bigger engine??

[Ian.G]

This is becoming a very interesting thread.

I think the crux of the problem is smaller NA engines wont make stupendous power - they are limited by capacity and have to make their power with revs.

For example - look at something like a Suzuki Hayabusa engine - its a 1.3L capacity but it makes nearly 180bhp - and its all done from revving the engine to nearly 12,000rpm.

Lots of revs = lots of cash in order to give the engine the strength it needs to withstand what happens when you push the motor an extra 2000-3000rpm.

From a purely financial point of view building up a 4AGE motor to get to the stock HP output of the Honda K series motor is an expensive job.

This is why I think using a higher capacity engine will get you the power you require without the engine being so wildly tuned.

For the about price of a 220bhp 4AGE engine I can buy a pair of complete Honda F20C engines with transmissions and all.

Right now in the UK the honda K20 series motors actually fetch more money used than the F20 motors because they are extremely popular for use in Lotus elise cars in their std transverse configuration.

Like you say - the power is possible for less expense with the 4AGE engine if you go the forced induction route - dont get me wrong - I really like turbocharged cars - I've had some good fun in them over the years - but I think NA suites the hachi more.

Obviously the issue with using another motor is its never really a straight swap and lots of additional work needs to be done to the rest of the car to support the engine transplant. Hopefully though - if done properly there is no reason why the large capacity engine shouldn't last as long as it would have done in its original car - and I dont see any real reason why you would need to spend more money tuning it as any more will be way beyond the limits of the chassis