Engine Recommendation

[jateu01]

I'm not looking for a wish listjust what every one would recommend for engine type or better still what you have used. I know that the mx5 engine is a direct copy of the ford duratec engine. In all honesty I would like the 1.6 corsa vxr engine. Any one used that and can any one advise of any issues with the 1.6 vxr engine

[Eddy]

Anything is possible and it is very much a case of personal preference.

I've not got any experience of the VXR lump, but I think Westfield have used it, so there should be some info on it around the net - Which bellhousing/gearbox to use, engine mounts etc.

Being a turbo, theres another system to worry about and route around everything else compared to an NA set up.

I suppose it depends if you want a journey of discovery or a known solution

[PorkChop]

As said, it depends on what gearbox(es) you have available, what your intended use of the car is, your budget, how simple you want the build to be, what you fancy...you don't necessarily need to be limited by using an Emerald (or any other standalone) ECU and the possible expense of making it work with whatever engine you end up choosing. However, you do have the luxury of not needing to fork out for a standalone should you need to go down that route.

I'm on my third or fourth engine choice ATM, but my decision is partly motivated by what class my car would be in for sprints & hillclimbs whilst maintaining a sensible budget, plus what other running gear I have available.

The MX5 MZR engine (found in the Mk3) is the same as a Duratec and therefore a MZR gearbox would fit a Duratec. However, they are a different bolt pattern to mark 1/2/2.5 MX-5 gearboxes and AFAIK not interchangable. Mk 3 boxes still command a healthy premium, unlike 5 speed mark 1 MX-5 gearboxes, where they seem to be cheaper than Type 9 boxes.

The VXR engine is used in the Westfield Sport Turbo, with an MX-5 gearbox (I don't know whether an adapter plate would be required, but I'm guessing so). You're looking at a 4 figure sum to buy an engine from a breaker though, due to its newness.

[Not Anumber]

As others have said aside from size considerations it is very much horses for courses.

All engines cost quite a bit to rebuild even to standard spec for standard performance.

Engines that have not been fitted to production cars for several years are still available but are more likely to need a rebuild. If you go for a later type you are more likely to find a serviceable condition 2nd hand engine for reasonable money.

This cost increases if you are including performance improvements. Significant gains generally cost significant £s. Beyond a certain point you may have to look towards specialised rods, pistons and crank to handle the extra power.

Mating an engine to a rwd gearbox it wasn't designed to fit can almost always be done so long as it can handle the power- but will need an adaptor bell housing, the right flywheel and clutch and in some cases the gearbox input shaft will need machining down to fit the crank end/ spigot bearing. You dont need to be limited to a Ford type 9 box though if you can find a good and affordable rwd gearbox that will bolt straight up to that engine.

After market carbs, manifolds and ignition systems can really add to the cost of that engine choice. A fortune can be saved if it is 1 practical and 2 adequate to reuse these systems from the donor vehicle.

Sump. Due to the height of many engines it's often necessary to buy or make a modified sump and oil pickup pipe. A few engines will go in without the need to modify these though thus saving a bit of money.

[Enoch]

Jag V12 every time
Seriously though, if I was looking for an easy build, at a sensible price, with a reasonable lump of power I would definitely go for a Zetec. They are plentiful, mate up easily to Ford boxes, they are cheap, reliable and tunable. You can't ask for more really.

[BORNXenon]

Don't know a great deal about the newer VX engines, but it may be worth investigating whether the small turbo lump will mate to the VX Omega box.

The Omega box (i believe) is a Getrag box and more than adequate to handle the power.

I intend to use it mated to an X20XEV from my old Vectra showcar.

[Ste W]

The corsa vxr engine (C16LEH) will mate with any big block vauxhall gearbox so will fit an omega box or you can use an off the shelf bell housing to fit it to a type 9.

I'm using a zetec se (sigma) engine from a Puma. The 1.7 engine. 125 bhp as standard but a very light engine as it's all aluminium. With throttle bodies should see about 150-160 bhp and be equivalent to 180bhp steel zetec due to the weight saving.