Carbon fiber custom roadster need an engine!

[JackLipke]

Hi there,

I really need some advice regarding a project thats been going on for over a year now: I'm building a 80% CF midengine chassis, with the rest being aluminium and some steel. Its going really well and the progress is a blast.

I am but a college student though, and most of my materials are free (the CF is donated, and I often go to wrecking yards to find things I can replicate or re-machine). Therefore, I am on a VERY tight budget. Getting the chassis complete on this budget is not a worry to me, but the engine is.

I have a Mustang Cobra 5spd that I intend to build up later on and possibly replace with a 6spd C6 trans, but I really need an Aluminium Block V8 that I can actually afford + build up in time.

I have a few leads, but don't know where they will take me. I wish to have around 400-500 HP (thats w/ Super or Turbo, and Nitrous). So I need an engine that can take it, but dish it out as well. My first lead is a Rover 215 turn key engine that I can nab for $300. I know they were a very popular engine and it seems it has a good number of performance supporters. The other is the Aluminum Block V8 from a SHO Taurus. I don't know too much about this one, only that its around $500 from a yard.

I am a mechanic assistant and know my stuff pretty well, but there are just so many engines - I really need some advice here.

Thoughts or suggestions on an Aluminum V8 that could find a home in my vehicle?

Thanks for any help.
-Jack

[slideways...]

well, you could get a 4.1 or 4.5 infiniti v8. the power would come easily since its been twin turbo'ed many times. plus its pretty basic as far as mounting is concerned, apparently its pretty easy to swap into a 240sx. a 240sx has two engine mounts in a V shape, and one transmission mount on teh trans crossmember. other than that, an LS block and a SHO block are pretty much it. i dont remember if the ford 5.4 is aluminum block or not but you probably already know this.

[JackLipke]

Due to the factory that supplied my CF closing, the car will have to be redesigned to accomidate a loss of CF, so chromemoly is being used in its place, at least this will speed up the fab process by easily 10x, hah. Thankfully the weight gain is minimal.

Anyway, the Q45 sounds like a dream. I am however, finding trouble seeing used ones for less than $1500. Are these hard to find engines? I looked up TTing them and it looks far more basic than a lot of TT systems I've seen (thank god).

Anyone else have some knowledge on aluminium blocks? Thanks!

[KiwiBacon]

Is your goal of 500hp realistic?
I'm thinking if you're building a lightweight roadster, then the weight and torque reaction needed to support a monster of an engine would detract from the vehicle.
Wouldn't you be better to set a power/weight ratio goal and aim for that?

The rover V8 215 is the 3.5L engine, they came later in 3.9, 4.2 & 4.6L variants.
I wouldn't try to get 500hp from them, but TVR and others have proved it is possible to get close if you throw enough money at them.
But the point is, if you build it around the cheap 3.5, you can fit the larger capacity engines in the same hole later. Gaining minimal weight but more torque and power if the chassis can take it.

Some light reading:
http://www.aluminumv8.com/tech/tech.htm

[thedozzman]

Did anyone remember any of the JDM V8's??? Toyota/Lexus 1UZ (4L)/3UZ (4.3L VVTi) DOHC 32V engines are common and can be found in Soarers, LS400s, LS430s and V8 Toyota SUVs. Something different and rare would be the Mitsubishi 8A80 4.5-litre 32V direct injection V8 from one of Mitsubishi's luxury limos!!! The old Toyota hemi all-alloy V8's from old Century limos could be found cheap too and have EFI from standard. As far as I know Toyota and Nissan are the only Japanese manufacturers to have really mass produced V8 engines. There may be some others that have built in small scale but would be too expensive and hard to find...

[JackLipke]

Well, I'm not saying I will only use a JDM engine, I'm just looking for the best aluminium option.

I like what you have to say about the UZ's. They are pretty cheap, but I'm only seeing UZ1's for sale.

As far as aftermarket, the Q45 twin turbo looks like an awesome buildup. Does the Lexus have similar options or is it not worth the trouble? I like working on toyota motors so the UZ seems like a nice option. Out of all the choices, what looks better to you folks? The Q45? The UZ1? the 215?

I honestly don't know that much about non-american and non-volvo motors (hah, what can I say, I love my 850), so I'm kind of shooting in the dark here, any help would be huge, and I'll be sure to thank you on my upcoming video blog about this project.

[drdisque]

Might also want to look at an Olds Aurora engine.

Shelby liked that enough to put it in that Shelby Series 1 they made in the late 90's.

[slideways...]

Originally Posted by drdisque

Might also want to look at an Olds Aurora engine.

Shelby liked that enough to put it in that Shelby Series 1 they made in the late 90's.

i guess...if you buy one that lasts forever and never needs repair...oh wait i forgot its an olds engine. that sucks horribly to repair.

[vgames33]

The Aurora had a Northstar 4.0L.