After all the research I have done on the subject I m going with a 1300 GTi Suzuki Swift build they have been done before, getting the gearbox final drive changed to match the smaller mini wheels is no big problem, they have been done many times before andonly real issue is intake manifold fouling on firewall, but there are options there, 100Hp out of the box with 5 speed but mine is modded and pulling 160HP and 90 footpounds of torque on a engine dyno, using quad throttle bodies etc
All that said I have not actually finished it in fact barely started, will do a build log soon but currently have shell sandblasted and in 2 K primer, most of the rust cut out but new steel not in yet, have coil over rear end with new beam in place of subframe, also have motor gearbox sorted built and running
Major to do is :- front subframe and axles

as sean said in the conversions thread, first step an engineer!
here in sa, we had to apply to vehicle standards with what we wanted to do, they send you back a list of what you have to do for them to allow it to be registered!

in sa as soon as you change anything from standard, its classed as a performance modification, which opens up dors for having to get emissions testing and all sorts of fun tests and lots more money. hence why im getting my car engineered with a standard g13b.

good luck, I look forward to watching your progress!

jamie

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-jamie-
1963morris 850
1965 solid side van
1994 rover racecar

i doubt itd be a cheap engine right now but has anyone considered the turbo 3 cylinder from recent model fiestas? the block for that thing is smaller than an A4 piece of paper...naturally transversely mounted too. being a modern engine itd almodt certainly pass all regulations required, seems like a good option but then, i havent checked the price of them...

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Why Drink And Drive When You Can Smoke Dope And Fly!?

the regulation thing is a bit of a misnomer, as long as all the emission gear of the original engine is installed with the engine your ok, unless you modify the engine, but even then there is an out, in QLD no has the gear to properly test an engine so even with modifications there is no need to test in QLD. as for engineer, I have been to three, no problems in fact I have been told as I have a 1275 in the car with 7.5 inch disc brakes already I am not upping the capacity so no need to up the brakes. But I am planning on 8.4 inch vented to be sure of my own safety, besides which in terms of performance better brakes actually allows for better times in fast driving the more HP. And while I agree about the new generation of motors going against them is the integration of so much other crap, engine immobilisers, for a start, then you have smart chargers that only charge the battery when it is at 75% or lower to save fuel and so forth all these things need to be allowed for but the computers are locked / need to be cracked. in their own way they are more complicated then plain old welding stuff togetheir.