Sunbeam Alpine swap suggestions

[mgb260]

Chris, The Type 9  5 speed is rare over here.  Only found in the Merkur. I know you can use the older Pinto bell with it and here in the U.S. the 83-93 Fox Mustang 2.3 bell with the T5. On both the dowels line up and some of the bolt holes. The major problem seems to be the starter fitment. The Zetec has a small high mount starter,while both bells have a lower starter mount. What was your solution? I thought maybe an adapter to use the Zetec starter in the lower position. 95-97 Contour/Mystique 2.0 seem to be most popular donors. Simpler than the VVT newer Focus.

[socorob]

ive always heard from the long time sunbeam guys to not run it without the fender braces on. ive noticed one of yours is missing. have you had any front end shimmy or noticed any other effects from not having it on?"

[jlh53]

Hi,
  My 67 Alpine has a V6 Chevy with a GM aoutomatic and works just fine. I does of course have the MG rack and pinion. I'm going to put a 302 into it and possibly switch the steering to a mustang 2. The car is running a stock Alpine rearend that I'm switching to a Ford 8" The V6 appears slightly built, but I still want to do the V8. If you decide to go through with the GM V6 I do have some Pinto rack and pinions and a engine/trans/motor mount/drive shaft setup that should fit right into your Alpine.
  The only obvious modifications were the tunnel cut out some for the floor shifter, the rack and pinion, Motor mounts, exhaust, and the electric fan to a custom radiator. The guy that I bought it from did, however, wish that he'd have put a Ford V8. The V6 is fine, but I think that the V8 is more in the mainstream though I could be wrong.. Regardless, good luck.

[chrissenn]

The starter motor fitment wasnt really an issue, the model was a lucas LRS707 and you can either get a different bell house or make a plate to cover up the gaps - I will try to get a picture

I didnt notice any issues without the one brace on - but I am running ITB's now so i have put the brace back!

[MGB SS]

Jessie
Do you have any pics of your engine bay and maybe anything of the steering?  I have heard of the MGB steering conversion but have not seen it or know what all is needed, and how well it handles.

What vehicles here in the states have the ZeTec in them?

I am in the process of locating a 2.2 Gm to set in there for measuremant purposes I think this would be a straight forward swap but not a whole bunch of HP

Joe

[mgb260]

Joe, For  the Zetec 95-97 Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique and Focus before Duratec(more complicated with variable valve timing and wider oil pan) The rack setup  I saw had a step boxed in the front of the crossmember and used the Midget rack with MGB steering arms. You can use 67-69 Camaro shocks front and rear also. There is an article. Here's the link.   http://www.tigersunited.com/techtips/PaulickAckerman/pt-PaulickAckerman2.asp

[MGB SS]

Looks like the 2.2 Gm from a 98 S-10 is a go.  I located a scrap long block with the NV1500 5 speed attached for purpose of fitting.   The shifter comes out in the factory location, the engine fits in the bay and the only issue I have encountered so far is the steering arm hitting the starter solenoid and then obviously the tunnel needs widening.




The Starter issue I think
can be overcome with either drilling the block for a SBC Mini Starter, That can be clocked to get the solenoid below the steering arm or make a plate to bolt to the engine and install a Ford starter to the plate one without a solenoid.

[mgb260]

Joe, There is a factory mini starter for 3800 supercharged. Don't know if it will clear but it sure is small.

[MGB SS]

Jim

I will look into it.     yes the solenoid doesn't look like it stands as tall above the bolt flange





This is what I am thinking if I can find one for the Drivers side and 142 tooth flywheel

Thanks
Joe

[mgb260]

Joe, The 3400 starter interchanges with the 2.2(mount bolt spacing and gear) the 3800 one I show interchanges also. You could also look at getting a smaller tie rod end too. I know there is a smaller MGB or Mustang II that might work. They are 9/16" thread,not sure about Sunbeam.

[MGB SS]

Jim

Good idea on the tie rod ends I will check into that.

If you have that 3800 starter handy can I get a measurment from the center of the mounting bolt holes to the end of the solenoid if not don't worry about it I will go to the parts store and measure one.

