Decisions decisions

[NeilW]

Well my build is approach kick off. Just been sourcing tools, equipments etc.. (Still need a decent mig though) :(
Found donor parts from a Sierra and chassis steel (thanks to Wazac), as well as wishbones and uprights from phil@talon.

I am still totally oblivious for engine choice though. Really want a turbo lump but being on a budget its a bit tight. I'm looking for a engine and box around the £500 mark, was hoping to get a non runner as i will refurbish anyways so head gasket blown or bottom end bearing failure would be fine.

Ive been offered a 1.8t Vag engine for next to nothing but matching with a type 9 maybe a challenge. Maybe with a DIY bell housing

Love the idea of a 200sx lump like kev but they appear to be scarce at the moment.

So before i crack the whip with chassis building am i best to find and engine first?

Also anyone got any ideas what engines are out there?

Thanks guys

[PorkChop]

What about a Saab with an Omega gearbox, like AshG did?

[robo]

Dont be put off the VAG because that conversion does exist. Keep your eyes peeled on the piston heads site and one will probably turn up.

http://www.tigersportscars.nl/vag-ford_(e).htm

Bob

[jps]

Plenty of Ford engines available for not much - I sold a 2ltr Silvertop engine for about £150 (if memory serves) - when I got rid of some bits I bought with my build...

I've not looked at the detail much (as I have a pinto and Type 3 straight from my Sierra donor) - but in short a lot of the Ford FWD engines up to 2000's can be attached straight to older Ford gearboxes without special bellhousings as the bolt patterns match up.

So newer Ford engine to older Ford gearbox seems sensible to me. You can always add a turbo in later on?

I'd think about what gearbox you want to use mainly - the engine bay on the Haynes is fairly big - but the tunnel on the book spec chassis is fairly narrow - I think the tunnel is where most 'early' changes need to be made ...

[NeilW]

The vag is probably my most preferred choice, purely as i know my way around them and i can get one for buttons. However i am a total noob when it comes to Rwd conversions.
I will be using a type 9 that i acquired. Ive read about people turbo-ing there zetec's so that may also be a possibility.

Honestly ive been trawling ebay/gumtree for days but nothing has popped up. I just had a small hit on the sxoc for a ca18det but £1250 for engine and box is a bit steep..

As for the saab route, i am sure i have seen one or 2 vids on youtube of the build but for sure i will search like crazy on here to get more info on the work required. Did Ash make a build diary?

[TSM Locost]

Ash did an artical in CKC issue 74. could scan and send if you PM email add.

[PorkChop]

A word of caution - make sure the gearbox (whichever you choose) is tough enough to withstand the torque a turbo motor will put out.

[K4KEV]

Neil have you tried putting a wanted request on Driftworks and sxoc for a CA dead or alive (within reason of course) the guys on Driftworks must have many a CA lump lying around with knocking b ends....when I was looking I was getting one PM after another.

[Davidbolam]

Ash did an artical in CKC issue 74. could scan and send if you PM email add.

I think complete kit car sell the complete build diary as a guide to making a haynes roadster

David

[PorkChop]

I think complete kit car sell the complete build diary as a guide to making a haynes roadster

David

They did, but Ash fitted the Saab engine and Omega box after that was published.

[Enoch]

I don't know about RWD options but I have currently got a Rover 75 with the 1.8 turbo lump in it. It is a very impressive performer. I think it may have been breathed upon at some time in the past as it feels like a lot more than the standard 150 BHP. It delivers it very smoothly and the torque increases very nicely from low revs. They are mega cheap to buy, especially if you get one that needs the head gaskets doing. Don't know about mating it to the back wheels but I reckon it's worthy of consideration if cheap turbo power is your thing.

[twinturbo]

RWD K-Series conversion were popular once so the parts and knowledge is arround.

But I would "PERSONALY" avoid a K

TT

[TalonMotorFabrication]

Having seen builds started and never finished I would say get an engine that was intended to be RWD as standard and get the matching gearbox, it will be a much easier build from the start. The hardest part of building a Roadster is finishing it in the first place, build it with a NA engine with the IVA in mind and then either add a turbo to it or swap it for some thing else.

[PorkChop]

But I would "PERSONALY" avoid a K


But why? If it's because of the cooling issues, the cures are well known and the parts are readily available...

