Has anyone ever used one of these in a kitcar? Any idea what they are like as i've been given one.

from the celica? I believe it has been used a few times.

from Wiki

21R

The 2.0 L (1972 cc) 21R was produced from 1978 through 1987. Cylinder bore was 84 mm (3.31 in) and stroke was 89 mm (3.5 in). It was a 2-valve SOHC engine.

Output in 1978, constrained by emissions, was 105 hp (78 kW) at 5200 rpm and 116 ft·lbf (157 N·m) at 3600 rpm. Air injection and California emissions equipment for the 21R-C (1982-1985) dropped power down to 90 hp (67 kW) at 5000 rpm. The air-injected Japanese version, the 21R-U, produced 105 hp (78 kW) at 5200 rpm and 120 ft·lbf (162 N·m) at 3600 rpm but dropped to 101 hp (75 kW) at 5400 rpm and 114 ft·lbf (154 N·m) at 4000 rpm in 1986.

[Edited on 1/6/2006 by jestre]

Yep, used in the Celica and other models as well.

When I started my build, I was given an A-reg Celica with a 21R. They are about the same size as a Pinto engine, so all the same fun fitting it in the book chassis. The W58 gearbox and differential are about the same size as the Ford equivalents, so its all usable. Engine parts are stupidly expensive and many are no longer available (I was told piston rings were at least a 3 month wait from Japan, if they decided to make any more). Very little in the way of tuning parts, although some 22R performance parts will fit and are available from America.

The engine is a little lighter than a pinto due to it's ali head, but the diff on my donor had a cast steel body, so what I gained at one end I lost at the other. I recall they were slightly more powerful (105hp?)

Although my donor was very well cared for, the engine had an oil leak, so the owner just topped up the oil for a couple years, without changing it (didn't tell me until after I took the engine apart!). The bores were knackered, and the sensible option was a Pinto engine and seperate Sierra donor that came available at the right price. If the engine doesn't need work, the 21R could make a good donor. If your car has the semi-trailing arms rear suspension, you can swap the diff out for the Supra LSD version; they seem to come up regularly at the breakers.

If you get the car/engine, send me a U2U and I'll dig up what information I've still got. There was a fellow in the US named Dennis who used a 20R in his locost; there are a few pictures on the internet somewhere.

Have already got the car and am currently deciding whether to use it or not, so any info would be much appreciated.

Looks like I got rid of most of the information I had. For tuning stuff, try looking at:

http://www.celica-gts.com, there is tuning info under the resources section.

Other links (mostly 20R and 22R engines)
http://www.barneymc.com/toy_root/techtalk/engine/eng_grp.htm

http://toyheadauto.com/Toyota_Performance.html. These people do lots of 22R parts that fit the 21R.

http://www.lcengineering.com/

http://www.cygnusx1.net/supra/index.html - nothing about the ngine but some information about the gearbox, diff, and rest of drivetrain.

http://www.toysport.com/ - look in the tech info section. Also look at 18R or 18RG, another engine in the same family.

I also found the pictures of Dennis Deeley's car. I can email them to you, but they are about 1.4Mb zipped up.

cheers John