I need some serious info on an engine swap

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Xweb

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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2><TABLE width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 4px" vAlign=top colSpan=2>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]I need some serious info on an engine swap<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 3 2001 at 4:37 PM[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "s";n54_em = n54_em + "h";n54_em = n54_em + "u";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "r";n54_em = n54_em + "_";n54_em = n54_em + "b";n54_em = n54_em + "u";n54_em = n54_em + "g";n54_em = n54_em + "_";n54_em = n54_em + "1";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "h";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "m";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + "i";n54_em = n54_em + "l";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "c";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "m"; document.write("Carl"); // --> </SCRIPT>Carl <NOSCRIPT> Carl </NOSCRIPT> [/FONT]</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=bottom colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->As some of you know, I am driving a 78 X. This is how it sits right now:

Springs cut too much by PO. Small speed bumps are a pain in my rear.
Engine had some rework done to it by PO. 1500 pistons, reworked crank, all smog removed, no cat, etc.., I have had some work done, new 1500 head, valves etc..

But now I am planing a move to Los Angeles sometime in 2002. My best freind moved there this year, and may have the opportunity to get me a decent job next year, but I want to keep my X. As it sits, it will not pass emisions in CA. So I am considering an engine swap.

I know Wayne in Tacoma has a Chevy V6 in his X, and that guy in Colorado is doing 2.2 Dodge turbo conversions, and I love the now wrecked 3.0 Alfa powered V6 from Europe. I am looking for information on doing a similar swap with my X. I am thinking either a Chevy V6 or a Ford V6. What I need is information on engine mounts, smog equipment I would need, anything I would have to re-position, etc. Now over the long run, I plan on redoing the body, paint, and the interior really nice, but want to tackle the engine first. Any ideas?

Carl
Washington State
78 Orange X<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]Author[/FONT]</TD><TD>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]Reply[/FONT]</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "m";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + "c";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "s";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "l";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "x";n54_em = n54_em + "1";n54_em = n54_em + "9";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "r";n54_em = n54_em + "g"; document.write("Mac"); // --> </SCRIPT>Mac <NOSCRIPT> Mac </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Rotary!!<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 3 2001, 6:54 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Forget the pistons, man, see if you can do a rotary swap! I know for years some folks have been working on this, and this year we've heard of more than one that has been built and works! The hangup mostly was being mid-engine rear-wheel-drive, but apparently one finished conversion employs a Fiero tranny (?) and the other is using the stock 'box. Give it some thought if you are already considering a swap. Power to weight ratio potential is just tremendous! -Mac.

<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Gotta be!<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 4 2001, 6:27 AM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->A twin-rotor, twin-turbo Mazda unit good for about 300 horses straight out of the box! The later units are much more reliable than the early (rx-7) ones, they are very compact and light but be warned that the exhaust systems are an engineering masterpiece (nightmare more like) in their own right! Their should even be plenty of space in the engine bay for a couple of monster intercoolers - instant extra power!

The downside is the fuel consumption - conventional capacity may be low (1000cc-ish from memory) but these things drink fuel like it were going out of fashion!

Julian
=======================================
Visit the lair: [URL="http://www.the-lair.demon.co.uk/"]http://www.the-lair.demon.co.uk [/URL]<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "m";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + "c";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "s";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "l";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "x";n54_em = n54_em + "1";n54_em = n54_em + "9";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "r";n54_em = n54_em + "g"; document.write("Mac"); // --> </SCRIPT>Mac <NOSCRIPT> Mac </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 45px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Anyone know what a Eunos Cosmo is??<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 4 2001, 9:25 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 45px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->I never knew what a Eunos Cosmo was until I saw one in person. In fact, it very well could be the only one on our continent! It freaks me out, I see it all the time, it's one of the top of the line models with the whole gps & in dash computer/tv etc - the Japanese had this stuff to market in 1990 and most cars in NA still don't have it! And ohhh, that engine. The Cosmo I know of doesn't run. Apparently the owner was driving it in Arizona and a rock flew up & broke the oil pan!!
sad.gif
Uh, who in the US can fix this blown 3 rotor?
sad.gif
I hear they might have a way to bring in a parts car - I want to know how the hell they're doing this!!! -Mac.