[CTWV50]

Having seen builds started and never finished I would say get an engine that was intended to be RWD as standard and get the matching gearbox, it will be a much easier build from the start. The hardest part of building a Roadster is finishing it in the first place, build it with a NA engine with the IVA in mind and then either add a turbo to it or swap it for some thing else.

I hate to agree with TMF but, keep it simple. I went through a lot of engine options including the 1.8T but ultimately kept to a relatively simple build in the end using a 1.6 mx5 from my main donor. Believe me when I say the "devil is in the detail" and there is plenty of detail to be going on with without an exotic engine and gearbox combination to add to it.

Check out this thread (http://www.haynes.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=4468&page=31), it hasn't moved in over a year and it looked like for all the world it was going to be finished by a very enthusiastic builder. I hope he gets back to it one day.

I'm not being negative but at some point you will feel like throwing the towel in, I think we all do at some point, don't give yourself added excuses by overcomplicating the build unless you've done stuff like this before successfully.

hth

edit: Oh and any engine made after 1995 will require an expensive IVA friendly CAT to pass the emissions test.

[PorkChop]

edit: Oh and any engine made after 1995 will require an expensive IVA friendly CAT to pass the emissions test.

Well, in the grand scheme of things, the £150ish cost to fit a cat (it's not a three letter abbreviation BTW ;)) is not a lot of money when you think the car is going to cost somewhere in the region of 5-8K to build. Certainly not a reason to write off an engine choice.

[K4KEV]

Neil ....just seen this on driftworks and I think he would be open to offers ....it is a 6 pot tho ...the RB engines have always been good and you would only need a loom.
http://www.driftworks.com/forum/parts-sale-private-sales/223843-rb20det-s13-conversion.html

[AshG]

there are some picts in my photobucket

you want a saab 9000 b204 engine with an omega r25-28 gearbox. the saab ecu will run it and there is some excellent free mapping software for it too.

all it needs to make it work is the saab engine with saab flywheel and clutch then the omega box with the omega clutch slave cylinder with a 20-25mm spacer behind it to move it closer to the saab clutch. you then need to mod the water pump so it doesnt hit the chassis and shorten and baffle the sump. a custom prop.

you can pick a running engine up for £150-200ish ecu for £30 odd and a box for anywhere between £30-100.

best bet is to buy a whole saab 9000 for about £200 and the will give you almost everything you need minus the omega box.

its not an easy easy job to get it working right compared to a n/a as there are a lot more ancillaries but its possible

think thats about it. cant remember everything off the top of my head. fortunately i got it all down on paper in ckc mag. if you want a copy let me know and i will call the office and see if they have a back issue copy although you may be unlucky as that was a very popular issue.

ppc also did the conversion into a mk2 escort but i dont think they ever finished it. there was also another chap in the netherlands that put one in an Opel cadet

[CTWV50]

there are some picts in my photobucket

you want a saab 9000 b204 engine with an omega r25-28 gearbox. the saab ecu will run it and there is some excellent free mapping software for it too.

all it needs to make it work is the saab engine with saab flywheel and clutch then the omega box with the omega clutch slave cylinder with a 20-25mm spacer behind it to move it closer to the saab clutch. you then need to mod the water pump so it doesnt hit the chassis and shorten and baffle the sump. a custom prop.

you can pick a running engine up for £150-200ish ecu for £30 odd and a box for anywhere between £30-100.

best bet is to buy a whole saab 9000 for about £200 and the will give you almost everything you need minus the omega box.

its not an easy easy job to get it working right compared to a n/a as there are a lot more ancillaries but its possible

think thats about it. cant remember everything off the top of my head. fortunately i got it all down on paper in ckc mag. if you want a copy let me know and i will call the office and see if they have a back issue copy although you may be unlucky as that was a very popular issue.

ppc also did the conversion into a mk2 escort but i dont think they ever finished it. there was also another chap in the netherlands that put one in an Opel cadet

Sounds like an interesting and affordable project. How did you deal with the cooling of charge air and engine?

[NeilW]

Hey guys, some interesting points mentioned, much appreciated.
Ive placed a few cheeky bids on the bay of thieves for some turbo lumps.

Maybe there will be an update in the next week or so...... ;)

[Badger]

It may be worth considering an MX5 donor car, as those engines are quite turbo-able and using the MX5 whole is a route with support :)