astra 1.6 8v engine conversion in a traveller need advice!

[davidmoggyferguson]

hi! i have a mk4 astra with a 1.6 8v engine in it, it has a pretty ropey body but the engine is strong and i was just wondering if anyone could advise me in the way of what parts i would need and any custom fabrication i would need to put this engine into my "71 traveler. any fabrication i could do myself it is just what things i need to fabricate and what parts such as gearboxes axles and mounts and all of the associated extras that go along with a project like this. all information would be greatly appreciated as i am really keen to see this happen. thanks!!

[amgrave]

Is that not a transverse engine in that car. If it is it's very involved to convert a moggy to front wheel drive.

[davidmoggyferguson]

ye it is a transverse engine, im looking too remount the engine in the traveler the same way as the standard engine is longitudinal so therefor i need a gearbox that will fit onto this engine to keep it rear wheel drive and all the other asorted bits for the conversion.

[Neil MG]

Seriously?

There has to be a better reason than just having an engine to go through all that. True, you can put virtually any engine in a Minor, it just depends how much you want to spend, how many hours and what facilities you have. Unless someone has done exactly what you plan to do, you will have to engineer the project. There must be easier ways (to getting a replacement engine in your traveller)!

[RobThomas]

At the very least you'd be looking at a Manta or Carlton gearbox. This question, if you reeeeeally want to pursue it, would be better directed at a website where people use Astra engines such as a Locost / Lotus 7 replica website. As David said, it is highly unlikely that anyone has ever done this to a Minor because anyone planning a re-engine probably wouldn't ever think of using an Astra as a starting point.

There are some interesting engine transplants on here if you have a look around. Zetec, Suzuki, Rover V8, Biiiig V8 etc etc. When I was 21 I put a 2 litre Fiat Mirafiori twin cam into an MG Midget. Even doing it all myself it still cost more than the original car to convert it. How big is your budget?[frame][/frame]

[davidmoggyferguson]

i was thinking of going down the zetec route but at the time of me posting this question i didnt really have that much money to hand but now ive got a bit more money and think i should just go with a zetec with a type 9 gear box and a capri rear axle there is no rush to finish this project as i am only 18 and wouldnt be able to insure a 2.0 litre and i would be trying to squeze a decent bit of power out of the zetec, this is for me to drive in future but as for the zetec route would the box and axle be okay for this application? i know more people have done these zetec conversions and i would be able to get more advice on something like that thanks.

[plastic_orange]

Check out the 'other side' http://www.morrisminorowners.co.uk/inde ... f4be686dec

plenty info there on what you need to know.

Pete

[davidmoggyferguson]

thanks pete!

[plastic_orange]

See morrisfixer's (Stevie) st 170 minor - all home built and as good as it gets.

Pete

[irmscher]

What price do these conversions cost £££££ ??

[plastic_orange]

Cost is dependent on a large number of factors - how much can you do yourself?, new or secondhand parts? what standard do you want it to be? how fast? etc etc.

A full pro job with everything new would be around £40k, diy - £2 - £3K on top of price of car (would include brake and suspension upgrade too).
Best advice is to buy one already done as you'll seldom get back what is put in.

Pete

[irmscher]

Quite pricey then but I would imagine a lot of work goes into these .I still prefer the old school v8 rumble