Sam_68
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| posted on 29/8/11 at 07:52 PM |
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Depending on how accurate the bodywork is, beware engine height. Very few engines fit under the bonnet of an Eleven (and still fewer under the bonnet
of a 15) without a large and unsightly bonnet bulge.
The original Climax engines were canted over to get them under the bonnet line. Lotus Twin Cams and Fiat Twin Cams will fit without a bulge if you dry
sump them, but that's a fairly big cost. I believe the Ford Crossflow could be made to fit Westfield's Eleven replica without a bulge or
dry sumping, but it was pretty marginal and I wouldn't like to say whether the same will be true for the Champion 11/15.
If you want some hint at authenticity, Alfa Twin Cams and Rover (Buick) V8's were fitted in period; the latter to Dizzy Addicot's 15, a
replica of which is for sale at the moment at Paul Matty Sports Cars:
http://www.paulmattysportscars.co.uk/showroom/stock-detail.aspx?id=2072
Again, both will need a big bonnet bulge...
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ss1turbo
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| posted on 30/8/11 at 10:40 AM |
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It all depends if you want something small, powerful or cheap - pick any 2!
There are some jewels of engines from that period; The basic Imp engine was around in the Talbot Samba/Peugeot 104 as well with some improvements and
I think all the bits still fit but I don't know of a bolt-on RWD gearbox. Might be a bit small and down on power, but what about the Reliant
850 - all alloy and I believe there are a lot of ex-750MC high power engines floating around. RWD box as standard, its a very small and light lump
(all alloy - one man lift  ) but you'll be hard pushed to get 100bhp out of one. Belgium was one of their larger export markets for the 3
wheelers, or plenty available in the UK.
BMW M10 is ready-canted over (to a point), plenty of bits available and its what they used in F1 when they were in the 1.5 litre + HUGE turbo
days....just find an E21 3 series or an early 516/518...easier than finding a 2002.
What about a Mazda rotary - although not sure how good the rotor seals were back then...
PSA XU lump is post-1980 from memory?
Long live RWD...
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whitestu
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| posted on 30/8/11 at 12:10 PM |
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What about an Alfa flat 4? You would need a custom bell housing but the Alfa boxer is one of the best 4 cylinder motors ever!
Spares are still easy enough to get I think.
IMHO of course.
Stu
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locost15
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| posted on 31/8/11 at 11:02 AM |
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Found a chap here in Belgium who has a massive fiat / lancia & Abarth stock... but not cheap, I'm planning on paying him a visit...
The problem with my car is its very heavy, thick fibreglass body and the chassis extensions are all steel so no comparison to either a original or
Westfield. I looked at the Westfield the first time around and the sales person at the time convinced me and himself the 1275 A isn’t powerful enough
within a sensible budget and he was recommending Ford xflows... so any smaller capacity is out. I would like at least a 1500cc 100hp + ..
I had a old Alfa Twin cam knocking around once, beautiful looking... sold it... (stupid idea)..
I’ll double check the engine heights again...
Cheers
Matt
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 31/8/11 at 03:15 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by imp paul
i would stay clear of A series its a lead balloon with a crap gear box i know as i have few jk gear boxes oops lol
A lead balloon that will be running long after the imp engine has self destructed 
My vote is for a Cosworth BDA, but back in the real world of budgetary constraints I think a Kent crossflow would be a sensible choice as it's
still widely supported.
[Edited on 31/8/11 by MikeRJ]
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ettore bugatti
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| posted on 1/9/11 at 07:33 PM |
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Other engines would be a one from MGA/MGB or the Triumph TR3/4 engine.
They aren't engine with the highest specific output, but there are plenty of parts available and rwd suitable.
I believe there is a bit Opel scene in Belgium so a engine from a period Rekord/ Manta/ GT might be nice as well.
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