• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

20V 4AGE,,,,, begun

Share this page

Mike you will,,

Even though mine has taken so long to get finished due to problems with the shop I am using changing locations and him losing most, like ALL, his staff, there is obviously no doubt the swap works. My T-50 GTS transmission is now modified the same way Brusts' is with the earlier T-50 tailshaft assy and the shifter comes out in exactly the right place. The rear cross member is a bit of a pill and what I have works but its not what I want in a "kit" as I'd prefer it to be one piece with a drop in the middle. After the basic geometry is proven for this part we can make a couple different versions and test fit them in some trashed Midget/Sprite shells before we cut ANYTHING on your car. The header is turning out to be a pretty trick looking piece too, I think you'll lik it. Don is going to make a jig from it so we can duplicate it easily.

A programable computer ecu and swap from afm to map sensor setup so the ITBS can run without an airbox and just foam socks on the velocity stacks are all stuff that has slowed the project down.
 
So are you saying that you are thinking of going into production of a Spridget/Toyota Engine Swap Kit. I think you'll have a market from folks on this list.
 
Jim,

yes that is the plan. My car is serving as a "prototype" and the kits will come in different stages depending on what version 4AGE you have.
 
I cant wait to see your car on the road. and i bet you cant wait to drive it! you will have to update us with some more pictures, especially that header. are the chances good on making a small run of the headers? i would really be interested in one if you are. i got rust to fix on my car right now though, but im hoping to have my bodyshell rust free and primered in a couple of months. Did you ever do anything with your front brakes or suspension? keep up the good work
 
Keep it up Jay! I'm looking forward to some final pictures and driving impressions. This is a great way to go for a "stock" type conversion. If you plan on forced induction I'd go Miata, but this is a great conversion for those who are willing to "settle" for 150 or so HP. Turbo keeps calling my name- "20v turbo Midget" has a ring to it, don't you think?
 
150hp will be plenty and is still 50 hp more than my stock Lotus Elan is making with about the same weight. Dons shop builds drifter cars and he had been trying to talk me into going turbo because the header build would have actually been easier. But,,,,, jeesh,,,,, a turbo well done will make 300-350hp. Uh yeah, no thanks. Now the more i read about these the more i want to build another motor, maybe the 7AG mix of several different motors to come out with a long-er ish stroke 1800cc 4AGE. That motor would be the hot set up for an MGB. Swapping V8s into Bs just seems wrong to me.
 
Chevy V6 in an MGB is a pretty trick setup. Lots and lots of room in the engine compartment when done, a 5 speed, and 75 lbs. lighter than the original lump. And if needed 3.8 with Supercharger. Yeah baby, there's 300 HP available there.
 
Im still thinking JUST 150hp will be fine in a light car like the midget/sprite. but as others said hanging a turbo off the end of a japanese 4 cylinder in a tiny british sports car does sound like fun. it would be fast/scary for sure. With the 20v silvertop you could also use a rotex supercharger and get close to 280 crank hp out of it like this guy did. The crazy thing is his engine set up is in a lighter car than a midget! talk about frightining.
 
Jim,

You definately have a poin but my thoughts are more along the lines of "advances" in technology being applied to a classic car. Somehow to me pushrod all iron V6s don't do it for me as a sports car motor. Mow the Ford/Yamaha SHO V6 is a trick powerplant and looks friggin gorgeous in this Austin Healey 100-4, a truely beautiful car!

NormanRest-AK.JPG
 
I can live with that, really nice.
 
Man, that Healy is VERY sweet!
 
If they were still building em today just like that they could not keep em in stock.
 
That Ford SHO v6 is one of the finest looking engines ever built by a company other than Ferrari in my opinion. I've heard it's heavy though, or I'd strongly consider using it in a Locost style mid-engined car.
 
Fits into an early Esprit very well I understand. Pleanty of Esprits available cheap with the 907 so messed up the owners don't want to fix them. I am a die hard Lotus fan and even I know that motor sucks. Just got back from the British Conclave here in Denver, lots of Elises couple Europas, 1 early 62 Elite and three or four Esprits.

There was Bugeye Sprite there with BMW motor in it, looked extremely well done. I'll post pics after I download them from my camera.

MGAs,,,,, how do I say this, something about the lines of that car makes me weak in the knees. It may not be next year or the year after but I will own an MGA. The 4AGE has to fit in there easier than my Midget too.
 
Man I hear you on the MGA. Rolling artwork at it's best. In my opinion the best LBC. I found it hard to beleive that R Lauren does not have one In his collection. Lines are perfect. A designers car..,
Endless loops and no corners on the car. My Daughter is an art major and went with me to a show there were tons of cars but she was drawn to the MGA. She took photos of those cars from hundrered of different angles, she is not a big car buff but this car pulled he in by the foucus ring and never let go it was fun to see. Anybody know who was the desiger of the MGA ?
Any good books on the car? Some day.... Some way...
 
Back
Top