by rost]
Ive got the 1.8 turbo where it should be in a Golf. it would definitely be a good cchoice the K04's turbo is the model yo want 300 BHP can be extracted 210 bhp is possible with just a remap as this is the same engine in the Audi TT. The audi's and Skodas and SEAT with this engine push 180 up to 220 I believe, whereas the VW range is limited to 150 unless you get the 180 limited edition model. there are several engine models after 2001 they are Dive by wire and easilly mappable via the OBD ports.
dont know if i should join in - but theres been two mighty fine suggestions .
I'm sorry, but I've gotta say.... If you are looking for 'lightness, power and physical size' then how can you ignore bike engines?
quote:
Originally posted by twybrow
I'm sorry, but I've gotta say.... If you are looking for 'lightness, power and physical size' then how can you ignore bike engines?
quote:
Originally posted by scootz
Light, physically tiny, revvy... and 240bhp!
Bit of a guddle getting all the parts together but entirely achievable!