New turbo project - opinions needed on engine choice
02-28-2009, 10:11 PM
#1
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New turbo project - opinions needed on engine choice
Ok, so my buddy and I are thinking of buying a clapped out 240Z or second-gen RX7, and swapping in a modern drivetrain. The objective is to have a retro-cool streetable machine that can kick the **** out of 911 GT2's and late-model M3's at trackdays, whilst being less gay than a miata.
V8's are ruled out because the weight distribution is not really favorable. An LS1 swap is out of budget.
300 whp is obligatory. The engine must be capable of taking whatever boost is necessary to achieve this, without being built or modified internally.
Right now, the choices are 1999+ BP or a 2.0/2.3 Duratec from 03+ Focus or Ranger truck (essentially a Mazda MZR).
For a BP, I know we will use a miata 6-speed and 7" torsen. With a duratec lots of RWD trans and diff options exist, making it an overall cheaper option.
How reliable is a 300 whp miata drivetrain?
I'm right now inclined towards duratec because its a full 150 lbs lighter than the miata engine, plus the drivetrain parts are cheaper. What I don't know is whether it will take 300whp without throwing a rod thru the block.
V8's are ruled out because the weight distribution is not really favorable. An LS1 swap is out of budget.
300 whp is obligatory. The engine must be capable of taking whatever boost is necessary to achieve this, without being built or modified internally.
Right now, the choices are 1999+ BP or a 2.0/2.3 Duratec from 03+ Focus or Ranger truck (essentially a Mazda MZR).
For a BP, I know we will use a miata 6-speed and 7" torsen. With a duratec lots of RWD trans and diff options exist, making it an overall cheaper option.
How reliable is a 300 whp miata drivetrain?
I'm right now inclined towards duratec because its a full 150 lbs lighter than the miata engine, plus the drivetrain parts are cheaper. What I don't know is whether it will take 300whp without throwing a rod thru the block.
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03-01-2009, 11:10 AM
#6
Turbo FE3. They (genuine mazda) were selling on eBay for $500. Kia versions are around half that and were actually made by Mazda for kia 97-98. 300+whp on stock, never cracked open, engine with 13 year old engine management here. And it's been installed in a second gen rx7 more than once.
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03-01-2009, 11:57 AM
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I say a 240 drivetrain. KA24 with turbo, and Im pretty sure the stock trans and rear end are good for 300hp, at least more so than a stock Miata 5 speed and rear. SR20 is good, but would have to be imported likely, and wouldnt come with all of the little pieces. Find a local wrecked 240 and take all you need. Plus being a 2.4L vs. 2.0, you get my point. From what I remember in my 240 curious days, the KA24 is a great engine and takes very well to boost.
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03-01-2009, 05:55 PM
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Damn, I dont guess I read the op very closely. Yes, I agree with an RX7. If I were to do an RX7 though, I would rather have a 1st gen and do a 13B swap into it (if you didnt already have an SE) or swap in a 13BT from a 2nd gen and be done with it. Have a monster drivetrain and a very lightweight and small chassis. I want DirectFreaks
WTF, after a few years Youshit decides the audio track isnt authorized... gay. But bad *** car
Not the same without sound.
*cough* Though its a long way, I have a great little 1st gen chassis that would be perfect for a track car, though it has no title. Black G trim. CHEAP!
PS. I have jerked it often to that video Naarleven posted above. Yum
WTF, after a few years Youshit decides the audio track isnt authorized... gay. But bad *** car
Not the same without sound.*cough* Though its a long way, I have a great little 1st gen chassis that would be perfect for a track car, though it has no title. Black G trim. CHEAP!
PS. I have jerked it often to that video Naarleven posted above. Yum
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03-01-2009, 05:56 PM
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rb25dett and sr20 - out of budget
FE3- what vehicles did it come in? ideally i would want something that's easily available with low-ish miles, which the duratec is. Miata engine, I wouldnt care about miles cause I know its rock solid.
lexus v8- cool, but no thanks.
ka24- is this a honda engine?
EDIT: NA6C-Guy, the first gen RX7 sucks on track because it doesnt handle nearly as well as the second gen. any weight difference is made up by the sophisticated suspension.
FE3- what vehicles did it come in? ideally i would want something that's easily available with low-ish miles, which the duratec is. Miata engine, I wouldnt care about miles cause I know its rock solid.
lexus v8- cool, but no thanks.
ka24- is this a honda engine?
EDIT: NA6C-Guy, the first gen RX7 sucks on track because it doesnt handle nearly as well as the second gen. any weight difference is made up by the sophisticated suspension.
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03-01-2009, 06:01 PM
#13
rb25dett and sr20 - out of budget
FE3- what vehicles did it come in? ideally i would want something that's easily available with low-ish miles, which the duratec is. Miata engine, I wouldnt care about miles cause I know its rock solid.
lexus v8- cool, but no thanks.
ka24- is this a honda engine?
FE3- what vehicles did it come in? ideally i would want something that's easily available with low-ish miles, which the duratec is. Miata engine, I wouldnt care about miles cause I know its rock solid.
lexus v8- cool, but no thanks.
ka24- is this a honda engine?
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03-01-2009, 06:03 PM
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yep, just because. 4-cylinder turbo = way lighter and easier. plus, the idea is to be the underdog at track meets - the more porsche douchebags that laugh at you, the better.
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03-01-2009, 06:10 PM
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honestly if an sr20 is out of budget and you want 300hp this isn't going to happen. any engine cheaper than an sr will need a rebuild to handle 300hp, unless you use something like a lexus v8 or vh45de, which will require a lot of fabbing and/or drivetrain work to work.
example with vh45de, IMO the cheapest option (stock 272hp, 296 ft-lbs): motor is cheap and if you can find one they're usually not too expensive (under 1k), but you'd need a kit to mate it to a z32 manual transmission (1k), and you'd need a custom driveshaft and maybe a different rear end, and a good amount of welding and fab work to mount it. you'd better not need to rebuild the motor either, cause they're quad cam, two timing belts, 32 valves, etc.
Edit: the vh45de is an aluminum block too. still a little heavier than a KA, but all in all not too bad.
example with vh45de, IMO the cheapest option (stock 272hp, 296 ft-lbs): motor is cheap and if you can find one they're usually not too expensive (under 1k), but you'd need a kit to mate it to a z32 manual transmission (1k), and you'd need a custom driveshaft and maybe a different rear end, and a good amount of welding and fab work to mount it. you'd better not need to rebuild the motor either, cause they're quad cam, two timing belts, 32 valves, etc.
Edit: the vh45de is an aluminum block too. still a little heavier than a KA, but all in all not too bad.
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03-01-2009, 06:39 PM
#16
Here's what I'd do. Mazda BP and turbo it. Put forged rods and pistons. Or a FE3 and turbo it like M2cupcar said.
Or a KA24 and turbo it. Probably your best bet seeing how you can buy a 240sx with a KA24 already in it.
What about a 2JZ swap? Those cam in a few lexus as well. Get a manual from a supra to mate to it.
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03-01-2009, 07:44 PM
#20
Or here's one for 898. I'll send you my paypal so you can send me the difference.
eBay Motors: SUPRA SC300 IS300 GS300 2JZ VVTI NON TURB ENGINE 2JZGE (item 220365572940 end time Mar-02-09 09:10:11 PST)
EDIT: 900 shipped. So you'll only have 1k in it to your door after you paypal me the difference. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2JZ-G...Q5fAccessories
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