Most powerfull 1400cc NA car engine ?

Most powerfull 1400cc NA car engine ?

Author
Discussion

steve-V8s

Original Poster:

2,910 posts

255 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
What is the most powerful 1400cc normally aspirated production car engine in the last 10 years. By production I mean there mast have been more than 1000 made per year. If it is 1380cc or something like that then that will do as well.

xjay1337

15,966 posts

125 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
Haven't checked the most recent cars but maybe an old K-series didn't they do 105hp?
Basically every small capacity engine in the last 10 years that's worth anything has been turbocharged!

stevieturbo

17,535 posts

254 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
Bit of a hard one to search for.

There are some Honda units coming in close to a claimed 100hp. Not in a sporty model as such though.

Or maybe the Ford Puma/Fiesta 1.4 engine ? Seems it may be 90+

Most seem to be in the 90-100hp range....as to which might then be the best value to tune is another matter, or lightest, or easiest etc.

Olas

911 posts

64 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
115hp from 1457cc here, modified vw.

PeterBurgess

775 posts

153 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
Why do you ask Steve and why last 10 years in particular?

anonymous-user

61 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
ZZR1400. 200hp and you can put one in a car.

Caddyshack

11,843 posts

213 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
Standard 1400 cars are built for economy, not huge revs and power. If you can’t modify then probably look something jap like Suzuki swift or bike.

Most 1400’s will be maxed at 80/90 bhp for economy.

You need to give more info as to what you want and need and why.

Turn7

24,160 posts

228 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
Ecoboosts' can make good power.....

So to the Fiat 500 motor....

Caddyshack

11,843 posts

213 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
Turn7 said:
Ecoboosts' can make good power.....

So to the Fiat 500 motor....
Aren’t they both turbo?

Turn7

24,160 posts

228 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
Caddyshack said:
Turn7 said:
Ecoboosts' can make good power.....

So to the Fiat 500 motor....
Aren’t they both turbo?
Bugger, sorry, missed the NA bit....

stevieturbo

17,535 posts

254 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
wormus said:
ZZR1400. 200hp and you can put one in a car.
Both of which will likely exclude him from whatever class he's possibly considering, but giving us no detail on.


Olas said:
115hp from 1457cc here, modified vw.
Which exceeds his 1400cc and it seems he isnt asking about modified.

caelite

4,282 posts

119 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
Off the top of my head.

The Vauxhall/Opel EcoFlex 1.4 sits at about 100hp (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Family_0_engine)
The Honda L13 VTEC (1338cc, advertised as a 1.3 in the Jazz and 1.4 in the Civic) sits at around 100 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_NR_engine#1NR-FE
The Ford Duratec (sigma) 1.4 sits in the mid 90s, although their are lots of performance parts about for sigmas particularly in 1.6 form, I imagine many might fit the 1.4. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Sigma_engine)
Mazda Skyactive, 1.3 is in early 90s, 1.5 in early 100s (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Demio)
Mitsubishi 4A90 1.3 is in the early 90s, 1.5 in early 100s (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_4A9_engine#4A90)

I can't think of any other N/A 1.4s on the market that'll likely produce power. If it's for some homologated track car I'd say go for a sigma/duratec, as the 1.4 is a down sleeved 1.6, and I imagine their will be a greater degree of performance parts available for N/A builds of this motor considering it's popularity in the kit community. Or yeah their is obviously the ZX14R or Hayabusa motors managing in the ballpark of 200hp, I can't speak for any of the other engines, but I know there is a fair few kits about for Suzuki's 88hp 1.3L which allow you to fit bike carbs & ITB which boost the power over 100hp with a decent exhaust.

Edit: if bike engines are a no I imagine it is a none starter, but Mazda 1.3 Renesis? (240hp Rotary). Thought it was worth mentioning.

Edited by caelite on Friday 6th September 20:20

anonymous-user

61 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
stevieturbo said:
Both of which will likely exclude him from whatever class he's possibly considering, but giving us no detail on.
Ah the cannot be from a motorbike NA 1400cc production car in the past decade class.

Sounds rather dull tbh.

stevieturbo

17,535 posts

254 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
caelite said:
, but Mazda 1.3 Renesis? (240hp Rotary). Thought it was worth mentioning.

