Alternative engine ??

Post by **Mogwai** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 6:44 pm

I'm not intending to fit one but has anyone tried one of these. Had a Honda S2000 in at work the other day fantastic engine fitted very powerful & revs to 9000rpm so couldn't resist getting the tape measure out. With my crude measuring the engine was about 20" long from the rear face to the end of the crank pulley & the gearbox was about the same length as a type 9. I'm sure could be made to fit in a minor without too much modification to the engine bay plus the engine mounts looked minor friendly too.
Food for thought

Post by **jonathon** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 6:50 pm

It can be made to fit. We have a customer performing this very conversion inc the full rear independent rear end. It helps that he works in Swindon at Honda, so he knows his stuff.

Post by **Mogwai** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 7:05 pm

Wow that'll be something when its finished

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 7:49 pm

I imagine hard to find such an engine ! Presume the 'customer' is following the Johnny Cash route - taking the parts out in his lunchbox - One Piece at a Time ! Looks like he will have 4 months now to sort it all out.

Post by **jonathon** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 7:59 pm

You would be suprised BM, Omex have just bought 3 of these pretty easily to convert the Lotus Elise.
The parts my customer has are from a scrapped Honda, how could you suggest otherwise

I always thought these were tall engines but on seeing them out of the car they would appear no more difficult to fit than a Zetec or Duratec. They suit supercharging too, a std motor will take almost 300bhp, yeeehaaa !!!!

Post by **Robins** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 10:23 pm

Nooo! why do people always get there before I do. I would so love to do that conversion.

Oh well, time for plan be again then, 3 litre straight six twin turbo supra motor in my traveller

Post by **callyspoy** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 1:08 am

ha, supra engine...wow...i love that idea! i had a mkIII supra non turbo, that was relatively quick in a car that weighed the titanic, imagine that in a minor...plus the 2 turbos...and the lack of headgasket problems the mkIV had...amazing!

Post by **jonathon** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 11:01 am

One of our customers is building a Hyabussa powered saloon. 160bhp, 140ftlbs of torque, with a turbo to be added later to boost it to over 400bhp. Its light relatively cheap to buy, and is going to be a real screamer.

Post by **downsey** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:10 am

God i would love to do an s2000 conversion in a spridget and torment corvettes with it, such a well engineered power plant. Hopefully in 5-10 years they'll wind up in the junkyards.

Post by **luridhue** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 6:55 pm

I'm toying with the idea of upping the engine in mine but would preferably like to keep it within production run era ('48-'71). I love the rover v8 and have experience of this but in land rovers. What sort of work and money will it likely cost me to fit this to a minor? And those that have done so how much higher is the insurance? (astronomically higher or just sky high?)

Post by **plastic_orange** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:10 pm

£150 fully comp, agreed value. I'd recommend buying one already done, and then personalise it. Otherwise it will cost a fair bit unless you can do everything yourself. Once fitted you will have a 0-60 in around 6 seconds - but 20mpg.
Check out Minor Mania site for ideas.

Pete

Post by **luridhue** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:19 pm

Thanks pete

how many years NCB have you got and how old are you? (if you don't mind me asking!) I would like to do this myself and have a few people that can lend a hand (machinists and mechanics). Thanks for the link.

Post by **plastic_orange** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:03 pm

You don't need no claims for a policy like this (through the NASC ). Age (54) is on my side (or maybe not as the case may be

), but usually specialist cover isn't too expensive if you are over 25.

Pete