(a few Eunos Cosmo references:)

http://www.3rotor.com/jc_series.htm

http://www.monito.com/wankel/cosmo20b.html

http://homepages.tig.com.au/~markinoz/20b.htm

http://www.scea.com/games/categories/racing/granturismo/showroom/mazda_cosmo20.html
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->There are TWO reasons for doing anything...<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 3 2001, 7:39 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->1. A GOOD reason...

2. A REAL reason!

You've listed a bunch of GOOD reasons, but they aren't entirely accurate... No matter though. Its the REAL reason that should be focused on.

I think we both know what that is, too!

MORE POWER!!!!

So just DO IT! The rotary is a great idea and keeps the car sporty... so are lightweight V6's... but ya know... Lookin' at Wayne's V6... he COULDA HAD A V8!

Lightweight aluminum Buick V8's are as rare as hen's teeth so a Chevy 350 will haveta so. No longer will it be a great "sports car"... but like Mr. Zucker is attempting... he'll have no trouble laughing at all the kids whether he chooses to blow there doors off or not!

As for CA emission laws... what a farce... and by 2003 you may be EXEMPT anyway. I'm almost positive though, adding a rotary or anything else will not "visually" pass inspection. No matter... most DMV folks can't FIND the engine.

So getting a computerized, dial-up direct to Sacramento Smog Certification... on a Dyno at a CERTIFIED station is all that is required.

Finding a sympathetic and knowledgeable tester is what you'll need.

Taking the fifth... I'll say no more.

Best Regards,


Tony Natoli, Two '79s, WHITE FANG and BLACK TOOTH
Santa Clarita, CA, http://americanx19.tripod.com/owner.htm<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "d";n54_em = n54_em + "c";n54_em = n54_em + "m";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "h";n54_em = n54_em + "l";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "y";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + "h";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "c";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "m"; document.write("Danny"); // --> </SCRIPT>Danny <NOSCRIPT> Danny </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->My $.02<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 3 2001, 8:27 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Hi Carl,

I've always wanted to do an engine swap myself beginning when I had my Spitfire, which would have been much easier than an X swap. It's an intriguing project, one that could be extremely gratifying. Some things to consider:

1. I wouldn't be too worried about emissions. Like Tony said, speakeasies exist.

2. What I WOULD be worried about is front to rear weight distribution. There are many that have stuffed V8's and V6's into cars that had much lighter engines, not thinking about what it would do to the handling. They spend hundreds, even thousands of man-hours only to realize the first time they drive it that it now drives like a John Deere tractor that will do the quarter in 13 seconds. X's are great handling cars, but they won't be with an engine twice as heavy as stock.

3. That being said, I think the most viable swap would be either the rotary or 2.2 Dodge turbo. Gobs of power available and weight close to stock (lighter in the rotary's case). I've tried to contact the guy who does the 2.2 swaps with no luck (info, anyone?), mainly out of curiosity. Look for the next issue of GRM to read about a rotary X.

4. Remember the amount of time/energy involved. If you have the skills and desire, I say go for it! Just plan carefully.

Danny
Black '82 with Oldsmobile straight 8 <!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "k";n54_em = n54_em + "1";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "2";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "5";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "w";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "b";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "v";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "n";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "t"; document.write("Denis"); // --> </SCRIPT>Denis <NOSCRIPT> Denis </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 45px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Okay, I'll BITE<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 5 2001, 6:35 AM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 45px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Post a photo of your X1/9 with the Olds straight 8.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "m";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + "c";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "s";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "l";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "x";n54_em = n54_em + "1";n54_em = n54_em + "9";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "r";n54_em = n54_em + "g"; document.write("Mac"); // --> </SCRIPT>Mac <NOSCRIPT> Mac </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->I think he almost did<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 4 2001, 9:03 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->I don't remember but I believe Wayne was originally planning a giant V8 but Steve Hoelscher (?) convinced him to go with something just a little smaller. Could be wrong it was a long time ago I heard that... -Mac.

