Modern Commer Replacement

[Steve Pyro]

Cue:- Steve: V8 & appropriate picture
Canada Phil

V12 alright for you Phil ?

[mgmark]

V12 alright for you Phil ?

Steve - indeed, but instead of the Merlin, go for its V-12 big brother, the V-12 Griffon, at 36.7 litres instead of 27 litres, two-stage supercharger and 2,000+ horsepower......that should do the trick.

Mark

[mgmark]

Of course, there was "The Beast" in the 70s, which was powered by a Merlin........

http://www.theminifarm.com/john_dodd.htm

so it is probably only right and proper that the Merlin be supplanted by the Griiffon in the proposed light commercial application......

Mark

[Andy Zarse]

GGGRRR!!! Out bid! I chucked my hand in at £300. I've got Sebring to think about....

[Andy Zarse]

Thanks Mark.

The Holbay engine and twin 40 Webbers should liven things up a bit!

Tell me more about swept wing principles, do you think they have a proper application in the light commercial vehicle sector?

Andy,

         With the danger of mixing topics, I've moved this from the Track Day thread to its spiritual home.   I recall a certain picture last year of the grand old girl, framed by the Dunlop Bridge, with the driver furiously gesturing towards the No 1 Audi to get out of the way..... Now, if variable sweep wings had been fitted, you would have been past the Audi before John Hindhaugh could have said "wayay - will ye look at that lads...." as you crossed the start line.   The application of swept wing principles would assist you to overcome the onset of chassis buffet approaching Mach 1.0, but the greater benefit would derive from the lift given by a variable sweep wing in the lower speed corners.   Now, a Tornado weighs about 30 tons and lifts off with wings swept forward at around 200mph - so, by installing the wing section upside down to create downforce, at 200 mph you would have 30 tons of downforce - more than 15 times the weight of the old girl.   An awesome prospect that would probably allow you to take the Esses at 200mph well ahead of the No 1 Audi.   Now, assuming an entry to Tetre Rouge at at that speed, then sweeping the wing back doewn the Mulsanne would maintain the downforce but decrease drag and, thus, increase speed.   Now, will the Holbay Hunter engine get you to 200 mph in the first place, or are we in need of some further assistance?

Mark

I think 30 tons is a bit above the SWL of the rear springs, which are going to need a bit of attention if this plan is going to get off the ground, so to speak. Surely if I lower (raise?) the flaps 10 degrees just before the chicane, I'm gonna burst the tyres?

In keeping with the light commercial theme, wouldn't I be better off getting the engine out of this model of Hunter? Funny, I thought the Vanguard had Tyne engines not Speys...

[Canada Phil]

Cue:- Steve: V8 & appropriate picture
Canada Phil

V12 alright for you Phil ?

A friend of mine stuffed one of those into a boat and spent all his time trying to stop it taking off.
Canada Phil

[Robbo SPS]

Mr Brown and myself have designs on acquiring this beaty.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4520389895&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Anyone want to by a Hillman Hunter rolling shell minus engine...?

Andy, Have you ever thought about a Rover K Series lump ?

THey are really good engines and popular to modify in many ways, not just Max Power Brigade ?

[Bob U]

Plenty of room in this

[Steve Pyro]

Andy, Have you ever thought about a Rover K Series lump ?

THey are really good engines and popular to modify in many ways, not just Max Power Brigade ?

Robbo, I carried out a dimensional survey and re-engine feasibility study the other weekend when we had a pre-Sebring drink and the engine bay is pretty cosy.

Basically, anything with an overhead cam is out as it would be too tall (well, that's not strickly true - it would fit but would tickle the drivers armpit and you would loose the bed facility).
Also, any type of V engine, from 4 to 16 is out as the bizarre inboard Commer front wheels mean the chassis comes inboard of these and, hence, narrows the 'engine room' (which is between the two front seats by the way).

So the options are a OHV engine of rather agricultural design - the Commer engine isn't even a crossflow head.
Anyone got a decaying Hillman / Chrysler Hunter / Minx / Rapier with a high compression 1725cc engine?
There is also possible scope for an inline 6 such as a Triumph 2.0 / 2.5 as there is room forward.

Another, radical solution we kicked about with was to leave the Commer engine in as ballast and fit a transaxle flat engine / gearbox / finaldrive setup in the back such as a Beetle or a Porsche Boxster / older 911.  

Watch this space.

[Steve Pyro]

Anyone got a decaying Hillman / Chrysler Hunter / Minx / Rapier with a high compression 1725cc engine?

Like this -

[Robbo SPS]

Try a 1988 VxAstra engine 1.8 L = OHV engine and old ish.....

[Steve Pyro]

Another caveat - it needs to be a fore and aft rear wheel drive engine.  Any transverse front wheel drive engine is generally a sod to convert to rear drive and find a suitable gearbox to mate to.

Granted it can be done (such as with the Ford Zetec engine and an older Type 9 gearbox) but it is a real ball breaker.
The 1.8 Astra is front wheel drive and, sadly, OHC (I had a '83 SRi Cavalier fitted with one).

Look at any major car manufacturer of small / medium cars in the last 10 -15 years.  What do you find, generally front drive, transverse engine and OHC.

Some of the older Renault engines may work but it would be like taking coals to Newcastle - a Renault engined Commer driving to Le Mans!

A short list is -
1. Rootes / Hillman 1725 engine (same as currently in the Commer) but from a passenger car with higher compression, more cam, more carb.
2. Ford Crossflow 1600 / 1700 / Mexico / Kent engine - low height engine with plenty of tuning opportunities.
3. Triumph 1500/4 or 2000/6, 2500/6.
4. Austin Rover 'B' series 1800 (as in Maxi / Marina and MGB)

As can be seen, all of these engines ceased production at least 15 years ago (except Ford - found as a FWD engine in the last 1300 Escort and Fiesta).

The search continues...............

[Matt Harper]

You're all on crack. This thread is totally insane.
Have you considered a Humber Snipe engine......?
Come on Steve, conjour up an image of Rootes '57 Chevy lookalike, for the young 'uns to reference.

[hgb]

You're all on crack. This thread is totally insane.

Mhh, I only thought this on the first page or so...

[Steve Pyro]

Humber Super Snipe (a fine motor car   )