I'm considering upgrading a older English sports car to a engine/overdrive transmission combo that would it a make better high speed cruiser with better parts availably than the original package offers.

And for the purist, the conversion would not require cutting a desirable car up and making it non restorable to original condition.

The car is a Triumph TR3 (a friend has a good body), I had a Tr3 and then a 4A many years ago. Great fun little cars, just not happy at todays speeds.

I'm thinking what's needed is a late 70s to mid 80s powertrain upgrade (rwd of course)with a engine that would look at home under the bonnet, and not require a lot of electronic support. Of course a conversion to neg. ground would be in the plans.

So, not being very well versed in the possible good powertrain packages area (good equals easy to find, parts available cheap, good power, simple, light weight, compact, around 2000 to 2500cc, with a 5spd overdrive transmission) I'm looking for suggestions.

Thanks, RJR

 

Toyota's 22R engine might fit the bill. Was in the early Celica's and trucks and more. I had an '81Celica with it and a 5 spd manual. That was one of the best cars I've owned. Fun to drive with the 5 speed and fairly decent performance.

Good Luck,
~Rob

 

They're a bit newer and only 1800 cc, but the Miata powertrain is a pretty good one. Slick 5 speed, sort of a vintage-looking DOHC piece. People did some racing with Datsun 510's in that era, so that's another possibility, but I'll bet they were 4 speeds. A friend of mine in high school had a Toyota Corona that had one tough little engine in it, but I don't know much about its size, etc.

 

13B rotary would be fun. not exactly the most practical. Mazda RX7 had these. they do make some power. 22R is good and bullet proof. Im gonna get flamed for this probably but the early pinto 4 bangers are capable of good ponies, used to see a lot of of sandrail conversions with them. All in all for ease of parts and maint the Toyota 22r is probably the most practical. Theres lotsa hipo stuff around fro them.

 

Toyota 3TC out of an early 80's Corolla... true hemi combustion chamber. had a little '81 Corolla 5sp, and that little car would boogie for what it was!

or, the carbureted DOHC out of the next generation of Corollas. I can't remember the name of the engine, but they ran it from like 83-86 I think. That will offer even better performance obviously.

if you've got a fairly tall rear end gear, the 3TC might be better... if it's a nice deep gear, the DOHC will be great, the early carb'd DOHC's like to REV!!!

Forrest

 

I would go with the Miata. I had one, it just ran and ran never any trouble and it had the crap ran out of it before I got it. It was a project car for me and the only thing i did not have to touch was the drivline. And they still make them. Good Luck.

 

Some tech. info. on Toyota's engines: 22R Tech info.

 

another vote for the miata my mom has one its a great car

 

Toyota Tacoma. 4 cyl, 5 speed, gas savings, fun little thing to boot!

Dom

 

Back in the 70's, there were some conversion kits for Pinto 2 or 2.2 l engines.
Saw a few Turnips with 215 ci aluminum block Buick V-8's. Slick swap, ran good, and drive line and front end held up.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. We had a new 1980 Corolla SR5, liftback, 5spd. Thanks Forrest for the info on the engine. I didn't have a clue but it was a nice package.

On the Miata, that's a great suggestion, but, if I went that route why not buy a beater Miata and just do a driver type restro. Acutally that may be the better deal.

Toyota 22R, didn't they have head gasket issues? I'm a die hard Mopar guy that really never paid much attention to the little motors after I got over my sports car phase. Hense my lack of knowledge in this area.

RJR

 

Dodge didn't do you any favors as they were in LOVE with front wheel drive...

if you want to keep it simple (carbureted) I think you'll be VERY happy w/ one of the two Toyota drivetrains I mentioned.

Forrest

 

Could you shoe horn in a Ford 302? They fit in those little Miata's.

 

That's the one. Mustang GT 5 litre HO multiport with T5 transmission.

 

Monster Miata is what there called. 302ed