Ok guys, bit of advice needed.

I am planning a 7 style build, Budget is relativly small, want to get to SVA stage on 3K, will probably start with an abandoned project chassis (welding not too sharp)

Am currently toying with engine choice, Bike or car??

If I go car route will probably be 2L zetec but can a bike engine be used/fitted on such a small budget? whats involved, whats best to go for? want 150bhp+ (want to scare myself a little)

cheers in advance
Chris

BEC on 3K? You'll be lucky!

Guess you *could* do a Zetec for that much but you'll need a bargain rolling chassis and a lot of bargain hunting!

All the best,
James

bargain is soon to be my middle name

Bike engine including loom and instruments won't come for less than £500 and will be more like £1000.
A 2.0 Zetec can be had for £100, plus a another £50 for a gearbox, plus maybe £50 for the bits to couple them together. Add to that money for an engine management system or carbs plus instruments and wiring and you're up to the same kind of figure.
I was making the same decision 6 months ago and chose a bike engine. Sure it has no reverse but it goes forwards a WHOLE lot better!

An abandoned project may well come with an engine, either fitted or unfitted. Free beats buying one every day.

For a bike engine to be a whole lot faster than a 2L Zetec, it's not going to be a £500 engine I suspect!

On that budget forget the zetec and try and get hold of a tuned crossflow or pinto, you might be lucky. Forget big power until the chassis is sorted, the car will be a whole lot better in the end.

Cheers for the pointers guys, After reading stuff for what feels like 24 hours solid I think it may well be 2.0 pinto on carbs.

Any idea which is the best sierra to go for as a donor?

just about any pre88 2 litre car, make sure its 1993cc not 1998cc, otherwise its not pinto. A few on ebay, but getting rarer.