Locost + sr20det = win

[jon200]

Right, its about time i started a project thread as i never bothered with one for the SX.

I bought myself a little toy in the warmer months, Maybe its a midlife crisis. Na it cant be im only 29! I bought a Locost which is a poor mans Lotus7 or Westfield. The donor car was a Mk2 Escort and it is running a 1.8 silvertop Zetec engine. Its not just any engine though, It was built by Scholar to be used by the Formula ford boys so is fully blueprinted and basically has everything done within the rules to squeeze as much out of the std engine. I dread to think how much the engine cost when it was built.!

Anyway here are a few pictures of said car:






It needs a bit of love and attention but it is road legal and reasonably quick as there is nothing to it. Over the next year i plan to build, fit and then abuse an SR in this car. It will be interesting to say the least. I will try to keep up to date with pictures etc as i go. I have already got a few bits up together so will put some more pics up soon.

Oh and if anyone has any ideas regarding how to lift the bonnet and nose cone up 2 1/2" then please send them my way The SR is 2" higher than the Zetec and the Zetec is only 2 1/2" off the floor as it is!! hmmmm its going to be a challenge.

[Primerapowa]

SR20's seem to end up getting put in everything, no bad thing! Manifold looks tidy.

[Jon]

I am a Nissan person, but I'm more a person who wants cars to be enjoyed.

If you set about about putting an SR20det into it, it'll be a driveway ornament for a long time, and possibly forever.

Play with it with the Ford engine and enjoy it as much as you can

[clive]

Ford engine will be plenty enough in one of those.


I wouldn't be changing it, unless its broken, badly.

But, if you are set on it. Speak with dan@dbpower. Pretty sure he done something simular

[Chriscooke]

Both db power and h-dev have done them

[jon200]

Yeah ive seen theirs, it was my inspiration really. Along with this one http://www.sr20forum.com/members-rid...ield-seiw.html
Its not going to be sat on the driveway. It will be up and running as soon as possible. Hopefully by the end of this year. Very much doubt it will be by the weekender unfortunately. I need to get it finished quickly as were trying for a second baby i wont have time afterward.

It is fun to drive, dont get me wrong. But its just that tinny tappy ford engine thats always in the back of my mind. I will never be a ford man I will keep the engine for a bit just incase i hate how it drives but i doubt that will happen. Worst case it can be made to an NA SR20 cant it

The manifold is pretty cool really, Its a oneoff made by Longlife exhausts.

[spice_weazle]

Ive always said to myself that if I ever crash my car I would do something like this with the engine and stuff so will be keeping an eye on this build. Looks like a nice example of a locost you have found.

[jon200]

the engine has come out of my old 14a so it was there to be used. Albeit after a rebuild. Nothing too drastic cams and a 28R will be plenty. I'm happy with it, just needs some tlc to pretty it up in places really. Its one of the better ones I've seen I think.

[M.D.]

You say the donor car was a mk2 escort? Does that mean its got an English axle up the back end?

If this is the case then don't even think about the SR until you have changed that. They struggle with 200bhp of NA power let alone the torque of a turbo motor. It'll just destroy itself in seconds.

If it's already a sierra set up at the back (I assumed they were anyway) then it'll be fine. But it kinda ruines them as they go from a fun usable power car to something that's such an animal to hold onto its not that easy to drive them quickly.

I'd personally keep what you have there for now until it goes bang. Then fit a totally stock SR and see how you feel.

I think the biggest issue is cooling with a turbo motor in a kit car.

[CNHSS1]

turbo power delivery isnt all that in a 7type. Great for hooligan driving, but a NA motor with 65-70% power of the turbo will be quicker around a track (OK maybe not Paul Ricard or Snetterton, but you get my drift).

the other thing is the ford has a relatively dinky type 9 gearbox and the zetecs not huge, whereas the SR and box is typical Nissan over engineering. SRs tall, wide, deep sump and could potentially have to sit further forward or have to chop the chassi to get it back far enough. Dependant on which Lociost chassis it is (there a quite a few!) the tunnel may need surgery to get the bulk of the nissan box in it.
if its live axle as mentioned, 250+ turbo horse power and 'wall of torque' delivery will spit it out quite quickly

im defo not saying dont do it, but itll be months of work and i wouldnt want you to think it will be hugely 'better' at the end of it, because it will be different, but not an improvement in every area

if you dont like fords, get a bellhousing and drop in a Vauxhall XE twincam or a Rover K series. Vauxhalls nice a torquey and near unburstable, K series is soooo light, will improve the handling and are reliable if you use your nowse (buy an ex-caterham class engine, manifold and bellhousing from someone changing to ford/bike engine for one of the race series, cheap conversion)

[jon200]

Thanks for the heads up, I think the box will fit. in roughly the same position as the type 9 bell housing wise and it it longer so the hearstick will actually sit correctly rather than have a doglegged stick like it does now with bits of box trimmed so you can change gear

It is running a live axle at the moment, I know they are only rated to a max of 200 but i think if the boost comes in gradually it will last for a little while with regular oil changes. I'm hoping to go to De-dion eventually. There is a guy near me selling one cheap.

