Caterham 7 w/LDK & GT2860R dyno
 

Hello,
It has been years since I posted here, but I finally got the car on the dyno and wanted to share with the community. The basic specs are:

- LDK crate engine rebuilt with wiseco pistons, stiffer valve springs, and balance shaft delete
- GT2860R turbo on modified factor manifold, Tial gate and turbine housing
- Water to air IC with blow through MAF and vented BOV
- Dry sump with external scavenge pump and factory oil pump (except for billet gears)

The engine is running 16-17psi and the dyno tuning was done by Church Automotive (hub dyno) in Long Beach. I’m pretty happy with the results (320ft*lb | 301hp). The car weighs about 1400lbs so it’s plenty.

Daniel

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cob...cc9c5592e.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cob...a64ebab68.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cob...39b5b1a31.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cob...332f930b5.jpeg

Cool. Do you have difficulty throttling up without spinning the tires?

Nice, that has to be a blast to drive.

For sure traction is an issue. I’m still fine tuning the TQ demand to make it more predictable. Eventually I may be forced to give the ECM vehicle speed so it can do some gear based control.

Daniel

Which transmission/differential are you running?

It’s all 80’s Ford Sierra based. The trans is a heavily modified Ford Type9 and Quaife diff. For sure these are weak links in the system. I’m likely on the limit of what they can take.

Daniel

Looks like fun. Initially I wondered why you weren't pushing it harder till I saw the weight of the vehicle.

Nice!

Cool build.

I think this is a really cool project.
I am guessing kit car?
Please give us more details on the complete project. :)

Damn I'm glad I clicked the link because this is awesome. Is this setup to do any performance/competitive driving or is it pretty much just your street cruiser?

It’s a long story so not sure where to start. Caterham sells in kits and complete cars. I went the kit route and made life difficult by fitting the ecotec. I’ve been a turbo guy for a long time so I really wanted a turbo engine. I was also weary of the highly strung cosworth duratec they sold at the time. The ecotec looked like a fast path to 300hp. This was sort of true, but not sure a turbo duratec wouldn’t have been easier and faster. I don’t think it would have had the same TQ range though. I could go on for a long time.

The majority of the story was posted on usa7s forum (Out with the old | In with the new). Take a look and let me know what part of the build you want to know more about.

Daniel

I better get it on the track or I’m going to be collecting tickets. I don’t think it will see competition outside the occasional autox; track days are more my style.

Daniel

Thank you for the link. That pretty much answers my question. You did take some time with your project, I can relate to that as mine is double that time, and I'm glad you are at the very end so that you can enjoy your really cool car. :)

I have finished reading your whole thread from your link. I totally get all of the stops and goes with your project. There have been so many times I have ordered parts only to receive them and realize that they don't work/fit. Your persistence is to be commended, congrats once again.

Thanks! A friend of mine responded to my awe in the size of project he took on with "all you need is the stupidity to start and the persistence to finish".

Daniel

Old thread, but I just noticed it.

Your packaging challenges make those we face putting engine swaps into old MGs seem trivial. I've seen rotary installs in Loti ('Rotus'?) before as well as the odd S2000, but the Ecotec looks great. I've been trying to convince the guys on my MG board that you don't need to stick V8s into little cars and the Ecotecs can be made to put out as much power as you can deal with (I own a modded Solstice coupe and a rebodied Jamaican-MGA I swapped a 3.4 Chev V6 into).