[mgb260]

Joe, It isn't my starter but the guy is replacing a 3.4 starter in a Fiero with the Pontiac 3800 Supercharged,and it supposedly intrerchanges with the 2.2. 1999-2001 I believe.

[mgb260]

Joe, 2000-2002 2.2 and 99 and up 3400 (more common) mini-starter,probably the same. Bring your old starter to the parts store to compare mounting and gear.

[MGB SS]

Jim

Thank you for the suggestion Clears by about 1/2" will probably look for something better but This will work







2000 Pontiac GP 3800 Starter

[mgb260]

Joe, Great !, You can cut the lug off with a Dremel a little bit after cable is on, and maybe the smaller tie rod end.

[mgb260]

Joe, Google Sunbeam Grassroots Motorsports challenge. Ford Ranger front 5 lug Hub/Rotor. My threads on MGExperience explain how to narrow a 83-92 Ranger rear by shortening one side and using another short side axle(also Mustang rear disc).

[MGB SS]

Jim

I will do that I like the  front hub conversion as that is in the plans not so sure about that Rack Pinion setup:(    

I have seen the rearend trick done a couple times  was thinking the S-10 year as I am trying to do the swap off of one donar vehicle but if the ford front hub is a good swap it may have to be a Ford in the back as well.

[mgb260]

The rack is similar to the Tiger(bad Ackerman) Alpine steering is much better. The early S-10 hubs will probably work also(same bearings as Ranger). Don't know about newer ones.. You would need to shorten both axle tubes though on the S-10 and use custom shorter axles. I posted on SAOCA board on the Ford Fiesta tie rod ends. That is what Jose uses in his V6 kit.

Tie rod info:             http://www.sunbeamalpine.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6735&page=25

[MGB SS]

Jim

I will check into the tie rod ends   After reading some of that I think I am going the correct direction
Thanks for the info on the S-10 bearings being the same,  I have shortened a few Rear Ends so thats not really an issue,  but just getting a second short side axle does keep cost and labor down, something to think about when I get to that point.

Last week and this week so far have been swamped haven't even looked at the car

Joe

[MGBV8]

Reconsider what you are about do, Joe.  I think the value of the would be much better in the long run with a Ford V8. I can't believe I just said that.

Put a low power 260 in it.  After all, some day you will need to get every penny you can for it when you have to buy her that Lexus SC 430.  

[bashby]

I have a Nissan CA18DET (1.8 liter. dual overhead cam, turbocharged, intercooled and 238 RWHP) with a Nissan 5-speed and Ford 8" in my Alpine, no cutting, dropped right-in but fabrication of the turbo exhaust manifold was necessary due to the steering box.  If you went with the normally aspirated (NA) motor you would have about 140HP and probably get in the mid 30's for economy (depending on gearing) with a 7,000RPM redline; you most likely not have to fabricate the manifold (?)   These motors are 20-years old but still available. Another option might be the Nissan KA24E or DE motor (155HP, 160lb-ft), these engines and transmissions are readily available and are 10-15 years old.  The Toyota 4A-GE motor could also be an option but these motors were used in the 80's for the AE86 Corolla.

[Tiger2Dan]

A new kid on the block (Actually an Old Goat) has designed and sells a complete line of components for the Sunbeam Alpine SI thru SV's.

DanR, started a Jose conversion back in 2009 in one of his Alpines (SIV), soon becoming dissatisfied with the design of the kit components, made a decision to build a better mouse trap:)

Engine mounts were the first to take a new look.  Instead of sittin' on the backside and nearly hanging off the rear edge, DanR's are firmly fix'd the the crossmember.

Next work began fabricating "new" Headers.  The "kit" headers stuck out the side of the Alpine right behind the front wheels causing me trouble routing the exhaust back under the car.  I did not like the side pipes sticking out.  After about three years "straight back"
 headers were finalized, they are tucked inside the framework running along side the engine and transmission, similar to the Tiger system.  Road clearance is "Not" a problem, they do not hang down:)

The conversion components developed by DanR  have proven to be well designed and durable.  Here are a couple of the components available.