Best lightweight 4 cylinder swap

I'm just going to leave this here.

http://www.motoiq.com/projects/mazda/project_mazda_miatabusa.aspx

I have a 2001 Yamaha R1 drivetrain I'd let go for about $800.

I switched to rotary power.

Sky_Render wrote: I'm just going to leave this here. http://www.motoiq.com/projects/mazda/project_mazda_miatabusa.aspx

That project has been on the launchpad for so long that it's in danger of being classified as vaporware, unobtaneum or DOA.

Shame, because it's a rockin' good idea.

DaveEstey wrote: I have a 2001 Yamaha R1 drivetrain I'd let go for about $800. I switched to rotary power.

I'm tempted to buy that just to store for a future project. Where do you live?

The new itty bitty 4 from Fiat/Dodge is an extremely light and tiny package plus already comes with a good power and many more upgrades coming.

Javelin wrote: Did the Nissan KA24 (ala 240SX, Hardbody Pickups, etc) ever come in all-aluminum?

No but they did make the sr20de which is cheap ($800-1000 for engine/trans from japan) in normally aspirated form.

Most of the motorcycle engined cars are blowing up the engines from engine braking into corners/decellerating. Apparently they're not designed to do that. LOL RCR was having issues with that with their little Nemesis race car. They quit engine braking so much and haven't had a problem since.

kreb wrote:

Sky_Render wrote: I'm just going to leave this here. http://www.motoiq.com/projects/mazda/project_mazda_miatabusa.aspx

That project has been on the launchpad for so long that it's in danger of being classified as vaporware, unobtaneum or DOA. Shame, because it's a rockin' good idea.

Disagree. He's still posting updates on it. It moves ever closer to reality.

He's also planning to offer some of the parts as a kit to make the swap easier in the future.

One of the lightest would be the Suzuki G13B, but it's short of your 140hp goal. Add turbo?

In reply to kreb: So his bike engine car is a "good idea" and mine doesn't make enough torque... (confused face)

In reply to Conquest351:

Duely noted.

singleslammer wrote: In reply to kreb: So his bike engine car is a "good idea" and mine doesn't make enough torque... (confused face)

The Miatabusa utilizes a beefier transmission with a reverse, making the bike setup significantly more useful, durable and appropriate for a car with a 2 as the first number in its weight. I absolutely would like to build a BEC utilizing a paddle shift at some point, but would like to keep total vehicle minus driver weight to 1200 lbs. or less.

Sky_Render wrote: Disagree. He's still posting updates on it. It moves ever closer to reality. He's also planning to offer some of the parts as a kit to make the swap easier in the future.

Sounds good, but at 2 1/2 years, you have to admit that the development process isn't exactly brisk.

Conquest351 wrote: Most of the motorcycle engined cars are blowing up the engines from engine braking into corners/decellerating. Apparently they're not designed to do that. LOL RCR was having issues with that with their little Nemesis race car. They quit engine braking so much and haven't had a problem since.

I use engine braking into corners all the time on my bikes with no issues. They also sell slipper clutches for them to eliminate wheel lock up.

BMW M42. 140hp. Timing chain motor, very reliable, supercharger available. Lots of cheap donor cars floating around.

Rusnak_322 wrote:

Conquest351 wrote: Most of the motorcycle engined cars are blowing up the engines from engine braking into corners/decellerating. Apparently they're not designed to do that. LOL RCR was having issues with that with their little Nemesis race car. They quit engine braking so much and haven't had a problem since.

I use engine braking into corners all the time on my bikes with no issues. They also sell slipper clutches for them to eliminate wheel lock up.

coughs I think the point here is: Engine braking a 500 lbs bike with a 180lbs rider is one thing. Engine braking a 1200+ lbs car with 180 lbs drive is a whole hell of a lot more force for the engine, clutch, and transmission to deal with.

And through 2 tire contact patches rather than just 1 ...

Radical has been very successful with Hayabusa engines, so I'm wondering if anyone has a Turbo Busa in an MR2 Spyder or a De Sol?

In reply to oldeskewltoy :

Dude, what the hell you talking about lol

4AGE is an iron block

Wow, 7 year old thread. Never know where these are going to come from

But, to the original point, I still think GM's LTG is a great option.. well over 200Hp and Torque, Turbo'ed 2.0, available with a manual, and there's a standalone control pack sold through GM performance. I am always half-looking for the transmissions (harder to find) so I can pick up an engine (easy to find) when I have a car to put it in.

Anyone seen Matthew Dunn's MRS?

This thread is relevant to my interests. I really want to put the motor from my SVT Focus into a late '80s base Ranger after NY winters consume enough of the Focus' body.

svxsti said:

Radical has been very successful with Hayabusa engines, so I'm wondering if anyone has a Turbo Busa in an MR2 Spyder or a De Sol?

no but there is one in a Subie Micro Van

The 2019 Honda Accord base motor is a 192HP/192 ft-lb turbocharged L15.

More power (225 HP?) is available from some hot Civic models.

Now, just needs a RWD transmission.

(BMW 323 Getrag 5 speed? Compact, strong, cheap, but you need an adaptor plate)

Toyota 3S-GE "BEAMS" Engines with a 6 speed manual trans can be found for 1k on Ebay all day long.

315ish lbs. 197hp. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Altezza-Engine-Lexus-IS300-Engine-JDM-3SGE-Beams-Engine-6spd-Trans-3S-GE/333096719078?hash=item4d8e1c92e6:g:IFUAAOSwV51cUJE1&frcectupt=true