7 engine choice

[englishmaninwales]

Here you go:

[2cams70]

….not that I condone this type of stuff.

Why ever not? Dave Gemzoe (see the conversion in the linked clip above) is a highly competent motorsport engineer (and no mean performer on the competitive hillclimbs in previous years).
For my part a lightweight 1800 K series suitably modified and mapped to produce a reliable 220 bhp is the way to go!

It becomes an automatic reflex for me to say that because of my day job!! No doubt the Rover engine is good fun but If you want to go to the next level that turbocharged lightweight engine in the Mk 7 Fiesta ST would seem to be ideal. It's been around since 2013, well understood and can reliably take high boost levels.

[englishmaninwales]

I agree entirely (it’s just my conversion dates back further) but maybe I misunderstood your comment…

[h20hamelan]

My friend is a rotary fiend, so I could turn up some and get into it. But…I am not racing. If I were, undoubtedly the choice.

N America has different choices than EU UK and Australia. I dont think there are more than 5 Rover K’s in N America.

The other consideration is exhaust side, being on the drivers side is less than desirable. This begs the question, maybe I do need a right hand drive car, for our left hand drive side of the road.

The Honda K is plentiful as said, I have 4, 2 2L, and 2 2.4L
The K is mainly (outside of the beauty S2000) FWD, the Duratec RWD in N America is the Ranger which is a fair sized and weighted transmission. The Miata box is small (ish) and alloy & 5 or 6 speed.

2Cams you can correct this, but the Ford module engine started about 1991, Volvo used A similar design starting 1994, Ford about 1998 and Mazda about the same time. The EcoBoost is specifically turbo, but is roughly the same as the Duratec shortblock.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Duratec_engine

“ All road going Caterham 7's are powered by a 2.0 Ford Duratec engine except the 170, the Caterham academy cars are powered by a 1.6 Ford Sigma engine.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterham_ ... a%20engine.

This puts the exhaust on the right side for LHD.

Back to the transmission, the Tremec seems to have much support and wide rations to choose from. So while it could be adapted to any engine, keeping OEM is playing safe eg Duratec Miata or 4AGE C.

As I am not racing, and have no straight open roads within 1000km. I am subject to twisty mountain roads, so a smaller displacement and rev happy is in the cards.

[h20hamelan]

I had often thought the Mazda K would be perfect for an Elan or +2, this last week, considering again for the 7.
Oddly, I got to follow one yesterday and considering again. Too bad there is not much aftermarket support and few in the bone-yards remaining.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_K_engine#K8

A Ranger 2.3L transmission arrives today for measuring, so will have 3 different Tremec, Miata 5 speed (should be perfect for Elan, and as a Spyder chassis is on the bench, will measure for here too.