Red SLR Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 Anyone know what space there is in terms of height for an engine in a 7? Assuming a couple of inches for the sump, how much room is there to the inside of the bonnet? TIA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie. Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 About 23inches max, but it depends on the length of the engine as the bonnet falls to the nosecone. A shorter engine can be taller. Got to be careful of not only sump height, but crank height. Providing you use the existing gearbox mount, you're limited to around input shaft height for the crank height, so its not that you can just dangle the engine out the bottom of the chassis to clear the bonnet. If you're thinking of a mad install, measure very carefully before you purchase. Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBL Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 A 2.3 Duratec Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irrelevant Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 You could always tilt the engine over if you have a bespoke sump and bellhousing adapter make up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted June 24, 2010 Author Share Posted June 24, 2010 If you're thinking of a mad install, measure very carefully before you purchase. Um... yep. I am only just starting to think about it now but I am thinking of the following options: 330d engine M3 (6cyl) engine 123d engine M5 V10 (only joking) All of which have spd manual gearboxes and are on RWD layout. For some time I have wanted to try a diesel in a Caterham, and I think the newer engines with no lag and very good rev ranges will do the trick. Something I have looked at in reasonable detail is the Audi A3/Golf GTi turbo engine on a DSG gearbox but I dont think its ever going to fit. Its all just talk at the moment, but once I get time to actually get to the breakers and look at a few engines I will start to make some proper measurements. My plan at the moment would be to use an SV, and get the chassis modified to accept the BMW gearbox. I would also serously consider running the car with PAS.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 The VW DSG gearbox is not just heavy. It is heavier than that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeljclark Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 Cor a Diesel Se7en - the miles you'd get from a tank...... Not sure about the exhaust smoke thou - you may look like you've been down a coal mine, if you applied lots of loud pedal! Mike 07 Plated RoadSport SV 150 in Red with Black nose band and stripe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dickie Normuss Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 Been done 😬 😬 😬 VX HPC - Loud and proud here Adding power makes you faster on the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted June 24, 2010 Author Share Posted June 24, 2010 LOL The problem is its also very hard to get it to run RWD only. The 2 types of tx box you can put on it are FWD or 4x4. The 4x4 option is ok, but its not perm 4x4 so its not easy to turn into RWD. I think the BMW engines are the best option. Just need them to bring out a 4 pot petrol turbo.! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted June 24, 2010 Author Share Posted June 24, 2010 The other thought that has been running round in my head is using the 3.4 Boxster engine.. its low enough, but might be too wide for even an SV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougBaker Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 I am afraid once you have seen a vintage special none of those options sounds that mad here 2003 Roadsport SV 1.6K 5 speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-B Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 There is (or was, not sure what happened on Targa Liege) a gent in West Sussex named John with a Merc 4cyl Diesel in his Se7en. As I recall, and it has been a couple years since last seeing him, the car ended up a bit heavier, but had fab engine reliability. I've lost his contact details, but was an "interesting project" in his words...... A guy in the USA2005 group was working on putting a Buick (GM) V-6 into his car -- I can not recall if an SV or regular chassis but said the V-6 would comfortably put out ~300++ bhp and needed a dry-sump to fit, but given the metals in the engine would not add appreciably "too much more" weight to the platform. Edited by - Steve-B on 24 Jun 2010 08:43:56 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 volvo and saab 4 pot turbo ? fits in a mk2 escort Ok with crossmembers and gearbox centerlines etc heavy tho ..... my option for an alternative would be a Honda with a supercharger ..again much heavier than a duratec with a supercharger ☹️ if the duratec can be boosted to 350bhp + and produce good power in n/a state then why go even heavier ? here is my Duratec R .... C7 TOP Taffia AO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blokko Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 W@ankel engine out of an RX8 - used in a rwd car, 230bhp and I would have thought that it would be very light 🤔 I know that it has been done at least once with an RX7 engine.... Steve - Orange and Black ex Academy - You can either be right or you can be happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blokko Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 From Wiki -All the Mazda rotary engines have been praised, because of their light weight. The unmodified 13B-MSP Renesis Engine has a weight of 122 kg(247 lbs), including all standard attachments (except airbox), but without engine fluids (such as coolant, oil, etc). -----Steve - Orange and Black ex Academy - You can either be right or you can be happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie_pank Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 I don't really understand why one would want to put a heavier engine in the car. Sure it might be more powerful but you'll lose that lovely handling and stopping that is achieved by weight saving. back here because I want to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted June 24, 2010 Author Share Posted June 24, 2010 The 123d engine (which seems to be the best option at the moment) is all alloy. So in theory its not going to be that heavy. I suspect a bespoke sump will be required and will prob save quite a bit too. Also, take off the ac, abs etc and I am sure it wont be *that* bad compared to say a VX 2.0.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterg Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 Speaking purely from a Westfield point of view, amongst many others, these engines have been fitted already:- GM v6 engine (out of an Omega) Big block Chevy (plus small block and Rover v8 of course) Mazda rotary (2 or 3 times at least) Ford diesel (the famous Wiesel) Honda S2000/type 9 Volvo T5 5 pot (in Germany) piccy proof here of the Volvo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie_pank Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 The thing which makes a car go fast in a straight line is power to weight. All other things being equal a lighter car will handle better than a heavier one in terms of stopping distances and cornering. Therefore it makes sense to avoid gaining absolute weight while increasing PTW. I'm currently using a 180hp engine to build a car with 400bhp ish/tonne. A 600kg 7 with a 300hp engine is going to go faster in a straight line than this, but you'll have lost some of the absolute weight advantage makes the 7 a joy to drive in terms of stopping and cornering. I wouldn't like to try and quantify it, but there comes a point where if you add too much weight, although the PTW is higher, you'll go slower around a track than a car with a lower PTW because you can't stop and corner as well. (As 7 owners we see this regularly on the roads). back here because I want to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted June 24, 2010 Author Share Posted June 24, 2010 Agreed, my current car is a BEC, so I know what its like to gain 2 seconds on someone through 1 corner... only for them to power off down to the next one with their 550bhp nutter turbo thingy. However, I do think if done right, it could be very interesting. I am not saying I am going to do it... but I will be looking at it quite closely over the next few months. My BEC is up for sale at the moment and its looking like its sold so I think I will have funds to start looking for an SV shortly. I also have a turbo-k in the garage out of a 7 with I/C and ecu etc... just needs rebuilding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techbod Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 Westfield 7 with audi 1.9tdi here. Not exactly the highest power to weight you might get, but interesting anyway Edited by - techbod on 24 Jun 2010 11:07:14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LazerBrain Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 I can't remember the name off the top of my head, but there was a company at Stoneleigh last year showing a 7-type replica with BMW running gear. The car seemed very similar to a Caterham imho, so it could be worth a word with them as they should know a bit about mounting BMW engines in a 7esque chassis. cheers, Darren. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Deslandes Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 there's an ex Vx car with a Honda Civic R K20a engine that should be running in a couple of months. Needed a dry sump but it does fit, just, and a special bellhousing to mate with the type 9 box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myothercarsa2cv Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 BMW running gear I would imagine will become quite popular in kit cars now as they are more readily available than sierras and now cheap enough to justify. There's definately a Cobra rep company running BMW v8s and I6s, and also check out GKD - they do a couple of BMW based cars, including a 7 rep. What about a supercharged Mini Cooper S engine? Or the Ford I5 turbo? Audi's turbo 4? All pretty heavy. Now I seem to recall that chevy made a tiny little 4 banger that made silly power... ETA: Here we go! John _________________________ myothercarsa2cv Bugsy: '82 2cv6 😬 Talloulah '08 1.6K Classic Edited by - myothercarsa2cv on 24 Jun 2010 13:34:43 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irrelevant Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 I would like to do an audi v8 seven . . . Could be nice . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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