Originally Posted by
Strat Fan
Personally I would recommend sticking with one of the previously developed engine installations unless you have the ability to engineer your own engine mounts, gear linkage, exhaust system, fuel system, & coolant pipes, etc. Your job would suggest you do fall into this category of course. For the LB there are packages available for any of the transverse Alfa V6 motors, the Ferrari 308/328 V8's & the Toyota 2GR-FE. These options give you power options from 190 through to at least 350Bhp which I think most will agree is more than adequate for a short car like the Strato's. Hawk & Corse replicas have been fitted with engines such as the Integrale turbo, Beta Volumex supercharged, Honda V6, Thema Turbo, Dino V6 etc. I think that there are a number of 4 cylinder turbo engines out there these days which will run rings around the old Alfa V6 but with the engine options out there these days then the V6 soundtrack is an essential element to go with the ethos of the car. The exception for me is the 308/328 motor which whilst having too many cylinders has the right badge & is positioned correctly in the car with the correct diff housing etc.
The issue with the Turbo cars is the complication they introduce with regards to charge cooling. There is simply no airflow in the engine bay to run with a straight forward air to air intercooler. The next alternative is to fit a charge cooler but the radiator for this really needs to be mounted up front which in turn leads to some serious plumbing and a possibly bespoke radiator to avoid compromising the standard coolant system. It has been done (see Turbonutter's thread on this forum) but it isn't easy.