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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "j";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "f";n54_em = n54_em + "f";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "b";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "r";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "n";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "x";n54_em = n54_em + "1";n54_em = n54_em + "9";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "c";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "m"; document.write("Jeff Zucker"); // --> </SCRIPT>Jeff Zucker <NOSCRIPT> Jeff Zucker </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->I had thought about a swap myself...<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 3 2001, 8:43 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->...but I wanted to retain the X's naturally great handling. My project car is retaining the stock 1500 engine (with major mods to head, pistons etc plus turbo...see thread below) and attempting to realize a huge increase in power without compromising the "feel" of an X1/9. In light of the power increase, changes are being made to the suspension (3" increase in wheelbase, new A-arms and fully adjustable heim joints all around) so it continues to handle after the upgrade.

I did read in European car a few months back about someone who took his Scorpian and dropped a VW VR6 engine into it. There is a lot more room in the Scorp, however.

Jeff

'81 X Turbo project under construction
'87 X 19,000 mi stock FOR SALE!
'78 X 1600cc 130hp dual DCNFs
'73 Porsche 914 (waiting for a V8)
'02 Subaru WRX 227 hp funship
'01 Cheverolet Venture w/ a TV for the kiddies!<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial] [/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]
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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "n";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "s";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + "l";n54_em = n54_em + "g";n54_em = n54_em + "i";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "s";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "f";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "h";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "m";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "n";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "t"; document.write("Paul Goddard"); // --> </SCRIPT>Paul Goddard <NOSCRIPT> Paul Goddard </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Hmm what about a Hyundai engine....<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 4 2001, 2:44 AM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Hmm what about a Hyundai engine out of a Hyundai Coupe or an Accent...
I don't know about in the US but here in Australia parts are cheap, they have proven reliability (we run our work cars to 160,000miles with no probs) and they are suprisingly powerful.... oh and they sound quite nice too.

seems to make sense to me... providing you can make em fit.

http://www.hyundai-motor.com/eng/cybermall/showroom/index.html

<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial] [/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]
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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "k";n54_em = n54_em + "1";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "2";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "5";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "w";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "b";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "v";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "n";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "t"; document.write("Denis"); // --> </SCRIPT>Denis <NOSCRIPT> Denis </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Best low-cost conversion.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 4 2001, 7:59 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Nice reliable "Mitsubishi" drivetrain. Cheap and plentiful on the West Coast. Parts and high performance equipment available. Factory turbo examples still a little pricey. <!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial] [/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]
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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "m";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + "c";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "s";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "l";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "x";n54_em = n54_em + "1";n54_em = n54_em + "9";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "r";n54_em = n54_em + "g"; document.write("Mac"); // --> </SCRIPT>Mac <NOSCRIPT> Mac </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 45px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Aren't Mitsu engines expensive to maintain? <nt><!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 4 2001, 9:06 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 45px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->?

<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial] [/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]
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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "j";n54_em = n54_em + "u";n54_em = n54_em + "l";n54_em = n54_em + "i";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + "n";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "h";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "-";n54_em = n54_em + "l";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + "i";n54_em = n54_em + "r";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "d";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "m";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "n";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "c";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "u";n54_em = n54_em + "k"; document.write("Julian"); // --> </SCRIPT>Julian <NOSCRIPT> Julian </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 60px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->You should try my Fiat engine<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 5 2001, 12:37 AM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 60px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->My new car (for all you Fiat starved people over the pond) is a Marea 2.0 ELX. The engine in it is the 5 cylinder block straight out of the coupe. Normal servicing is run-of-the-mill prices, but what they don't advertise is the cost of changing the timing belt. It's a full engine-out job with a book time of 2 days. Expected cost is in the £800 ball park ($1200 to you lot). Thankfully this only needs doing every 70k miles and I don't intend to keep the car that long!

