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Metro/ transversly mounted engines

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:20 pm
by smethdog
What is the reason that no body fits a metro e.c.t engine to the morris? i have hered various theories about diferent cranks fly wheals e.c.t. but no one seems to have a solid reason.
I am basically looking to build a turbo engine based on the mg metro a+ engine, i am aware that it has bin done before but there is no info anyware on how they achived it.

Wether its a case of using, say a 1275 midget bottom end with the trubo head e.ct, or even if these would marry up?

Any ideas??

p.s, sorry cant spell!!! :D

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:31 pm
by rayofleamington
The easiest solution to get an A+ engine is to use a rear wheel drive engine (e.g. A+ Ital engine).
The second alternative is to use a Maestro A+ engine and conversion kit (needs special flywheel and a few other bits)

You can use any engine you want but an A series FWD engine is probably similar level of work to fitting a Fiat 2 litre (and far harder to get the special parts needed).
Generally you'd need a RWD crank to use the FWD engine - so you may as well get the Ital unit anyway.

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:36 pm
by smethdog
So the problem stands in fitting an A+ more so than the transvers mounting.

being prodominately after the turbo side of things, would it be viable to use, say a rear wheal drive maestro bottom and and use the turbo top end?

where does the diference in the a and A+ engine come in?

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:53 pm
by bigginger
Rear wheel drive Maestro? I think not.
a

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:58 pm
by smethdog
gud point!!!!
:oops:
but what rear wheel drives have the A+

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 8:10 pm
by bigginger
Ital springs to mind.
a

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 8:25 pm
by Peetee
So the problem stands in fitting an A+ more so than the transvers mounting.
No, the problem is the crank fitted to the transverse engines.
There were transverse and longitudinal versions of the A+.
The latest Marinas and all the Itals had A+.
Fitting any longitudinal engine with a blower is not going to be as reliable a build as the original engine. the Turbo engine had a strengthened crank and additional bolts retaining the cylinder head.

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 11:10 pm
by bmcecosse
There is a very 'solid' reason why Metro (what's e.c.t ??) engine is not used - it can't be! There is no provision for sealing the rear main bearing - quite important really. If you want a strong engine for 'turbo' use - then use a 1275 Marina block fitted with an EN40B crank from a later model 1098 Spridget engine - one on ebay last week - didn't sell. This gives about 1360 cc on standard bores and over 1400 on oversize bores. Fit turbo to this and you could have 200 bhp - but it won't last long!

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:44 pm
by twincamman
As an aside to this, the original transverse gearboxes used internals from the inline boxes.
Would it be possible to fit Metro internals to a Minor box to get synchro on 1st?

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 2:37 pm
by bmcecosse
I thought about this many a time - trubble is - they changed the helix angle of the gears and you would need to use the Minor ist motion shaft which still has the old helix angle - so it's not going to work with Mutro parts. BUT - it might be possible if you get one of the early 4 syncro boxes with the original helix angle. It was my plan to try this - but then someone bought the Mini gearbox from me. Really couldn't care less about syncro first anyway - it's used so little it hardly matters.