Newbie - Realistically, what engine/gearbox should I opt for?

[jonte]

Hello again All.

Although a Newbie to the forum, I'm steadily in danger of swamping it with threads, but this is one I've just got to get off my chest.

Alluding to both book and forum it's pretty clear that a decision as to which engine and gearbox to use is somewhat of a priority as allowances may have to be made during chassis construction to accomodate.

So, I'll get straight to the point: I crave acceleration as opposed to top end performance and I'd like to achieve it as simply and cheaply as possible.

Will I, therefore, be looking at a smaller, lighter car engine - say 1.3, 1.4 or 1.6 with a few bolt on bits linked to a standard sierra box - or a bike engine even :eek:

Problem is, as I admitted in my introductory thread the other day, I'm a total ar*e when it comes to cars - actually I'm a total ar*e - so that has to be factored in.

I suppose it's like asking how long's a piece of string really, so perhaps I've answered my own question.

Apologies for asking something that appears to have been posed since time immemorial, but everybody else that's asked seems to know what they're talking about.

Thanks once again for all those decent souls out there who've humoured me so far - perhaps I can repay you eventually by actually building one !!!

Kind regards,

Jonte :)

[twinturbo]

The chassis will accomodate most normal engine options without modification.

Your choice of gearbox will be of more importance.

Small engines don't really weigh a lot less than a big engine. say comparing a 1400 with a 2000.

From what you have said before, you route should be to follow in the path of others.

Build from a 1.8 CVH Sierra, it will be fun enough to start with and is a simple install. Then you can plan for a 2.0 Zetec later on. Plan the build to use a MT75 gearbox even if you only use a Type 9.


Have you driven many RWD cars?

TT

[jonte]

The chassis will accomodate most normal engine options without modification.

Your choice of gearbox will be of more importance.

Small engines don't really weigh a lot less than a big engine. say comparing a 1400 with a 2000.

From what you have said before, you route should be to follow in the path of others.

Build from a 1.8 CVH Sierra, it will be fun enough to start with and is a simple install. Then you can plan for a 2.0 Zetec later on. Plan the build to use a MT75 gearbox even if you only use a Type 9.


Have you driven many RWD cars?

TT

Thanks TT - makes sense, I suppose, bearing in mind my limitations.

With regard to RWD: one or two. I learnt to drive in an Escort and my first car was a Cortina 1600 E which quickly succumbed to the vigours of my youth (I last saw it buried in a fence). Not too long after, I owned an RS Mexico (complete with black painted bonnet) and even drove an RS 2000 -giving my age away now!!!

Most recently, although going back several years, I'm ashamed to admit I owned a Rep-mobile in the form of a 3 series BMW (why oh why I did do that?)

In between, believe it or not, they even paid me to drive 2.8i Granadas, Capris and apparently souped up Rover V8s at very high speeds. What were they thinking of :confused:

Jonte

[twinturbo]

Sounds like a lot of police cars at one point.

And also sounds like you have some good experience with Proper Wheel Drive.

TT

[jonte]

Sounds like a lot of police cars at one point.

And also sounds like you have some good experience with Proper Wheel Drive.

TT

Sorry for waffling on TT - thank goodness you're still with us! :rolleyes:

Thanks for the complement; however, I've still no idea how the darned things work which is why I'm glad you chaps avail yourselves.

Seems an awfully long time ago now but I really enjoyed driving proper cars with that 'predictable' little rear end twitch - got too cocky with that in the early days and got my fingers burned which is how the Cortina ended up intertwined with that roadside furniture I mentioned in my last thread.

Kind regards,

Jonte :)

[les g]

Hi Jonte
well acceleration is the easiest thing to achieve
a long time ago we got 2L Capri and put a diff from a Mk2 1300 estate cortina in it and putsome wide sticky firestones on it
accelerated like a scolded cat!!!!!! honest it would whip the ar*e off nearly
anything!!!!
problem was it would not go above 85 mph and you was forever changing gear
what you crave is easily done
the choice,s are yours alone to choose from
cheersles g

[jonte]

Hi Jonte
well acceleration is the easiest thing to achieve
a long time ago we got 2L Capri and put a diff from a Mk2 1300 estate cortina in it and putsome wide sticky firestones on it
accelerated like a scolded cat!!!!!! honest it would whip the ar*e off nearly
anything!!!!
problem was it would not go above 85 mph and you was forever changing gear
what you crave is easily done
the choice,s are yours alone to choose from
cheersles g


Gosh les g you are going back!!!!

Your obviously an old hand at this and I'd love to hear more, if that's okay?

Bearing in mind, I think I'm right in saying this, that Capris and Cortinas are now classics in heir own rite and bits no doubt hard to get hold of, what would be the most recent equivalent?

Thanks for getting in touch :)

Jonte

[jonte]

A 'diff' ?

Think that's short for differential which is something to do with back axles? :confused:

How does that affect performance?

Answers on a postage stamp please in words of no more than two syllables and preferably no big words.

Thanks in anticipation,

Jonte :)

[alga]

See this video for an explanation what is the differential: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAw79386WI

[twinturbo]

Does the video explain ratios or just differential drive?


TT

[jonte]

See this video for an explanation what is the differential: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAw79386WI

Thanks Alga - Jonte

[jonte]

Does the video explain ratios or just differential drive?


TT

Hi TT

Unless I was totally blinded, it just covers the principles of differential drive - very well illustrated and demonstrated - that's more than enough for now !!! :)

Jonte

PS I take it ratios are a refining of the gears within to assist performance?

Just realised: I 'm beginning to sound like the female protaganist in the Harry Enfield 'Public Information film' sketch entitled: Women Don't Drive! :(

[jonte]

Can an auto Sierra be used as a donar?

As a newbie, would I be able to fit the newer Pinto with fuel injection or am I better to look for an older one without?

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Thanks

Jonte :)

[les g]

OK
JONTE
with all due respect
yes i,m getting old
but life tends go a bit like this
young and playing with cars
1 married with kids (cant afford to play with cars) but still dreamin the dream
2 middle aged and can afford to dabble with cars kids have left home
3 "apart from TJ who wont take the hint"
anyway
wot i,m trying to say is please do your research
and then apply it to what you realistically want from yor car
really low ratio difs are still available as standard if you want to
build a dragster
and high ratio diffs are available if you wanna build a top end monster
.....if you have the power to make it happen
cheers les g

[twinturbo]

a low ratio diff such as 4.14 makes it much easier for the engine to turn the wheels. But it takes more turns of the engine to spin the wheels - Less top end speed but easier to get there ( better acceleration )

a high ratio diff such as 3.14 makes it much harder for the engine to turn the wheels. But it takes less turns of the engine to spin the wheels - more top end speed, but harder to get there ( worse acceleration , may never actually achieve to speed ).


Sierra engine bay wiring is all on a seperate loom, the wires to feed this this loom on a 1.6 carb car are almost identical to a 2.9 EFi v6. So instalation is almost the same.

Auto's can be used, but if you want to swap to manual then you may pay through the nose for a gearbox on its own.


TT

[snapper]

Most Sierras have a 3.6 diff, the next most available diff is a 3.9, this will give better acceleration for the same engine and gearbox
Top speed would be less but a 7 is unlikely to exceed 110 to 120 due to having the aerodynamics of a brick

[jonte]

Gentlemen, thank you - concise and crystal clear.

The only reason I posed the question abouth the auto is that i've seen what appears to be a reasonably priced one advertised on one of the sites - but now I know better I shall leave well alone. Not at that stage anyway just yet but I need to do my homework to get things straight in my mind before writing that shopping list.

The Sierra would be the most obvious solution to my dilemma as you kindly pointed out earlier TT - although I never doubted you for a minute !!!

Quickly becoming apparent that this roadster building business is not going to be a walk in the park - just come to terms with chassis cutting, engines and gearbox combinations and differentials and then somebody brings up 'electricals' - wot the effin stroke 'H' is that? I thought cars ran on hydrocarbons- nobody mentioned electrickery :confused:

Is there a spark in the house?

Jonte :)

You and I les seem to be in the same boat :(

[twinturbo]

There's a nice simple wiring diagram done a few weeks ago.


Auto's are actually quite good to be honest. but the ford one is a bit bulky and Heavy ( 73KG compared to 34KG of the 5sp type 9.)

Auto's are especialy good on cars relying on Turbochargers to provide the POWER as the full throttle gear changes keep the turbo spinning and on boost :)

TT

[jonte]

Thanks once again TT - you're definitely an authority on all this - I shall do a search for the diagram.

Regards,

Jonte :)