OK experts. Here are some questions. I have a Locost that is a "Book" build by someone on your lovely island. It is a high quality build so whoever did it knew what they were doing. It has 1979 mk2 escort parts and a 1300cc 711m crossflow 50hp engine. I was going to pull the engine and trans and put in a MX5 mazda or Zetec in it. But after measuring engines today I think I may have a problem. The crossflow measures about 20" (51cm) high. .About 2.5" (6.4cm) under the oil pan and the air cleaner sticks out the hood. Those other engines are a lot taller. So the question is what can I do to get more reliable HP. Parts for my engine are hard to get in the States. There are formula ford parts for racing but they are $$$$$$$$$ and not for the street. I thought about a BEC but I don't think that would be good for a daily driver plus the reverse problems. I don't care for lots of HP but would like to get about 100 HP. 70mph is a real problem for my engine. Any suggestions for stateside engines? Next question I assume the fuel sender is a stock escort item but it has Cortina guages. The fuel guage never regesters over about 5/8 full. And sits on empty for most of the tank. Any suggestions to fix it??? tks Russ

I ran a primaraly alfa shop years ago. One of my customers had fitted an Alfa 1300 into a bugeye. I would think it would make a very good choice and if you look it should be fairly cheap. Not mine but something like this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Alfa-Romeo-ALFA-ROMEO-GTV-VINTAGE-1976-ALFA-ROMEO-GTV-2-0L-4CYL-5SP-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ4643919715QQcategoryZ5356QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem

A CVH should go straigh it - I believe they were 1.9L in the states so should give 100BHP with a bit of tuning, and aren't too heavy or tall. Will also go straight on to the ford gearbox.

Cheers

Stu

Stick with crossflow but fit a 1600 bored out plus 90 on 1300 pistons, bit on balancing and lightening and 1600 GT spec valves should see you at over 120 BHP on twin webbers for not huge money and at least you know it will fit. I built an engine to this spec for my Caterham end of last year and the cost, not including the carbs, was less than £400 including megajolt!! Had it rolling road tuned for reliability nor power during the running in and got 115 BHP at the rear wheels and once its run in i reckon it has another 15 to 20 BHP to give.

Mac

Actually I didn't think, I came across this a couple of days ago. If it would suit your purpose and you could afford the initial outlay. This would repower and provide bits to upgrade and when finished I would bet you could sell off the leftover bits on lowcostusa for about what you paid.
http://www.everysky.com/lostcost-sale/
http://locostusa.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=6&sid=8591c5bc4f0e475d68c6a26d9caeb31d

On the engine thing..

My youngster is talking about a Suzuki Swift engine (1600cc or bigger in USA I'm told), coupled to a Suzuki 4x4 gearbox with the transfer case removed.

I'm not familiar with either of these parts, but apparently it's easily done. And the bigger Suzuki motors are good for a lot of power.

Cheers,
Syd.