Locost engine

IIRC, the SHO V6s are really, really big too. If I'm not mistaken, a Small Block Ford with aluminum heads and intake is both lighter and smaller in every dimension (especially height) than a SHO V6. That could be something my brain made up though; I've been taking a lot of cough syrup recently.

My vote for compact, powerful, and cheap would be a 2.0 DOHC Neon motor and transaxle. They're dirt cheap, easy to find, and there's a significant aftermarket for them. They also make really good power for their displacement, even stock.

psteav wrote: My vote for compact, powerful, and cheap would be a 2.0 DOHC Neon motor and transaxle. They're dirt cheap, easy to find, and there's a significant aftermarket for them. They also make really good power for their displacement, even stock.

I think the SR20DE is a better choice in the 2L class, since there are RWD transmissions that bolt up to them readily, lighter alloy block, etc.

True, but he seems to be wanting an MR setup...Lord knows adapting a d-series Honda to RWD is not going to be fun. OP, you wanna clarify?

psteav wrote: True, but he seems to be wanting an MR setup...Lord knows adapting a d-series Honda to RWD is not going to be fun. OP, you wanna clarify?

If the OP chooses to mount the D-series Honda transversely mid-ship it makes sense. See Kimini: http://www.kimini.com/ or many other examples of transverse FWD engines in MR apps.

The OP may have a pretty good understanding of this engine with the name 96DXCivic since a D16 came in a 96 Civic DX.

Audi V8. Use Audi FWD or Porsche transaxle. You can apparently find the 3.6l engine for pocket change.

Someone told me once that the Boxster engine uses the same bolt pattern as Audi five/six/eight. This gives me the jollies for an all-German Subaru.

Acura had long ways engines for fwd too (legend)

I really like the D-series because of it's cheap and easy to work on nature as well as the huge aftermarket and easy of making more power by swapping stock parts around. I like motorbike engines because of the high revs and lightweight. However some one said something about Subaru and flat engines have low C.G.s which appeals to my nerdy side. This also has to be cheap. I want to focus on the suspension and chassis over the engine.

You'll find that the typical Locost chassis is too narrow for a flat four. Just FYI.

^^ That's what I was thinking. I tossed around the idea of building a mid engine Locost for a while and went so far as to measure the Subie 1.8 turbo and 2.5 NA flat four, that would make for a wide car even in midmotor configuration. Not to mention the extra length. FWIW, the most workable (for packaging purposes) mid motor car donor was the 1.8/2.0 SOHC VW, and I say that even though I ain't no VW fan. I don't see the Subie working well in a front motor car, it would have to sit way forward in order to have footroom. If you look at a Seven or Locost, the engine actually sits between the drivers' and passenger's footwells.

wherethefmi2000 wrote: Acura had long ways engines for fwd too (legend)

The Vigor had the 5 banger longways motor too, and was available with a manual. Question: does that one turn CCW like all the other Honda motors?

I don't recall on the direction of rotation (gut instinct says that it's sdrawkcab since it is an Accord engine plus a cylinder) but I do recall that the differential was separate from the transaxle on that one. Sorta helped the boss's brother with a auto-to-6sp conversion one very long weekend.

But IIRC all V6s are normal rotation, and the fours before the S2000 engine and its derivatives are reverse. Modern Hondas are normal rotation.

Might I suggest the GM Iron Duke. It's a pushrod 2.5L four banger that weighs a ton, revs cleanly to almost 4500 rpm and will reliably spin bearings at anything more than 100 hp.

Seriously though, I've seen VG30DETTs for cheap recently and that's a tough, compact motor that makes 300 hp bone stock. However, I'd probably make it FR instead of MR.

After my Locost with a Honda CBR1000 engine in it was declared illegal for SCCA D-Mod I bought a replacement engine. It's from a production car - an Italian market Ferrari 308 know as the 208. The engine is a 1995cc DOHC V8 with aluminum block and heads. Before I could put it in, the D-Mod rules changed to allow signifigant aero mods to the front of the car - so I sold the Locost and kept a Lotus Europa I was parting out. The Europa will go into X-Prepared. I bought a Hewland Mk9 and some other parts to help put the tiny V8 into the Lotus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_SHO_V6_engine

Some interesting facts about the SHO motor, T5 transmission fits it and intake can be rotated 180* could be used easily in a FR setup

psteav wrote: Aw, man, you beat me to it. That was my plan for a bike-engined car. 4-cylinder longitudinal layout and a really low center of gravity, too.

heh, you're both a little late to that party

The American in me says a 500ci Caddy engine should just about work.

How about the turbo ford 4-cylinder. Cheap, tough, and grassroots.

The nerd in me wants to see a 1.8T out of an A4 get stuffed into one... (already RWD layout, unlike the Golfs)... just dunno about transmission.

looky what I found on the intraweb http://www.scrabblegod.com/locost/

Jensenman wrote: If you look at a Seven or Locost, the engine actually sits between the drivers' and passenger's footwells.

Not quite, but it's a long way back. I think the flywheel's just in front of the footwell on my car. On a Lotus/Caterham, the engine is further forward if the location of the nose cone is to be believed.

JohnGalt wrote: How about the turbo ford 4-cylinder. Cheap, tough, and grassroots.

.....and doesn't it weigh as much as a small block Ford? Not to say it is a bad engine, but there are other 4-cylinders available that are lighter. Of course everyone has their favorite "pet" engine, which is what makes these discussions interesting.

Why would a Subaru engine make the car longer? This is going to be a mid-engined car. Not a Lotus 7 style car.

If you compare the average transverse FWD motor (take a Honda etc for instance) and then put the Subie motor next to it, the engine's length has to be taken into account. For a real world comparison, look at a 914 Porsche and an X 1/9 Fiat (or even a 1st generation MR2) side by side and notice the difference of the distance from the door to the center of the rear wheel.

Oh right that makes sense but the advantage of lower C.G is pretty awesome. I am really thinking of getting the D series engine so where can I get a CAD drawing of the D-series?

Jensenman wrote: I always thought the Suzuki Swift DOHC motor would make a good Locost power unit; use the Sidekick/Tracker bellhousing to make it RWD friendly.

+2 the samurai tranny is the one you want though. the engine is all aluminum, lasts forever and can handle a fair amount of boost (if you want it). I am even considering the 3cyl turbo version for less weight.