Seems to me like there ought to be an ongoing supply of USAC Midget racing engines (or blocks) which could be de-tuned for street use. I'd think a 2.5 liter four with ~200hp would be a really effective means of waking up a small, light car like a old Spitfire/Datsun/MG/Fiat, but I can't recall seeing any threads here where somebody did that.
Discuss.
The 2.5 swap into an NC is already pretty popular. GRM did a swap in a weekend, allegedly.
But into older cars, it's not all that easy. I've seen people try a lot of engine swaps into Alfas with limited success.
I am reminded of a classic challenge car that had a Vega Cosworh in a midget. That may be a good candidate for a 2.5 swap.
Its been many years since I really paid attention to midgets. I Goog'd nd found this re newer, a/o 2016, midget engines.
Because the K20 exists
Becuase Midget engines are ferociously expensive.
Just read this. Wonder how much that cost.
https://carbuzz.com/news/2-7l-billet-4-cylinder-makes-400-hp-without-forced-induction
In reply to Stampie :
Now we need to get Calvin doing a series of videos where he saws an aluminum LS block in half and makes 400 HP with an ebay turbo.
DeadSkunk (Warren) said:In reply to Stampie :
Now we need to get Calvin doing a series of videos where he saws an aluminum LS block in half and makes 400 HP with an ebay turbo.
Actually, the idea of half an LS is what prompted me to post the thread to begin with...
In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :
Which direction, I4 or V4?... Both have been done with SBC's years ago, but apparently not as much with LS's more recently.
In reply to Driven5 :
Seems like I4 would be easier. Mill that bank off and use a blank off plate. Unused rods can be take down to just a circle as spacers. I think everything else can be used as is?
In reply to Stampie :
Firing orders don't work that way.
I've seen a half-LS Midget engine. Still lots of custom parts involved that aren't super DIY friendly.
Many purpose built Midget engines don't even have coolant jackets in the block. Kinda difficult to re-purpose such creations for street use.
In reply to gumby :
I didn't think about that. Guess there would be a pause between 7/5 or 4/8.
I would love to find a couple Aircooled VW modget motors , I remember then running at Ascot raceway :)
stroker said:DeadSkunk (Warren) said:In reply to Stampie :
Now we need to get Calvin doing a series of videos where he saws an aluminum LS block in half and makes 400 HP with an ebay turbo.
Actually, the idea of half an LS is what prompted me to post the thread to begin with...
I think someone already does a half-LS. Let me google a moment.
And here https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/blueprint-engines-four-cylinder-crate-engine-ls-head/
Tom1200 said:Becuase Midget engines are ferociously expensive.
Winner winner chicken dinner.
I suspect it would also be hard to "detune" a 15:1 comp ratio engine to run on pump gas when it was designed for methanol.
californiamilleghia said:I would love to find a couple Aircooled VW modget motors , I remember then running at Ascot raceway :)
In the plate-o-shrimp department, this just popped up in January's Porsche club magazine:
"It's a detuned VW-based Autocraft midget racing motor good for about 200 horsepower" said owner Bill Bares. "It runs 46mm Webers and uses a dry-sump oil system. When they changed the rules in the racing series, they took these motors out and put them on the shelf. We bought it out of Virginia and made it work."
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