Engines and Engine swaps....

[James Healy]

Ahoy from across the globe (although i know there are other Aussies on here). I'm currently turning a Porsche 944 into a much, much faster car than it originally was. This is a whole hog project - suspension, brakes, interior - and engine. Now, what i need from you blokes is some ideas about what engines i could use. Obviously i'm after low weight, because it'll be replacing a 4 cylinder.

Current ideas are the RB26DETT (Skyline GTR), the 1UZFE Lexus V-8, possibly the Rover V-8 (not sure whether it would fit), and the dark horse in the running - the new Maserati 136R (super light V8), however, i don't know if you can get it as just an engine, or if i'll have to wait for some poor Maserati owner to get rear-ended really, really hard.

Any info, opinions, stories to try to encourage (discourage?) me etc are much needed, and if anyone knows of a source for those Maserati engines, please let me know.

Thanks all

James

[mondeoman]

NICE!!

All sorts you can do, and if you're playing that much then how about getting a big V8 and slapping twin turbo's on it, new management and away you go - loadsa grunt cos of the cubes and even more cos of the turbos.... best of both worlds!

[willdew]

I'm probably looking at this from completely the wrong angle, but why not start with a R32 GTR skyline... and finish with a R32 GTR skyline? Or a TT Supra. Or a RX7. You could have any of them for £12k - for a good one. Then, if you REALLY want, spend another £1k - £2k and have it tuned.

Or am I completely missing the point?

[campbell]

You should get a Lexus 4.3 liter engine and but a blower onto it, this shoud give over 400-450 BHP without rebuilding the bottom end, just flow the heads and get the timing right or even better get a blower and two turbos and bore it out, that shoud make for an interesting drive

[simond001]

4.5 AJP from TVR, or, if you are brave, a 5.0 from the Tuscan race series.

Either one will offer over 400 bhp without undue weight, both are small, and are suited to a car of that weight.

[TR MIKE]

Forget the above, what about an LS1 Chevrolet Corvette unit with twin turbo's. You have them down there anyway. Look at my site, www.chevroletls1.com and I reckon that's what you'll choose. Be surprised if I'm wrong. Mike!

[nonegreen]

Would't the Porshe 928 engine fit much more easily?

[James Healy]

Hey guys

Thanks for the ideas

Will - The reason i can't just start with an R-32 GT-R
is initial purchase price - ie, it may be easier, but it's a bunch of cash - i'd need a loan to get it, and then they insist on insurance and other such silliness (For the value of the car + My age and area, a performance car of this calibre will cost almost a third of it's value each year.) 3rd party fire and theft should do. If i prang, it's my own fault). Also, while GT-R's are relatively rare in Australia, They're common when compared to this.

To you guys suggesting the big blocks and/or turbos, thanks for the idea The idea for this originally centered arround a 350 chev, but they're heavy arse engines. If i wanted a drag car maybe, but i want this thing to handle. The LS-1 is much, much lighter and is a serious consideration.

Though turbos will give a higer eventual power output than than the Vortec blower i plan to fit, they will compromise driveability with no boost at low revs, and lag when i stomp it. I think i'll have enough trouble getting traction on hard launches anyway, without turbos screaming online like lightswitches (i know it's not that bad).

Simon - do you know where i can get those TVR engines you mentioned? Also, how much do they weigh? I couldn't find an actual figure (although i only had a quick look).I'm looking for as close to 500hp as possible (or over.....), so it would be really nice to have the ability to get that with an atmo engine and have the option of supercharging if my brains are turned to eggs by the 'standard' power.

I must admit that campbell is closest to my current thinking - the blown lexus mill. But if i can get my hands on one of those Maserati V-8's..........

James

[flyingscotsman]

how about a ford cossie engine? fairly light, tuneable, and(over here at least)cheap & readily available. i know you'd prefer an atmo engine, but its gotta be worth a look.
oh, if lag is a problem you can get nitrous fitted & set it up, so as it comes on before the boost does, as an anti lag system.


>> Edited by flyingscotsman on Friday 23 August 01:06