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

i've heard people on here mention using the nissan and toyota lumps. might be good if others have done something with them from an asking "how did you do that bit?" angle. the v6's could be large and heavy and not produce much more power?

the mr2 must be a benefit having already been a rwd engine in a car, no need to worry about sump or baffling or transmission/driveshafts etc.

all IMHO...

Ned.

ps just to add, i know i'm biased to vauxhalls as I'm using one, but you can get an adapter plate for the vauxhall block to the beetle gearbox casing as used for the hewland mark 9 box. you can get standard xe's at 155bhp upwards and they do have the turbo lump out of the calibra turbo at around 300bhp i believe...

[Edited on 20/8/03 by ned]

Ben,

Have a look at Rorty's site:

http://www.rortydesign.com/

He's built numerous mid-engine Beetles (using IIRC R V8s) that are raced. Believe he has a chassis (maybe still) for sale - only prob is he's on the other side of the planet.

Another engine if you can find one, that comes complete with transaxle, is the Renault 25 Turbo - a friends dad had one back in the late 80's - fanatstic motor.

ATB

Simon

In a wizard you are going to have access problems whichever engine you opt for.
Using a MR2 engine or other transverse engine might be too tight to rear bodywork. You will also have to use a new chassis as the torsion bar will be in the way.

Is it a full plastic body or the conversion kit you are using?

Terry

Its going to have a few other mods that are being done by Rayvern Hydraulics. Like hydraulic lifters that will raise the whole rear body work to give access to the engine. This will hopefully give me more access. Big ideas I know but I have had this idea for so long now I really want it to work. Just need to go out with a tape measure and see what fits.

The MR2 Turbo from the mark 2 seems the best option because it seems that I can just build a frame around it and jobs a good’en (well maybe not quite that easy)

Cost is the main thing with these, but what do you think about something like a porker or a lotus engine? Big bucks I guess even if the car has been smashed to bits?

This is the car a few years ago before i started messing with it. With any luck the pick will come out as i have no idea what im doing.

Rescued attachment Wizard.jpg

How about something from these guys??

http://www.kennedyeng.com/vw_por.htm

The Subaru engine powered vee-dubs look awsome!

Ian

...just kiddin'