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seanb

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So i have been playing around with engine placement after i finally got my throttle body kit from the uk. I was waiting on the throttle bodies because they where pretty important on locating the engine. As you can see the engine is in and the hood closes.
IMG_1631.jpg

You can see the engine peeking through the grill
[img:left]https://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c171/seanbartsch/IMG_1635.jpg?t=1290876167[/img]
Here it is, A duratec 2.0 with jenvey Individual throttles
[img:left]https://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c171/seanbartsch/IMG_1652.jpg?t=1290876312[/img]
As it sits the engine is about an inch below the frame rails, i think this will have to be good enough if im going to keep a stock hood. the bellhousing will have to be trimmed to be the same height as the oil pan
[img:left]https://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c171/seanbartsch/IMG_1649.jpg?t=1290876362[/img]
The transmission is another hurtle, its a ford type 9 and as you can see unless i have a hand growing from my elbow its going to be a problem. Im thinking i may build a remote shifter but that gets even more complicated because the type 9 requires you to push down the shifter to get reverse.
[img:left]https://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c171/seanbartsch/IMG_1647.jpg?t=1290876256[/img]
The engine has to sit far back to so the cam cover futs under the stock hood.
[img:left]https://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c171/seanbartsch/IMG_1642.jpg?t=1290876252[/img]
the intake is right at the brink. the hump for the steering column will have to be taken down a bit and the top of the drivers pedal box will have to be modified also.
[img:left]https://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c171/seanbartsch/IMG_1637.jpg?t=1290876249[/img]
the exhaust will be interesting, top of the passengers footwell will have to be modified here also
[img:left]https://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c171/seanbartsch/IMG_1639.jpg?t=1290876251[/img]

So, thats what i have so far with engine placement. i wanted to avoid at all cost having a hood scoop/bulge. There has been extensive cutting to get the engine where it is now. That has gotten me thinking about what the next steps will be. I have been following other builds, and i regularly keep up with the locost forums(home built lotus 7 replicas). So i think i have made the decision to build a spaceframe for this car, with the gutted spridget body bolted to the frame. It will appear to look like a stock spridget, but have much more torsion rigidity. I may keep the stock suspension geometry but i have also been looking into redesigning the suspension. Maybe even building an IRS instead of having a solid axle. It would basically be like this build, but without the huge flares (stock track width). I am aware that this will take a long time and be very difficult. but i believe it will be worth it.
 
Only one word will work here, wow.
 
I may do that. I can cut and shorten the rear extension housing of the type 9 and move it forward 3&1/2". Its been done before, then make up the rest of the way by bending the shifter to the front. That may be just enough.
 
Perhaps a hood bulge from an MGC could save you a significant amount of work? You could probably graft it in and most people wouldn't notice it....?
 
There should be a wrecked MGC hood you could cut up out there somewhere...
Just kidding, those that have them usually think they are made of pure unobtaneum and won't part with them at all.
(I used to be one of "those" guys)

There should be a MGC hood bulge 'replica' out there I would think.
That one does have a real nice look and is MG.

Oh yeah - and I almost forgot to say: OMFG!!!
 
That is a good idea using the mgc hood bulge, i have also seen the jaguar swap and the guy reworked a jaguar hood that was pretty neat. I want to try and keep this pretty stock looking though from the outside. i just don't really like the look of hood bulges on spridgets, but i think it looks great on an mgb, go figure. To think of it this swap would be allot easier on an mgb, more room to work with. But i want this car to be light as possible and the engine sitting far back will make the handling better also. I forgot to say the plans for the engine. im shooting for as close as i can get to 200hp at the wheels. im gonna add a high flow head with cams, 12.5:1 pistons and forged rods, you can see what i have for an intake all ready. These are great engines, but allot of the high performance parts you have to source from the uk. They use these engines in the caterhams and other kit cars so they are really popular over there. But they are catching on in the states. There is a plus though, i got my engine for $150 with 30k miles on it, it was in a focus. You can also find them in newer miatas and ford ranger trucks(in 2.3 form). With the high performance parts i will be at a hp level close to a honda s2000 engine but still cheaper. They are very light engines also. Oh and these engines have the full backing of cosworth because of the caterham connection i guess.
 
Great project, and my hat is off to you for doing this. I own a Honda S2000 and spent some time thinking about such an engine swap. In the end, I decided it was going to be too much work. I'd love to find a Healey 100/4 that has been modified with a V8 engine for low money. I'd pull and pitch the engine and tranny and install the S2000 drive train.

I have to agree with those urging a tasteful hood bulge. I'd copy the Healey 3000 bulge and even use the Healey hood grill to trim it.

But you need to do what suits you, so I say go for it. Live the dream.
 
The problem is he is not only living his dream but living the dream of a lot of us.
 
thanks for the kind words guys. This is a dream of mine for sure, i have wanted to do an automotive project like this for a very long time. I have done bolt on mods on my cars before but nothing like this. Its all ready been a satisfying project and all i have really accomplished is cutting a big hole in a rusty old car! Bill your swap idea sounds great, i love the s2000 engine and i think it would suit a 100/4 much better than a v8. As far as a kit i think there isn't going to be much sprite left when im done with my swap. If i was going to make a kit i would start with a toyota 4age or rotary engine. those would have been much easier swaps but neither of those engines exactly suited my taste. the 4age didn't have enough power and the rotary was to loud and thirsty. But i still think they would make excellent engines for spridgets.
 
Loud and thirsty, bring it on. Wheeeee.
 
seanb said:
... Bill your swap idea sounds great, i love the s2000 engine and i think it would suit a 100/4 much better than a v8. ...
Click to expand...

Obviously, I agree. My idea is to keep the car light (in fact, probably even lighter than stock) and true to the original design of a four cylinder sports car. Of course, I would want to convert it to rack and pinion steering.....
 
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