Cofused about engines

[NGee]

When I first started looking into 7's it seemed quite simple, older cars were K series Rover engines and newer cars were Ford Sigma (or Duratec) engines, however I soon discovered that, like most things, it's not that simple!!! Apart from one offs and various bike engines (which I'm certainly not interested in) there seems to be several VVC & Roadsport engines around. What are these engines and who makes them, and are they any good??
Does anyone have, or know where i can find, a definitive list of what engines were fitted when?? (or does such a list even exist!)
And which engine would be the best and most reliable one for approx 150hp?????
Any help would be greatly appreciated as the more I find out about the various engines the more confused I get!!!
Thanks
NGee

[Snapper7]

Early Caterhams

Ford X-Flow (Supersprint)
Tends to be 80-155bhp on 4 or 5 speed gear box

Ford (Lotus)Twincam on 4 or 5 speed gear box

VX (Classic)
8x valve around 90bhp? on 4 or 5 speed gear box

Rover K Series
1.6cc
Roadsport 120bhp
Supersport 135bhp
All on 5 or 6 speed gear box

1.8cc
Roadsport 130bhp
Supersport 140bhp
VVC 140 to 156bhp
SLR VHPD (Normal throttle Bodies) 190bhp
R300 160bhp (Caterham Roller Barrel Throttle Bodies)
R400 200bhp (Caterham Roller Barrel Throttle Bodies)
R500 230bhp (Caterham Roller Barrel Throttle Bodies)
All on 5 or 6 speed gear box

Ford Sigma 1.6.
125 or 150BHP

2lt Duratec
175-263bhp

A 1.8lt rover k-series with 140bhp is a good option
A 1.8lt rover k-series VCC with 156bhp is a good option and has good torque
A 1.8lt rover k-series with 160bhp is a good option with Caterham Roller Barrel Throttle Bodies is also a good option
All on 5 or 6 speed gear box

The six speed close ratio will give you better performance but sit at higher revs on the motorway, where as the 5x speed box might be a better option for touring.

[mickrick]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnificent-Seven-Enthusia...

[Tango7]

Snapper, you missed out the 2.0 litre VX engine (red top). 175 bhp on 45 Webers or 165 bhp on standard Vauxhall fuel injection. Bullet proof and superb engine for general road and touring use with loads of torque

[rubystone]

Tango7 said:

Snapper, you missed out the 2.0 litre VX engine (red top). 175 bhp on 45 Webers or 165 bhp on standard Vauxhall fuel injection. Bullet proof and superb engine for general road and touring use with loads of torque

...and the 1.4 K, Ford BD and the Fireblade and Blackbird options - assuming the OP is only interested in factory-fit engines

eta to add also that IMHO anything K Supersport (135/138bhp 1.6/1.8) or above is a superb engine...I haven't included the 1.4 Supersport as I really feel that its 130bhp is just not enough...

Edited by rubystone on Sunday 22 August 18:25

[anonymous-user]

Get a Crossflow and grow some chest hair.
Heard this the other day:
"Jeez, I dunno....out of all of us (18 cars) that went to Le Mans it was the Crossflows that just kept on going regardless"

[NGee]

Thanks Snapper for the info, that is EXACTLY what I was looking for, and thanks to all the other replies as well. So now I know the choices available and all your recommendations re the K series BUT is the Sigma (150) a better engine than the K?????, you thoughts please.
Thanks
NGee

[rubystone]

NGee said:

BUT is the Sigma (150) a better engine than the K?????, you thoughts please.
Thanks
NGee

It's newer and thus I would assume it's better...but sometimes the lesser powered engines from the maufacturer aren't that good - eg the 8 valve VX engine. I think the 175 bhp Duratec in the R300 is a superb engine though.

[Smollet]

NGee said:

So now I know the choices available and all your recommendations re the K series BUT is the Sigma (150) a better engine than the K?????, you thoughts please.
Thanks
NGee

I've yet to hear about Sigmas developing an appetite for head gaskets so in that respect I would say it is. The Duratec is the better of the 2 Ford options as the Sigma is not easily tuned to the extent the Duratec is.

[Incorrigible]

Smollet said:

NGee said:

So now I know the choices available and all your recommendations re the K series BUT is the Sigma (150) a better engine than the K?????, you thoughts please.
Thanks
NGee

I've yet to hear about Sigmas developing an appetite for head gaskets so in that respect I would say it is. The Duratec is the better of the 2 Ford options as the Sigma is not easily tuned to the extent the Duratec is.

So, in a choice between a sigma and a k, you'd pick a duratec

[Snapper7]

NGee

You have an email from me

[Smollet]

Incorrigible said:

Smollet said:

NGee said:

So now I know the choices available and all your recommendations re the K series BUT is the Sigma (150) a better engine than the K?????, you thoughts please.
Thanks
NGee

I've yet to hear about Sigmas developing an appetite for head gaskets so in that respect I would say it is. The Duratec is the better of the 2 Ford options as the Sigma is not easily tuned to the extent the Duratec is.

So, in a choice between a sigma and a k, you'd pick a duratec

Yes Pity the 175 option wasn't available when I bought my Roadsport. I went for the Sigma 150. If only I knew then what I know now.

Edited by Smollet on Sunday 22 August 22:54

[iain a]

Duratech all the way if you can manage it Still loving mine after 6 years (Yes I put it in the 7 before Caterham did)