I dropped a tape measure on an XE engine I have here, at home. It's about 6 inches taller than the 1700 X'Flow in my Locost (from c'line of
crankshaft to highest point on block).
My Locost is std book chassis and ST fibreglass. My X'Flow only just fits under the bonnet. The XE wouldn't. That said the XE is a popular engine
and for a period through the early 90's was the choice engine from Caterham, so you can get one in, if you plan your chassis, scuttle and nosecone
ahead. The engine bay on a Caterham is deeper than a book Locost.
How the XE compares with the Zetec, I'm not sure but will measure one at work tommorrow. Maybe the Zetec is an inch or two shorter at the most.
The Zetec may be marginally lighter than the Pinto, the XE is about the same weight. The Toyota engine is much smaller and lighter than both, in fact
occupies about the same space as a crossflow.
The Zetec, would be the cheapest to fit, and if you do everything in true Locost style shouldn't cost too much. On sidedraft carbs would give about
160. The vauxhall, mainly because of adaptor plate considerations would be a little dearer. On the same carbs, in std nick would give 180. If you were
to embark on tuning the XE engine would yield far superior power.
I think the Toyota engine has more going for it because of both its smaller physical size and the quality of the engineering of the basic lump as
lifted from the car. Despite being only 1600cc these engines, in std form are a match for the 2 litre Ford / Vauxhall.
Strictly speaking the 4A-GE was only fitted to the UK Carina and Corrolla's between '87 and '92. I think the term 4A-GE as used in kit car circles
tends to include the many variants of this engine. The 4A-GE is an injected conventional RWD unit. Other units have been available since the early
80's with carbs, and of course the old MR2 is basically the same except it's transveresely mounted. (They were either 4A-F, 4A-GELC, 4A-GELU or
4A-GEU)
Dave Walker, Race Engine Services - 07957 454659 or 01636 671277
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