Decisions decisions

[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]

Originally Posted by twinturbo

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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, 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]

Originally Posted by CTWV50

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/part...onversion.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]

Originally Posted by 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

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......