9 replies to this topic

[miniboosa]

Hello,

After much thought and research about building a project mini I have finally decided to build a ZCar Bike engined Mini. I have been riding bikes my whole life and due to the reliability of the engines it won my vote!

But know I need some good positive feedback as to which engine to choose! I currently ride a 2008 GSXR1000 K8, and would love to stick with Suzuki however, Yamaha R1 engines are much easier to come across.

Has anyone used a Honda Fireblade or a Kawasaki Ninja ZX10 engine in their Zcar? These are 2 engines that i have been offered cheap!

Engine choice will be the most important decision that I will have to make, when the car is built I will be comparing it to and racing Bikes all the time.

Any feedback will be great.

[smartuki]

Hello,

After much thought and research about building a project mini I have finally decided to build a ZCar Bike engined Mini. I have been riding bikes my whole life and due to the reliability of the engines it won my vote!

But know I need some good positive feedback as to which engine to choose! I currently ride a 2008 GSXR1000 K8, and would love to stick with Suzuki however, Yamaha R1 engines are much easier to come across.

Has anyone used a Honda Fireblade or a Kawasaki Ninja ZX10 engine in their Zcar? These are 2 engines that i have been offered cheap!

Engine choice will be the most important decision that I will have to make, when the car is built I will be comparing it to and racing Bikes all the time.

Any feedback will be great.

zx10 engine is a monster of a engine, and it will take a hell of a beating too .
what year is it ?? .
the 06 onwards are the ones.

[miniboosa]

Hi,

it was an '05 but i'm getting pulled towards a suzuki hayabusa everytime i talk to someone and tell my intentions!

[z cars chris]

Hi,

it was an '05 but i'm getting pulled towards a suzuki hayabusa everytime i talk to someone and tell my intentions!

The Hayabusa is the best option really . If you want big power in the end get one pre 2008 and then we can do turbos upto 400bhp or if NA Go for a 2008 version we have juts dynoed one at the factory and it made 212 bhp with one of our 4-2-1 stainless exhausts and power commander. The Busa has more torque than the others but the late r1s rev like crazy so are also very quick . Richard ZCARS

[ZAMinibusa]

My Brother in law rides a '08 Fireblade (1000cc) and i was shocked to see the performance on that thing, the low down torque is frightening and i have personally seen it out perform an R1 on a local track, I am seriously considering a Fireblade engine if i can't find a Busa engine at an affordable price

[AllanMcD]

i have personally seen it out perform an R1 on a local track,

I have seen a 125cc blow away a blade but I wouldnt use one in a mini.
The 125cc lap record at Donnington is quicker than the 1000cc superstock.
Allan

[ZAMinibusa]

i have personally seen it out perform an R1 on a local track,

I have seen a 125cc blow away a blade but I wouldnt use one in a mini.
The 125cc lap record at Donnington is quicker than the 1000cc superstock.
Allan

I agree that what you say is true but like you said you wouldn't put a 125cc engine into a mini, my point was i still feel that a Fireblade motor is still a good alternative that i have noticed has not been suggested or even spoken about at least not a lot any way, i was just wondering why that was also i was hoping that Chris from ZCars would comment on this too

Edited by ZAMinibusa, 22 January 2009 - 05:08 PM.

[xtr2turbo]

i have personally seen it out perform an R1 on a local track,

I have seen a 125cc blow away a blade but I wouldnt use one in a mini.
The 125cc lap record at Donnington is quicker than the 1000cc superstock.
Allan

I agree that what you say is true but like you said you wouldn't put a 125cc engine into a mini, my point was i still feel that a Fireblade motor is still a good alternative that i have noticed has not been suggested or even spoken about at least not a lot any way, i was just wondering why that was also i was hoping that Chris from ZCars would comment on this too

Loads of blade engines went into Westfields and had a good reputation. My brother had one and it was bullet broof despite loads of abuse. You needed to give it loads of revs but it liked to be driven like that. At one stage blade engines were easy to pick up for less than £1k. I think the latest fuel injected engines now go for about £2k and with the busa at £3k second hand it represents much better value for money when put in a car. I think some of the Kawasaki engines are probably now best for cheap power.

[AllanMcD]

I have been in the bike trade for 30 years and raced for 17 years and I reckon that all the 1000cc jap bike engines are very near equal
But bear in mind that they get more power nearly every year so you have to compare like for like as in the same year
eg the R1 has gained around 30 - 40 bhp in 8 years and still 1000cc
Allan

Edited by AllanMcD, 22 January 2009 - 07:20 PM.

[ZAMinibusa]

Hmmmm, decisions decisions still a tough call 'because i happen to like all 4 my obvious 1st choice would be the busa but the others are nothing to bite your thumb at, The R1 with its screamer of an engine, the noise of which would give a skirt lift Marilyn Monroe would be jealous of, The Busa the best all rounder in my opinion but there in lies its fault popularity costs money, the Kwacker ZX10 or 12 have always been known as reliable motors and very strong but pricey to maintain, the Honda with its 1000cc that shares a lot of the Busa's characteristics in a slightly more compact package but possibly the most costly of them all being the newer of the lot at least here in SA it is any way...

Chris we really could use your expertise here....