Lotus 7 engine options.

[willimo]

So... I got a 1:24 Lotus Super 7 from HLJ to justify the cost of shipping on a set of wheels.

The motor is cool, but puny, I want something bigger. I was thinking maybe a Toyota or Datsun I6 (from a Supra or Revell 240, thank you Hobby Lobby 50% off!). A rotary from a Tamiya R-1 would be perfect, but hard for me to source. Any suggestions?

And also, how much work would it be to modernize the car? Like to make it more like the cycle fender version? And does anyone know where the Sakatsu louvred aluminum hood can be found, since it's discontinued and all?

Yarr. This was going to be a shake-the-box build. I should know better.

[Ferrari TR]

Well...
I know the seven clones have carried every sort of motor that would fit between the frame rails. I do think a simpler motor would suit the character of the car better than a state of the art tuner-turbo wiz-bang et-al engine would.
I like the cycle fendered idea as well, though you'd have to scratch up all the pieces.

I think I may be able to find some pix of a 'donkervoot' (something like that) seven clone that ran a 5.0 mustang motor.

[sjelic]

I would suggest in line six from Fujimi enthusiast (but it is a shame to destroy the kit that is so good) BMW 635 kit that is very detailed and would probably fit good.
Rgds,
Sasa J

[Leon L]

The Lotus/Caterham 7 design works best with a small, lightweight engine.
Popular choices include naturally aspirated versions of the famous Cosworth YB engine (found in Ford Sierra/Escort Cosworths), the Vauxhall XE engine (found in Vauxhall Calibra/Cavalier/Astra) and the Rover K series.
Westfield made a similarly designed car using a V8 Rover engine, which I suppose you could substitute for an Amnerican V8 from an AMT or Revell kit I suppose.

[HFPE]

I built my 1:24 scale Lotus the end of last year and did some fair modifications to it:
Widened the rear wheel arches
New wheels
Roll Bar
Vac formed Cycle fenders which work with the steering
Thickened the exhaust pipe
Added engine detail
Removed the rear sparewheel rack

You can see picture of the completed car on the link below:

Link to Lotus Pics

Trust this may help with your decisions.

There was also another member on this forum also modifying a 1:24 Lotus.

I am busy with a 1:12 at the moment.

[UKSupraboy]

Maybe you could get hold of one of the 1/24 bike kits.

Some of the latest (and best) Westfields use Fireblade or Hayabusa engines. Very light, very revvy and plenty of power for such a light car.

Certainly would be unique.

Check Westfield Cars for more info.

Richie

[Veyron]

R & D Unique has resin cosworth 4 cyinders which is what I am puting in mine, also Sakatsu has a metal engine kit for it which has a few options.

That model is tiny so it doesn't leave many choices for a larger engine.

[ata]

Of course the best engine for a Seven would be the Opel/Vauxhall XE 2.0 16-valve engine. I don't know if you can find it as 1:24 but who is afraid of some scratch building...

I have 2 of those engines (real ones), one NA and one Turbo in my real cars and I just can't even imagine how wonderful it would be to drive a Seven with that engine...

Here's a photo of my 1:18 Caterham Super Seven with that engine:

[willimo]

Thanks for the input. I've come down off of putty fumes and agree, small and lightweight is the way to go. I was doing some research and saw a few 7 clones with Toyota 4AG so it got me thinking about what's similar.... And I thought, well, Lotus collaborated with Honda in F1 for a while... the Elise is available with a B18 Type R engine... Why not throw in a Honda engine? They are tiny, light, high revving, and amazingly reliable and relatively easy to work on. Sounds like the style I am going for. The only problem is the intake and exhausts are on the opposite sides as the normal 7 setup, but it I can't imagine that mattering much on a little kit car like this. So that's my choice, sorry for not listening to any of ya'll (but then, few of ya'll's suggested engines are available in scale).

HFPE - your 1:12 is just awesome. It's what got me to break out my little version. It's not the same... but still fun.


Veyron - I am going to look into the R&D unique engine, and see about the Sakatsu one. Though I've never even heard of that existing... oh well. Any idea where I can get their disconinued louvred hood?

[Veyron]

This one looks Hiroboy style:
http://www.priceofhistoys.com/showroom/lotus7/

[Jay!]

I've seen an Elise w/ a K20 as well, but I know I already mentioned to you "F20C in Super 7."

The F20C would look bizarrely sweet w/ little trumpets instead of the usual intake parts.

Though a 13B would be cool, too, IMO.

[willimo]

Originally Posted by jay@af

I've seen an Elise w/ a K20 as well, but I know I already mentioned to you "F20C in Super 7."

The F20C would look bizarrely sweet w/ little trumpets instead of the usual intake parts.

Though a 13B would be cool, too, IMO.

But I didn't want to steal your thunder. That's why the engine was conspicuously missing from my post. It should have been the first one I thought of....

[Jay!]

IMO, thunder cannot be stolen. Only modified due to operator interpretation.

[86_SR5]

ya know. a nicely built 2jz, or 4gze turbo would go nicely in those frame rails, hell want a serious torque monster? alcohol fed, supercharged, fuel injected, 7000horsepower beast v8 from a funny car! now, then, you'd have a nice car.

[willimo]

Originally Posted by 86_SR5

ya know. a nicely built 2jz, or 4gze turbo would go nicely in those frame rails, hell want a serious torque monster? alcohol fed, supercharged, fuel injected, 7000horsepower beast v8 from a funny car! now, then, you'd have a nice car.

You're cool, you make good models, you make good contributions to the board, but I don't think you and I will ever see eye-to-eye as far as what makes a nice car.... I'd rather a little bitty nimble car (though powerful) versus a big unsteerable drag machine. Still, it would be neat to see something insane like that. If you see a 7 kit, pick it up. It woulld be nuts to see a huge supercharger and scoop blasting out the front and fat slicks out back of such a tiny car.

I'm not trying to argue or anything like that, on the contrary, I'm trying to make hearty conversation.

And Jay- I've got a B18 sitting here, and don't have $40 for the F20C, so... decision made.