At a loss - need advice

[JeffersonRaley]

I've owned my Seven for 4 years now, and it has run properly for maybe 6 months of that time. The problem has been with poorly executed engine rebuilds. I've had 2 different shops rebuild the 2.0 Duratec. The first rebuild was done by TMW's shop and it never made oil pressure (among dozens of other issues). The second was done by Colvin Automotive here in Austin. It had a miss, and compression was 20lbs low on cylinders 3 & 4. I pulled the head this weekend and it is obvious that metal was left in cylinder 4 and bounced all over the place, scoring the cylinder walls, piston, head and valves. Fuuuuuuuuuudge.

 

So basically I have 3 options:

1) Find yet another shop to rebuild the engine again (recommendations appreciated)

2) Buy a built 2.3 motor our of the UK. Probably Dunnell because Costworth is just too pricey.

3) Buy a running Seven and use my current car as a parts donor

 

Thoughts? When this thing runs it is glorious and amazing. I'd give up on it if I could, but nothing I've ever driven has come close to the entertainment factor.

[xcarguy]

Not knowing the shape the car is in, I’d think scrapping the car because the engine is bad would be like tossing the baby out with the bathwater. I’d say get the engine issue sorted (rebuild/new engine) and press on with the current car.

[JeffersonRaley]

Yeah, the car is great. Even more so since I've gone through it and reworked several things. Turning it into a parts car does seem very silly. I'm researching engine options - the 2.5L Duratecs look fun (I know that is still tiny in you perspective!) But wow are they expensive. $15-20k is a lot, especially when the 450 bhp 6.3L in my hot rod cost less than $4k.

[Croc]

Our cars are plug and play. So scrapping the car because of an engine issues seems extreme - I agree with Suave above.

 

With that in mind then use the chance for a serious upgrade in performance. Options:

 

1) Why stop at just 2.3L...wimp! Bruce Beachman does a nice 2.5L Duratec option.

2) Dunnell used to have a proprietary ECU which is a big downside to my mind - not sure if that is still true but as an alternative maybe look at Raceline http://www.raceline.co.uk/ or Burton Power (p 14-15 of the catalog) for crate engines

3) While I have not, a number of forum members on the east coast have used Quicksilver race Engines http://quicksilverraceengines.com/services.htm

4) Do you have a Caterham? What about dropping the 620R powerplant into your chassis?

[yellowss7]

Croc, you know that the 620R set up only has been done with Right hand Drive cars. Don't tease the guy. :smash:

[papak]

Have you considered rebuilding the engine yourself? Success is mainly related to cleanliness and attention to detail. Clearly that was lacking on your previous rebuilds. Doing it yourself allows you a lot of control plus it’s a great opportunity to learn.

[MightyMike]

Will this fit?

 

https://www.levittownfordparts.com/ford-racing-boost-engine-p-3892.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAxJPVBRB4EiwAsCA4aUivzfcZZu52YNnKCX1oA5cqI2wvLRk2dlG1s_P8MpNGuBCrBZzGKBoCPowQAvD_BwE

 

http://i63.tinypic.com/286x3mh.jpg

[Larry Smith]

If you decide to use it as a parts car let me know please as im looking for a used chassis (frame) no running gear just frame.

[Certified Lotus]

I can vouch for Quicksilver. They have built a number of my engines and they know what they are doing.

[wemtd]

May suggest a locost approach? Find a low milage stock 2.0 engine from a rear end collision focus. A low spec engine is better than your flintstone-mobile. Do the work yourself and should be running for a few hundred bucks.

What ECU/setup do you have?

[JeffersonRaley]

Thanks - I'll check them out

[JeffersonRaley]

I can vouch for Quicksilver. They have built a number of my engines and they know what they are doing.

 

Thanks for the recommendation - I'll check them out.

[JeffersonRaley]

Yeah - I think I need a 2.5 making 270 hp. Leaning towards either OMEX/Burton or someone in the US like Beachman or Quicksilver or Focus Power.

 

 

Our cars are plug and play. So scrapping the car because of an engine issues seems extreme - I agree with Suave above.

 

With that in mind then use the chance for a serious upgrade in performance. Options:

 

1) Why stop at just 2.3L...wimp! Bruce Beachman does a nice 2.5L Duratec option.

2) Dunnell used to have a proprietary ECU which is a big downside to my mind - not sure if that is still true but as an alternative maybe look at Raceline http://www.raceline.co.uk/ or Burton Power (p 14-15 of the catalog) for crate engines

3) While I have not, a number of forum members on the east coast have used Quicksilver race Engines http://quicksilverraceengines.com/services.htm

4) Do you have a Caterham? What about dropping the 620R powerplant into your chassis?

[JeffersonRaley]

Will this fit?

 

https://www.levittownfordparts.com/ford-racing-boost-engine-p-3892.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAxJPVBRB4EiwAsCA4aUivzfcZZu52YNnKCX1oA5cqI2wvLRk2dlG1s_P8MpNGuBCrBZzGKBoCPowQAvD_BwE

 

http://i63.tinypic.com/286x3mh.jpg

 

I know someone has shoved an EcoBoost into their Seven. But I'm not sure I want to bang my head against it for that long. After 4 years of mistakes I'm ready for a proven solution. Really at this point I'm ok spending a lot more money for something I am confident will work.

[ukchris]

Apologies for going off topic but I have to ask Mike - why the Vivian avatar? Brings back memories that make me smile from when I was much, much younger, are you a displaced Brit?

 

Will this fit?

 

https://www.levittownfordparts.com/ford-racing-boost-engine-p-3892.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAxJPVBRB4EiwAsCA4aUivzfcZZu52YNnKCX1oA5cqI2wvLRk2dlG1s_P8MpNGuBCrBZzGKBoCPowQAvD_BwE

 

http://i63.tinypic.com/286x3mh.jpg

[papak]

Tom Carlin has installed an Ecoboost in a Birkin. If you are looking for 270hp, this crate motor is very cost effective. As delivered, it puts out 258hp. The ECU that comes with it from Ford is programmable to around 310hp. It's also shorter than the 2.5 and doesn't need a dry sump. Neither do you have to buy forged pistons, rods and crank, all necessary to get a reliable 270 out of it.

[scannon]

Or you can step out of the box and find a wrecked '94 - '05 Miata and use the engine and transmission in your car. It takes some fabrication and electrical skills but it can be done. For far less than some of the engines listed above I ended up with a 1,340 lb turbo charged Miata powered Caterham SV which dyno'd at 301 HP at the rear wheels.

 

[MightyMike]

Apologies for going off topic but I have to ask Mike - why the Vivian avatar? Brings back memories that make me smile from when I was much, much younger, are you a displaced Brit?

 

Vyvyan was my favorite character from The Young Ones, my favorite show in college. I've been using it for years as my standard forum avatar. Not a British expat.

 

Mike

[Croc]

And all this time I genuinely thought it was a selfie of Mike? You know I just understood there were all types of people on here and accepted that for what it was.

[Kitcat]

Me too Croc.