Ideas for engine transplants

Post by **dinojelfs** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:36 pm

I am looking for ideas for transplanting a modern reliable engine into a Minor. I am aware of Rover 16V engines being used but these engines appear unreliable with respect to cylinder head gasket problems- also v expensive to buy on Ebay.

Has anyone tranplanted a Ford Zetec? These are reasonably light,powerful,reliable and available. Also there appear to be several suppliers of suitable bell housing conversions and ecu kits

Any other suggestions for a reliable, easily available, modern engine eg vauxhall, Toyota? Fiat DOHC engines are a little thin on the ground now as well as not too economical

Post by **jonathon** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:55 pm

I'm afraid to take issue with the comment on the K series. There was a tempoary problem with head gaskets whsn Rover decided to cut corners with the gasket locating dowels. Once they saw the light the problems dissapeared. Largely the problems are connected with modified engines, or rebuilt engines on which the required care and attention to detail has been missing. We are able to purchase brand new engines at the moment , these include engine loom and inlet manifold. The 1.4's are £900, 1.8's £1250 plus vat.
The Zetec engines are good ,and take the type 9 box. Vauhall motors are even better but are very big and will require quite a bit of cut and shutting. We'd love to try and fit a Honda vtec motor, but will need to wait for the kit car boys to come up with a rwd conversion as the costs involved in doing this are prohibitive.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:14 pm

Vauxhalls and Honda engines are put in Minis all the time. You could just put the Honda unit in as it is - with font wheel drive !

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:19 pm

Nurse! He's out of bed again!

Post by **Onne** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:42 pm

Yes go back to the Minis! This is RWD country!

Post by **Peetee** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:59 pm

You could just put the Honda unit in as it is - with font wheel drive !

Brilliant! I knew I'd find a use for the hacksaw and cable ties.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:28 pm

Brilliant! I knew I'd find a use for the hacksaw and cable ties.

you should see the 54!!!!

although the washer pump was a much more professional job - I held it to the dash with a jubilee clip ;-)

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:32 pm

Heheh One of Hebe's rear bump stops is held on with cable ties.

It really depends on what you want out of your engine and your car. Different engines are known for different qualities. Of course, whatever happens you'll need to upgrade the brakes and suspension.

The K series is a common conversion and has been proven a few times now

The Twin Cam from fiat is also very popular and you can still occasionally stumble across a good one or two.

If you're wanting to go way over the top I've seen a few v8 rovers fitted in (or rather, a few minors fitted around a v8:) ) and someone once even put electric motors in their minor

Whatever you do put in though I'd strongly advise looking at the whole picture rather than just the power plant

Post by **Matt** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:45 pm

whatever happens you'll need to upgrade the brakes and suspension.

how about if you put a reliant robin engine in!!!

Post by **jonathon** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:45 pm

Nurse! He's out of bed again!

Love it Andrew, Keep taking the tablets

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:48 pm

Why thank you

Post by **jonathon** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 11:03 pm

Sorry but it still makes me laugh

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 12:41 am

:D That should probably have read just "thank you"

Post by **grant69** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 6:17 am

toyota 4age (from corolla's/sprinters/mr2)- twin cam 16v efi is becoming quite common down under

Post by **dinojelfs** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:57 am

Multiphonikks wrote:Heheh One of Hebe's rear bump stops is held on with cable ties.

It really depends on what you want out of your engine and your car. Different engines are known for different qualities. Of course, whatever happens you'll need to upgrade the brakes and suspension.

The K series is a common conversion and has been proven a few times now The Twin Cam from fiat is also very popular and you can still occasionally stumble across a good one or two.

If you're wanting to go way over the top I've seen a few v8 rovers fitted in (or rather, a few minors fitted around a v8:) ) and someone once even put electric motors in their minor

Whatever you do put in though I'd strongly advise looking at the whole picture rather than just the power plant

Car has Marina discs and servo already fitted. Unfortunately it has a 1.8 Marina engine which I do not consider worthwhile. I would like a resonably fuel efficient modern engine. I am not looking for extreme performance- a 1.4/1.6 litre engine is sufficient.

Once i decide which way to go, i intend perhaps coil over front suspension or older conversion using existing lever dampers and telescopics. Which is best?

At the back I am looking at telescopics and kits to locate back axle better

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:59 am

Where are you based dinoJeff?

Post by **Wal** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:07 am

Hi,
in the November issue of Retro Cars someone has 16v 1.4 Vauxhall Corsa engine in a Moggy van.

Think I'd consider the Vauxhall twin cam if I was doing my car now.

Regards,
Wal

Post by **dunketh** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:25 am

I'd personaly discount the Zetec.
They may be cheap but then scrap yards are full of 1.4i metros so the K series can't be that expensive either...
And, the Zetecs don't make very good power 'out of the box'.
The 1.8 Z is only good for 115 horses - the same figure you can get from a mildly-tuned 1.4 K. They're just not as efficient power wise.

Imo Vauxhall red-top engines provide your best power:cost ratio, purely because they're so cheap. Dunno how much they weigh though...

Post by **dinojelfs** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:36 am

Multiphonikks wrote:Where are you based dinoJeff?

Leicester

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:38 am

Ah. I was going to offer you a drive in a K series Traveller.