dmulally

Hmmmm... After fixing that loose nut on the fuel pump the fuel pump no longer works. It came with a spare one so I'll go through the dance of swapping that over and fixing the oil leak at the same time. If that doesn't work I'll convert to electric. 

I'll do anything to avoid actually checking I have fuel in the tank I guess. 

Rod Clifton's to the rescue. Now to wangle a deal and get my hands on it. 

On 29/03/2022 at 14:19, yoeddynz said:

The water pump is on the same side as the imp item. You could probably even set up a similar system and continue to use the imp pump and radiator? Or go front mount as I would. 

Lovely thanks. 

Can you see any way a FWD will fit in the boot? Perhaps with a honda gearbox? 

So a VW gearbox with the correct gearing and everything to make it run (excluding engineering half shafts and mounts as it is a longer box) is close to 4k. That's with a rebuilt box obviously. 

2 hours ago, cletus said:

If you don't want to deal with wiring you might be able to convince someone on here to do a really simplified loom for you for minimal cost? 

I've always liked the idea of a late model efi engine in an older car as a daily, but not big hp turbo, just something that runs efficiently and makes more power than stock , and put it in something like an escort van. 

I'd be happy to pay over the odds for neat wiring. I just find in my experience there are more things to go wrong with setting up an EFI and it becomes death by 1000 cuts buying all the little sensors and whatsits to get it to run that didn't come with the engine as it just looks like a computer shat itself to me at first glance. 

The easiest wiring looms I have set up have been bike ones. They tend to be one plug does one thing and it's hard to go wrong as it is all so short. 

I'm actually quite happy with the stock 37hp of the imp. Taller gearing would show it up but I think for a car about the town it would be great. Sadly all my driving is on long straight rural roads. 

This is another powerplant I'm looking at.

Shaft driven and similar specs to a decent fast road Imp engine. 

Honda: 74hp/90lb-ft 

Imp Sport: 51hp/53lb-ft

Problems would be reverse and where to mount the engine. I'm not sure which way the tailshaft rotates so would mean getting the right diff facing the right direction. Being a bike I can only think of a commodore IRS which have super tall ratios that would suit it. 

On 15/03/2022 at 11:44, tortron said:

You literally just cut the loom out of the nissan and connect the 12v power and earth's to the imp. Dead easy 

Really? 

Can we explore this for a moment please? Some considerations:

• Adapting to a VW box (I'd have to speak to Brian Howat to see if he does adapters) 
• Mid mounting a subframe so the engine and stock gearbag is in the back seat (LVV would be a pain for that)
• Using the Micra gearbox and reversing the diff direction so the engine could fit in the stock location
• Gear linkages although that is a minor problem compared to the rest
• Fuel pump and return
• Does the ECU need any mods? Wiring doesnt really look that simple to me but I'm just a pretty face.
• Does it need the dash cluster to run properly to avoid throwing out faults/limp home mode? Tbf a stock Imp is in limp home mode regardless. 

Penny for any thoughts. 

So Silverdale rads never got back to me so I have taken a bit of a leap of faith and gone for a Torana heater core for an auxiliary radiator. It has the same outlet pipe dimensions so that's a good start. I'll have to have a play with the housing and adjust it to fit in. 

Ahhh emissions. My old friend. 

Just a shit story that when I scratch built a lotus 7 replica in Oz I had to pass a strict emissions control standard. IIRC it was ADR 37/01. I had three OEM cats welded back to back, the engine custom tuned for emissions and even installed a larger charcoal canister. I ended up passing but the first test I failed was due to a jerry can with a slight weep sitting on the passenger seat. The sealed room is that sensitive. That was for a 4agze so I think for a carb to pass it would likely need to be on LPG but that could be an urban myth. 

I do recall hearing a story from a kit car manufacturer that was losing his business to emissions taking a brand new off the lot falcon or commodore to get the test and it failed miserably. Funny that. 

As for most things car related I would avoid facebook and only ever deal with LVV certifiers or VTNZ inspectors. Anything else is just noise. Facebook have been saying that all petrol cars will be banned for about 10 years now. 

I bet they all took off in first gear. 

Probably stayed in first the entire trip. 

3 hours ago, yoeddynz said:

'cough cough'.. Cg13 from a k11... 

80+ hp stock, very light, super tough and the engine management is stand alone plus so simple a monkey could wire it up to work.  You'd buy a complete wrecked car for beer money. 

Lean it over sideways like an imp engine and make  angled bottom sump to suit. 

Would need a simple extra oil drain for bottom most side of cam cover, possibly. Not sure. 

Comparing my talents with EFI to that of a monkey is insulting to monkeys. 

Lovely idea but no efi. I'd go diesel if they weren't so heavy as even less wiring! 

This is the hole I have to work with for a second radiator. I've pinged Silverdale Radiators who I have found easy to deal with in the past to see if a heater matrix they have might be a goer. 

21 minutes ago, locost_bryan said:

Surprised no-one has suggested a rotary.

What's wrong with the old nail? Just wanting more power and reliability? A small Suzi sounds the go, or go electric with a Leaf power train?

I love rotaries but the prices for runners are moon money these days. 

I don't really need more power. Just more gearing (VW box swap) and reliability. This imp engine is a decent runner but isnt really rural roads friendly. Would be perfect for in town.

44 minutes ago, tortron said:

I got a real deal 948 if you want to maintain current level of oil loss

A Morry big block? 

https://www.trademe.co.nz/3502080803

Right. This engine is already getting on my tits. Open to engine swap ideas. 

50-100hp, reliable, and carb. Ideas so far are EA81, Suzuki Carry, 1600 cortina. 

I don't care about handling. 99% of my driving is in 100kph zones with long lazy corners. 

Hmmm trouble in paradise. Took it for a blat yesterday evening and there is quite a bit of oil leaking onto the exhaust which doesn't inspire me with confidence. Time to drag it into the workshop to sort that out as well as measure up for a front mounted radiator.