Hopefully i wont be driving it like a hooligan, I am too old for that now. I wanted to have something a little different really at the end of the day. Everyone is going BEC now. Obviously they are light but lack torque which i find give the fun factor.

Cheers Jon

[M.D.]

What induction are you running on that at the moment. Can't quite see from the pics.

[jon200]

Just a pipercross induction kit. Nothing fancy, Why's that?

[Duncan Grier]

Great conversion to do

I have a LA Gold Pro Comp race car and fitted the SR20DET engine and box in last year. I did have to cut x3 sections of the chassis out (only 1 major point) - this sat the engine and box nice and far back and also left the gearlever in a spon on position. I solid mounted the engine and box and made custom mounting points and doubled as brace bars to - this effectivly added back further strength to the chassis. Pictures explain it better

Took about 2 weeks to do the conversion but with other commitments never got out on track last year and just need to setup the boost controller and car on RR at some point befroe summer and make seats and bonnet buldge of some kind. Custom 3" exhaust and have SPA dash but stock ecu. Running a VX220 Turbo I/C do need to make a alloy rad and possibly look at external oil cooler but know more after RR time

It IS very tight in the LA gold version but suspect you have more room spare so will be a bit easier

My car and poss yours has the LAda live axel which is in hill climb format good for 250bhp but of course its the torque that will kill it - I am setting mine upto 250bhp for now and see how it goes - want a lsd in there at somepoint also

Easiest wiring conversion ever

Mine starts and drives but must get some pics uploaded for you all

DG

[jon200]

What induction are you running on that at the moment. Can't quite see from the pics.

did you mean ITB etc. Its on a custom inlet manifold running injection which is ok but not the best for power.

Great conversion to do

I have a LA Gold Pro Comp race car and fitted the SR20DET engine and box in last year. I did have to cut x3 sections of the chassis out (only 1 major point) - this sat the engine and box nice and far back and also left the gearlever in a spon on position. I solid mounted the engine and box and made custom mounting points and doubled as brace bars to - this effectivly added back further strength to the chassis. Pictures explain it better

Took about 2 weeks to do the conversion but with other commitments never got out on track last year and just need to setup the boost controller and car on RR at some point befroe summer and make seats and bonnet buldge of some kind. Custom 3" exhaust and have SPA dash but stock ecu. Running a VX220 Turbo I/C do need to make a alloy rad and possibly look at external oil cooler but know more after RR time

It IS very tight in the LA gold version but suspect you have more room spare so will be a bit easier

My car and poss yours has the LAda live axel which is in hill climb format good for 250bhp but of course its the torque that will kill it - I am setting mine upto 250bhp for now and see how it goes - want a lsd in there at somepoint also

Easiest wiring conversion ever

Mine starts and drives but must get some pics uploaded for you all

DG

that sounds like a nice job you've done, get some pictures up. I'm in need of more inspiration with it solid mounted, does it not shake the car to bits? I have some std mounts to use if they will fit in.

I'm pretty sure i just have the mk1/2 escort one in there. I haven't even looked for an LSD let, must jack the rear up to see!

hopefully I will be using an RX7 intercooler and modify the nose cone opening slighly so I can sit it right at the front of the car.

Jon

[M.D.]

First thing I would do then is bin that manifold and go either webbers or throttle bodies. Or even bike carbs.

Just the noise will make it more interesting

[CH1EF]

good work Jon, dont listen to the anti sr20 crew, I have a 7 with an sr20 in and its a hoot, yes if your going for lap times then a slightly less powered na will be quicker but mine just for fun and 320bhp in sub 600kg is fun!

p.s. I managed to find a 2way 7.5" diff in the end for £800 so no point me making custom parts and adding weight, keep an eye out I have seen a few around

[jon200]

what axle are you running CH1EF? Any pics?

[big_jim]

Chap on the BMW forum has one.
It was a 2.8 328 e36 engine. It went bang and now he's put a 3.2 M3 Evo engine in it!
Over 300bhp N/A.
I bet that thing goes like a beast!
Id love to do something like this, go for it that man!

[jon200]

I think its one of those things that's got to be done