After waisting my money on trying to fix the worn engine I bought for my project (alfa 1.7 16v) I found that it would be a lot cheaper to find something different. SO of too my scrappy and finally some luck. Found a Hyundai 1.5 16v with 4.5k on the clocks. And even better I am haing all the engine bits, rad, gearbox, loom basicaaly all I need for £520!!!!! On a near new engine unbalievable. I know it only has 100 bhp but its going tinto a fibre glass Fiat 500 cabriolet hence 250 bhp per ton.!!! By the way anyone have chassis designs of mid engine cars using front wheel drive engine??

That's a great price. Those Hyundai's are very cheap!

My co-worker has an Elantra that I have looked into the engine bay on several occasions, thinking it would make a good donor for a middy... Samll and lightweight construction.

This is the thing that's going to make mid-engined "Locosts" based on FWD running gear the preferred mode soon - cheap donors.

One of the local (Brisbane, Australia) Locost builders just bought a 2001 model Nissan Pulsar (maybe called Cherry in the UK? not sure in US - 2 litre FWD anyway) from the damaged vehicle auctions. The vehicle was a statutory write-off meaning by law it can not be repaired only dismantled. The bulk of the damage was to the rear of the car so the whole drivetrain, front suspension, instrument panel etc was fine. Price? AU$1300 - about £495 or US$910 at todays exchange rate. Plus, he's been selling off the various bits he doesn't need, like doors, panels, lights, trim etc so the end result will probably owe him considerably less than AU$1000 in the end. Admittedly, he's going to use just the engine and instruments in a "conventional" front engine, RWD Locost but the principle remains.

I may still have issues with my 20-valve Corolla motor in terms of meeeting emissions standards for registration. The end result might be me buying a recent Corolla wreck with it's lovely little 1ZZ-FE engine and using that instead. I paid $1500 just for my current engine/gearbox package.

On the topic of chassis designs for transverse middies - see Steve Graber's site, Alan Bertwistle's site and, to a lesser extent my site. These will give you inspiration (mine may just give you amusement) but I doubt you're going to find a complete chassis plan sitting on the web anywhere

Good luck,

Dominic

Me, me, meeee toooo! I'm using a FWD Honda Prelude in the back of a tube frame Mini.

I respect your engine choice and as long as you leave it alone you should be happy with it. But if you want more power someday it may be hard to find "go fast" parts. Think that over very hard before falling in love with it. Any Nissan, Honda, or Toyota engine may cost more, but there are Tons of go-fast parts for them, in case the "itch" gets you... and it will...

Whoops, sorry to leave you off the list Kurt. I started to write my reply and then got distracted here at work (someone had immersed my stapler in Jello! Score 1 point everyone who recognises the joke).

Your car and website are certainly of equal value to Alan and Steve's.

Dominic

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After waisting my money on trying to fix the worn engine I bought for my project (alfa 1.7 16v) I found that it would be a lot cheaper to find something different. SO of too my scrappy and finally some luck. Found a Hyundai 1.5 16v with 4.5k on the clocks. And even better I am haing all the engine bits, rad, gearbox, loom basicaaly all I need for £520!!!!! On a near new engine unbalievable. I know it only has 100 bhp but its going tinto a fibre glass Fiat 500 cabriolet hence 250 bhp per ton.!!! By the way anyone have chassis designs of mid engine cars using front wheel drive engine??

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It has no doors and you have to nearly jump in so I'll only invite girls woith skirts!!!! I don't want a bike engine as I think it will be too jerky. And more expensive. About the engine I found that I can get reprofiled cams and I have a Mini supercharger on the shelf which I might put ion in a few years with as omex management system. But that will be later ounce I get it on the road. My main decision is where to fit the rad. The front is a lot more raised than the rest so I can create a scope and have the air coming out the boinnet as per Evo. Or at the back with big fans as per audi quattro. Second is shere to put the fuel tank originally it was behind the dash but is was very small. Third is with pedal assembly. Iam very limited with space and will have to make something. Fourthly gear linkage if anyone has an idea let me know (maybe cable tied to padel shift)????
Cheers for the emails and replies.

If you get the bug for more power down the road you can look into some of Hyundai's optional engines as well.

AFAIK most of their powerplants are sourced from Mitsubishi so you may be able to swap to the 4G63T (2l, 16v, turbo) while keeping your transmission/drivetrain as is. This is done a fair bit with Hyundai Excels and Dodge Colts (badge engineered Mitsu Mirage) over here.

Cheers, Ted

lalalallallallallallala ....
I always have the bug and am having sessions to solve my problem so please dont tempt me!!!!!

The Hyubdai Elantra Base model 2.0L has 4 valves per cylinder, 140HP@6000 and 137Lb/Ft torque @4000. Comes with a 5 speed manual.

The base car weighs 2,800 Lbs and does 0-60 in 8 seconds while averaging <>35MPG.

I think that this engine is a natural for middy locosts.

IMHO Base power is acceptable for a 1,500Lb car. Especially at those prices!

Dooooo IT!!!!!

Got the engine today took me 5 and a half hours. Just wanted to get the loom sorted right. The engine is surprisingly small and with the original rubber mounts bolting of will make the assembly a lot easier.