Julian
=======================================
Visit the lair: [URL="http://www.the-lair.demon.co.uk/"]http://www.the-lair.demon.co.uk [/URL]<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial] [/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]
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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "k";n54_em = n54_em + "1";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "2";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "5";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "w";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "b";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "v";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "n";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "t"; document.write("Denis"); // --> </SCRIPT>Denis <NOSCRIPT> Denis </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 60px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Only if you ignore scheduled maintenance..<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 5 2001, 6:30 AM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 60px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->And many owners did. Chrysler was selling a Hyundai clone(Mitsubishi Precis) as the Colt, offering the same 5 year, 50k warranty. Chrysler became SO alarmed over owner's failure to perform routine maintenance, that beginning in 1987, they included FREE scheduled maintenance(oil changes and tuneups) with purchase of the car for the duration of the warranty. Hyundai entered the US market in 1985 with the $4995 Excel. Buyers paid $99 down, $89 per month. For these people, oil changes were a budget crisis, and a $300 brake job prompted many to sell the car! Hyundai now offers ten year, 100K drivetrain warrranties. Can you imagine Agnelli doing that? NOT!!!<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial] [/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]
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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]Brad[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 45px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->You are correct, Denis...<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 6 2001, 1:48 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 45px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->I've got 205K miles on a '91 Colt, engine (and tranny)still strong.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial] [/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]
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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "g";n54_em = n54_em + "b";n54_em = n54_em + "7";n54_em = n54_em + "2";n54_em = n54_em + "3";n54_em = n54_em + "8";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "c";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + "b";n54_em = n54_em + "l";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "n";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "n";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "t"; document.write("Greg Barron"); // --> </SCRIPT>Greg Barron <NOSCRIPT> Greg Barron </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->engine swap<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 4 2001, 2:44 AM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Carl,

Why not try to find a Fiat Uno Turbo motor? That is what I am planning on. A stock uno motor gets approx 105 hp and there is a site in the UK that has conversion kits to boost hp to 190+. Just a thought.

If this sounds intriguing, email me and I'll try and round up some information.

