Craziest Midget Engine Options?

[Renrut]

Now I've got the engine out of Frankenmidget every time I enter the garage I'm presented with what looks like a capacious engine bay fresh for violation

This has has prompted some silly thinking of what I could fit in there.

Obviously the sensible and 'often' done thing is a K series, 1.4 will almost certainly be my choice to keep it cheap and not be too much for the rest of the car. But this is 'in the bath' so my internet research has shown as having been fitted:

Rover V8 (with 4wd).
Chevy V6.
Rotary 13B.
Zetec in various forms.
Jaguar 3.8 XK engine.
Fiat Twincam.
Toyota 4AGE.

So what else could be shoehorned into such a tiny car given a bit of persuasion but not assuming a paraplegic driver? A bit of notching of the footwell is acceptable.

My first thought was the engine in my other car - Duratec V6. Shorter than an RV8 and only a bit taller so should fit.

Then I noticed Jag used to sell a 3.2 V8 - if its smaller than the normal Jag V8 (stroke is only 70mm) then that might be a shoe in but it is a DOHC engine.

[mjslonergan]

Said it before, Suzuki Swift GTi Engine, but to be a bit oddball Charade GTti engine...

[Renrut]

Said it before, Suzuki Swift GTi Engine...

done

http://www.ado13.com/dohczuke/dohc.htm


Not seen a charade GTti in a midget, are they similar to the Suzuki engine then?

[fha772]

I like the Jag XK engined Midget, it got me thinking about other similar engines, and 2 came to mind;

1) Mercedes 280E straight 6, like what's in Cunning Plan, 185bhp & 240Nm, as standard, alloy engine, and like all Mercs of that era, bulletproof.

2) MK3 Toyota Supra Turbo, single turbo engine, 230bhp & 325Nm, with massive off the shelf tuning options.

[mjslonergan]

Not seen a charade GTti in a midget, are they similar to the Suzuki engine then?

Couldn't be more different, tiny mad turbo'd three cylinder, which if I remember correctly knocked out around 100bhp, but best of all, if you did the aural equivalent to squinting, it could nearly sound like a Quattro...

[Renrut]

Ah right. I was confusing it with something else. Not sure what now

I like 3 pots. My brother used to have an old Suzuki Swift with the 1 litre 3 cylinder engine. It was a real singer, in most senses of the term! But seriously it did make an interesting sound when revved hard considering its incredibly dull design brief.

Frank - the XK engined one is a bit of a nutjob compared to the others, its a heavy lump for such a small car but is shows what can fit, even getting it behind the front axle line!

[Renrut]

Actually Supra Turbo Midget? 1000bhp+

RB26DETT = Dimensions (L x H x W) : 34.25 x 26.18 x 26.57 in

Or more realistically SR20DET from a 200SX. 200BHP and probably lighter than the original engine too.

[mjslonergan]

Actually Supra Turbo Midget? 1000bhp+

That would test the welding...

[Renrut]

It might need a bit more bracing. And a stronger diff.

[mjslonergan]

It might need a bit more bracing. And a stronger diff.

Might?

[fha772]

It might need a bit more bracing. And a stronger diff.

Might?

NAH! It'll be fine as standard

[mitsuru]

Mazda MX-3 V6 ?

Engine
1.5 L B5-ZE I4 DOHC
1.6 L B6-ME I4 SOHC
1.6 L B6D I4 DOHC
1.8 L K8 V6 DOHC

Transmission
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic


Then there is the bolt on's which would put it over top!

[Relentless Rob]

I had considered the MX3 as a Panda engine donor, but I bought the supercharger instead. If I'd have seen those output figures before I would be upsetting the purists now.

Fork lift motor up front turning the original flywheel through the standard transmission and clutch. Batteries in the boot so the weight is over the driven wheels. With a back up generator under the bonnet next to the motor to keep the batteries charged and work all the 12V electrics.

Not very crazy but Black Current does low nine second quarters now.

[midgetbob]

Mazda rotary (RX7) running gear. Been done before but makes an awesome conversion with endless options on power outputs.

[Renrut]

Mazda rotary (RX7) running gear. Been done before but makes an awesome conversion with endless options on power outputs.

Didn't Majic have a spare RX7 engine and gearbox kicking around? Thats sounds worthwhile investigating.

An electric with backup genny would be a fun and interesting project but the cost of a decent electric motor would upset it. I don't think Black Current uses forklift truck motors...