Fitting a larger engine

[propnut]

Hi all

I am a newbie here and am hoping to take advantage of your experiences if that's ok :blush:

I have a 1.3 Inspiration 99 model (actually its my wife's) and am thinking of fitting a larger motor just for the hell of it. The two candidates I am considering are the Almera 1.4 or the Primera 1.6.

I have been given a Primera 1.6 LX that was about to go to the scrapyard and measuring up the engine it looks like it could be possible. I would like to know if anyone has ever tried.

I am not a mechanical virgin having built and drag raced American V8's and Motorcycles for many years. However on both of these space was not a problem whereas the same can't be said for the humble Micra.

 

[Arnold]

I would go for the 1.6. I can't imagine there being all that much difference between your existing 1.3, and a 1.4 your planning on putting in.

There have been a couple of 1.6 micra's around

 

[daddyjay]

welcome to our club....

from many of the posts i have read a 2l gti engine fits so i shouldnt think this should be too much of a problem for you to fit either a 1.4 or a 1.6.personally if your doing an engine swap i would go for a 2l and have sommat special

 

[propnut]

I have a 2.0 GX Primera and looking at that engine it is considerably broader than the 1.6. Aside from that I fully intend to scrap the 1.6LX Primera so this engine is the prime candidate.

The front body panel has rusted badly on the Micra and this in conjunction with acquisition of the 1.6 Primera is what has prompted this little bee that is buzzing in my bonnet.

A couple of things that will need to be considered is

1. The ECU from the 1.6 will need to come across as well in order to retain the running of the engine e.g. Timing curves, injection mapping etc.

2. The exhaust system. Clearly with the greater output the existing system will create too much back pressure. Additionally I will need to ensure that whatever system goes in will still be MoT compliant.

3. Establish a. Do I tell my insurance and b. If I do will they still insure it and what will the premiums be.

4. Braking system will need to be beefed. I remember dropping a 3.0 Essex V6 into a 1978 1.6GL escort. Went like stink but getting it to slow down was the problem.

5. Front shock's will need to be beefed for the extra weight of the 1.6. Won't know how much heavier it will be until I weigh both engines.

And this is just the beginning.

Sigh......will have to work out if it will be worth it :-(

 

[daddyjay]

in my eyes it would be worth it .if you have i 1.6 all ready do it

 

[frank]

propnut

yes go for it, electric waterpump, cut n shut the exhaust, cut n shut the engine mounts, splice the looms job done ! (sort of)

 

[ollie240585]

1. The ECU from the 1.6 will need to come across as well in order to retain the running of the engine e.g. Timing curves, injection mapping etc.

2. The exhaust system. Clearly with the greater output the existing system will create too much back pressure. Additionally I will need to ensure that whatever system goes in will still be MoT compliant.

3. Establish a. Do I tell my insurance and b. If I do will they still insure it and what will the premiums be.

4. Braking system will need to be beefed. I remember dropping a 3.0 Essex V6 into a 1978 1.6GL escort. Went like stink but getting it to slow down was the problem.

5. Front shock's will need to be beefed for the extra weight of the 1.6. Won't know how much heavier it will be until I weigh both engines.

And this is just the beginning.

Sigh......will have to work out if it will be worth it :-(

If you bring the ECU across then you will have a problem with NATS. It is possible to convert a car from NATS to NON NATS. The 1.6 ECU uses the same (or very similar) loom as the 1.6 IE Injectors, are same, throttle body is the same, distributor is the same, i'm on about the plugs here, some cables may need extending.

Regarding the exhaust system, I would use the GA16 manifold and downpipe from the Primera connecting to the secondary CAT on the Micras Exhaust system.

A modification like this should be informed to your insurance company aswell as the DVLA. If you don't tell them it's your risk!

Braking system, You could use the brakes either from a Pulsar, Almera 2.0, or Almera 1.6. I'm afraid the primera brakes do not fit. The ALmera calippers fit with an additional washer and the discs are straight fit.

The GA16 is heavier than the CG13 as it is a cast bottom end. I would probably go for some uprated springs on whiteline control springs.

 

[Scopez]

wel my personal opinion is to do it if you've the time and money, however tunning the 1.3 up has its benefits which i found out last weekend lol either way i say do the 1.6 conversion 1st then move to the 2.0 unless you've experience. As for all those things you mentioned some can be an issue such as with the insurance etc(not telling them) but if you need any help jus let me know and ill do what i can.

ScOpEz

 

[Retepetsir]

The 1.6 conversion is a pretty easy swap (easier than the 2L) as the block size is small and the mounts are the same

 

[Scopez]

when you say all the mounts are the same what do you mean? As far as I knew mounts have to be fabricated(all depends on where you mount the engine)