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Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:37 pm
by jonathon
No reason why not, its the bit between that costs money and time.

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:39 pm
by Onne
yes. I'd love to go do a puzzle like that one day. But the Honda 16V would need scary electronic bits wouldn't it? Like computer etc

Onne

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:39 pm
by jonathon
Ray, the box you saw on the V8 traveller was a Supra box, not Celica. :wink: :D

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:42 pm
by Onne
I wondered about that. The Celica box isn't that strong. Not very strong at all actually, so they told me at the Toyota Club

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:44 pm
by jonathon
Onne , no not really you could run a simple ignition ecu and fit carbs. Somehow defeats the advantages of having a modern engine though. ECU's are very reliable, and negate a lot of general tedious maintenance, if you are not a tinkerer. You will always have better economy,power, control and torque from an injected motor. Its not that scarey really, just a change of mind set. :wink: :D

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:53 pm
by Onne
True. My mind runs on carbs. Pity my head is so free flowing. If only I could remember things.

What about 20 years from now? Will the ECU still be equally good, or will they wear out as well?.

I do get the point in injection engines. Time has proven that they offer a lot of good things. But is longevity (time wise, not mileage) also one of them?

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 10:03 pm
by jonathon
Well in 20years time we will probably be teletransporting, thats when I start to worry about electronics. Seriously though everything has a shelf life and electronics are not immune. I'd say that modern methods of production could produce electrics to last our lifetime, but modern economics has a different adgenda, so there will always be a trade off.
There can be no real substitute for simple mechanics as offered with the standard minor, but in todays world of folk not being bothered to learn new skills and craftsmanship, the instant electronic world will no doubt prevail, infact it has to a large degree! :o :wink:

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 10:12 pm
by Onne
Indeed they have.

I still can't stand the fact that I was unable to replace a light bulb on my parents Renault Lagune. I would have had to remove 5(!!!!) covers in the engine bay to acces the indicator bulb.

But there are manufacturers wo are going back to basics, and that might be a good thing for the home tinkerer

Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 1:24 am
by dp
dp wrote:Has been done but check to see if they really are still easy to get hold of and how much it will really cost to refresh and tune. It could end up more expensive than a newer F.I. lump which will have more power and possibly better economy from the outset.
Oops, the post I quoted here was regarding 1700 crossflows not Peugeot diesels.

Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 7:38 pm
by TwincamTurbo52
Deleted.

Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 7:42 pm
by rayofleamington
Ray, the box you saw on the V8 traveller was a Supra box, not Celica.
Doh!! Thank goodness I've not being trying to buy one yet :lol: :lol:

Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 10:32 am
by dp
TwincamTurbo52,

Just out of interest, what Alfa engine are you using and if not a RWD one, what gearbox are you using?

Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 11:59 am
by TwincamTurbo52
Deleted.

Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:01 pm
by plastic_orange
A guy I know built a Series 2 back in 1973 with an Alfa Spider 1750 engine and running gear. He bought the entire car from a tourist who wrote it off locally - was pretty new at the time as I recall, and he fitted it all into the minor. He still has the car, and it is still in as new condition - keep meaning to pop in and see him and get some pics.
Pete

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:39 am
by downsey
Onne , no not really you could run a simple ignition ecu and fit carbs. Somehow defeats the advantages of having a modern engine though. ECU's are very reliable, and negate a lot of general tedious maintenance, if you are not a tinkerer. You will always have better economy,power, control and torque from an injected motor. Its not that scarey really, just a change of mind set. icon_wink.gif icon_biggrin.gif
I completely agree, EFI really isnt as complex as it sounds-at least not installation. As long as you have a good harness almost everything just plugs in.

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:33 am
by twincamman
plastic_orange wrote:A guy I know built a Series 2 back in 1973 with an Alfa Spider 1750 engine and running gear. He bought the entire car from a tourist who wrote it off locally - was pretty new at the time as I recall, and he fitted it all into the minor. He still has the car, and it is still in as new condition - keep meaning to pop in and see him and get some pics.
Pete
To take this one stage further, how about a Twin Spark? 148bhp from the box.
Those Alfa twinks are superb. Just look at the sump baffling!

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:57 pm
by southerly95
I see Caterham are now using the Ford Sigma engine, although can't find how they hook it up to RWD :-?

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:00 am
by southerly95
PS why don't rwd beemers get a look in, are they too heavy?

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:56 am
by jonathon
If you want a 2.0L Ford motor the Zetec, as last fitted to the Focus is the one to go for. 140bhp, lighter than the older Mondeo Zetec and available

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:45 pm
by BigDawgV8
southerly95 wrote:I see Caterham are now using the Ford Sigma engine, although can't find how they hook it up to RWD :-?
Not sure which engine that is but Morgan are now using Ford's new Duratech engine in their 4 cylinder models and Ford's V6 (Mondeo ST220 spec.)in their 'Roadster' cars.
Anyone up for fitting the V6 in their Minor? :wink:

Cheers

:D :wink: