I'm itching to get into a race car again so I'm going to build another sports sedan hillclimb/Sprint car but to under 2 litre sports sedan specs so i can race it down the track if it's quick enough.

I'm looking at engine options (probably staying fwd as rear wheel drive would be a bit twitchy/ mental
) so I'd like everyone's opinion on the perfect motor/ gearbox to start with that's a) powerful b) affordable c) reliable and d) not a boat anchor.

This is actually happening too I'm not just talking crap

Argue away!

Cheers

Sean

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Potato

Would it be worth going light weight like a 3 cylinder of some sort. Can you use EFI or a turbo?

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

Looking at the front runners in NSW U2L IP, your choice is a Honda or Nissan, but the latter are RWD (S15 200SX/Silvia without a turbo). Honda are FWD in Civics, good gearboxes seem to be available for them. Seems like the way to go.

Otherwise a Toyota 3SG BEAMS is close, but they are not quite at the front in that class.

Good luck. Sounds like an interesting idea.

cheers
michael

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

Yeah I was leaning towards 1.8-2.0 honda but the latter is quite expensive. Yes you can run a turbo but the maximum cc is something like 1150. The new ecoboost motor came to mind which is capable apparently of 170bhp in standard trim with accessories however for it to be worth while you'd want 200+ bhp and you're kind of guessing as to how to achieve that and could be left with an expensive hand grenade

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Potato

BMW cylinder head on a 998 mini motor?

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But he's thriving and striving and hugging the turns.

Would a turboed 1000-1100cc sports bike engine fit the bill? You wouldn't expect more than 3 or 4,000 kilometres out of it, but that's a lot of racing.

Not sure about mini engines getting one up at the 200hp mark seems difficult and expensive. No bike engines arent allowed still im pretty sure and if they were I doubt turbo ones would be. Otherwise theyd be perfect

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Potato

That makes sense. Rotaries allowed?

Yeah but at a multiple of 1.7 or something so you can only have a tiny one

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Potato

You can't beat a busa turbo, great torque and compact, with gearbox and sequential too.

Grant

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100% Pure A Series Turbo
Morris - The Original RedBull Racing

Cheap thrills / easy build: G13B turbo - but it'll wreck gearboxes if you drive like a nut.
Small stock engine: 4EFTE - great power for their size.
Medium engine - b16a or 4age turbo - solid and reliable
big engine - b18a - reliable NA 200+ hp.

Other things to think about - are you buying or building a subframe? How much is cost going to influence the build? How many track days will the car see?

Or buy one of these:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MINI-SPORTS- ... 1516298602

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MINI-SUZUKI- ... 3ce396096a

I was about to suggest the same. Maybe you won't get the same satisfaction as building your own but it would be an easier option.

The Suzuki one above would be bought for the body and engine parts only - from what I can see of that subframe I'd bin it.

should really of added a few extra guidelines, as i said, built to under 2 litre sports sedan rules so:

~ no turbos over 1150cc (or there abouts) so the suzuki turbo route is no go, unless de stroked but as said the boxes are weak as piss.
~ no bike engines (which is annoying because that would be the obvious winner)


the car will be a full spaceframe car probably no subframe although might make it easier to change engine types if it did, harley try and squeeze a b18 into your b16 one

as much as i know its easier and faster im not buying someone elses car, especially with an alloy cage. ive done that numerous times now and i want to build and develop it myself as that, although more costly, is as much a fun part of the whole thing as driving them.

sounds like b18 honda is a good option, and cheaper then a k20 although i like the way they lean back over the axle.. how are the boxes in them does anyone know?

keep the ideas coming

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Potato

Significant difference in going full spaceframe compared to conversion subframe. Cost, build time, the lot.
Best of my knowledge - b16 and b18 engines are nearly the same - the box is, just the block is taller on the 18. Head is different but not sure how.