im doing a fresh build at the moment and am unsure of what donor to use

i happen to have a
mk1 mr2
a 1978 2ltr rwd cav
a 200sx s13 (1.8)
and a cvh 1.8 sarah saph

whats best to use??
im unhappy with realiability of the mr2 and the 200sx (both HG probs)
so if stay with the ford, it is h reg, 1.8 reverse left up.
is this worth using the cvh engine or go pinto as been offered and use this box which is type 9??
what do i need additional to the seirra? do i still need escort rack?

can also obtain the 4age mr2 engine happily but how does it work to have it rwd? as seems direct drive and i will need a diff box, which one is needed and can you get adaption plates to take any box or is this expensive?

sorry for all the questions but after searching for 5hrs and getting bits of answers i thought i ask
any advice or link to topic much apperciated as expected.
dave

by the way, the collection of cars is cause im a drifter so wanting it for the use of oversteer more than anything and to build a racecar which i've built and know to fix more!

[Edited on 10/12/05 by dodgydave]

I haven't used any of the engines you mention, but there is quitre a lot on this website about the 4AGE - seems to be quite a rated engine. Here's the most recent thread, but if you search for 4AGE from the beginning you will find a number of them. My approach was to get a fairly new engine that did not need anything doing to it, but to some extent it depends on your technical skills and time and/or money available

My personal view on your other options:

MR2 - that would also need a RWD gearbox and bellhousing. If it's got head gasket problems I would avoid it

Likewise 200 if it's got known problems

RWD Cavalier - getting a bit old now? Not sure how well the engine + g/box would fit

1.8 CVH - opinion on here seems to be that 1.6 CVH or 2.0 Pinto are better. Again, do a search for 1.8 cvh and you will find a number of posts.

The Sierra should provide a lot of necessary parts other than the engine, too, e.g.:

Front hub carriers, hubs, discs & calipers (depending on kist - lots use Cortina)

Diff, half shafts, hub carriers and rear drums or disc setups

Steering wheel, upper steering column (inc switches), shroud, lower link

Handbrake lever/cable

Most use the Escort rack, though

If the 200SX has the CA18DE engine this would be a good 'un. What reliability problems have you had? my old nissan with CA18de ran up 320,000km without ever having the head off. Anyway the gearbox is long enough to not need an extension and the engine is physically the same size as a 4age and about the same weight, these go great with a little tweaking and are a stronger engine than the latter SR20 (having shims and buckets rather than rockers), and are smaller and lighter (even though the sr20 is alluminium, it's a big lump)

The Sierra is the best choice from your collection of motors.
The 1.8 cvh is perfectly useable but there are better options such as the pinto or better still, find yourself a Zetec.
I'm building a GTS which is designed around the Sierra, it is a great kit and the boss, Darren George is an amazingly clever chap.
Give him a call and he will answer all your questions.

If it were me, from my limited experience I would use the donor that is the most recent (but check engine emissions test requierments) and most commonly available and cheapest parts. Sierra meets all of those points.

Keep away from mk2 escort - no prizes as to why.

seems like its going to be the sarah then,
but with different engine.

will finish of a rolling chassis and go from there and use the ford for that.

and here i was saying i'll never have a ford!

Hi if you deside to sell the mr2 lump give me a shout regards Trev.

think about what you'll use it for, don't alot of drifters use 200sx's, it it cos they are RWD or a good engine/upgradeable?? might be more spares kicking around the drifting paddock...
I've got a 4AGE-great engine! ford sierra g-box, raw engineering bell housing.
Chas.

200sx's are cheap and its more the heritage with them and drifting as opossed to they are the best and a locost is useless.

the best imo is the ae86 toyota corrolla which is using the mr2 engine, which is good for the high revs.
but to use this engine isn't it too much work as wouldn't i need a type 9 box adapter?

who makes gearbox adapters and are they silly money?
also always dauting with ecu and the electrics, but i suppose it be fine just flashes the faults of sensors which wasnt needed or connected as opposed to not running?

and yeas mate, can have my mr2 engine if want as prefer the money to get this rolling first then worry bout another engine. pm me price idea. im in bournemouth tho,...

Just remember get it through the SVA first, doesnt matter what you put in...

think... easy / cost & SVA.

You can always change the engine and box next winter for something better