Sunbeam Alpine V Transmission and Engine Change Suggestions?

[Marco512]

Hello. I have a Sunbeam Alpine V and it has a stock engine and manual transmission. I have decided to change the transmission to an automatic as well as the engine to a modern one with 4 cylinders. Could anyone provide me some engine and transmission models recommendations for my car? Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

-Marco

[BlownMGB-V8]

Consider your transmission choices first. Transmission tunnel width particularly. On the MGB I am not aware of any modern American automatic transmission that will fit without cutting the tunnel. Your Alpine may be the same. The Aisin automatics use a long narrow pan and will fit easily however. You may find others.

If you go with an Aisin (several models to choose from between 4 and 8 speeds) quite a wide spectrum of engines were used with these, from Jeep to Nissan, Toyota, some German makes and others. You will have to do some investigation to find the engine you like best. A ZF transmission may also work and broaden your engine choices but I don't know much about those.

Jim

[Bratfink]

I'll take your old 1725 and stick with overdrive box if you still have it?

What made this decision for you? If you are having trouble keeping it in tune I might be able to point you in the right direction. And there is no way you are having trouble with the box, these were the smoothest shifting nicest transmissions ever made!

[Charlie Cheap]

Marco. I am in the process of putting a Ford 2.3 4 cylinder in my series V using the factory C3 automatic. It is fitted in but not mounted just yet. Oil filter and exhaust clearance are problems with the small space but I will work things out. The 2.3 has plenty of speed options, has lots of potential and is bullet-proof...plus Ford made millions of them. If you want to go really fast a turbo can make up to 350HP on the street. Ford built one 20 years ago that made over 600 HP and did 200 mph on a race course. With 4, 5 and 6 speed standard transmissions available plus automatics with overdrive, fuel injection and about 30 mpg stock, why not try to fit one in? I'll take pictures as I progress and post them.

[pspeaks]

CJ, I've walked past both your Sunbeams a hundred times, never look at the engine bay, and know very little about them, unless you are going with through the fender headers which I don't know is an option on a Alpine and I doubt you're considering anyway, exhaust is an issue, but knowing you for almost 60 years have no doubt you'll figure it out.  Is a remote oil filter a possibility?  Most of us MG guys are pretty much engaged if not already married to one.


Paul

[Charlie Cheap]

Paul, the oil filter has been solved with a Chrysler short-type and I got a header flange to build my own exhaust. Will probably be much like an old Chevy rams-horn with all 4 dumping into a square collector then into a 2" round pipe. The water pump is giving me fits as the one that comes on the 85 Mustang is fairly long. When we put 289's in hot rods Ford made many different pumps so maybe they do the same for the 2.3!? I got the Esslinger aluminum intake for a two bbl and a 2100 Ford carb., Accel coil, point dist.(will convert to Petronix), electric fuel pump and "stock" rebuild kit. With 140 cubes, a two barrel on a nice intake, hot ignition, free-breathing exhaust and only about 2600 pounds, it should runnn! I'm guessing about 130/40 hp, which is about 40 over stock and much higher winding.

[pspeaks]

CJ, when my GT was a four cylinder it had headers, a Monza exhaust system, large twin SU carbs, a Kent 715 fast road cam, TRW electronic ignition and though I never had it dyno'ed, I'm sure it put out at least 75 hp; probably the biggest reason I decided to go with the 302....Ok... you know me, it was my personality, but the hp didn't hurt.  I'm still a stick shift in a sports car kind of guy, but I had a 2.3 a while back and really liked it.


Paul

[Alpine66]

I cant speak to other engine changes but the Chevy 60 degree V6  is not for the faint of heart.
Exhaust is a bear.

Trying to figure out how to fab brackets for the mg rack and pinion currently, the alpine cross is nothing but curves.

[bashby]

I have a Nissan CA18DET in my SV Alpine, the only "real" difficulty was the header for the turbocharger (1.8 liter, Dual overhead cams, Electronic engine management. Turbocharged)  I have dual exhausts, no inner fender cutting or massaging but it is tight.  2500 pounds, 240RWP.  The Nissan KA24DE easily can get 150hp/150lb-ft. Nissan has 5-speeds and automatics with the KA24DE in the '91-'99 240SX.

[Tiger2Dan]

My '65 SIV Alpine came with the BorgWarner BW35 Automatic Transmission the tranny tunnel is a bit wider than the manual transmission ones.  And an easy fit for the Late Mustang T5 mated to my '77 Ford 60 Degree 2.8 V6.

I designed and built straight back headers similar to the Tiger exhaust system, which fit & function very nicely.  I also have a full range of conversion components for converting your Alpine...including A/C and Electric Power steering.

While the clearance is somewhat "tight" along the sides (Headers) it (the engine) fits well.  Just need to make it breathe plenty of fresh air:)

Port and Polish the heads and install the 2.9 Valves and then,  you are good to go,

[Sidecardoug]

Has anyone here done a Rover/Buick aluminum V8 swap into an Alpine ?  
If so, what were the main challenges ?

Thanks,
Doug

[mgb260]

There was one on the SAOCA forum a while back. It was a tight fit. It is a little wider than the Ford V8.