What 2.0 - 2.5 Engine for a RWD Transplant?

[KTMsm]

I have an old Ranger pick up that I want to use both for local use and sitting on the motorway it won't carry more than 500kg

I'm intending to fit a 2-2.5 petrol engine and then LPG it

What are the decent choices these days ?

Last time I did it I fitted an Astra 2.0 XE into a Manta

I'd like 150-200 bhp ideally using the standard ECU to keep things simple and cheaper

Daily usability / sensible budget is the goal not ultimate bhp

[stevieturbo]

How many cylinders ? size constraints ?

If economy matters...why not diesel ?

As a Ford vehicle....what original engine options where there ?

[KTMsm]

I don't care

LPG works out better IME and you can enjoy driving it

Nothing worth mentioning

[stevieturbo]

Well it is worth mentioning as no doubt some will bolt up more easily to whatever transmission is in it than others

Don't some of the Duratec's get to 2.5 in a 4cyl config ??
Or maybe some of their V6's in either 2.5 or 3.0

And might likely bolt up to whatever gearbox you already have.

If it's a full engine/gearbox package you want, then that changes things also. Probably some sort of BMW might make sense as they'd be pretty common.

[Megaflow]

If you really want to use the factory ECU, then you really need to be looking for some <~2004 to find something non CAN BUS or you will probably need to swap in the entire electric system of the donor vehicle or find somebody that can could put the many errors the ECU will throw by not being able to see the rest of the car.

[KTMsm]

Yes it would be engine and box - there are conversion kits for most of the common ones - which thinking about it will probably give me my answer

[Megaflow]

When I say the entire electric system, I mean the lot, down to headlight switches and stereo. It is incredible how integrated the electrical system of a CAN BUS car is.

[stevieturbo]

KTMsm said:

Yes it would be engine and box - there are conversion kits for most of the common ones - which thinking about it will probably give me my answer

As you will probably be tied with rear diff ratio.....this may then affect choice of gearbox. A lot of older BMW's tended to have a 1:1 top gear, whereas most other brands would have had overdriven upper gears.

[Boosted LS1]

Saab 9000 turbo? Strong engines wih lots of tunable poke and the ecu software's available for free on line.

[Megaflow]

Boosted LS1 said:

Saab 9000 turbo? Strong engines wih lots of tunable poke and the ecu software's available for free on line.

Good call.

[Evoluzione]

Rangers came with the Ford/Mazda Duratec 2.5 in them so stick one of those in it.

[Tony1963]

Megaflow said:

Boosted LS1 said:

Saab 9000 turbo? Strong engines wih lots of tunable poke and the ecu software's available for free on line.

Good call.

Weren’t they front wheel drive?

[Boosted LS1]

Yes but people fit a GM gearbox and fit them inline. Then they fit them into a shoe box that goes like a rocket :-)

[Gtom]

What about a vw 1.8t?

The can make up to 300bhp on standard internals with the right turbo, if you get an early agu then you will avoid the drive by wire.

https://www.rwdmotorsport.com/product/vw-audi-1-8-... for the gearbox issue.

[stevieturbo]

Gtom said:

What about a vw 1.8t?

The can make up to 300bhp on standard internals with the right turbo, if you get an early agu then you will avoid the drive by wire.

https://www.rwdmotorsport.com/product/vw-audi-1-8-... for the gearbox issue.

Less friendly for an amateur LPG install. N/A is much simpler and lower risk.

[kylos27]

Edited by kylos27 on Sunday 10th July 23:24