Edited by caelite on Friday 6th September 20:20
Many do not consider the rotaries as a 1.3 due to the nature of their combustion cycle, and would deem it more comparable to a 2.6

And a lot of rule books will say the same.

But it really does depend what rules he has to adhere to if any.

And yep....a bog standard 1.4 on it's own wouldnt be particularly thrilling. But depending on application etc, doesnt always mean no fun, and could be potentially very cheap low level motorsport.

Cheap/reliable can be good.

99hjhm

430 posts

193 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
The 6N Polo from the mid 90’s was 99BHP with the AFH engine, cylinder head is excellent. Throttle bodies alone should see 100BHP per litre.

InitialDave

12,238 posts

126 months

Friday 6th September 2019
quotequote all
I'd also say Renesis if it aligns with whatever your restrictions in the detail of the rules really are.

Depends if it's "just" about power, or the whole package of the car the engine comes in. The old Fiesta/Puma 1.4 is only 90bhp, but the cars handle very nicely and don't weigh all that much.

The 105bhp Rover K-series is probably the one I'd peg for "piston engine, NA, under 1400cc, available in standard road car in that spec". If it has to be in the car it came in, I'd choose the Rover 100 due to the size/weight of it.

If it must be under 10 years old, that I'm not sure about. The current 1.3 Jazz is a little over 100bhp, previous gen 1.4 Civic was 98bhp.

steve-V8s

Original Poster:

2,910 posts

255 months

Saturday 7th September 2019
quotequote all
When looking at the data for the 1400cc MG Metro which has the 16v K series I thought the stated 102bhp was a bit low, certainly compared to the power people get from the 1380 A series with some throttle bodies and proper mapping.

So I then looked around more current stuff and found that indeed 100bhp seems to be about it. Next year the rules for Modified Production may allow engine swaps, Road Going Production won't.

Looking at a car to run in that class still comes back to an old Mini or a Midget. Seems astonishing than nothing modern can get anywhere near the power to weight ratio of these 1960s cars. Forced induction attracts a cc multiplier of 1.7 so would have to be less than 820cc. Rotary is also penalised.

InitialDave

12,238 posts

126 months

Saturday 7th September 2019
quotequote all
A 660cc turbo kei car like a Cappuccino or something could work under those rules, as long as you are allowed to turn the wick up on them a little.

stevieturbo

17,535 posts

254 months

Saturday 7th September 2019
quotequote all
This thread really strikes of deja-vu ?

With similar outcomes ? and I also suggested some of the Jap turbo Micro cars, suzuki cappuccino being one. But there have also been some 4wd turbo micro cars too, which could have a lot of potential.
Although perhaps a lot harder to source these days.


Your issue is less of engine choice, but a lightweight chassis. Modern cars just get heavier, builders need stronger chassis, crash protection, luxury features etc etc. That all adds weight.
And whilst they could easily make a 1400cc that makes more power...what would be the point or expense of them doing so ? But there's no doubt many will be tunable if the budget is there, albeit perhaps for meagre gains per £££ spent

Probably the lightest small modern cars, aside from the Jap Micro's would be likes of a Seat Arosa, VW Up, and whatever else shares that platform...but not many of them might have a n/a 1.4

Where do diesels fall into with the rules ? Just lumped in with same engine sizes etc ?

I see there is a lowly Seat Arosa ( more than 10yrs of course ) 1.4, claims only 60hp though, at 895kg. What the limitation is on it power wise, or potential...who knows.

https://www.parkers.co.uk/seat/arosa/hatchback-199...

Or back to the 90's with the 100 at 865kg

https://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-specs/Rover/5921...

Edited by stevieturbo on Saturday 7th September 10:19

stevieturbo

17,535 posts

254 months

Saturday 7th September 2019
quotequote all
No idea how good or bad the gearbox might be.....but it could fall under the 1400 or x1.7 rule ok. Small light rwd chassis. Generally I think they're scrap, but could actually have potential.

The auto may not be as fun....but auto's do have good potential for traction and going quickly.

https://www.parkers.co.uk/smart/roadster/roadster-...