So my personal opinion on using the current GA15DE engine and gearbox is that we are going to have a huge problem that we might not be able to solve with the shifter being on the wrong side, secondly I would like to see an engine that has more grunt because we are going to have a light car with a with an engine that had 107 bhp at the flywheel out of the factory. So as we discussed at the first meeting what about a 3S-GE out of a MR2? There is only one problem it that the gearboxs had a weak 2nd gear sycno which crunches. So what are your opinions and is there different engine and gearbox that you think might also be good. Also i might be able to source a 3S-GE and gearbox from my neighbour who works at a wreckers yard.
sorry I couldn't attend the meeting, I was tied up with Vex, so these comment are coming out of left field without prior knowledge of the meeting and progress....
fwiw, l wouldn't focus on only "grunt" as the factor for choosing/repowering the car engine, as the package is so light there is an immediate power-weight ratio gain not immediately apparent. So what you want is the lightest possible power plant that lends itself to fitting in the space, and convenient mounting points etc, including controls and linkages if possible. It may not have been revealed at this stage but it is also very possible there is an desire or possiblility for the car to be multi-fuel capable in the future, so a power plant that lends itself to an aftremarket ecu such as a Megasquirt or Link is also wirth thinking about. Tiptronic would be even nicer! Esp for such a light package that would benefit from quick shifting and keeping hands on the wheel. Could say more, but just fitting this inbetween other things, and putting things out there as food for thought. I also have a Megasquirt install I can demo on a basic GA15 if anyone is interested in this area. Cheers, Guy
Hi Guy
I get what you mean about the "grunt" the problem I have is that the GA15DE is an econo engine made for emissions and not performance. Where as something like a G13b from a late 80's early 90's swift GTi has similar bhp and the engine dry weighs around 60kg and around 90kg with the gearbox and it loves to rev. I'm abit bias about the G13b.
Also about the ecu i've got an installer manual for an Adaptronic ecu for an older model if you would like to take a look at it. Which I might be able to one for the project. I will say this now we might need to go aftermarket due to trying to get a speedo, rev counter and so on to work, plus wheel size and tyre size will become a factor in which wheel/hub sensors will be needed for a speedo.
If you would like to talk about it in person let me know.
Cheers Ben