Looking to start a mid-engined project next year, possible contenders being MNR’s new LMP or a complete scratch build. After much deliberation I have
finally decided to go the car engine route.
In brief I’m looking for a (in priority order) lightweight, reliable and cost effective route to 200+BHP that will be mated to a suitable (probably
Renault or Audi) transaxle, will absolutely not consider anything that would require a transverse installation! Ideally would like the latent
potential to develop the unit further in the future to approx 300-350 BHP
So here are some of the obvious contenders:
Ford Duratec
Audi 1.8T
Honda S2000
Nissan 200SX
Evo Turbo
Subaru flat 4
Does anyone have any positive/negative opinions on these or thoughts on any I might have overlooked
nissan ca18det already rwd and stock engine good for and easy 300 bhp
I would guess duratec would be easiest...
I think the Audi 1.8T and the Honda S2000 engines are popular choices, as is the Nissan 200SX.
I know the Subaru flat 4 is pretty bulky and you may struggle to make it fit... My friend was looking at doing this (as he had a very highly tuned one
"laying about"
. Not sure about the evo engine.
Probably no help!
Mark
the easyest in my eyes on that list would be audi/vw 1.8 turbo as your audi transaxle would bolt straight on and its so easy to get 200 220 bhp out of
them with potential for 350 very easy and they are bullet proof .
duratec is light but by time u get 200 bhp out of it conveted it to run a transaxle u will have double price of 1.8 t engine and u will struggle to
get 300 350 bhp reliable.
i would go for 1.8 t from a audi tt 225bhp from factory and a re map from 280+
anything with a turbo bolted on will be heavier .
but my vote would be volvo 4/5/6 cyl .
theyve been mated to hewland transmissions also .
as previously mentioned the audi would be easiest . picking an early 5 cyl audi would be quite cheap and sound loverly .
s2000 would be the best choice NA but not if your going for over 300.
your could of course turbo the s2000 engine but i think once you start that the audi starts to look real attractive
a FWD - transverse audi / VW / Seat 1.8T
up to 320 BHP with standard internals
orton1966 said lightweight was no.1 criteria, which eliminates any iron block motor, so scratch the EVO.
What about Audi V6 or V8? Comes with it's own inline 6-speed transaxle.
What bell pattern does the 1.8T use? Same as the V6 & V8?
Yes it's the weight thing i'm struggling to get my head around. Originally i thought "yes choose any all alloy engine" and I’ll be making a good lightweight choice. Unfortunately I’m finding that many alloy engines are surprisingly heavy and that finding weights that are worth comparing is difficult, especially given the various weighing permutations i.e. dry/wet with/without ancillaries. Originally I was thinking s2000 but I do here conflicting reports about the weight/height of this unit and its suitability for a lightweight kit-car
there is only one choice....... Rotary 
lightweight, RWD, 9k rpm, 500 BHP if you want, extremely small.
I love mine, going for its first dyno session on thursday!
Given the engine placement (Mid engine, non transverse) the simplest option would be the 1.8T Audi unit, this is a great engine with potential for 460
BHP, and if it's from the A4/A6, is already mounted to the gearbox you require.
Kind regards
John
quote:
Originally posted by Antnicuk
there is only one choice....... Rotary
lightweight, RWD, 9k rpm, 500 BHP if you want, extremely small.
I love mine, going for its first dyno session on thursday!
certainly does!, although in all seriousness, the audi is a good engine and would be a sensible choice. I dont think they are particularly high reving but do have low down torque instead. Have a read of this months Evo magazine with the purple formula 1 style road car on the cover (cant remember the name) it has a good right up on lightweight cars, the Lotus 2/11, caterham 500, Arial Atom s/c ant the KTM thingy which runs the audi engine. The mag didnt rate it too much, said it wasnt exciting enough so i suppose it depends on what you want.
I'm suprised more people dont have a look at the zetec SE which is ali block and head.
quote:
Originally posted by bob
I'm suprised more people dont have a look at the zetec SE which is ali block and head.
VAG 1.8 20vT all the way for me.
owned a number of them in the past, tuned them to various states (even ran one 180bhp leon stock-shocking i know!) and they've never let me down.
i had my rotary powered stylus dynoed today, made 317 fly bhp at only 8 psi and 330 ftlbs. couldnt run any more boost as i'm using the stock turbo which is too small. I knew this but i am using it to get me going.
Yeah rotary's are very cool but have a much lower mileage life in them - look at all the cheap rx7s on ebay, stunning cars but most of them will probably need full engine re-builds. Alternatively go for something heavy and ultra powerful, american english engines offer a 700bhp chevy for use in mid-engined cars like ultimas and minotaurs, just a thought anyway!
thinking of the 1.820v engine,but iam confused as far as the gearbox....I allready have a T5 box and i was thinking to custom make a flange for the standard bellhousing and then to the vw...i know there are many options for the Type9 or MT 75...but dont want to go through them....or which box from an audi will fit...??