What is the best older Japanese 4cyl. engine/transimssion

[moparguy]

I'm considering upgrading a older English sports car to a engine/overdrive transmission combo that would it a make better high speed cruiser with better parts availably than the original package offers.



And for the purist, the conversion would not require cutting a desirable car up and making it non restorable to original condition.



The car would be a Triumph TR3 (a friend has a good body), I had a 3 and a 4A many years ago. Great fun little cars, just not happy at todays speeds.



I'm thinking what's needed is a late 70s to mid 80s powertrain upgrade with a engine that would look at home under the bonnet, and not require a lot of electronic support. Of course a conversion to neg. ground would be in the plans.



So, not being very well versed in the possible good powertrain packages (good equals, easy to find, parts available cheap, good power, simple, light weight, compact, around 2000 to 2500cc, with a 5spd overdrive transmission) I welcome the suggestions of the TDR.



Thanks, RJR

 

[mazdarotary]

Mazda 13B rotary with a nice streetport,and maybe forced induction would be fun. These engines are very small,lightweight,and rev very high. They don't make a lot of torque,but it isn't that bad. They do however make a lot of horsepower for their displacement(1. 3 litres),and have great aftermarket support,with all kinds of go fast stuff. A nice weber IDA carb or maybe a DCOE would do the trick,and the best part is you more than likely can fit the whole engine behind the centerline or the front axle,so you will gain better handling with it. These engines are also very simple(without turbos)to work on,and only have 3 moving parts. Some will tell you they are unreliable,but I and many others disagree. They use these engines in the Star Mazda series of racing,and most if not all will go an entire season without needing to be opened up.



Also another option is the the cousin of the 13B,the 12A(1. 1 litre) is the same basic engine only a little shorter,and probably easier to find a used one cheap. They obviously don't have as much power,but can be fun non-the-less.



Good luck on your search. I also agree with the other reply,the datsun 2400 straight six is a great engine.

 

[moparguy]

Dl5treez, the Datsun sounds good, do you know offhand what vehicles it was common in, and what year is best?



Mazdas, I'm a fan. There was a local dirt track that had a small econo car class back in the early 80s or so, mainly Pintos and such. Someone built a little early 70s Mazda car with a rotary engine up and it kicked so much butt, he was finally banned for some arcane reason. That thing would scream, open pipe and who knows how many rpm.



But, a rotary wouldn't be in character with the Tr3.



Thanks guys. RJR

 

[Bertram65]

Check out the Toyota 22R or 22RE, not sure which it is, it is a 2. 4L 4 used in trucks from the early '80s I think they went to FI in '85, so you may want one earlier than that. There are a ton of aftermarket high perforance parts for it and the engines are readily available.

 

[mazdarotary]

Why not?It is a small compact motor capable of making tons of horsepower from very little size,and better yet you would have quite a conversation piece. It seems like the perfect engine to me,and I know of at least one place that has put a rotary in a Spitfire. They called it the ROspit. The magaizine who did it is Grassroots motrosports. You should get an issue of this magazine,it is great.



Hey Bertram the 22r and 22RE are the same basic engine,only the RE is the injected verion of it. They are great engines,and last forever. Like you said they have a great aftermarket,and lots of go fast stuff. I still like the idea of the rotary due to its power to weight/size ratio. Think pony keg. Plus they sound great. Good luck.



Oh yeah the datsun engines the previous poster was talking about are the ones in the Z-car from the 70's,and 80's I think. They are largish straight six motors with over head cams,and they run great. I like the 2400 from the early 70's 240Z's.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Get a Toyota 2JZ-GTE or a Nissan RB26DETT. Talk about good little engines... I drool at the mere thought of them...



Here's a 1200+hp 2JZ-GTE...



Matt

 

[DKayser]

How about a............

2300 Ford OHC? I hate to call such a great little engine a "Pinto", but that is where you find them. As a matter of fact, I think I have an article on slipping one into an MG. It would fit great, look sort of natural too. Turbo kits, as well as factory versions (turbo) are easily located. Fuel injected and turbocharged version is found in the Mercury Merkur XR4TI. I drove several of these,as well as the Turbo Coupe T-Bird/ XR7 Cougar while working for a Lincoln Mercury dealer in the mid/late 80s. They are impressive in MUCH larger cars than you are talking about. Last but not least, they are cheap. Hope you find what works for you. DK.

 

[moparguy]

Dan, great info and link, that's what I was looking for. Thanks

 

[phloop]

How about using a suzuki swift dohc? Small, light weight, and have some good HP. It's only 1. 3l but they have some good upgrades. And about that mazda, get one of those turbo rotarys out of a turbo rx7. That would be a whole lota fun.

 

[guava]

Get a Toyota 2JZ-GTE or a Nissan RB26DETT. Talk about good little engines... I drool at the mere thought of them...



Here's a 1200+hp 2JZ-GTE...



Matt

I agree on the Nissan engines. I know a good link to pick up engine/transmission packages (having just had to do it for my wifes car). The transmission seems to be a little bit on the week side but they do work wonderful.