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going back to a 1.4, from a 1.8 16v!
Posted: 19 Feb 2009 04:55 pm
by themightybaggins
Ok so a strange question for you guys, my 340 has a 1.8 16v engine on bike carbs, but I want to take it out and put a 1.4 in! I want to use my 340 in my local racing formula, with a 1.4 restriction. So will it go straight in? How much will one cost me? And will my 1.8 16v engine be easy to sell?
Re: going back to a 1.4, from a 1.8 16v!
Posted: 19 Feb 2009 05:30 pm
by SteveP
Id've thought you'd be able to sell your 1.8 16v very easily, especially as it's all setup ready to go in a 300...
1.4 blocks are very cheap, or maybe even free if you're lucky. Think FilthyJohn may have a low mileage lump for sale? Will bolt right in seeing as you're still running a carb fuel system but you'll need a 1.4 bellhousing and maybe engine mounts.
Re: going back to a 1.4, from a 1.8 16v!
Posted: 19 Feb 2009 05:37 pm
by volvosneverdie
You do know that ive got the cleanest, sweetest 1.4 on the plannet dont you dude?
and that im currently looking for a clean valver?
Gonna have to check the insurance bump, but we might be able so solve each others problems dude.
Go team V3m!
Re: going back to a 1.4, from a 1.8 16v!
Posted: 19 Feb 2009 05:58 pm
by Chris_C
themightybaggins wrote:Ok so a strange question for you guys, my 340 has a 1.8 16v engine on bike carbs, but I want to take it out and put a 1.4 in! I want to use my 340 in my local racing formula, with a 1.4 restriction. So will it go straight in? How much will one cost me? And will my 1.8 16v engine be easy to sell?
You'll cry mate, after being used to the valver.
What else is in the formula? 1.4 is rover 214 and 106 rallye territory (both over 100bhp and weighing less than a 300 quite significantly). As much as Ben will kill me, it might be worth getting a v. cheap 1.4 and checking to see if you get on with it first.
Re: going back to a 1.4, from a 1.8 16v!
Posted: 19 Feb 2009 06:17 pm
by volvosneverdie
Sounds absolutley sensible chris.
Just trying to help, not mug.
If you want to pass the valver on for cold hard english money, mines quite cold and hard.
Good luck with the competing too dude. Fly the rwd flag high man.
Re: going back to a 1.4, from a 1.8 16v!
Posted: 19 Feb 2009 06:45 pm
by SteveP
Chris_C wrote:
You'll cry mate, after being used to the valver.
What else is in the formula? 1.4 is rover 214 and 106 rallye territory
Very true Chris - but if you're just after a bit of fun (without being right up there with the big boys) then it should do. I think even a valver 300 would struggle against a 106 rallye in this kinda competition anyway

Re: going back to a 1.4, from a 1.8 16v!
Posted: 19 Feb 2009 09:00 pm
by themightybaggins
well the likes of 106 rallye arent allowed!
the competion is mainly vauxhall novas/corsas and ford escorts (fwd)/fiesta
becides i'd rather come last in a rwd than anywhere else in a nova!
im used to racing small engine rwd cars, i guess you could say its my roots lol!! i raced 1.3 toyota starlets for years!
can you get lairy cams for the 1.4? its a very standard and cheap formula, so no tuning parts are allowed, maybe not even cams, ill have to check.
im just in it for fun really. my 340 is a bit ropey, so i dont fancy trying to MOT it again. it was nice when i got it, but a small "happening" with some armco soon sorted that out!im gonna look into it a bit more, (gotta look up gear ratios and things like that - see you in the gearbox section in a minute!) but im provisionally intrested in doing a deal against a 1.4 engine with the parts i need (bellhousing etc). but i have no idea what sort of money people would pay for a valver engine with bike carbs?
Re: going back to a 1.4, from a 1.8 16v!
Posted: 19 Feb 2009 09:22 pm
by kaos
depends, have you got any engine history?
you'll literally have to change everything over!
Re: going back to a 1.4, from a 1.8 16v!
Posted: 19 Feb 2009 09:35 pm
by themightybaggins
well its "griffo's" old car, and engine, so some people on here might know some of the history? i believe theres an engine build thread froating about somewhere, ill see if i can dig it out.
Re: going back to a 1.4, from a 1.8 16v!
Posted: 19 Feb 2009 09:47 pm
by themightybaggins
volvosneverdie wrote:You do know that ive got the cleanest, sweetest 1.4 on the plannet dont you dude?
and that im currently looking for a clean valver?
Gonna have to check the insurance bump, but we might be able so solve each others problems dude.
Go team V3m!
lol, i dont think you'd wanna deal against my car! i certainly aint gonna turn a minter into a race car! if your intrested in the engine though......
im not too worried about condition of a 1.4 engine, cos it'll get a full rebuild anyway.
Re: going back to a 1.4, from a 1.8 16v!
Posted: 19 Feb 2009 09:59 pm
by volvosneverdie
themightybaggins wrote:volvosneverdie wrote:You do know that ive got the cleanest, sweetest 1.4 on the plannet dont you dude?
and that im currently looking for a clean valver?
Gonna have to check the insurance bump, but we might be able so solve each others problems dude.
Go team V3m!
lol, i dont think you'd wanna deal against my car! i certainly aint gonna turn a minter into a race car! if your intrested in the engine though......
im not too worried about condition of a 1.4 engine, cos it'll get a full rebuild anyway.
Easy there cowboy!
I meant an engine swap. Not a car swap.
I'd pretty much fight bears to the death to protect the magic 8 ball.
But I'm def interested in your engine man.
You might be better buying someone elses lump if youre looking to rebuild and thrash though. mine isnt even dirty. might not be what youre looking for.
if you want a cash deal for youre, or a part ex, we might be able to sort summat out though mate.
Think yours is due some koudos though dude. Its been through the wars, and its still chugging on. A real Forum car. Be nice to see it competing.
Even better challenging.

Re: going back to a 1.4, from a 1.8 16v!
Posted: 19 Feb 2009 10:12 pm
by themightybaggins
lol fair enough!! sorry missunderstood you there lol!
i guess i never thought of an engine being described as clean and sweet lol!
your right though, any engine will do, as long as its a runner!
Re: going back to a 1.4, from a 1.8 16v!
Posted: 19 Feb 2009 10:17 pm
by volvosneverdie
Let me know if you want to sell me yours then man.
I'll turn mine into an occasional table, and actually eat my dinner off it.
As for price,
I think I could knock together a zillion, billionty zimbabwian dollars if you'll accept a cheque from my african uncle.
all I need is your bank details, mothers maiden name, pin number etc, then i'll pop it straight in your account.

Re: going back to a 1.4, from a 1.8 16v!
Posted: 19 Feb 2009 10:22 pm
by themightybaggins
yeah that sounds good! ill pm you my details to keep them secure so no zimbabwian scam artists get them!!
anyway, heres that thread i was talking about! seems the engine was fully rebuilt about a year ago!
http://www.streetrace.co.uk/forum/showt ... hp?t=26012
Re: going back to a 1.4, from a 1.8 16v!
Posted: 20 Feb 2009 10:32 am
by trabitom99
themightybaggins wrote:well its "griffo's" old car, and engine, so some people on here might know some of the history? i believe theres an engine build thread froating about somewhere, ill see if i can dig it out.
Before Griffo, it was Sam340s car I believe:
http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... 72&p=51562
... and this is what it once looked like:
http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... 87&start=9
Good to hear it's getting back on the road ...
Tom