Unfortunately there's no such thing as an easy engine swap (even sometimes from the same manufacturer!)
However, there are a few options. I've pasted my replies to this when it came up in a previous thread, to give you some ideas
All of them are replete with RWD gearboxes as standard, to aid installation.
Always got the MX5 1.6s and 1.8s, nice wedge of power with turbocharging, also as they're RWD install already they come with a sweet 5 speeder, also quite light.
Same applies for the BMW 318iS engine if you're looking for a 'simpler' swap but it's always going to be difficult. That's a 130BHP screamer, so would sit nicely in place of the OEM 16 valver if you were looking for something that was just a bit more reliable and thrashable.
An MX5 engine with 3 months warranty for 350 from a reputed dealer, 318iS engines can be had off the bay quite nicely and to a degree keeps the characteristics of the car without the need for hyping up everything else - brakes, altering steering, powertrain, things like that.
You could even run them on Webers
On this basis - and that they're compact, willing, rear-drive units, I reckon they're good engines for it.
There is also the Nissan option.
A strong, turbocharged 4 cylinder with a tough 5 speeder behind it. Makes about 180BHP when tweaked, as standard around 130-140 - but there are ceilings with it, bottom ends are weaker than it's bigger brother, the ...
RB20 DET - Effectively the full on RB26 engine from the all-dominating Skyline, shod of two cylinders.
These will easily tune to 400BHP but as standard makes 214BHP at 6600RPM and has all the entertaining noises of a turbo lump.
And one has already been fitted into a Sprint - but who knows how much work was done!
Options that don't originally come fitted with a rear-drive box but are highly recommended :
- Vauxhall XE or C20LET (Ask Smifter about that
)
- Ford Zetec 1.8 or 2.0
- Toyota 4AGE from an MR2 (or equivalent with rear-drive box, such as from an early Corolla)
- Ford Duratec.
Those are about the only ones I'd go for .....on the basis that they're all well tried and tested and have excellent tuning options. You can buy bellhousings for the above boxes to convert them with off-the-shelf parts but you'll still have some fun sorting out hydraulics, cooling, wiring and ignition systems.
Have to install a new fuelling system as well for any modern EFi engine, swirl pots, high pressure pumps, high pressure lines and a return line.
I may have missed some, I'll add them if I remember.
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