Fast Marina Magazine

Hiya folks.

I'm not posting as often here lately - but I'm keeping abreast of the subject matter.
My question is this.
If one were going to fit an engine of alternative make - what would be the most sensible choice.
I realise thats an oxymoron - as the 'sensible' choice is to leave the original unit alone - but in order to get more horsepower without having a very highly strung powerplant - one would usually look for more cubes.
I can turn a 1700 O series into a 2 litre with parts in hand - but in order to go bigger, I have considered various options.
The CF Bedford 2.3 litre motors are commonly available here due to many Cf's going the V8 route.
Big heavy motor though.
I would think that a V6 would be smarter than a V8 - purely due to weight distribution and engine bay space.
There are lots of Holden V6's in use over here - including a supercharged version - no doubt one could get a wreck which would provide all the engine management systems etc - I currently favour this option - however - I have always found that the sheer TORQUE provided by the B series engine - especially in my favourite 1905cc configuration - is very addictive, and hard to beat - if only for the first 50 yards..!
Any thoughts..?
Be aware that the range of 2 litre motors you are able to source easily in the UK are not in ready supply here - and I would rather have an engine with lots of torque at lower revs, than a multi-valve device that favours high revs.
I would also be predisposed towards engines that could be easily mated to the existing powertrain.
Cheers.

The same question has been going through my mind for some time.

Light, powerful and relatively low revving seems to be the way to go. The GM/Opel/Buick/Holden aluminium inline V6 would seem ideal. The European Omega/Aussie Commodore comes with manual and auto inline gearboxes.

You'd need to create a fuel injection loom, unless an early carb'd version was available.

My 1.8 has too much power it scares me , but I am used to driving a 1600 vw camper for the last six years....

My old man used to say "you can get any engine to fit any car with modification"

Ford Zetec mate. Just brought a crate engine from ford for £600.. All I need is a type 9 box from a capri/sierra and bingo. Well on not "all" but you get the point!

Light, powerful, economical and easy to fit under the bonnet without hacking about for a V engine...

One of the reasons I ask - is that I happen to have a Mazda 3 litre alloy V6 thingie - japanese import called a 'Luce' or generically, a 929.
It is quite impressive from a mechanical point of view - 3 valves per, roller followers - fly-by-wire management system that would - I feel - benefit from being carburetted and de-wired.
The V6 is wonderfully short - being only 3.5 cylinders long (offset conrods), and thus a suitable case for treatment.
Torque is not too bad - but power delivery is totally spoiled by the controls.
This thing measures barometric pressure in 4 different countries before accelerating.
I'm sure it weighs at least a ton - so bunging it in a Marina would be very liberating for it.
That is however, the easy part of the equation.
Such a transplant is sure to require much mechanical manoeuvring - in the bellhousing and engine mount departments - so I will need to do a great deal of homework before embarking on this path.
3 litres does sound like a nice engine size however - and the possibility of not having to move firewall etc makes me confident that I can manage the engineering side of things.
At this stage its just idle thinking - but I can't help but wonder - if my 2 litre unit performs this well..



.. how might a 3 litre go..?

My gut instinct is to avoid the 2.3 slant four. Brilliant engine in it's day but the CF will be the low compression engine, and all variants are thirsty!

I have no experience with Japenese engine's but am looking at a 1.8 turbo Silvia for one of my Dolomite's....

I suspect Jap engines are ten a penny down your way...

Mazda 929 V6? How much does it weigh? And will you need to alter the suspension dramatically to make it handle?

I have to ask as I am new to Marina's and there allegedly suspect handling.

Al

Don't know what it weighs - its still performing in its original envelope..



Not sure if the block is alloy or just the heads. Either way, its probably lighter than a CF..!
I do have a piston mod for the CF using Chev 307 pistons - takes it to about 2.4 with selectable compression depending on how much you take off the crown.
The major problem I see is the sheer weight of the thing.
I know Jap 4 cylinders motors make sense - I just prefer longer strokers with lotsa torque.
Wonder if it would be possible to hang carbs and a conventional distributor on the Mazda unit - prefer to avoid all the complexity - also prefer to have an engine that accelerates when I tell it to...

Food for thought anyway.

The front suspension is fairly loosely attached to the car IMO - which does lead to vaguaries in the steering dept. Lowering, adding ARB's and messing with shocks yields quite a lot of improvement - but any project involving serious horsepower or potentially high top speeds would make me want to fit something beefier. Presumably, a donor vehicle that could provide front and rear suspension would be a good idea.

One day...

Chiz.

I have been checking up on the Mazda V6 - apparently it was launched in 1986 as the JE range. I don't know what year yours is, but it maybe the early ones were carbed so may yield a suitable inlet manifold.

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