here is my situation and I would like some advice.

I have a stock 1980 LS that I'm dismatling to make a locost. I wish she were worth saving but she isn't. blown apex on the front rotor so needs a rebuild. I'm looking for a bit more power than stock (duh who isn't).
The trick being this a rebuild kit will cost me ballpark $800.00 When it is torn down I would go at it with the grinder for a small streetport (RB templates). Ship the carb too Sterling/Yaw with all the fuel system upgrades that are required I'm looking at another $500-600. add in the required RB exaust and other goodies I'm looking at probably $1800-2200. Thats a good chunk in my book for all of what 150 bhp maybe rwhp if I'm lucky? sure i'm not looking for a gazilion hp this is for maybe a 1200lb car (with me soaking wet with a pocket full of rocks). 150 bhp is plenty 150 rwhp would be awsome but on the hp:$ scale that seems a little high.

What are my alternatives (keep in mind stock 12a tranny and rear) for ballpark same hp and lower cost?

even somthing like this seems attractive
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used 12A Turbo Engine
The price for this engine is $1200.00 .
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sure it is only 130bhp but by cutting $800 off my bill I'll live with it. heck even only cutting 500 if i have to get an ECU.

Any other options I should consider?

 

13b NA. Keeping them fuel injected would take quite a bit of work. The stock '89-'91 13b NA made 160hp, though. The GSL-SE's 13B is the most durable, and makes the same 130hp as the 12AT.

 

Maybe a more accurate scale would help.

 

agreed how do you figure your car weighs 1200lbs? typo maybe 2200? there is no way you can make a first gen weigh 1200lbs... Well that is unless there is MASSIVE MASSIVE weight reduction done, involving cutting most the interior appart, no windows, roof... Well it wouldnt even be much of a car then lol

 

Remove the axle, windows, wheels, engine, tranny, and you're good for a 1200lb car probably. Chop the roof if you want more weight reduction, and a fun ride down the road (possibly no ride at all).

 

Hi....my locost is about 50% done. I am using a stock 12a drive train. I wouldn't worry too much about total HP right now. There is alot of building to do before you'll need a running motor. As for power, I have driven one with a basically stock 1275 cc mg midget motor and it was a blast!! I am planning to upgrade my motor in stages as time and money allow.

 

He's building a different car folks, Read the post. lol.

 

Whoops. Never heard of a "locost" before. Just googled it, and realized it was a car I thought it was slang for "low cost project car" or something. Sorry for being an uneducated dumbass >.<

 

I wasn't calling anyone a dumbass, I just figured the post was skimmed over and the project was lost in the translation.

 

my bad sorry skimmed over it and thought it said GS instead of LS

 

Port the **** out of it and it should be good for 200+ hp at the flywheel. That should be fun. Get someone who builds race engines to do the porting for you.

 

12A Turbo has only 130 ponies? The ones i`ve seen imported from japan has 165! This engine was found in the RX7 and the 929.

 

if ur gonna port, go all the way. Forget about doing mid, or half. go all the way.

 

what are you planning on using the car for?

 

Fair weather cruizer, maybe some very limited track time.
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Now as to going big on the port, I don't want a big port I don't ned a ton of power and don't want the extra fuel consumption and loss of low end associated with a big port. mostly the loss of low end as I'v already resigined myself to awful gas mileage.
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Interesting the j-spec 12at was rated at 165bhp? hmm that might be a great option I just saw another advertised for $950.00.
Will the 12at bolt up to a SA tranny? Will the stock tranny have any kind of problems taking that much power? how hardy is the 12at any know problems?
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Ccrook1962
Aye i know lots of work ahead. I'm just trying to nail the budget down. besides I need to kow what i'm going to be using for an engine for desgin purposes, mounts ect.

 

the 12aT JDM was 165 "japanese HP" this is equal to about 135 SAE Hp