Hi everyone,

I've bought a part finished project with a 1.3 installed, I'm planning to swap it for a ZX9R or Blade but I'd just like to know what im going to have to change...

1. Do I need to modify the chassis to fit the engine mounting cradle?

2. I need to get the propshaft modified, yes?

3. Axles? Diff?

4. Radiator? (I'll be using a carb'ed engine)

5. Fuel system?

Any help would be much appreciated

Stu

OK I'll have a go. I've never done a swap like that but I guess....

1. Do I need to modify the chassis to fit the engine mounting cradle?

Yes you'll need to add new mount points for the enigne and (at least) an extra cross brace to strenghten the engine bay. AFAIK.

2. I need to get the propshaft modified, yes?

Yep, the point where it comes from the gearbox on a car and on a BEC won't be too close (I'd guess). Also you'll need a sprocket adaptor. MK modify Sierra propshafts, by shortening them and adding a slider on at the front.

3. Axles? Diff?

Maybe not. Depending on the gearing. If it's high enough geared you could be OK. Otherwise you'll be sitting at 60mph at 8000rpm in top!

4. Radiator? (I'll be using a carb'ed engine)

Not too sure on this one. What type of radiator is currently fitted? Polo radiators and Micra radiators are popular with BECs, but I can see why your current radiator won't do as long as it's fitted with a decent fan and is in good order.

5. Fuel system?

You'll need to fit a bike fuel pump or a regulator as a car fuel pump is too strong for a carbed bike engine, otherwise no mods (AFAIK).

Remember all this is off the top of my head and if I've left anything off I'm sure the other folks won't be shy of reminding me!

All the best

Ali

one reasonably pricey item or fiddly if your going to make it yourself is the exhaust. Allow £300-£500 for a bespoke one.

Also the jiggery pokery of altering lever lengths for the pedals etc

Also the making of a gear shift mechanism.

other then that Alister not a bad attempt

Also, if the part built project you have bought has side panels and exhaust fitted, you may need a new side panel as bike exhausts exit on the near-side rather than off-side.

Ok Thanks everyone!

It doesnt have the exhaust attached so that should be ok, I was wondering if I could use the bike manifold though? Presuming I can source an engine with one....

Most sports bike manifolds come out of the ports and then curve down charply to closely follow the front of the block then they curve under the bottom if the engine - this keeps it all niceand compact.

Due to the orientation of the engine in the car chassis if you used a bike manifold your exhaust would end up going under the engine and out the drivers side!

If you were determined to keep costs down and use the manifold it would need cutting and shutting and you would 'probably' only end up using the top 3-4 inches of the headers then fabricating your own system to attach to the headers.

If it's a 1.3 Xflow it's on the near side but not necessarily in the right place. Rivet a plate over the old hole and make a new one.

who mentioned it exiting on the off side?

Didn't you read the other posts Col?

[Edited on 12/8/04 by Peteff]

Doh, glasses required.

Hell fire your git - you made me look stoopid

F27 blade (one of the earliest BECs?) had the exhaust on the driver's side.
http://www.formula27.freeserve.co.uk/page7.html

[Edited on 13/8/04 by jack trolley]