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Holbay120
United Kingdom
177 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Feb 2010 : 10:55:51
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Hi Folks, I have seen reference to a Holbay Marathon and Holbay Swaymar engines on the forum, could anyone throw a little light on this? as I've never heard of them before, Regards
David McKenna |
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TurboZed
United Kingdom
94 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2010 : 21:40:38
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Not sure about the Marathon except it more powerfull (130 bhp IIRC) than the standard Holbay unit. Something to do with the Sydney Marathon rally? As for the swaymar, I think they made specialist exhaust manifolds, so maybe its just a holbay fitted with them? Sorry I can't be more specific than that.
Regards,
Jim Gough
Looking for a fastback Rapier.... |
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1922
United Kingdom
549 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2010 : 14:06:48
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Yup.
I have one of each.
The Holbay Marathon is based on standard Rootes/Holbay 1725 engine.
The differences are:
1 - Overbored to 1840cc and using, I think, MGC pistons.
2 - Holbay E128 cam with higher lift than normal H120/GLS engine.
3 - Bigger inlet ports.
4 - Inlet manifold matched to new bigger inlet ports.
It's a very nice engine with bags of mid-range and approx 130bhp. Ticks over at 600 rpm. Increases top speed to about 115 and 0-60 down to 8 or 9 seconds. I got it built by Holbay when there were in Martlesham Heath in about 1991, it cost £800 (normal H120 motors were £600). I assembled the engine myself to save money. Holbay told me that originally only 2 were built, I have one and the other went to Ireland for a rally car.
The Swaymar:
This something I've heard talked about but have never seen and I don't know if Swaymar ever actually built any. See http://alpine.forumup.com/ptopic792-alpine.html
The main idea is that it uses Avenger pistons and liners to give 1922cc.
I got Holbay to build me one of these recently (it's still in bits on my kitchen table).
Richard at Holbay (now called Coltec, see http://www.coltecracing.com/engines.html) bored the cylinders slightly offset so that the liners were not required.
So what I have is a sort of Swaymar/Holbay hybrid, it has the following differences from a standard Rapier H120/Hunter GLS engine.
1 - It is overbored to 1922cc and uses Avenger pistons.
2 - Holbay full race ram (I forget the code).
3 - Bigger inlet valves.
3 - Bigger inlet ports.
4 - Inlet manifold matched to new bigger inlet ports.
5 - Lightened and balance flywheel and clutch.
Regards,
Derek |
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1922
United Kingdom
549 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2010 : 22:56:50
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At the time I got my Marathon built by Holbay they also offered the engine in 'Rally' specification.
This was 1725cc but with the same head modifcations and, I think, cam as the Marathon.
It was quoted at 122bhp (I'm might still have all the paperwork around somewhere...).
I got the impression that this was the set up of the Hunter that won the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon. |
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Holbay120
United Kingdom
177 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2010 : 00:21:53
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Thanks Jim & Derek,I think I'm begining to understand why it was called a H120 as opposed to a H110 but it's always good to learn a little more and Jim there are often some nice fastbacks on ebay in the past 6 months there has been a couple of beauties Regards
David McKenna |
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1922
United Kingdom
549 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2010 : 15:01:30
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It's a pity they didn't fit the 1840 as standard.
Then you'd have an H130!
It's also great fun to drive and mine will do just over 30mpg on a long run (as long as you stay below 80 - which obviously I always do - ahem) which is better than I ever got from the standard Rapier engine with twin strombergs. |
Edited by - 1922 on 12 Feb 2010 15:03:01 |
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TurboZed
United Kingdom
94 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2010 : 23:55:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Holbay120
Thanks Jim & Derek,I think I'm begining to understand why it was called a H120 as opposed to a H110 but it's always good to learn a little more and Jim there are often some nice fastbacks on ebay in the past 6 months there has been a couple of beauties Regards
David McKenna
I've been keeping my eye on ebay for quite a while. No doubt just after I sell my Alfa they will all dry up.....thats just my luck!
Regards,
Jim Gough
Looking for a fastback Rapier.... |
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1922
United Kingdom
549 Posts |
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TurboZed
United Kingdom
94 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2010 : 21:23:06
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quote:
Originally posted by 1922
That Alpine/Rapier is back on ebay again.
The description has changed a little.
Now mentions that the brakes need bleeding, and he now wants to talk to potential bidders before they bid.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370334934816&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNARL:GB:1123
Yes I noticed it was back, it's 4th outing on ebay now? I have a feeling that that car is a bit of a nail, if it looks a bit dodgy in pictures its got to be worse in the flesh. I think the fact that its a bastardised Alpine really wont help getting a buyer either.
Regards,
Jim Gough
Looking for a fastback Rapier.... |
Edited by - TurboZed on 15 Feb 2010 21:25:00 |
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Topic |
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Marathon / Swaymar