Greg<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "k";n54_em = n54_em + "1";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "2";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "5";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "w";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "b";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "v";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "n";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "t"; document.write("Denis"); // --> </SCRIPT>Denis <NOSCRIPT> Denis </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Practical--immediate steps--serious info.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 4 2001, 7:46 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Is this car your only transport? If so, your least expensive move may be to find a CA emissions donor car with a 1500 drivetrain. Here, in New Mexico, the State quickly pulls the license of any emission station that passes one of their undercover vehicles. California is obviously different. I have seen some real stinkers rolling down LA freeways. That may be why they are now administering roadside spot-checks. As for other swaps, the best web-documented swap is the Uno turbo. Sourcing the drivetrain and parts is going to be expensive and time-consuming. We all talk about it, but I have not heard of any completed conversions. Ford and Chevy six-cylinder FWD drivetrains are cheap and plentiful. Appears that you will have to do MAJOR reconstruction on the car. Maybe Wayne will let you move in with him? Then there is the Chrysler/Mitsubishi Diamond Star motors conversion. An immediate disadvantage over the Fiat 1500 is additional weight. Probably the same as a Fiat twin-cam conversion. You will also have to install the DSM shifter cable setup. Advantages: the whole engine/tranny unit pops right in. Engine mounts do not precisely match up, but far less engineering than any of the other swaps. The transmission is far beefier than the Fiat trans. Single cam valve train takes far less space than the Fiat twin-cam or Toyota MR2. Principle machining involves retooling the Fiat transaxle shafts to accept the DSM tripode joint and a custom exhaust. You can purchase a CA legal version. The stock non-turbo is good for 105hp, stock turbo 145hp, and the dragracing guys are getting 500+. So you have potential to work with, parts are local and Rob has already done four of them. I would prefer to do an Uno turbo swap. I really like the Lampredi engine. But neither the Fiat or the DSM turbos have stellar reliability records(head gasket and ring failure on Fiats, transmission and freaky main-bearing failure on early 90's DSM's) Think you could do the DSM for under $2k, the Uno for under $3k. One nice thing about the auto manufacturers moving to FWD cars is that we will have a smorgasboard of drivetrains to pick from in the future. Walking through a salvage shop last month, I couldn't help but be amazed at how similar all the FWD transmissions look. To the untrained eye, Ford looks like VW, looks like Fiat, looks like Toyota! But for now, at least until my Powerball number comes up, I'm just gonna log on here and follow Jeff Zucker's exploits! <!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial] [/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]
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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "j";n54_em = n54_em + "b";n54_em = n54_em + "r";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "d";n54_em = n54_em + "y";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "u";n54_em = n54_em + "s";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "n";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "t"; document.write("Brody"); // --> </SCRIPT>Brody <NOSCRIPT> Brody </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->VW and Honda transplant? lengthy<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 5 2001, 9:04 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->I've been seriously researching a transplant for my '74 for about a year now. Yup, a whole year here in Tacoma reading, crawling around the net, and junkyard hopping. All to find a transplant for my boy.
I put $3500 into my old 1979 1500l X between 1992 and 1994 while stationed in Germany. I rebuilt the motor and tranny literally in my living room. High performance cam and head (PBS if I remember right?), high compression pistons from Bayless, new rods, new crank, bored and honed the block myself, ditched the alternator and welded up a bracket to fit a one wire GM alternator where the original AC unit was (even used the original mounting bracket), 34 DCNF with bored out intake manifold, 4-2-1 exhaust manifold from an obscure german junkyard, etc etc etc ad nauseum! I was regularly running it at 105mph on the autobahn over there just west of Ramstein AB (I was on the Mosel river Traben-Trarbach quite a ways away). It did ok, but took a LONG TIME to get up to 100. I came back to the states and continued to run it hard.... there are a lot of lonely, straight, back roads in Mississippi to play speed racer on. Well I was stupid and did not safety wire my shiny new alternator mount bolts and guess what? The nuts vibrated off from all my 8000rpm runs, the belt came off, and by the time I saw the oil pressure light come on (yeah, I probably missed the alternator idiot light), the block was cracked and my patience was long gone. I pushed it into a gas station, called the tow truck for the junk yard, and didn't look back. Too pissed off!
Why tell you all this? Cause the X-1/9 is in my blood, its the most fun I've ever had with a car (working on it constantly and driving it well beyond my abilities) but it can be better in my opinion.
I bought a cherry '74 with 35,000 original miles, california smog crap on it, and no rust. But I remembered how expensive the parts are and how I wasn't impressed with the power. I'm a speed freak.... 1995 Honda VFR750 motorcycle that enjoys 10,000rmp in fifth gear knocking on 145mph. So why not try for some RELIABLE, modern, fuel injected, computer controlled juice in my old favorite?
I found pictures on the internet (I'll repost the info later) of a German guy who put a 2.0l four cylinder VW Golf drive train in an X. It has a cable shifted transmission so he didn't have to retain the weak original tranny, OR mess with the shift rod? By the way.... I've never seen anyone reposition the shift rod from one side of the tranny to the other.... His installation looked so clean I figured I had found the holy grail for my boy. Then I read in Sport Compact Car (great for custom ideas for us unimaginative left brain types) that a guy in South Africa had done a Honda B16A drivetrain transplant into an X. I emailed him furiously to no avail.
Many new Honda car lots later and some digging yet to be done and I'm about convinced that Honda is the way to go. Some of their models have cable shifted trannys, though not as compact as the VW units. The new Hondas are mostly cable shifted. I'm going to check out some of the Honda yards this week and buy a drive train if I find a good one. All the local yards here in Tacoma and Seattle have quoted me $1300 for a B16A engine, tranny, and computer. The 1.6l honda motor is cheap, reliable, and everyone and their brother makes parts (again, look to the car mags). This motor is the 4 cyl equivalent of the Chevy 350..... universal parts availability, and lots of books/knowledge on how to make 'em work well. 100hp for the older ones, 160hp for the newer ones, and turbo, supercharger, and nitrous options/kits for up to 500hp. Kinda hard to beat for the guy that doesn't mind getting his hands dirty and his mind wrapped around some engine mount issues (and probably cooling too with the forced induction). Nothing is out of reach if you put your mind to it! If I can't find a suitable Honda drivetrain at a reasonable price (I can't seem to find a parts guy that is knowledgable in what trannys are cable shifted and which are shift rod actuated. They all think I'm talking about the clutch mechanism
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then I'll go the VW route. I have the pictures on my hard drive from the guy in germany's web site and a good idea on how to do it. The VW is an iron block / aluminum head motor with slightly less tuning options than the honda. The honda is all aluminum (lighter) and I don't like the "dissimilar metal" problems I've always read about where an aluminum head actually looses it's metal to the iron block. Anyone remember the consumable rods that were put into blocks to stem the corrosion on the head? They are still widely sold in the swamp cooler market to prolong the life of the metal components.
So I'm in the middle of the hunt for reliable, tunable (i.e. something I can play with) horsepower. Right now my '74 runs just fine with it's 65hp motor, but I want something different. I'll use the digital camera to catalog my transplant for the forum here when the time comes of course. I'm thinking of naming it "Identity Crisis".... an Italian car with a Japanese heart in America. Whadya think?<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "k";n54_em = n54_em + "1";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "2";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "5";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "w";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "b";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "v";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "n";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "t"; document.write("Denis"); // --> </SCRIPT>Denis <NOSCRIPT> Denis </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Sound plans.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 5 2001, 9:32 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Your engine swap plan sounds great to me. Saw one of your earlier posts about "74 waiting for Honda engine" and I had visions of you haunting insurance claims offices, looking for a 2000S writeoff. Should you wind up with a VW, there is an aftermarket VW trans outfit offering a six-speed conversion: http://www.spiretech.com/~vw6spd/tech.html but the Honda swap sounds more appealing.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]John Allen[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Honda Transmissions<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 6 2001, 12:24 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->If memory serves me, the Honda engine is 'reversed' from most FWD cars. Meaning that the transmission is on the 'passenger' side (in the US), exactly opposite of a Fiat.

