3S-GE in a sonic?

[amiga500]

Anyone ever considered one? (or done it?)

Asking just in case someone has looked at it, and found a showstopper.


My bro has an old mr2 laid up with a few wee niggles (like a radiator leak* and bad brakes), chassis rusting a bit, but the engine/gearbox are pretty decent... He was looking something more reliable (so "upgraded" to an alfa ;D )

I've been thinking about a sonic, but no point paying out for an quantity in an unknown focus engine if I have a possibly better option lying outside the home place which he'd part with for a few quid.

*which is no big deal if it was gonna get a new rad and brakes anyway.


[Edit: D'oh - GTE is obviously the turbo, its non-turbo model, 3S-GE]

[fizzy]

Hi,

Being an ex mr2 owner myself I also considered this option - but with a 3VZ-FE engine.

From all accounts any engine is possible to mount in the chassis if it's not going to be too big for the engine bay - different engine mount points can be welded in but then this would mean a "custom" chassis.

Then the next stage would be making suitable drive shafts and hub adapters to work with the existing suspension - or again make custom uprights and possibly wishbones. Then there's possibly a different engine cover, exhaust routing and options etc.

Since the kit was designed for a ford zetec series engine then this is obviously what it's been setup for, and anything different does mean some reworking/fabricating. Also the 3SGE is quite a heavy engine really, and the gearbox too.

By all means don't let me put you off - just thought I would highlight a few things since it's not a simple exercise and will require a fair bit of work - but is doable. There was a mention of somebody fitting a 4age (? 1.6 out of a mk1 mr2) in a rocket at some point I believe but not sure how that went.

I'm actually quite surprised there isn't any proper kits out based on an mr2 donor (not bolt on panel ferrari lookalikes) since the bodywork tends to go before the engine does, and is also already in a MR layout so wiring/cabling should be easy.

[olberj]

Hey Fizzy! Check out Grabbercars La Bala for Mr2 oily bits.

Personally it'd have to be a 1MZFE, all alloy and that bit extra go. Would make for a very interesting Rocket/Sonic.

[fizzy]

It all depends what you're after. If you want a nice, fun, pretty rapid car then the normal zetec engine is fine and lets you appreciate how different the car is to production ones. Non servo assisted braking takes a bit of getting used to for one.

If you want a mad car then go down the bigger engine route - but then for me that's getting into driving skill limits, not to mention beyond my mechanicing/engineering skills.

I just got a rocket with a 1.6 zetec se engine in and it's plenty of fun as is. You'll get looks and comments no matter what engine you have in it. ;D

[amiga500]

Cheers for the responses Fizzy.

Sounds like its technically feasible, after jumping through a few hurdles... but going on my original reason for going down that route - economics - it probably wouldn't make sense.

[fizzy]

From a purely economical point of view it would be a lot more costly to put a different make engine in due to all the fabrication and unique parts required - so more likely to be taken on as an expensive experiment rather than a cost saving exercise.

Besides, you'd be very surprised how much you get for sensors, connectors, accessories etc off a toyota engine compared to a european one. Should cover a lot of the donor costs. )

[unosteve]

Hi i say go for it my dad and i put a 1.3 uno turbo engine in my sonic and its great and nice to have something different in my eyes thats what kit cars are all about.Have fun it will be worth it in the long run.

[unosteve]

Hi i say go for it my dad and i put a 1.3 uno turbo engine in my sonic and its great and nice to have something different in my eyes thats what kit cars are all about.Have fun it will be worth it in the long run.