American engine for Locost?

Hey guys I was wondering what would be a good engine for a traditional style Locost that can easily be found in an American car? My junk yard has very few imports so I would like to try and find something that is available out here. I would love to put in some high reving lil 4 banger but I can't think of much that I could pull from out here that fits the bill and is rwd.

And no I don't think the diesel I am pulling from the olds would work. Heck I have the Chevy 355 laying in the shop but I figure that would be a bit umm big and crazy to go in a locost.

2001+ Ranger Duratec 2.3/2.5 & 5 speed. DOHC, 16 valve, plenty of go-fast goodies.

If I HAD to pick an American engine, I guess it would be whatever Toyota puts in their American built cars as a first choice, then, I SUPPOSE (ugh) a Ford something-a-tec that had a 5 speed that would bolt up to it.

Could also try the Ecotec family. RWD variants found in the S10, Sky, Solstice. Anything from a 2.2 140hp to a 2.0 turbo with ~260hp (or a whole lot more with a tune). Not sure if the FWD and RWD bellhousing is the same pattern. If it is, you have a bajillion cars you can get the motor itself from.

I say L33 (aluminum 5.3 LSx) or an LS1.

What about a Focus SVT engine? 170 hp, 2.0 liter Zetec with Cosworth input.

Next choice would be a supercharged Cobalt SS engine or an SRT-4 engine.

+1 on the 2001+ Ranger Duratec 2.3/2.5 & 5 speed.

A Pontiac Solstice Ecotech would be great but probably a little hard to find.

Well there is a couple Solstices around town. One is owned by my old math professor...

Of those mentioned the ranger engine would more than likely be easiest for me to find. An engine from a S10 would be easy as well. I had thought about a 4.3 V6 from one of those.

I think the Bruton Stalker originally used the 4.3L... now it looks like they use the Camaro/Firebird 3800. Check out their website for ideas: Brunton

A 60's 215 cu in Buick V8 might be cool too (all aluminum V8 - later used by Land Rover).

bruton stalker used the 2.8 60v6 from an s10... or the 3800sc with an adapter plate... never did the 4.3L as far as I know (it's a 90 and very wide)

I'd consider a hybrid 60*v6 with the later alu FWD top end... considered it with my s10... prob would have done it if the truck was a 2.8 to start with

Yeah I have thought about the 215 before. In fact there is one in my craigslist local but he is trying to trade for parts only at the moment and I don't have what he is looking for.

I have always thought it would be a cool little motor for a Locost.

Is there a tranny that would hook up to the motor from a Neon?

I'd reckon an R/T engine would be quite fun in something that small.

For the aluminum BOP 215, Range Rover bought manufacturing rights, so availability of newer units with attached 5 speeds is good. Not strictly American, but maybe close enough.

Hmm can a 3800 SC be setup for rwd and fit in a locost? I know they used the 3800 in the f bodies as well but I heard they were not as good as the ones used in like the GTP.

How about a Quad 4? It's an iron block design, but should be relatively easy to find. You could also go Zetec for something easy to source and find parts for. Both have RWD bellhousing adapters available.

That Zetec is a sweet little motor. had one in a ZX2. Nicest thing about the car.

3.0 SHO with a 3.0 Ranger 5spd.

Another for the Ranger Duratec swap Seems almost like it was made for it.

Looks like I will have to look into the Ford stuff. Seems to be the general consensus that they are the best option for a US motor.

Grizz wrote: Is there a tranny that would hook up to the motor from a Neon? I'd reckon an R/T engine would be quite fun in something that small.

From what I've read, the SRT 2.4 is similar to the 2.4 in a Jeep Wrangler. I'm not sure about the mounts and such being the same.

AMC 2.5 offers up some interesting transmission options and were produced from the early 1980's until 2002.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_Straight-4_engine

Otherwise I'd probably look at Ford.

I bolted a 4 speed from a 2.0 pinto to zetec. The bolt pattern for a 2.3 lima is close enough to a zetec to modify bell from a 4 banger mustang T-5.

The Ecotec gets my vote. Grab the turboed version from a Saab, use a Solstice or Sky bellhousing and a T5, hang on.

I'd use a Duratec. Not necessarily the long-stroke Ranger 2.3, maybe a 2.0 out of a Focus. The big advantage is that it's a very common engine in Sevens in the UK and even new Caterhams, so there's a big knowledge base.

Toyota r154 with a Dakota 4-cylinder bellhousing.