IE to Volumex conversion

[Skufy]

For an IE to Volumex conversion what problems can be anticipated, for the moment I can only think of bonnet clearence and perhaps slight wiring complications?

Then of course no belt on the volumex which has not run for many years, powersteering compatibility.

Some reflection is required.

[Pope1]

I have it on good authority that the standard bonnet should fit. If in doubt, check with Chrisc.

[chrisc]

The standard bonnet fits fine without any soundproofing on it :)

The IE has slightly shorter gearing, but that shouldnt be a worry. Does the IE have an oil cooler?

Then theres the fuelling system in general. If i was doing it id be tempted to go for either a dcnf or aftermarket fuel injection system.

Does the VX have a different exhaust manifold? bigger valves I know...

The real person you need to talk to this is Glenn Bates (i hope im not forgetting the name). he lives in Redhill in Surrey and used to race a vx converted ie coupe. Although actually, the car was built for him by a guy in woodhatch who know specialises in alfa 75s! argh! memory overload...

[Pope1]

Interesting - I'd interpreted the original question differently. I assumed that it was going to be an engine swap rather than an engine conversion. Skufy, care to comment?

[Skufy]

Yep, straight engine/gearbox swap. I have a volumex engine and box that jumped out of my next project car and the beta seemed a good place to put it into. I had wanted to keep the IE coupe as original as possible but may well crack. The IE has the newer type radiator but no oil cooler, the volumex engine has an oil cooler.

Had considered using a 1600 gearbaox on the volumex but maybe that is not as straight forward as one would like. Is the speedo ouput compensated for the different final drive by the gearbox?

Of course, anything like that invalidates the French type approval homologation so the car can never be used on the road without a few years worth of paperwork. Shame.

The IE engine would hopefully be put on carbs and into something else just to pas the SVA test but that another story.

[Pope1]

I had a 1600 box on a 2000 carb car once and it went like stink. Real acceleration between 80 and 100mph. I was considering an IE box for my VX recently but after driving the car some more I came to the conclusion that the standard box is probably better for the VX. Tha ability to waft along at about 2000-3000rpm with a reasonable amount of torque in hand is one of the nicer things about the VX. I don't think that a 1600 gearbox would suit the character of the engine well but that's just a hunch on my part, I don't have any data to justify that statement.