Engine Conversion Advice/opinions

[badj 0]

Hi all.

 

I currently have a clean TU shell, currently with a 1.1 carburettored 4 speed, and I am planning a TU transplant - along with some other handling and braking modifications.

I'm intending to transplant another TU and box in place of the 1.1, and I have a few choices and can't really decide which avenue to take, so I'm hoping the advice and experience of other members may help me decide.

 

To start off, I don't want an XU engine as mentioned. I'm looking for mid range (as far as standard swaps go) power whilst still retaining some economy.

For these reasons I singled out a few choices of engine -

TU2J2 from a 1.3 rallye or TU3L4 from a 1.4 xsi - good bhp per litre and less road tax changing hassle - however not a vast amount of scope for future tuning and perhaps a hard engine to find.

or

TU5 1.6 8v - i.e. saxo vtr, a later model engine with a little more power. around 100bhp and 100lbft torque, good economy on paper and good lower down power. Can get one cheap as they're ten a penny

or

TU5J4 - 1.6 16v - the wiser choice, less economy and more expensive to buy, more power out of the box and good tunability.

 

Correct me on any of this if I'm wrong along the way, but can't decide which - the TU5's are appealing more right now though.

[welshpug 1,661]

I'd go with a TU2J2 myself, keep it light (and cheaper tax!)

Edited March 5, 2010 by welshpug

[badj 0]

its finding one though thats going to be interesting. If peugeot used the Tu5 8v in the Ph2 Rallye there must have been a reason for it?

[welshpug 1,661]

I doubt finding one would be that difficult, get over on the 106 Rallye Register, they're being ripped out for the TU5J4 / JP4 all the time.

 

no idea what Peugeot were thinking with the S2 rallye, because it was never as good as the S1!

 

Shame we never got the euro spec S2 rallye.

[badj 0]

Pretty much made my mind up to go for the TU5 from a later model VTR.

 

I can get one thats meant to be low mileage (clocks have been taken off and bought) and the car is accident damaged - though engine isn't affected - for £150. Don't know whether to wait for a better deal or go for it tho :|

[welshpug 1,661]

For its weight and capacity it's lacking a little power, 15 or 25 less than a 1.6 XU!

 

Though of course a lot less work to fit it into an already TU 205.

Edited March 8, 2010 by welshpug

[badj 0]

indeed. mated to a 1.1 5 speed should be a nice combination of fun and economy (whilst I save for more important mods).

 

8v's come on power lower in the range, which appeals (less need to rag the back out of it for motorways), and the later model engines are incredibly frugal compared to XU's. Lad I was mates with a few years back bought an 03 vtr and It was pretty punchy and nimble, as well as having excellent economy - he later sold it and bought another after missing the old one, only on an R reg this time, and there was a massive lack of economy and performance between the two engines (although stats only claim 8bhp).

 

No point going for silly power just yet, just want to avoid the daily high revving antics of the 1.1 whilst I source all the bits I'm after.

[dave_6785 0]

i'm in a similar situation, 1990 1.1xl decat with 5 speed though, engine feels like its on its way out with leaks and smells poppin up everywhere on a daily basis and i wanna keep the car cuz i love it, what is the best direct replacement engine, all i wanna do is a straight engine swap with very little to no messing as i'll be gettin a garage to do it? and price is a big factor lol

Edited March 9, 2010 by dave_6785

[badj 0]

I think the 'easiest' engine swap with more power is the 1.3 rallye, but generally any TU series engine should fit without much hassle.

[dave_6785 0]

would it be possible and maybe cheaper to buy a 309/405 with an spi engine if they have em and get the garage to swap them over? May work out cheaper to source and i know naf all about engines so the simpler the better.

[badj 0]

I wouldn't say it would be cheaper, if its a cheap car then the engine would be jaffed or at least on its way.

[dave_6785 0]

How much are decent 1.3\1.4 spi engines? would the 1.1 car need any mods to fit it?

[dave_6785 0]

And maybe a daft question............ To run the car as Decat legally would there be a minimum age the engine would need to be? I've got a nearly new full decat exhaust that i'd wanna use and not have to change for the MOT

[CaptainK 11]

And maybe a daft question............ To run the car as Decat legally would there be a minimum age the engine would need to be? I've got a nearly new full decat exhaust that i'd wanna use and not have to change for the MOT

As far as I'm aware the MOT emissions test must be done based on whatever is the oldest - the chassis or the engine. As your chassis is pre-1992 (1993?) CAT emissions you should be fine

[dave_6785 0]

As far as I'm aware the MOT emissions test must be done based on whatever is the oldest - the chassis or the engine. As your chassis is pre-1992 (1993?) CAT emissions you should be fine

 

I didnt know that, so regardless of how new to an extent the engine is, being a g reg means i dont need a cat con for MOT :-)

[badj 0]