I had also pursued the idea of using a twin cam engine in my old
Alpine. I had decided to keep it English, and was going to use the
Lotus 903 or 907 (I'm just too feeble to remember now), which was the
Lotus Big Valve Twin cam 1800cc engine that powered the Europa JPS,
Esprit, and their bigger car which was the Eclat ?? (feeble again..),
and the Alpine like Jensen Healey (which, as I remember, had the same
all synchro gearbox as the 67 Alpine). It put out 140 - 160 hp at
around 7,000 rpm. Unfortunately, two things kept me from using it. All
of the Bone yards wanted around $2,000 for the engine alone, and it was
a very tall engine. I didn't think it would clear the hood in the front
where the cam drive sprocket covers were on the engine. It appeared
that I would have to modify the hood with two bubbles like the later
Fiat 124 / 2000 spyders had. It just wasn't going to look good, so I
scrapped the idea.
I decided to use the Buick 215 Aluminum block V-8 instead. No hood
problems, it was light, lots of HP, and RPM, and I could get one for $50
at the bone yard. So that's what I did. Ran to other problems along
the way, namely the steering. I couldn't find a way around having to
use the Tiger steering. I was never able to locate a good crossmember
and rack. they were all bent. Project scrapped. Alpine sold. Engine
Kept !! I now have many new ideas for the steering problem, which I
think I can overcome at this time....The 215 is so light, that I may be
able to mount it farther forward to clear the stock steering box.....
Rich
>----------
>From: Rex Funk[SMTP:rexfunk(at)magick.net]
>Sent: Friday, February 28, 1997 3:11 PM
>To: alpines(at)autox.team.net
>Subject: More Power for your Alpine
>
>'Thought I'd throw my two cents in to this dialog about V8 vs. V6 vs.
>Rotary power transformations. It should be said that the Alpine was a
>pretty good concept in the first place, and far exceeded the expectations
>of auto revewers and critics of the time. Unlike the Tiger, The Alpine
>excelled in road racing; winning its class twice in SCCA National
>competition and placing in the top 3 for three additional years (not to
>mention winning the index of performance at LeMans and beating the MGAs at
>Sebring). Not surprisingly, at the SUNI '94 Autocross, the fastest Alpine
>was just one second slower than the fastest Tiger.
>
>But since the topic is enhancement, here are my thoughts. To my mind, the
>"Ultimate Alpine" would not be a Cobra wannabe, but an elegant and refined
>extension of the original concept. It would be more at home on the
>racetrack than on the drag strip. It would have reasonable power, good
>handling and balance, smoothness, and personality.
>
>Before Rootes decided to cram a Ford V8 into the Alpine to satisfy So. Cal.
>hot-rodders, there was discussion of a more elegant and balanced approach
>to increasing power for the Alpine which would have retained the handling
>characteristics and basic concept of the car. There was one initiative to
>try a dual overhead cam engine like the Alfa Romeo. Apparently nothing
>came of it, but the idea might be worth pursuing today.
>
>I recently investigated this possibility, and looked at several DOHC engine
>and trans options like Alfa, Saab, Ford Turbo 4, and some Japanese engines.
>I did a number of measurements, and focused in on a Toyota/Yamaha hybrid
>DOHC engine made for the Japanese market. A friend had ordered two of
>these
>engines, and had installed one in his Lotus Super 7. He found it to be
>smooth, reliable, and very powerful.
>
>Yamaha has been a long-time speed equipment supplier in Japan, and has
>developed special high performance dual overhead cam heads for the Toyota
>1800 and 2000 cc engines. These were engines used in the Corolla and
>Celica cars, and have the same bullet-proof lower ends as the units
>imported to the States. They are rated at 130 hp and 140 hp respectively,
>and have dual side draft Mikuni carbs (solex patent, similar to Weber side
>drafts). A variety of
>Toyota transmissions will fit, and the cast iron housing of the pickup 5
>speed is most recommended. I've measured the transmissions that came with
>these engines, and believe they would fit into an Alpine with few
>modifications.
>
>Due to stringent safety and inspection laws, Japanese cars rarely last
>beyond 3 to 5 years before being scrapped (the ultimate in planned
>oblescence). The low mileage engines are pulled, checked out, and sent to
>the U.S. for sale. Several importers, including the Toy Store in So. Cal.,
>deal in them. When I last checked It was possible to get the twin overhead
>cam Yamaha/Toyota engines, for
>less than $1,000 for engine and trans ready to run. I can see several
>advantages to this setup:
>
>1. It is a logical extension of the Alpine concept, and you still have a 4
>cyl. engine if your insurance agent should ask.
>2. There is less need for major surgery including steering modifications,
> sheet metal butchering, etc.
>3. These engines appear to be similar in weight to the Alpine engine, thus
> maintaining the weight distribution and the Alpine's good handling
> characteristics.
>4. If you're not satisfied with 140 HP, the Toy Store and other
>aftermarket Toyota speed shops can supply mods to take these engines
>over 200 HP. They are regularly used in racing applications, and
>lower end parts are stock Toyota.
>5. With conventional carburators, you don't have to worry about EFI, brain
>boxes, sensors, or be an electronics wizard.
>
>Better yet, if you want something REALLY unique, get or restore a stock
>Alpine. So many have been re-engined and "donored" to rejuvenate rusty
>Tigers that they are becomming endangered species.
>
>
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