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Engine choice?


maddog

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Conversion to rear wheel drive is easier. 

Been done by many, so parts and help are available.

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There are a number of factors, I suspect.

Historically, it was down, I suspect, to ready availability of engines and gearboxes in rear wheel drive format, both second hand and crucially, brand new. Ford has always made engines available in bulk to the trade etc via various outlets. Not that many other manufacturers outside the US do that.

Its crucial that whatever engine a company like Westfield uses, for the majority of its models, is able to be purchased brand new, in trade numbers, so that they can sell entirely new cars.

Equally, Westfield really don’t want to have to be engineering custom install solutions, where possible, so they really need engines that bolt straight up to the available rear wheel drive gearboxes, or that a purpose made bellhousing, to adapt engine to gear box is available for.

Developing and manufacturing custom solutions to install an unusual engine, only available second hand(?) immediately makes it very much a niche product. They’ve done it to some extent with the Mega S2000, although even then, it was a rear drive engine already, that comes with a gearbox, so no big bell housing issue to resolve.

The other big factor that influences engine choices is how well they actually fit! Many engines these days are very tall, and can be troublesome to package for Westfield use.

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1 hour ago, maddog said:

Is there a reason most Westfield’s/ kit cars use Ford engines? Why not for example use a Renaultsport Megane 225 engine? 

If you've got the tools and skills you can fit whatever engine you want,just don't expect to be able to buy parts off the shelf!

Engine height is an important factor to think about.

Also as above,converting a FWD engine to fit onto a RWD gearbox is one of the biggest jobs

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As above, there are plenty of people about with the skills and knowledge to put a host of different engines in different cars....as can be seen with the ongoing project binky mini.

However, an unusual engine, although on the face of it, quite attractive, will probably be far less attractive as a resale value due to the issues in the posts above.

Mart.

 

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Indeed, don't forget, what a knowledgeable enthusiast can achieve is very different from what can be done as a practical, salable proposition from a niche manufacturer: can you image if Binky was costed out for a sale price, including profit margin!!

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