Hyundai Alpha Engines?

I'm probably still going to get a Tiburon and call it a day, but I'm starting to consider a second generation Accent. It has to be a 1.5L 12valve, because the 1.6 DOHC wasn't available in Korea. If the Alpha is tough enough to handle a small turbo and 130-ish hp reliably, it seems to me like that might be a cheap way to get a pretty hot little car that's still useful on the street. So how bad an idea is this?

Hyundia Scoupe Turbo. They used the Alpha engine without trouble.

can you drop the beta engine in? that would give you almost 140hp stock from the get go. it is also a stout engine that can take boost

I could do a swap, but that makes it difficult to get the car registered.

I guess Scoupe pistons might not be a bad idea. I've heard that's what goes boom in boosted Accents, most of the time.

Alphas are damn near indestructible. A little oil and some coolant and it's good to go. I've heard stories of some Puerto Ricans making ridiculous amounts of power boosted on them, but do not know.

second gen accent with a 2.0 elantra or tib swapped in, be very careful and no one will ever be the wiser

Bobzilla,

Do you know where I can get some technical information on the Alpha engines? I've heard some rumors that the stock pistons are really fragile under boost, but that was from a source I have reason to doubt. Either way, 10:1 is probably too high for a turbo.

If it's tough enough otherwise, though, I would love to drop in some 7.5:1 Scoupe Turbo pistons, run 15 psi through a Veloster turbo and make my 150 hp. In a 2100 lb car, that seems like it'd be pretty fun.

I am fairly certain the 1.5 SOHC alphas were a ~9:1 engine. No idea on the pistons to be honest.... but for giggles here's the old Alpha block that came out of ours long long ago. this is after sitting in our shed for 4 years:

I did a little research and it seems like the Alphas are good for boost, so long as your don't keep the stock NA pistons. They don't, however, like to rev very high. If I end up getting a 2g Accent, it sounds like I might have to just drop in some Scoupe Turbo pistons and run 15 psi on a Veloster OEM turbo and keep the revs under 6500 rpm. Supposedly that makes a happy alpha with 150-ish whp.

The Alphas can also use Beta ECUS, injectors and transmissions, according to several sources. I'm liking this idea more and more. :)

The only questions left are, if I only want 150 whp, would I be better off with the 90 lb heavier but undeniably better supported Beta?

90lbs? You've taken dumps bigger than that.

It was really tasty chili.

In reply to Appleseed:Did you turbo your Accent or swap it?

Beta swap the 2G. because then, when you get bored with 150whp in your 2100lb car, you can boost it to the friggin' moon and make as much power as you want.

another Beta swap vote. parts are also even more likely available at pick and pulls thanks to higher sales numbers and the cars themselves were better maintained then most alpha powered cars (assumptions!)

Hmm. The beta came in 1.5L as well ... the possibilities are endless.

http://www.alamomotorsports.com/alpine/alpine_hyundai.html For reference purposes only... Alpine turbo kits is no longer in business

DaewooOfDeath wrote: Hmm. The beta came in 1.5L as well ... the possibilities are endless.

Really? They came in 1.8 and 2.0 versions here. I heard rumors there was a 1.6 offered in eastern europe but never saw proof of one.

Bobzilla wrote:

DaewooOfDeath wrote: Hmm. The beta came in 1.5L as well ... the possibilities are endless.

Really? They came in 1.8 and 2.0 versions here. I heard rumors there was a 1.6 offered in eastern europe but never saw proof of one.

Yep, for tax avoidance purposes in Korea. In my case, it would be for classing.

Here's one: http://www.encar.com/dc/dc_cardetailview.do?carid=16197037&pageid=dc_carsearch

Interesting.....