Hey guys,

I got myself a 1200 ute about 8 months ago with an a14 in it, I'm looking at upgrading to an engine with a bit more get up and go but not extremely technical to fit into my pride and joy. Just something that I can build on the side then fit in once completed. Being an apprentice mechanic, this will be a great experience for me to gain knowledge in this field of automotive. Can could someone please tell me which engines are easier to engineer then others ?

Much Appreciated,
Jake

the less you have to modify the easier it is to engineer....beyond that its about 1.8 ltr turbo or 2.1ltr NA engine i think

once you move away from the A series its all about the same amount of effort to engineer. EFI engines will require a little more effort to engineer than a carbied engine as there is more involved in the conversion

I'm leaning towards an a15 but work the engine, is it possible for these engine to run mid high 14s N/A with the right internal modifications, twin carbies etc.. ?

Stick with the a14 in my opinion than the a15, they like to rev a liitle,more or you could put the a15 crank rods and pistons into the a14 block, same as a15 pretty much, especially if your Ute has rego with the a14 engine number on it, as technically the a15 would need engineering due to more than 10% increase in capacity than stock a12

it'd be possible for sure, ive seen a couple of n/a a15s run into the low 15's
a sub 15 second n/a a-series would be loads of fun in a 1200 ute i reckon

Yes, the stock A15 shouldn't be run more than 8500 RPM.

Only downside is my 1200 is my daily so I'm looking for another engine to build on the side so I am still able to get to work and back. I rarely see a14s and a15s for sale though or am I looking in the wrong spots ?

Go the a series!!!
A14/15s come up for sale often enough and shouldn't be too hard to find. Pretty sure an a14 block just sold for a couple hundred on eBay??
If you have the money why not go some oversize pistons and EFI with some head work, cam and a lightened flywheel? Should be nice sleeper....

Stock1200, that's the exact approach I'm going for. Just a neat little sleeper that has got a little get up and go ! Am I better off with the a15 or stick to an a14 ? I have 60a 5 speed dog leg & HD Clutch currently but thinking upgrading the diff once I've put in the new engine..

"cough" turbo a series "cough"