I looked into this a while ago when I was into rotary engines, Honda was the only transverse unit that would accept it (the exhaust fouls the driveshaft in a Fiat, Toyota, etc.).

I'm not saying that it wouldn't work, but it could cause more problems with the gas tank, etc......

Good luck, which ever way you go..... There was a VW powered X in the Seattle area 10+ years ago.......<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "j";n54_em = n54_em + "b";n54_em = n54_em + "r";n54_em = n54_em + "o";n54_em = n54_em + "d";n54_em = n54_em + "y";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "u";n54_em = n54_em + "s";n54_em = n54_em + "a";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "n";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "t"; document.write("Brody"); // --> </SCRIPT>Brody <NOSCRIPT> Brody </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Beretta V6<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 12 2001, 7:24 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->A little extra here on some engine crawls I did last weekend.... I measured a Chevy Beretta with a cable shifted transmission and a V6 motor. It measured out pretty well for fitting in the Fiat. It also had a VERY close fitting exhaust log that wrapped around the mid section of the motor over the bell housing, instead of under the oil pan on most cars.
I was surprised to find many cable shifted trannys out in the junk yards, but my money is still on the Hondas. BTW the '88 to '91 Prelude is the one I'm probably going with. 2 liter, cable shifted tranny, all aluminum, and very short (around 30" from cam gear to the end of the gear cluster on the tranny). I'm stoked. Now I just have to find an affordable donor.... -Brody<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<SCRIPT language=Javascript> <!-- var n54_em; n54_em = ""; n54_em = n54_em + "k";n54_em = n54_em + "1";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "2";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "5";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "0";n54_em = n54_em + "@";n54_em = n54_em + "w";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "b";n54_em = n54_em + "t";n54_em = n54_em + "v";n54_em = n54_em + ".";n54_em = n54_em + "n";n54_em = n54_em + "e";n54_em = n54_em + "t"; document.write("Denis"); // --> </SCRIPT>Denis <NOSCRIPT> Denis </NOSCRIPT>[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Happy Hunting!<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]September 17 2001, 7:46 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->and Thank you for the update. I'm seeing Hondas in a whole new light now.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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