Engine choice for track car project.

[MarkT]

I'm currently in the planning stage of my track car project. I'm not entirely sure about what engine to use.

The initial idea, was to use a 1uzfe Lexus LS400 engine. They're fairly cheap at £350 ish for everything needed. Lightweight, compact and have very good tuning potential, 8k rev limit an 400bhp potential with ITB's cams and raised compression. However there are issues with gearboxes.

Using toyota boxes is going to involve bellhousing adaptors, different clutches etc. potentially expensive. Or to fabricate something using the 325 box and an adaptor plate (if feasible). The 325 box would allow standard selection linkage, propshaft etc.

The other options that I can think of would be using either an S50 and leaving it standard, or turboing/charging an M50 2.5. The major advantages of this set-up is that it's been done before, however could prove just as expensive.

Can anyone think of any potential further options, or any major flaws/pitfalls with the above choices?

[Ant]

S50 in an E30 is very nose heavy, handling will be compromised to a point.

biggest issue is the sump, track action + sump at the front can cause oil starvation issues, indeed with the stock S50 sump, and E36 can have issues as stock.

LS400 donk seems a good choice , but tuning wise they are ££££ to do correctly , for me the gearbox would be the least of my worries, I'd be looking for a cheap 60HP 1st dude.

Nice idea

[MarkT]

Yeah really swayed towards the 1uzfe, the first 60bhp just comes through improved exhaust manifolds, de-cat and a decent re-map.

In terms of future improvements would be along the lines of GSXR ITB's, re-ground cams and a head skim. It'd be 75% of the job for 40% of the outlay.

I didn't realise how heavy the S50 is, is it the same case with the M50's?

[Ant]

M50 is lighter, but not by much

S50 seems to carry a lot of weight "up top"

V8 the fecker , then pop a snail or two on there , sod the N/A tuning

[MarkT]

Apparently perfect for turboing, low compression, steel crank, rods and forged pistons. Been told by a friend who's putting one in a Omega that they're good for 600+ on stock internals.

TBH not really interested in the power delivery of turbos, mind you a pair of cooper s chargers could be fun lol.

Why the weight difference, Vanos and ITB's can't be that much?

[GeoffBob]

Sounds like a smashing project. 1uzfe is a fantastic engine, but still a heavy engine compared to smaller four pots. Although the power of this engine will more than offset it's increased mass (compared to a low-power 4-pot say), you'll want to pull it back and push it down to optimise handling (by reducing the moment of inertia about the vertical and lowering the centre of gravity). I'd suggest pulling the firewall back by close to a foot and fitting the engine with its sump down behind the E30 crossmember. Someone posted a pic of an E30 V8 trackcar done exactly this way in the past month, but for the life of me I can't remember where it is.

[MarkT]

Ooh, sounds good mate, have a look for it if you've time. The 1uzfe is definately lighter than an M20 IIRC. I'm not too bothered about trying to make it more mid mounted, as at this stage of the project, I'm just looking to get an opperational product. What your suggesting involves a lot of fabrication that I don't have the skills for (can't weld very well). Also will make servicing the car an absoloute nightmare, with the windscreen being in the middle of the engine. All the steering and other controlls would have to be slid back too. That's just not a 5 min job.

Or even better, how abouts a transaxle boxed' mid mounted lump! lol

[MarkT]

The other thought was a Saab 2.3 with a turbo strapped to the sie of it.. Gearboxes again are an issue. GM ones really aren't that strong!

[GeoffBob]

Or even better, how abouts a transaxle boxed' mid mounted lump! lol

Not so funny actually. If you're seriously considering a twin turbo 1uzfe then you might want to consider putting that lump in the back. 'Would mean a lot of construction work, but I've seen it done in other cars. I've always wanted to do something like this with an audi box, but would do it with a Quaife transaxle if I could afford one.

I hunted high and low for that pic but can't find it. Anybody remember that pic of the V8 engined E30 track car in the pits with the bonnet off?? Engine was pushed back and down and had big track tyres visible on the front. 'Frame had additional bracing across the front as I recall. Damn nice looking car. Anyone know in which thread this pic is located?

[GeoffBob]

Found the fugger, as originally posted by ed325i here



Just look at the size of the tryes on the front of that thing! If you look closely you can just make out the twin air boxes on top the engine (left and right) feeding what I think is eight throttle bodies (difficult to make out?). The twin air intakes on the front of the car sort of gives it away as well. Magnificent track car this, beautifully reinforced across the front!

[MarkT]

Or even better, how abouts a transaxle boxed' mid mounted lump! lol

Not so funny actually. If you're seriously considering a twin turbo 1uzfe then you might want to consider putting that lump in the back. 'Would mean a lot of construction work, but I've seen it done in other cars. I've always wanted to do something like this with an audi box, but would do it with a Quaife transaxle if I could afford one.

I hunted high and low for that pic but can't find it. Anybody remember that pic of the V8 engined E30 track car in the pits with the bonnet off?? Engine was pushed back and down and had big track tyres visible on the front. 'Frame had additional bracing across the front as I recall. Damn nice looking car. Anyone know in which thread this pic is located?

It was kind of tounge in cheek and kind of not! That'd mean spending silly money TBH. I'm not going to go down the twin turbo/charger route, not fond of the power delivery, unless I went for some biggish turbos and rev'd the arse out of it? That'd cost loads though.

TBH I really don't think that i'd ever have the driving ability to pilot a vehicle above 400Bhp. So I think I'll go down the ITB's route. Plus they sound sexy as hell. lol

I really might have a serious think about moving the engine back 300mm or so. That pic there looks very tantalising. I'll have to have a think.

[blitz877]

Found the fugger, as originally posted by ed325i here



Just look at the size of the tryes on the front of that thing! If you look closely you can just make out the twin air boxes on top the engine (left and right) feeding what I think is eight throttle bodies (difficult to make out?). The twin air intakes on the front of the car sort of gives it away as well. Magnificent track car this, beautifully reinforced across the front!

stunning

[e21Jason]

Tubo an m10 easy to fit, 350 bhp on stock internals if it blows buy an other one.

Jason

[blitz877]

Tubo an m10 easy to fit, 350 bhp on stock internals if it blows buy an other one.

Jason

[MarkT]

Found the fugger, as originally posted by ed325i here



Just look at the size of the tryes on the front of that thing! If you look closely you can just make out the twin air boxes on top the engine (left and right) feeding what I think is eight throttle bodies (difficult to make out?). The twin air intakes on the front of the car sort of gives it away as well. Magnificent track car this, beautifully reinforced across the front!

stunning

It did make me sex wee

[MarkT]

Any ideas on what the engine in this one is?