Weekend Engine Swap .......

[Indie]

Okay I need to draw on the combined wisdom of the RR collective - and if you're sitting comfortably I'll tell you why…...My domestic situation has changed so that I now have a daily 70 mile (mainly B road) round trip to work via the School, so it can't be a Motorbike (sadly).

Now Domestic Mmgt. (just about) tolerates the old car thing ( Series 86" Landrover, Marlin Kit car, Mazda 626 Estate) but I could easily justify a small ' runaround ' to do the work and back journey and my current short list comprises (but is not limited to) ;

Ford Ka / Corsa / Micra / Polo and this is where I need your help, RR, I'm going to chose the best example of a little car with what (in your collective opinion) is the easiest swap for a bigger engine that gives the most effective result.

So, a 2.0 engined Ka (or whatever) may well be frighteningly fast in a straight line but if the slightly slower 1.6 engined Micra (or whatever) out handles it then I'll have one of those. ( Oh and I've had wallet draining experiences with older turbo diesels so I'm looking for petrol only options at the moment.)

I'd rather not limit your imaginations with a definite budget but if anyone does have actual experience of such a swap that would be great.

OR

Do I just buy (say) a Peugeot 206 gti and take the badges off before she sees it ?

[composimmonite]

I spent years doing high daily mileage to and from work. Economy was the most important thing to relieve pressure on pockets. So I had a boring but economical and ultra reliable car for commuting and more exciting toys (Lancia HPE & 3.4 S2 XJ6) for weekend use. Larger cars also more comfortable than small shopping cars for such higher milages.
My advise would therefore be a diesel such as BMW, Merc, Rover 75, Passat and such.

[ettorebugatti]

Moneywise, a Renault Clio RS is the way to go. It has the go you want, straight from the factory.

Although, it will cost you in fuel compared to a repmobile diesel.
A Peugeot 406 with a tuned 1.9 TD (not the HDI) would be a very nice drive for the commute and not costing too much.

It is a shame that a Rover 100 is not the best car out there bodywise, but I think a 1.8 VVC is a very simple swap and giving a lot of speed.

Keeping it in the same engine family helps alot so that is not helping the case of the Ford Ka (OHV--> Zetec) and Micra (CG1xde-->SR20DE)
Polo might be an idea, an 1.8T swap + tune means a lot of tyres.

[skylinedave]

A rover 65 diesel is a bloody bargain for what you get and economy . Ok .grandad image but if its just for mile munching ..

[dodgerover]

What's wrong with using the Mazda? 70 mile a day commute is easy going, I used to know someone who did Sheffield to London daily by bike - his weapon of choice, well known for their reliability, a Guzzi!

[loudandproud205]

A Clio 1*2 instead of the 206, there quicker and more fun to drive while being better on fuel, only down side being the Clio is a bit more expensive than the 206gti 138