Mid Week Match-Up: Jokers Wild
Today’s mid week match-up
is an open post with you, dear reader, helping with the match. That
means I want you guys in the comments to give your car needs — budget,
location, constraints — in the comments, and then folks will reply in a
nested comment to your needs.
Everyone who reads about engine transplants on the internet knows that the LSx series of engines are the lightest engines ever produced. If you swap one into any car, it will become lighter, as well as more powerful. I'm looking for a transplant subject that is already so light, that when I swap and LSx into it, the car will actually float a few millimetres off the ground.
The answer is always Miata?
Usually the answer is always Miata, but an LSx into a 914 is better. Mid-engine distributes the weight a bit nicer, and no one expects it. I had a 331sbc 914 and now have a Subaru EZ30d flat six swapped 914, with the subaru 5sp. It handles on rails, 230hp is plenty quick, and the aluminum block and head are very light. The whole car is around 2250.
Usually the answer is always Miata, but an LSx into a 914 is better. Mid-engine distributes the weight a bit nicer, and no one expects it. I had a 331sbc 914 and now have a Subaru EZ30d flat six swapped 914, with the subaru 5sp. It handles on rails, 230hp is plenty quick, and the aluminum block and head are very light. The whole car is around 2250.
Sounds like fun! Miss my 73 914 and wish I had kept it.
Triumph Spitfire or Frogeye Sprite?
My 96 318ti is due for a break from dd duties for some much needed maintenance and a few fairly minor repairs. With the 1.8 it was born with approaching the 200k mile mark it seems like a good idea to go ahead and plan a swap to replace the tired and now leaky little 4 cyl. A BMW 6cyl power plant seems like a good idea but the 5.0 Ford swapped 318ti featured here sure looks like a tire roasting good time. Retaining the reliability, and AC is a must and affordability is also a requirement. Looking forward to seeing the suggestions for my little project.