Future kit builder

**renmure** · 22-02-2018, 16:28

Originally Posted by strat24v

....... unless you just have to have an Italian engine.

Which is probably about the best reason to want one

**Normb666** · 22-02-2018, 21:11

Trouble with the Toyota mota here in Britain is that they're not easy to find either. Think they were only ever fitted to one model (IS350? something like that) and obviously the Lotus Exige and Evora. But, if you can find one, you've got loads of power without having to tweak it and they seem to be pretty much bomb-proof to boot.
Then once you've got the engine you need to sort a gearbox...that means either the Toyota E153 5-speeder from an MR2 Turbo - strong and available on Ebay but budget for a rebuild, plus flywheel and clutch, and the motor's block has to be mildly modified to get it to fit. Or there's the Lotus box which is basically an EA60 from an Auris/Avensis 2.2 diesel, but that'll need some modding too unless it's from a Lotus, in which case you need an adapter plate, the flywheel/clutch, special starter motor, intershaft bearing carrier..oh, and don't forget the engine loom and ECU :-O Jeez! Maybe the Alfa's the better choice after all! Haha!

Thing is, you have to decide which powerplant you're going for when you finally give Craig and Lydia your spec as the chassis is different, as are the driveshafts etc. etc. And once you've got that chassis, I don't think you can swap to the other engine (or maybe you can with major restructuring...all things are possible I suppose!)

The Alfa makes for a fairly straightforward build (it says here), but then the route to more poke is expensive. Go for the Toyota and although it might be a bit more awkward and pricey initially, you probably won't want any more oomph and therefore won't spend any more money (on the motor, anyway). But there's always the Komo-Tec upgrades if you do...they're up to 460bhp now...eeek!

As Phil says, up to the individual....!

**LPH_UK** · 23-02-2018, 23:15

I have heard of a brand new Alfa engine sitting somewhere.

You cal also by 'crate' Yota engines. Swindon Engines used to sell them, they might still do. This place offers them http://www.track-group.com/product-c...-parts/2gr-fe/ and this place http://www.dee-ltd.co.uk/powertrain/2gr-fe.html

No idea how much though.

**Stratos Fear** · 24-02-2018, 10:31

You cal also by 'crate' Yota engines. Swindon Engines used to sell them, they might still do. This place offers them http://www.track-group.com/product-c...-parts/2gr-fe/ and this place http://www.dee-ltd.co.uk/powertrain/2gr-fe.html

No idea how much though.

The first site mentions a price for a brand new unit of £5.5k - but on an exchange basis (seems a bit odd?)

**mel lewis** · 24-02-2018, 16:51

The trouble is where do you STOP ?

By the time you spend on Toyota (possibly modified) and maybe a flappy paddle gearbox, you find your kit car is reaching the price of a Good Porsche (with full service history) or staying on the Italian theme An Alfa 4C to name just two of the many sports cars out there.

You have to carefully budget a build because it can easily run away with you. You need to know what you will use your car for? Touring, Posing, Track, Competition ?. Many have built a car, driven it and didn't like it ,so ended up selling it.. Everyone needs to at least go for a ride in a completed car before committing to a build. Also the European market may dry up if the EU gets its way. All factors that need careful consideration.

But at the end of the day the choice is yours, its your car and you drive it and its yours to enjoy. So if anyone tells you what to do tell them to get stuffed.

PS No I'm not a kill joy.......

.

**ironman523** · 24-02-2018, 19:47

Wise words Mel, Personally I think that 325bhp with massive torque which my motor has is too much for the road. The car is in my opinion a monster, to see the acceleration between 80 and 110 in something that is not a 100,000 supercar is good but stupid. Better to build a balanced car with 200ish bhp, trying to get more than that from the Alfa engine is expensive so better to go Toyota if more power is wanted, but trust me you wont need it. Whats most important is how the car feels and sounds, more power is just bragging rights in the pub. And if you are talking superchargers and heavy gearboxes you are just adding weight to the rear of the car which could upset the balance. Just my opinion but I am in a good position to give it.

**Fingers** · 24-02-2018, 20:40

I haven't had the chance to have a proper drive of my car yet, mostly just short runs too and from work and the odd club run around the area. Hope to change that this weekend. I'm estimating, based on what I've read for my mods, that my 2.5 Alfa engine is around 210 hp. I've fitted GTA inlet cams and bigger inlet runners, it revs forever and really pulls well above 4500rpm. My point is that is has enough power to scare me, based on the reputation of the Stratos that I have yet to experience. For me it's always there in the back of my mind that you might end up backwards through a fence or in a ditch. Until I've experienced that limit, hopefully at an upcoming track day, I'm not pushing too hard. After you've spent x amount of hours and dollars/pounds on your dream that last thing you want to do is ruin it.