Caterham motor discussion
Apr 6, 2007, 06:15 PM
#1
Evolving Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Vermont
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Caterham motor discussion
Well this summer my project car will most likely be a Caterham 7 and I'm looking at engine solutions for it.
Right now I'm deciding against using Caterhams Ford motor they usually use for something different. the thing is I don't know what I want yet!
My friend has an RB motor looking to sell but I decided to still with an I4 because whats the point in building a caterham if you just going to weight it down.
This is mostly going to be a track car and some weekend driving.
So far I have thought about:
Chevy's Ecotec engine, good potential, but quickly misjudged by most
4g63 obviously because I drive a evo, great backing for the motor, parts easily available, one of the more "simple" motors (relatively speaking)
I don't think the K20 or any Vtec type motor would be appropriate for its use.
Any suggestions on motors or comments on the two I'm thinking about would be great!
Right now I'm deciding against using Caterhams Ford motor they usually use for something different. the thing is I don't know what I want yet!
My friend has an RB motor looking to sell but I decided to still with an I4 because whats the point in building a caterham if you just going to weight it down.
This is mostly going to be a track car and some weekend driving.
So far I have thought about:
Chevy's Ecotec engine, good potential, but quickly misjudged by most
4g63 obviously because I drive a evo, great backing for the motor, parts easily available, one of the more "simple" motors (relatively speaking)
I don't think the K20 or any Vtec type motor would be appropriate for its use.
Any suggestions on motors or comments on the two I'm thinking about would be great!
Apr 6, 2007, 06:19 PM
#2
Evolved Member
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Socal :)
Posts: 2,636
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well this summer my project car will most likely be a Caterham 7 and I'm looking at engine solutions for it.
Right now I'm deciding against using Caterhams Ford motor they usually use for something different. the thing is I don't know what I want yet!
My friend has an RB motor looking to sell but I decided to still with an I4 because whats the point in building a caterham if you just going to weight it down.
This is mostly going to be a track car and some weekend driving.
So far I have thought about:
Chevy's Ecotec engine, good potential, but quickly misjudged by most
4g63 obviously because I drive a evo, great backing for the motor, parts easily available, one of the more "simple" motors (relatively speaking)
I don't think the K20 or any Vtec type motor would be appropriate for its use.
Any suggestions on motors or comments on the two I'm thinking about would be great!
Right now I'm deciding against using Caterhams Ford motor they usually use for something different. the thing is I don't know what I want yet!
My friend has an RB motor looking to sell but I decided to still with an I4 because whats the point in building a caterham if you just going to weight it down.
This is mostly going to be a track car and some weekend driving.
So far I have thought about:
Chevy's Ecotec engine, good potential, but quickly misjudged by most
4g63 obviously because I drive a evo, great backing for the motor, parts easily available, one of the more "simple" motors (relatively speaking)
I don't think the K20 or any Vtec type motor would be appropriate for its use.
Any suggestions on motors or comments on the two I'm thinking about would be great!
Trending Topics
Apr 7, 2007, 05:54 AM
#8
Evolving Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Rotterdam, NY
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ive seen a couple people who've put rotary engines in theirs. People use tons of different engines in those things, do a search for Lo-Cost 7's and you'll find some good forums on them I used to check out all the time.
Apr 7, 2007, 10:44 PM
#9
Evolving Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Vermont
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Alright, quick update on my searches, F22 and F20 are too tall to fit without a buldge, 4g63 has no rwd trannies except two rare ones, Ecotec is a bit shy of my HP goal for NA.
Im thinking I might go with a Renesis (rx-8) but they seem to be pretty rare atm
I also just found out that the VQ motor is suprisingly light at about 340 pounds so that might be somthing
Im thinking I might go with a Renesis (rx-8) but they seem to be pretty rare atm
I also just found out that the VQ motor is suprisingly light at about 340 pounds so that might be somthing
Last edited by Zoxygen; Apr 7, 2007 at 11:13 PM.
Apr 19, 2007, 10:24 AM
#11
Evolving Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Rotterdam, NY
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Alright, quick update on my searches, F22 and F20 are too tall to fit without a buldge, 4g63 has no rwd trannies except two rare ones, Ecotec is a bit shy of my HP goal for NA.
Im thinking I might go with a Renesis (rx-8) but they seem to be pretty rare atm
I also just found out that the VQ motor is suprisingly light at about 340 pounds so that might be somthing
Im thinking I might go with a Renesis (rx-8) but they seem to be pretty rare atm
I also just found out that the VQ motor is suprisingly light at about 340 pounds so that might be somthing
Apr 19, 2007, 01:06 PM
#12
How about the Yamaha/Toyota 2JZE (or something like that) used in the Celica GTS and the Lotus Elise. 180-190hp in a small 1.8L.
I had 2 GTS's and they were light and a lotta fun.
Apr 19, 2007, 01:15 PM
#13
Evolved Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,878
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think a rotory is a horrible idea, SO unreliable; not to mention that when people swap them out in FD rx7's for LS1's the car ends up weighing less than stock...
You can't fit an LS1 in there? If people put them in Miata's i don't see why a caterham can't fit one...
I think your next best bet is the 2jze or the k20; I'm sure Lotus and Ariel don't run them for no reason... 1000cc street bike motor would be cool too.
You can't fit an LS1 in there? If people put them in Miata's i don't see why a caterham can't fit one...
I think your next best bet is the 2jze or the k20; I'm sure Lotus and Ariel don't run them for no reason... 1000cc street bike motor would be cool too.
Apr 19, 2007, 01:20 PM
#14
Evolved Member
iTrader: (23)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How did I miss this thread 
Which 7 are you planning to purchase? Have you talked to RMSCI? I know that they recently have had an owner put a turbo Miata engine in a 7 and it is nearing completion.
I am presently running the SVT engine with throttle body per cylinder fuel injection setup -- all controlled by the Pectel ECU. It put down about 170whp on a Dyno Dynamics dyno so very respectable.
You are running into the same problem many 7 owners have in the past – the height of the engine. This is definitely one of the reasons you don’t see too many Honda powered 7s.
How about the V8 R1 motorcycle engine?
Which 7 are you planning to purchase? Have you talked to RMSCI? I know that they recently have had an owner put a turbo Miata engine in a 7 and it is nearing completion.
I am presently running the SVT engine with throttle body per cylinder fuel injection setup -- all controlled by the Pectel ECU. It put down about 170whp on a Dyno Dynamics dyno so very respectable.
You are running into the same problem many 7 owners have in the past – the height of the engine. This is definitely one of the reasons you don’t see too many Honda powered 7s.
How about the V8 R1 motorcycle engine?
