Hi folks!... Im just about to start building a locost and have a couple of questions i hope someone could answer for me!... I know the easiest route for me to go would be to fit a x-flow. But I have a BMW 325i sitting in the garage gathering dust and a Phase II Renault 5 GT Turbo... I would like to fit either of these engines but would there be much chassis mods to fit the 325i 12v engine and is there anyway to mate up the R5 to a gearbox to drive the rear wheels!... Look forward to any replys!... Thanks in advance... Mark in Chester

Hi Mark

Personally I'd say you were out of luck on both fronts if you wanted an easy life. The BMW could be used, but there's a fair ammount of re-engineering to be done to squeeze the oversize six pot lump in


On the Renault front, I can't think of a gearbox off the top of my head that would turn it through 90 degrees to drive the rear wheels. The older Volvo 340s sprang to mind, as they used the same 1397 Renault engines, but I then remembered they had a weird transaxle arrangement with the gearbox in the back axle

You could probably make your own adaptor plate up, to mate it to something like the Ford Type 9 from a Sierra, but the ammount of work involved (i.e. engineer a new clutch setup) usually takes longer than the rest of the car.

Been there, seen that, torn my hair out over it

Sorry this isn't any more help to you.

Cheers for the advice Dave!... Much appreciated!... Does anyone have any other ideas for me!... I want to build my locost with a fast engine, Hopefully with over 4 pots or turbo'ed!... All Advice or tips are most welcome!... Thanks Mark in Chester

Well now, do you want to buy your chassis? If you do, then how about an MK Indy with a Rover V8? Needs to use the Ford Type 9 though.......

There was also a thread about the Turbo A series, but a lot of hassle to get it RWD compatible though

How about the Rover T16 turbo? 2litres, bolts up to the LT77 SD1 gearbox.

Or CVH turbo?

Mr Metal Hippy, when he returns will be worth chattin too, he is building an M5 BMW engined locost, pretty much same set up as what you have in garage ? he will be back next week, on hols he is.....

Once again thanks for all the advice folks... The CVH Turbo sounds like my cup of tea!... Is this much of a problem to convert to RWD?... Sorry if i sound a bit thick but i really want to make less hassle for myself during the build!... All advice given is taken in 100 percent... Ive been offered a Vauxhall 2 litre 16v engine and been told i can mate it up to a Ford gearbox... Anyone shed any light on this for me please?... Thanks Mark in Chester

16v vaux transpalnt is common, may be wrong here, but don't they mate to a manta box to save having to make or source an adapter plate ?
A local to me as 16v in his locost..made mince meat of a evo 7 at the last track day we did......

mgmckay, I have a Manta all-alloy Getrag RWD 'box (with quickshift mod) and an alloy sump and light flywheel that will bolt onto the 16V. I'll even throw in the Manta propshaft (which you will need to adapt to the Ford diff flange of course!)

About £120 should do the trick.
Drop me a line if you're interested

Mark,

On fitting the RS Turbo engine, you'll find that you have nonearside mount. Most people either re-locate the alternator (hard) and use the alternator bracket mounts on the block as an engine mount, Or make up a bracket that will fit behind the alternator bracket and leave it in the original posistion (IYSWIM).

As for the Vx 16v, yep, either a bellhousing from SBD for #170 quid, or a Manta/Carlton 'box will give you drive to the rear.

Is is much more difficult to drop a Vx engine in to a locost? I heared MR2 engine was ment to be reasonable?

Vx engine, wossat then ?

The MR2 (Toyota 4AGE) engine is meant to be excellent, available from either MR2's or Corolla GTi's. You'll need a T50 gearbox from a RWD Corolla or a bellhousing adaptor from somewhere like RAW engineering. Have a look at Rob Lanes site http://www.robs7.com

Vx? Vauxhall? Geddit?

The 4A-GE is a nice motor, but tuning bits are still expensive (as are the engines, now they are gaining popularity), and rear drive Toyota boxes are pretty thin on the ground in this country.

On the up side, it's a cracking little engine.

If you decide to go the Vx route, make sure you get a gearbox off a 1.8 OHC engine, the 2.0 boxes are similar, but the starter is on the wrong side.