Very interested in this. Would love to see some photos of this!
I'll try to remember to dig them out.
What was it like with the X30XE? Was the weight / size of the engine an issue at all? And how did it perform? Im still thinking about building a kit car using an X30XE thats all!
He upgraded that car from a Zetec and was happy with the result. I'm not that well acquainted with the driver so not sure to what depths his driving style will have tested the setup, TBH.
However, plenty of Westfields are running around on Pinto engines, which are similar weight (and much less power), ditto the Rover V8. There aren't many drop-in 200+BHP engines around. Most need expensive tuning to get to that level (even a rover V8).
Being a pretty short engine the weight can be kept further back on the chassis than with a 4 pot / V8.
he certainly didn't have the very wide Omega style sump on it. Not sure if it was a Vectra FWD sump or something more bespoke.
He had removed the intake setup and fitted a set of Jenvey throttle bodies with short trumpets which required the V8 style bonnet with a bulge in. IIRC, he was running Omex engine management.
Tubular 3 into 1 exhaust manifolds feeding a pair of side exhausts.
It was a very tidy car indeed.
Kevin