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Which engine?

Bust it Ben - 20/8/03 at 08:20 AM

Im looking at building a mid-engined beetle based on the 2 seat wizard roadster kit. I want it to have a decent powered modern engine. Do any of you have any opinions on any of these or suggest any alternatives?

MR2 Turbo (obviously this is already a mid based set up)
Camry V6 2.5
Toyota Maxima 3ltr
Nisan 200sx

Ideally I would like a turbo car because of the potential tuning capabilities later down the line if I get bored.

Any advise welcomed as this is my first project.

Thanks

Ben Tuckwell

Alan B - 20/8/03 at 12:19 PM

Hi Ben and welcome,

I'd say the MR2 is a great choice...but then I would, wouldn't I ?.....

http://www.desicodesign.com/meerkat/

Other advice?......keep it simple...there are plenty of challenges without over-burdening yourself...

Good luck

Alan

Spyderman - 20/8/03 at 01:15 PM

I'd agree with Alan on the MR2 front. (me biassed? never)
However as I stated in engines post, you will have difficulty fitting it into a Wizard.

The older MR2's are not turbo'd either. Some have superchargers tho'.
The MK II had a turbo option, but engine is slightly taller I believe.

Terry

MrFluffy - 21/8/03 at 10:49 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Spyderman
The older MR2's are not turbo'd either. Some have superchargers tho'.
The MK II had a turbo option, but engine is slightly taller I believe.

Terry

That'll be the MR2SC your refering there to terry, small roots type coated straight lobe toyota designed supercharger (sc12, sc14 on the corolla's) and a intercooler that sits on top of the motor, plumbing could be better and theyre all over at about 17psi because of charge intake heating problems leading to detonation. Since you dont have to go with a intercooler on top of the motor (in a very hot place) you may do better.
Cusco and a few other tuning places do bigger pulleys that produce more boost etc though.
I just happen to have one on one of my bikes that Im building

Of course combining a turbo onto the mr2sc base you have a awesome little motor, theres a (very expensive) kit to do this called a twincharger...

No motor opinions, you know it'd end up with a longitudinal motor and some form of transaxle

scuzzer - 29/8/03 at 11:52 PM

I have no idea what dimensions these motors have. Their availability sucks in junkyards and such, but these are the hottest FWD motors:

2000-present Toyata Celica GTS: 1.8L, 180HP @ 7600 rpm, 130 ft-lbs, 11.5:1 static compression ratio, 6 speed manual

2002-present Acura RSX type R: 2.0L, 200HP @ 7400 rpm, 142 ft-lbs, 11.0 static CR, 6 speed manual

1997-2001 Acura Integra Type R: 1.8L, 195HP @ 8000 rpm, 130 ft-lbs, 10.6:1 static CR, 5 speed manual

1997-2001 Prelude: 2.2L, 190-200HP @ 6600 rpm, 156 ft-lbs, 10.0 CR, 5 speed manual

1995-1999 Mitsu Eclipse GST or GSX: 2.0L, 210 HP @6000 rpm, 214 ft-lbs, 8.5 CR, 5 speed manual

'02-'03 Nissan Sentra SE-R V spec: 2.5L, 175 HP @ 6000 rpm, 180 ft-lbs, 9.5 CR, 6 speed manual

'00-'02 Toyota Echo (any model): 1.5L, 108 HP @ 6000, 105 ft-lbs, 10.5 CR, 5 speed manual, 41 MPG!

'91-'95 MR2 turbo T-bar coupe: 2.0L, 200HP @ 7400 rpm, 142 ft-lbs, 11.0 CR, 5 speed manual

'96-'97 Honda Del Sol VTEC: 1.6L, 160HP @ 7600 rpm, 111 ft-lbs, 10.2 CR, 5 speed manual (automatic not available)

I'm not sure which come with limited slip. The only one that is turbocharged is the Eclipse (according to my source), which is also available as AWD. The MR2 is not a turbo even though the name implies it is. There are a slew of good motors to come... Acura TSX type S (2.4L, 200 HP), Dodge neon SRT turbo (2.4L, 230 HP), Subaru WRX STI (2.5L, 300 HP), Lancer Evo 2.0L, 271 HP). The best V6 motors are:

'01-'02 Acura CL type S: 3.2L, 260 HP @ 6100 rpm, 232 ft-lbs, 10.5 CR, 6 speed manual, limited slip differential

'97-'03 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP: Supercharged 3.8L, 240 HP @ 5200 rpm, 280 ft-lbs, 4 speed automatic only

'89-'95 Ford Taurus SHO: 3.0L, 220 HP @ 5800 rpm, 222 ft-lbs, 10.5 CR, 5 speed manual

2003 Honda Accord EX V6 and LX V6: 3.0L, 240 HP @ 6250 rpm, 212 ft-lbs, 10.0 CR, 6 speed manual

'02-'04 Nissan Maxima: 3.5L, 255-265 HP @ 5800 rpm, 246 ft-lbs, 10.3 CR, 6 speed manual

My source is
http://autos.msn.com

These motors are fairly new, so they would be hard to come by cheap...for now.
If anyone knows which ones have a LSD, this info would be helpful.