Engine Upgrade

This is an area for discussion about modifications to Vivas.

Engine Upgrade

Postby skinner » Fri Jan 04, 2013 4:06 am

Hello all, its been awhile sense i have been on the sight ! :oops:
but i havent forgot about my little viva !
for those that either dont know or remember i have a 1965 viva HA (left hand drive)
i am in Nova Scotia Canada ,not many of the vivas survived here as we like lots of road salt in winter !
anyways back on point, my engine spun a big end rod bearing ,scored the crank and parts are few and far between,
i did find a replacement crank and bearings, (used) seams ok ? :roll: but if this one destroys its self,
is there another engine,trans ,rear axle combo that is recommended ? im not looking for a big long swap job, but a fairly easy retrofit , i am a mechanic , but im getting lazy . or would it be easier , and cost effective to get a engine and ship it from over there ???? :?
any recommendations would help ! :thanx:
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Re: Engine Upgrade

Postby hbpeter » Fri Jan 04, 2013 5:23 pm

Apart from another Viva engine/box, nothing really bolts straight in. Probably best to get another engine shipped over, or the parts to rebuild yours. Ford Crossflows from Escorts arnt to bad a swap.

Peter
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Re: Engine Upgrade

Postby ian24ian » Fri Jan 04, 2013 6:06 pm

Chevy Vega, 4 cylinder slant 4?? certainly a linage, If you could find a Cosworth Vega, :D, I have a thought the Vega Cosworth wheels were the same as Droop Snoot, not 100% on that, but certainly very similar
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Re: Engine Upgrade

Postby skinner » Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:45 am

i have seen pictures of a escort or focus engine in a viva , yours maybe ?
was trying to figure out the transverse mount engine front wheel drive, switched to a rear wheel drive ?
what transmission are you using < also seen pics of a distrubutor mount to compensate for a computer controlled ignition ! wow i guess nessesity is the mother of all invention !
seen alot of ideas on this site but ,,,,,,,,, time, money are deciding factors as in all projects , mostly $$$$ :angrywife:
hopefully the rebuild holds togeather if not i may be looking for parts !
thanks for the advice folks
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Re: Engine Upgrade

Postby ian24ian » Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:11 am

Me, Im using a engine from a Vauxhall Omega, (Chevrolet Omega) and bits from Opel Manta, which, with a bit of luck should make it a easy swap for me, I cant comment on a HA, mines a HB,
Depending on how good you are at modifing its worth thinking about what HB Peter suggested, a crossflow from a Escort or a capri, small light engine and box combo, other options, if you are at all handy with a welder, because you would need to chop the tunnel about. I would think, Mazda Miata/MX5, to make it fly, how about how about a Honda s2000, late Focus engines can be turned round using the MX5 box, but you need to mess about with water rails to clear the bulkhead, then after all of this,you need to upgrade the brakes and rear axle.
Could be worth an ask on http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi
A rotter and a scoundrel, :)
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Re: Engine Upgrade

Postby skinner » Fri Jan 11, 2013 2:22 am

wishful thinking but i found a small engine to tuck in there but the wifey says NO WAY :angrywife: :angrywife:
its on a web site here in Nova Scotia called Kijiji......
heres the link.........http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicle ... Z420005595

but time and money and :angrywife: are telling me NO !!!!!!!
sure it will fit , hold it high above the car ,,,,,and cut rope as it falls use 2 prybars and a big hammer to squeeze it between fenders. :D :lol: :lol:
hopefully it wont come to a transplant but... :goodideasign:
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Re: Engine Upgrade

Postby ian24ian » Fri Jan 11, 2013 1:49 pm

RV8s are not an uncommon swap, But a Fed engine produces about 135hp on a good day, no gearbox on that one either, a LT77 or a R180 would be like rocking horse poo, If you wanted to go RV8, I would be looking for a 4.6 from a late disco or Rangerover, or even look out for a Buick 300, iron block but 5ltr out of the box, V6 buick engines ar the same as the RV8 but less 2 cylinders, and plenty of tuning stuff available, a lot of bits from the V6 bolt straight onto the RV8 http://www.taperformance.com/
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