Engine for MQ?

[Phizinza]

I need an engine for MQ running gear. Basiclly I'm not going to use the chassis or mody from the MQ, just the diffs, case and box. So heres what I am looking for.
1. Engine that is relativly easy to bolt to the 4 speed MQ box (I've made adapter plates for other vehicles before) or engine and gearbox that will bolt to MQ t-case.
2. Has the be lightweight
3. No longer then a 4 or a v8 (so no straight sixes here)
4. Powerful, to a extent.

I am building a buggy/crawler and can't afford crawler gears so I want power. I also don't want to spend big, so a motor from u-pull it is probably in order. I want it short, so it doesn't get inthe way of the axle. And it has to be lightweight..

I was thinking something like a Rover v8. Or go to my roots and get a flat 4 or 6 Subaru motor. A ER27 or EG33 flat sixes seem like a good idea. But a tad expencive. And they do like reving. So because I will only have stock gearing on 31" tyres to start with I want some low end guts.
So whats easy to mount up, and we'll go from there.

[Peter @ Aawen4x4]

Both the Nissan Engines started their lives as truck engines, only being modded and de-tuned to serve in 'Passenger derived vehicles.' Probly not going to be great for what you want without using the appropriate gear sets, 'cos that's what they had in the trucks; low gears and low final drive ratios!!

If you dont want to go the crawler gears for whatever reason, look at dual transfer cases! They can get your gears down crawler low or lower, PLUS you can work it so you can use them all in reverse, front only low range, rear only low range, 4WD low low range etc. etc. Worth a look!

But then so is a proper look at the costs associated with crawler gears, and what you are planning on doing anyhow! I'd guess at the crawler gears being the cheaper option!!

Enjoy!

[Phizinza]

I would love to put a crawler gear set in there but for two problems. Because it's a MQ no one makes them for it. And it would cost more thne I can afford.

Twin cases is a possibility, but from what I've seen of my bro's toyota setup (which isn't done yet) you would need custom gear shafts and only a piece of the t-case. So two problems again, no money, no aftermarket support.

I could get another full devorced T-case and run it after the standard MQ one but that is adding more weight and more room which I don't want because this is going to be a small buggy. Smaller and lighter the better.

I'm pretty sure I want EFI, and I have seen, at least in the subaru world, that it is much cheaper to get a donor car or buy something at the wrecker then buy an import motor. Can get full working motor for like $400 form u-pull it with all wiring and stuff. Not sure how much for a diesel. Instead of $2000+ for import.

With my Brumby I got a whole Liberty donor car for $700 which had all I needed to put the 2.2L in pretty much.

Money is a huge issue here. I have bought a rolling chassis, wheels, axles, brakes, diffs, t-case, gearbox etc for only $200 so spending $1000+ on a motor is kinda out of the question sadly :( And I also am not keep on spending heaps on a new T case and gearbox as I have already got those and they are in working order.

Thanks so far

[4bdan]

I'd go the rover route, it's a v8, alloy and has plenty of down low sack!!!

[Phizinza]

Yeah. I like that option too. But they aren't as common as I would like.

[Peter @ Aawen4x4]

If you are still looking at buying the engine, you aren't limited to the MQ g/box & trans case! If you have some already, clean them up and sell them to help fund the purchase of a TD42ti with 5spd & transcase stuffed with crawler gears! Why limit yourself by sticking to the gear that you've already got when:

1. it limits itself & you to a narrow choice of gearing; &
2. you're already looking for more power!

Can't see the point myself! Get an engine AND gearbox/trans case that will do what you want! That's gotta be cheaper in the long run that looking at swapping engines and/or sourcing a gearing solution that's gonna be expensive no matter what you do 'cos any solution is going to be a 'once off' product!

So sell some of the 'already working' bits that you have but can't use without making a rod for your own back, and get the RIGHT parts for what you want to do!

Cheers!!

[Phizinza]

If I can find the funding that is probably what I will do. Although the GQ T-case won't work as it has an output in the centre on the back and I need both propshafts to offset. Otherwise I may as well scrap the whole MQ I am buying...

I don't really want the 4.2D as well because they look heavy and long.
Although I do like the idea of getting a case that will take a 4:1 gearset... or one that can be twin cased.

If I can get an engine on this box, case, axles for under $800 I'll be ultra happy just with that. Then I just need a racing seat, 4 point harness, lots of tube and a bit of time. Plus stuff like a steering box and collum etc.

[Trojan]

If I can get an engine on this box, case, axles for under $800 I'll be ultra happy just with that.

For $800, you could buy a complete early model Range Rover. Use the engine gearbox and transfer, which gives you both front and rear outputs on the right hand side to suit MQ diffs. Sell the rest of the Rangie off as parts and recoupe some of your money.

Range Rovers also have fairly good low range and driving higher ratios then the MQ's 4.625:1, so your low range will be improved even more so over a standard Rane Rover if using those diffs..

[Phizinza]

For $800, you could buy a complete early model Range Rover. Use the engine gearbox and transfer, which gives you both front and rear outputs on the right hand side to suit MQ diffs. Sell the rest of the Rangie off as parts and recoupe some of your money.

Range Rovers also have fairly good low range and driving higher ratios then the MQ's 4.625:1, so your low range will be improved even more so over a standard Rane Rover if using those diffs..
I like this idea..