This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.
I am still 'up for' the building of a 5EXI.The only thing that bugs currently is the powerplant.I have thought about the Honda R and is really silly money and yes,they are good and currently,so is my marriage.Therefore I have been looking at a single donor and go the K route.MMMM Have yet to see on other forums about how reliable and strong the engine is and to get a running VVC engine in a car is 2k and I will be scrapping a runner,due to the issues of cat c requiring inspection and docs are sent direct to the DVLA when written off.Chances of getting a VVC runner from a non-insurance write off source, as a car is hens teeth strong.Sooooo,I am looking at an easy engine to put in.No turbo's,no head gasket issues,no old million mile engine and have come up with the ST170 Ford engine.Yes,its an Iron block,so is the golf turbo,yes I know it,as had a black top zetec (same block) in my Westfield.Will get rid of the electronics and go for an Emerald system,so just need an ignition feed from the rover loom and thats it.Just need to know it will fit.Engine mounts and stuff are easy.The only things are driveshafts and speedo.What do people think of this idea? Crazy or do-able?
Easily do-able if you are comfortable with a welder!
Audi power good choice as this has been proven it fits (used as an alternative to honda power in the elises which have a smaller engine comp) and you can get 350hp
Totally different beast to the honda cars, redline about 5k but shit loads of tarmac shredding torque which makes them feel uncomfortably fast in a good way
Again driveshafts are proven and not many failures unlike the honda cars
Durex - ha ha - your piss take word for the duratec??
20vt revs high if the turbo will flow. One friend has a K04 equiped one running 270bhp, another an IHI VF34 equiped one with 340bhp.
[url]www.johndry.com/ben.bmp[/url]
I considered this option for quite some time, and only really went for the honda when I found the cheap donor.
On the honda note: A friend of mine came over today, and knowing I've driven the car, he was keen to see it demo'd. I put my foot down properly this time, hitting v-tec and about 7000rpm in 1st - within the tight confines of my driveway it certainly felt swift!
Duratec will be a bit harder to fit,as the induction side will be at the bulkhead.The ST170 (which isn't a duratec,but a Zetec that Ford thought lets call it Duratec to make it look new) is at the back.Has its benefits being alloy tho'.
I appreciate I am slightly bias having the K series car, I feel that companies like Lotus and Cateram would not have used the K series engine if they thought it was very fault prone.
As pointed out previously, it must be taken into consideration, especially for those with a tight buget, the single donor will be a good choice financially.
I like the free revving aspect of the 1600K, and yes probably would like a bit more grunt, but, this is not my day car just a weekend toy.
I may play with the engine over the winter, although I have to accept if I do, then it is even more money chucked down the drain for the longterm sale potential.
Maybe we need voting buttons on this site to help new builders decide which is the best engine.
Oh well off to enjoy the sun today, its such a rare privilege this year.
I agree steve, the k-series is a good engine and has a very strong following and apart from the common hgf has very few other faults.
The problem with the k being is that once you start chasing thre power it becomes a time bomb......anything at about 170bhp and over should be rebuilt every 30k and this was actually listed in the service manual on the lastest lotus's with the last of the relatively high power k cars.
Again if you track the car it has a huge impact on the life and I know on seloc the guys with the 190+ bhp k cars warn people not to rev them too often which in my book defeats the point of a high revving engine!
I also know that in the elise Lotrdc race series the grid is totally dominated by honda cars some with mega miles on them now with no issues.
I think if you have a k car and keep the power to a safe limit you will have a very good reliable car, if you now or in the future want serious power then it has to be honda with Jackson totally proven to be 100% reliable at 330bhp
Duratec will be a bit harder to fit,as the induction side will be at the bulkhead.The ST170 (which isn't a duratec,but a Zetec that Ford thought lets call it Duratec to make it look new) is at the back.Has its benefits being alloy tho'.
K20A2 has the inlet at the front, ditto the 20vt VAG engine. I can't see why an inlet at the front makes life harder.
