• From: Dallas Tejas
  • Registered: 2009-05-01
  • Posts: 527

Topic: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

Our 1957 yellow submarine mystery car needs a drivetrain.

I need something traditional FWD. 

My first thought was Yugo but those are thin on the ground here in Dallas.  Then I figured, I know Fords fairly well so lets find a suitable Ford.  The Escort GT/ZX2 has a decent 2 liter and it's small enough to fit.  The cars at the auction went for too much, just because they're driveableish.  Widen the search, Taurus SHO?  Heavy and blow up prone in Lemons.

What to do, what to do...

El Capitan de los Bastardos De Lemons
1993 Linco Mark Ate
1957 Renault Dauphine
Driver with LemonSpeed's V6 Mustang
  • From: San Diego, CA
  • Registered: 2009-08-17
  • Posts: 364

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

There is a Yugo with an excellent drive train in Phoenix. Kind of a long drive for you... but the motor and transmission are totch notch:

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/pts/1658296870.html

Pendejo Engineering "Captain" - 1991 Alfa 164
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magnusracing's Website

  • From: Land Of Subarus, Colorado
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 9,416

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

Traditional FWD requires the use of a Citroën Traction-Avant engine/transaxle!

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  • From: Bloomington, IN
  • Registered: 2009-08-14
  • Posts: 1,525

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

How about a LeCar?

Bloomington, IN
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Toothless Racing Deadbeats #110 2011 Summit Point (61st) Currently being rebuilt into the new car!
  • From: DF-Dubya
  • Registered: 2009-08-19
  • Posts: 820

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

Isn't the 2.0L Zetec in the Contour/Mystique twins the same one that was in the ZX2?

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  • From: Dallas Tejas
  • Registered: 2009-05-01
  • Posts: 527

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

MurileeMartin wrote:

Traditional FWD requires the use of a Citroën Traction-Avant engine/transaxle!

That would be phenomenal.  Do you have a spare?

El Capitan de los Bastardos De Lemons
1993 Linco Mark Ate
1957 Renault Dauphine
Driver with LemonSpeed's V6 Mustang
  • Registered: 2009-09-22
  • Posts: 367

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

90s Cavalier. Reliable until the thermostat breaks and it overheats and cracks the head. Also - should be really cheap and parts availability is good.

Head Hoopy Frood
www.mostlyharmlessracing.com
  • From: Romeoville, IL
  • Registered: 2009-12-12
  • Posts: 1,117

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quad_4

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1969 Subaru 360

Crab Spirits's Website

  • From: Kansas City
  • Registered: 2010-02-10
  • Posts: 265

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

How about a 1.9L and 5 speed out of a 1st Gen Escort GT? FWD layout AND questionable reliability makes it perfect for Lemons.

Greg
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  • From: Toronto, Ontario
  • Registered: 2009-05-03
  • Posts: 1,114

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

Crab Spirits wrote:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quad_4

Watch out for SOHC......the heads come pre-cracked...

Jim "Endo" Anderton
30 years of racing and still not Brambilla.....
  • DaveH
  • DaveH
  • Ripened Lemon
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  • From: Delaware
  • Registered: 2009-05-11
  • Posts: 264

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

GM - the Muncie and Getrag transmissions from the fieros and X-bodies (citation, skylark, cimmaron, omega, or phoenix) bolt up to any 60 degree V6 from about 1895* to 2002.

* dates may not be entirely accurate

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DaveH's Website

  • From: Oaktown Yo
  • Registered: 2009-05-08
  • Posts: 416

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

TheHeckler wrote:
MurileeMartin wrote:

Traditional FWD requires the use of a Citroën Traction-Avant engine/transaxle!

That would be phenomenal.  Do you have a spare?

Dad pulled his DS motor and hydraulic actuated gearbox out of his daily driver for a "new one".  I wonder what he had in mind for it?

vwminispeedster's Website

  • From: Choctaw, Oklahoma
  • Registered: 2009-11-12
  • Posts: 2,145

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

Mitusbishi 3.0 from a Chrysler minivan. Bring plenty of head gaskets.

14 Reply by maxn (edited by maxn 2010-03-27 12:22 PM)

  • maxn
  • Paddock Rat
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-11-23
  • Posts: 39

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

Lancia Theme 8.32 motor ?

That was based on the Ferrari 308 motor driving the front wheels and would check every possible lemon box........

3.0-ltr, 210hp, V8, 32 valves, really hard to find parts for, assembled by Ducati.

You cannot find anything less suitable, hence its perfection......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lanci … engine.jpg

  • FJ40Jim
  • FJ40Jim
  • Lemons Staff Stalker
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  • From: Lancaster OH
  • Registered: 2009-05-02
  • Posts: 1,657

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

Carbureted 1.7 and 4speed stick from 1980 FWD mopar or VW.
Easy to work on, cheap to acquire & repair.

If a logitudinal FWD package fits better, then go w/ VW fox or any 1980s Audi 4cyl.

Jim C.
If God meant for us to race, we'd all have baggy Nomex skin.
08TMS.09NL.10GM, SP, NL.11SP, NL.12SP, VIR, NL.13GM, NJ.14NJ, VIR, WGI.15AB.16GM.17NCM.18GM.19...
  • ronman
  • ronman
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  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2009-09-15
  • Posts: 1,842

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

.9L 3-cylinder from a Geo Metro has always been on my list of engines to build a large go-kart around...

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  • From: Dallas Tejas
  • Registered: 2009-05-01
  • Posts: 527

Re: Serious dilemna around engine choice...

I've been looking for the $200 Fiat Dino motor and transaxle for a week now and can't seem to locate one anywhere...

El Capitan de los Bastardos De Lemons
1993 Linco Mark Ate
1957 Renault Dauphine
Driver with LemonSpeed's V6 Mustang