Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: TurboFource on Friday,January 17, 2020, 05:28:41 AM
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Just thinking ahead to when I get a Europa. I have the complete 2.3 Turbo drivetrain
Out of a 1986 Merkur XR4Ti. I believe it will bolt to the twin cam bell housing. Has anyone put
A 2.3 Ford in a Europa? It would just be to get the a car on the road if need be and then rebuild the original engine. The 2.3 Is a tough and reliable motor but not very light weight. I have put over 250,000 miles on one and it still ran great and pulled hard on boost!
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:o :headbanger: ??? sounds like a lot of work for a temporary fix. I'm never a fan of non-original engine configurations, resto-mods, or anything non OEM spec.
nice to know there are those with lots of energy and spare time on their hands! :)
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Just thinking......would prefer to keep original engine. As for time, I am off Monday's so that will become Europa day 8)
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The Merkur XRTi has a Lima engine, which may not bolt up to the Kent pattern bellhousing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ford_bellhousing_patterns#Lima_pattern
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You might be able to source a low mile zetec for cheap. I grabbed one with 30k miles out of a grandmother driven '96 contour for $300 bucks...
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Personally I would spend the time and money to work on the original engine. Even better, buy a Europa that already runs.....
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I love engine swaps especially with EFI but I wouldn't go that route. I would say the Zetec or a 5 valve 4AGE or rebuild what you have.
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The Zetec would be the simplest because your biggest challenges would be motor mounts and exhaust (and finding a TC bell housing). The Toyota motor is a great motor but in addition to exhaust and motor mounts, it requires at least an adapter plate for the bell housing.
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If money was no issue I would buy your beautiful car Certified!
But it is a concern and with my budget I am trying to research
all possibilities before hand ;)
I appreciate evryone's input and patience with me!!!