Any advice on engine selection for a swap?

[Kustoms]

Thanks for taking the time to look at my question. If anyone has a direction that would help me decide on an engine I'd appreciate hearing it.

I am going to do an engine swap in a '67 Opel GT. We are looking for a strong running street car to play around with. It is a small light weight vehicle with a small engine bay. It is also rear wheel drive. I am trying to decide what engine would be good to install. Looking for something that has a good aftermarket support as to be able to upgrade or add turbos and other items to get it running strongly- trying to shoot for something in the 300 hp range for now that is capable of being built to say 5-600 hp. I realize it will be a lot of work with installation, wiring for EFI, chassis improvements, and such but I am capable of that and willing to do so. I just don't have enough experience with smaller engines to properly know what's available.

We have looked into the twin turbo Supra, but it's a little long. The Porsche 944 engine will fit pretty well, but it has a rear transaxle that is too big for the body layout of the Opel. I have also experimented with a small block Chevy. We can make it fit, but will basicly have to cut the whole engine bay out and build a tubular front chassis ending up with pretty much a pro street type car. I don't really want to go that far. One of the best possiblities is a Mazda Rotory- either twin turbo RX-7 or new RX-8. They are small and light and from what I've found, they are very buildable as well (at least the 7 engine is).

I'd like to stick to an automatic tranny, but don't have to. I'm open to any suggestions whether it's Asian, European, or even a domestic if it's what I'm looking for. I know Honda's are very buildable, but I have to have a rear drive configuration. If you could give me any direction that I haven't thought of, please let me know what and whether aftermarket parts are available for it. Thanks in advance. It will be greatly appreciated. Have a good one.

[Skaterkid]

I'd go with an SR20DET. Aluminum block, can easily hold 300 hp on the stock internals, and has lots of parts availible. Not as light or small as a rotary, but will put out a lot more torque.

[Kustoms]

Thanks. I don't mean to sound ignorant, but what exact is a SR20DET? I'm guessing it is an engine model number. Can you tell me a little more as to what it's out of (make, model, and year range)? I'm more than likely going to find a wrecked car that I can tear apart inorder to get tranny, engine accessories, wiring, ECM, etc... Also are there any places that deal a lot with this engine as far as performance parts that you can recommmend. Thanks again.

[Zach]

SR20DET is a nissan motor. 2 liter DOHC turbo. they came in the silvia in japan from 89-02 i believe, with model changes that enhanced engine power in 95 and 99. there are three basic verisons (if im correct). the red top which came in the s13 with 204hp, the silver top in the S14 which had 215hp, and the black top which came in the S15 with 245hp. you can actually get a full half cut on many sites on the internet. i could be wrong about the generations, but as far as i know, its right.

[Dave_L]

350 small block :king:

[rmcdaniels]

Have you looked at later model Kadett parts? The GT is built on the same platform as the Kadett and I've seen some guys bolt a fuel-injected 2.4L Kadett engine right in to a GT. (I used to drive a Kadett and knew people with GT's). That would give you a modern engine for it, although I don't know if GM is still supporting it. Tuned N/A versions have put out well over 200 at the wheels and I've seen turbo'd 2.0 Kadett enginet make 400 WHP. Other than that I'm sure there are some Rover swaps out there too, that would give you a nice aluminum V8 that would fit in there. Plus the car should weigh less than 2000 lbs.