Hi, I have been seriously considering building the latest haynes roadster, it about the only thing I can afford!

I would be looking for a cheap engine and transmission to give ~130bhp. However I would like to keep a flat neat bonnet with no air filter or buldge. Mr2 are cheap as chips but I don't know if the engine will fit within the bonnet lines and I know idea of a cheap rwd gearbox. As I'll be on a budget I need readilly availble bits not expensive conversion parts. Any tips well received.

My old alfa spider had a lovely twin cam carbed 2.0 lt with rwd but I doubt you could get the parts cheaply~!

I was told the little punchy 1.6 Toyota was a nice neat engine and possibly sits lower than a zetec. Might be a good choice. For budget conscious options finding a Siarrea with 2.0 Pinto is cheapest bet but i dont know if it will fit Roadster.

Book picture shows Pinto (which would maybe need some work to give 130BHP) and it gives suggestions how to fit other engines.
Incidentally many people say modify the rocker cover oil entry to lower height, but surely the cambelt cover is about the same height so is there any point ?

The Toyota Twincam 1600 20Valve is a very popular motor here in South Africa for 7's - gives great performance and reliability with easy gearbox choice - and about as near as you can get to the original Lotus 16V motor. And they're plentiful and cheap - in fact it's cheaper and less hastle to replace them than to repair them if things go wrong

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Incidentally many people say modify the rocker cover oil entry to lower height, but surely the cambelt cover is about the same height so is there any point ?

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