Hi, there me and a m8 are looking for some kind of whacky car that we can drop a bike engine into. We were thinking along the lines of a vw caddy, suzuki rascal, fiat 500, pug 205 etc. We're wondering how heavy cars can get and still be suitable for a (fairly) standard bike engine transplant. I was thinking about 600Kg's plus the lack of torque would be a problem? Wott about clutches? Do most people change the standard clutch for something a bit more headvy-duty, such as a multi plate racing one or something?? Thanks in advance for any info....Cheers Oli.

Just to give you some inspiration :

COR!

COR2!

Cheers

G

Also do a search on the BEC forum here, the weight / torque issue has been discussed at length on several occasions

flippin heck that looks like fun

cool thanks guys....Oli.

hi oliwb,
as for power and torque, i have a fiat 500 that i'm in the process of getting ready for an R1 engine, i can tell you that a bike engine is more than capable as they left the factory with 18 YES 18 bhp and something like 12lb ft. they weigh 520kg standard.

Yep but 18bhp and a gearbox designed for the car means its under a lot less stress than a bike engine

Overall I would say that a BEC really wants to be sub 420kgs if you want the absolute best performance, sub 500kgs will be fine still, but 550kgs would be the max I would go to, and then only with one of the bigger engines like a busa or ZX12.