Anyone have engine dimension?

[PF_Fan]

Hello All,

I recently purchased the body of a 1969 Lotus Europa. Since I did not have any of the drive train I am looking to use a 914 egine and transmission some how.

Could someone please tell me the width and length of the 914 engine and transmission? Like the dimension from the back of the transmission all the way to the front of the engine. If anyone has a dimension from the center of the back wheel to the back of the eninge where it sits up to the seats aswell.

Can be either the 1.7 1.8 or 2.0 engines.

Anything would be great!
Thank you!

[quicksix]

I would look at using some sort of honda type r,acura rsx, like that.The original engine was water cooled and wasn't it mounted transversly(sp) in the engine compartment? might be a good cheap way to get some serious horsepower in it.

[LotusJoe]

I have a 73 Europa twin cam and the type 4 engine will not fit into the Europa without major modifications to the chassis. The chassis forms a "V" shape in the rear. Any of the Ford 4 cylinder engines are good candidates. The gear boxes are from a Renault and pretty easy to find.




You can see more of my car here.
LOTUS Europa Member Gallery :: Zetec 2.0L - Twin Cam Special

Regards
Joe

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Wow, cool! Thanks for sharing the pics!

--DD

[Schwarzeritter]

Most the I4 configurations work pretty well. It depends on what kind of performance you are shooting for. The Ford engines are good, they have a lot of factory support and alot of tuning parts are available. Now the Honda engines ofcourse are suitable or viable. In Sweden a friend is powering is Europa with Audi power, using the old A4 1.8T motor and tuned.
Another guy is running the old VW 20V with a old Spice F3 motor. So it depends on what you are looking for. The Nissan KA24DE is a cheap alternative, less technologically advansed but torquey, The Nissan SR20DE's are good but you need to address some of the flaws in the heads. Beyond that the 944 and 968's and the Toyota 3SGE or 3SGTE are decent. The Mercedes or BMW 4's are possible variants.

To be honest, I worked for Lotus but my speciality is Exige/Elise and Esprites. Not the Europa.
However, I have worked on some over the years. Good luck. A few other motors come to mind. But LotusJoe has a nice set up. What ever you do select due make sure not to exceed the gear boxs capacity.

[Flieger]

I vote for a BMW M42 from a 318ti. Like an M10 but Aluminum, twin cam, good power, and quite stout. I believe it still used a cam chain, as well- not a belt. Desgined for a rear wheel drive application, as well.

[Schwarzeritter]

Exactly, Flieger is pragmatic, the problem with the some of the more exotic or elaborate engines is they are very pricey to rebuild or maintain. Part of having a good sporty race-esq motor is having the uh-oh running costs under-control. Even though the S14 is a very cool high rev motor, it's pricey for some. The 318 motors are pretty plentiful and BMW had some motorsport variants they had used. I'd have to think about it, but the Mercedes 2.3 Kompressor engine. Supercharged too.

I suppose if you wanted to keep it very classic, you could do a BMW Turbo 2002, but it's just cool. Ford does offer a lot of items for there I4's. Cylinder heads and so on. You could always stick a good ole 4G63 in there.

Depends on how you want to go.

[LotusJoe]

The 1969 Europa is a Series 2 which means that the clearance in the "V" section is even narrower the the Twin Cam that was used from 1972 onward. It makes it even more difficult to use any of the later model inline 4 cylinder engines. The Honda engines with the exception of the engine from a S2000 turn the wrong direction. The Toyota engine is an alternative. Lots of power, But any engine other than than the Renault is going to be an extensive modification.


The frame pictured here is a Spyder space frame. The "V" section is much wider than any of the stock chassis. With this frame you can fit a V-6


Here is an Alfa engine ready to mount.


LOTUS Europa Member Gallery :: Toyota - Spyder

Good luck with your project.

Joe

[LotusJoe]

Here is a Toyota engine in a stock chassis.


Also a Ford Zetec in a stock chassis