out of all the engine swaps what is the favorite.

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Rdeanc64
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out of all the engine swaps what is the favorite.

Post by Rdeanc64 »

Just curious
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Re: out of all the engine swaps what is the favorite.

Post by AidanDawn2000 »

KA, U20 and SR20 swaps are common but I think someone should try a Porsche 944 turbo sometime soon.
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Re: out of all the engine swaps what is the favorite.

Post by tjp »

Rdeanc64 wrote:Just curious
There's a question that will start a very long discussion.

My Roadster had a very tired R16 with a four speed in it when I got it from my Dad. It was a blast to drive, especially on the track at Road America. After a short amount of time though it became apparent just how tired that R16 was. It also screamed, literally, for a fifth gear when on the highway.

I've driven a very well built "B" Cam solexed U20 and she was a screamer. A total blast to drive. But U20 mechanicals are pricey to say the least.

The RustyRoadster currently runs a track built stroker that I run on the street. Most of her specs are in the stroker poll thread. She is faster than a stock U20 with "A" cam. I do have five speed behind her. I believe stroking an R16 is cheaper than rebuilding a U20. The five speed can be done affordably.

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Re: out of all the engine swaps what is the favorite.

Post by Alvin »

Rdeanc64 wrote:Just curious
The one that is your favorite.
Seriously.
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Re: out of all the engine swaps what is the favorite.

Post by JT68 »

AidanDawn2000 wrote:KA, U20 and SR20 swaps are common but I think someone should try a Porsche 944 turbo sometime soon.
I think 944T would be a challenge considering the torque tube and transaxle setup. Also many 944 turbo parts are as much or more expensive than u20 psrts. If you want an AL block, the SR is hard to beat.

Its actually less expensive to rebuild a U20 now than it was a few years ago since I make the timing sets and affordable valve train parts.

Looking at it from another perspective, there are MANY vintage engines that will cost you as much or far more to rebuild than a U20! (Porsche, Bmw, Jag, lotus , Merc, lots more)

Also a properly built U20 adds significant value since most rosdster folks know that it isn't uber cheap to build one.

SR's are nice, but are a fairly busy project. KA's make more torque but are heavier. J
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Re: out of all the engine swaps what is the favorite.

Post by tjp »

Alvin wrote:
Rdeanc64 wrote:Just curious
The one that is your favorite.
Seriously.
^----means you need to drive your R16 (and enjoy it!), a U20 and what ever else you can sample. Then do the bottom line determination of the build cost.
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Re: out of all the engine swaps what is the favorite.

Post by fj20spl311 »

U20 5 speed is the easiest. I like it the best for Other Owners because I have never seen it done poorly.

FJ20 fills the compartment nicely and has good 5 speed ratios. Also a very easy install...a little more trouble than a U20.

SR20DE 2.4 VE with 50 mm solexes and a 6 speed would be my dream set-up....LOL
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Re: out of all the engine swaps what is the favorite.

Post by Pjackb »

fj20spl311 wrote:
SR20DE 2.4 VE with 50 mm solexes and a 6 speed would be my dream set-up....LOL
That would be all kind of awesome,
But makes me wonder what if you could bore and Stroke a U20 to 2.3-2.4 with an agressive Rebello head with those same Solexes :mrgreen:
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Re: out of all the engine swaps what is the favorite.

Post by Daryl Smith »

"But makes me wonder what if you could bore and Stroke a U20 to 2.3-2.4 with an agressive Rebello head with those same Solexes :mrgreen:"


You could make it close up to about 6000, maybe 6500 rpm, IF you had equivalent weight rods and pistons and lightweight valvetrain...and equivalent modern tech where applicable. However, after 6500 rpm a 4 valve head will exceed the flow capabilities of any 2 valve head by a large margin, and the competition is not close on equivalently built engines.
If you limit the rpm to that 6000 to 6500 rpm, there will not be that much of a difference between a 2 valve and 4 valve engine.... Just sayin....
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Re: out of all the engine swaps what is the favorite.

Post by peter »

I did a CA18DET swap and that one doesn't need cutting into the chassis, but you have to be handy to make all the parts fitting well. Some welding is also necessary. There is another person who did that swap too.
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Re: out of all the engine swaps what is the favorite.

Post by JT68 »

Yep, the CA is a cool engine. Lots of power/litre capability.

The same is true though of all the turbo installs, lots of fab work and significant changes to all systems. Nice that you don't have to cut the frame! I like the CA and KA's for that reason over the SR.

Good used CA parts are getting harder to find in the US :-(
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Re: out of all the engine swaps what is the favorite.

Post by peter »

Here you can find lots of them. A good transmission can you buy for 100 dollar.
A complete good working engine with computer and electric for less then 1000 dollar.
But overall with inter-cooler, hoses, radiator and other parts it cost a lot of money.
Horsepower is how hard you hit the wall,torque is how far you take the wall with you.
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