This is nothing to do with my 2CV van as I am keeping the original but I have Simca 6 that is in good condition and I want to use more but the engine is only a 570cc and I am lucky to get 70kph out of it on the flat and it is not very flat where I live. My AZU seems to go faster as I assume it is a lot lighter.

I have been doing some investigations and it seems the Reliant 850cc engine would actually fit quite well into the engine bay and it is also rear wheel drive so it may work OK and definitely up the power from 18 to 37 ish.

Question - is it difficult retro fitting an engine that is not designed for the car. What should be the main things that I need to look into and check.

Cheers
Ian

In rwd cars its easier, you'll need to make engine mounts to suit, ideally keep the gearbox that's designed for the new engine which might need a new hole or alterations to the hole for the gearstick and it'd probably be easier to get the propshaft off the reliant so you can weld the u/j from it to your simcas prop so it'll go straight on your reliant gearbox. Aside from that its probably just moving bits and pieces round in the engine bay, the radiator, that kind of thing. I assume your simcas 12v? If not it'd probably be worth looking into that as your reliant engine and starter will probably be 12v.

If you have to keep the simca gearbox then you're looking at making an adapter plate and frigging about with the clutches (see lpgo's BMW thread) and unless you've got access to a machine shop it's probably more effort than what I've described above.

The Reliant engine is an compact all alloy unit and should suite your needs. I agree about keeping the gearbox and using the reliant propshaft and grafting the Simca diff end onto it. I would get someone who specialises in this sort of work to ensure it's straight and balanced, as it will rip itself apart and do untold damage at the least if it isn't. Believe me a prop shaft shearing and digging in the road is a scary incident.

Are you allowed to put different engines in cars in France though.

A very good point

That's the problem when it comes round for the Control Technique test you could very well be told to go away.
There are a few cars around with engine changes but I am lead to believe they have to meet DRIRE approval and testing (similar to the SVA test in the UK)

But if you are up for the challenge Tripyrennes how about this bike rack on roof and no problem getting up the hills.



Peter

Crap! - I didn't even think about the legality of it. just thought I could fill in a form to change the spec. Will check up on this though.

Car is 12 Volt (surprising) and I was planning on using the reliant gearbox too as I measured it all up and by chance the Reliant engine has very similar dimensions as the Simca so I am hoping to just use an adapter plate to join the prop shaft (using a fabricator for this).

But first thing first - check if I am allowed

If not - how hard is it to rebore a tiny bit and to put in new pistons. These are tiny little buggers in it at the moment and not convinced the compression is very good. So a slight rebore and larger pistons - Or am I just being to optimistic that I can just go up a size on such an old motor??

Pretty sure you won't be.



Or just a rebuild of the original lump?

That is what I thought - how hard/easy is it to have the cylinders cleaned up/rebored/enlarged and new pistons/rings etc.
I have already changed the head gasket and checked the majority of things and all looked OK. But this is an old engine so was worried that doing up the original lump may be a bit tough to do.

Are there places that can do this?

There's plenty of cars running 'illegal' engine swaps in France, there must be dodges round it. If you do a neat enough job nobody will know.