I had originally looked at the Lotus 907 for my engine
conversion, for two reasons. 1). I already knew that the Jensen Healey
Used the same gearbox, 2). I realy liked the Lotus Big Valve Twin Cam
engines. After looking closely at it, I wasn't certain that it would
fit under the sloping hood of the Alpine. It is a tall engine, as are
most overhead cam engines, and I didn't think that the cam covers with
their cam spoket bulges at the front of the cover would clear the hood
at the front. (has anyone Actually used one of these in an Alpine yet?).
Another reason I decided against it was the cost at the time. In
1978-79, a Lotus 907 was getting $2,000 to $2,500 in wrecking yards here
in the Seattle area. The Buick 215 V-8 was only $50.......Money being
what it was, I went the way of the V-8. At that time, I wasn't aware of
the official relationship between Lotus and Rootes.
Rich
> ----------
> From: Jarrid Gross (Yorba Linda, CA)[SMTP:GROSS@UNIT.COM]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 1997 1:44 PM
> To: alpines@autox.team.net; Curtis Fisher; T, L & T Harrington;
> tigers@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: Mazda powered alpine???
>
> Sort of along the same lines...
>
> How about a Jenson Healy motor in your alpine?
>
> Since Jenson was a part of the post rootes Talbot group,
> it would nearly be fitting to install such a nice motor in an alpine.
>
>
> Jenson Heally made cars with the Lotus 907 engine.
> The Lotus 908 was a 2.0 liter engine with dual "uhg" strombergs.
> The motor is a twin cam 16 valve, and made 140 factory horses,
> and with a little bit of work can be transformed into over 200BHP.
>
>
> Also, the early Jenson transmision was actually a longer version of
> the Rootes all synch. 4 speed.
>
> In Europe, Sunbeam Talbot produced the Sunbeam Talbot Lotus,
> which was actually a Lotus 911 powered Dodge Omni, which used
> a 2.2 liter version of the above motor.
>
>
>
> If anyone is interested, I have a friend with a fresh 907 Motor.
>
>
>
> Jarrid Gross
>
> ----------
> From: Curtis Fisher
> To: alpines@autox.team.net; T, L & T Harrington; tigers@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: Mazda powered alpine???
> Date: Tuesday, April 22, 1997 10:02PM
>
> Mail*Link( SMTP RE>Mazda powered alpine???
>
> Hello from Santa Clara,
>
> Wow! this is interesting! I was heavy into my RX-7 until my painful
> separation in 1987 by an unlicensed driver.
> If it is an SE model, it has an open differential (no posi)
> If it's a GSL model it has limited slip
> The transmission was silky smooth and never missed a shift.
> The stock clutch is junk. I barely made 22,000 miles out of mine.
> The
> rotary develops its horsepower at high rpm (6,000+). That means you
> need to
> slip the clutch to use that horsepower at the line. If you're willing
> to
> sacrifice the clutch, you can get quite a few decent accelerations:)
> When my stock clutch went, I had a street/strip clutch installed. It
> made a
> bad driver out of me instantly. It engaged (fully) in about 1/8 inch
> of
> foot travel which meant the tires slipped or the engine stalled.
> After
> some
> practice you can master the very fine art. Nonetheless, the stronger
> aftermarket clutch does a better job. In 1984, Mazda offered the 13B
> motor
> (vice 13A motor prior) which was fuel injected and developed about 30%
> more
> hp.
> The brakes in back are tiny drums. Discs were provided on later
> models.
> The stock 13A was just over 100 horsepower but its huge advantage was
> rpm.
> It can go right through redline and keep accelerating. So from 3,000
> to
> 8,000 (or whatever you wanted to risk) you could stay on the throttle
> (in a
> decent power range) while others were looking for another gear. (You
> could
> always tell when they shifted because that was when you went flying
> by)
> The later engines 1985 offered a fuel injected 13B motor which
> produced
> more
> power. Several aftermarket horsepower kits are offered for these
> engines.
> All the kits are based around airflow and rpm as this is how the
> engine
> develops hp.
> The rotary engine has one of the highest horsepower to weight ratios
> anywhere. The only comparable engines are race prepared high
> compression
> special factory jobs. There are several California companies that
> specialize in building rotary race engines. The turbo charging
> systems
> offered enhance the rotary beyond wildest expectations (this is
> basically an
> air flow engine). At this point you are getting above the purchase
> price
> of
> your donor car.
> This sounds like an interesting implant! Remember Ford and Mazda have
> strong ties! Just look at their Ranger and B2000-4000 line and
> others.
>
> Good luck!
> Curtis B9470844
>
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