Im looking at getting a smart roadster and having it modified to 'evil twin z cars' spec - see Smarts R Us website (http://www.smartsrus.com/evil_twin_z-cars.htm)

Anybody had any experience with these engines? what sort of longevity can i expect out of it assuming i use it in a used well, but maintained well manner? where can i find details of the engine? had no luck googling for this all.

Smarts R Us offer a 12k mile warranty on everything except the clutch, as they say if you abuse them you can toast them inside 1k miles..... but if what they say is true - that its £120 and an hours labor to replace - who cares :) assuming if its used normally it lasts a little longer anyway.....

Try www.gixxer.com there's guys on there making 200bhp without n2o or turbos

The term commonly used is bulletproof.

While that isn't entirely true, GSX-R engines are renowned for being extremely strong. Make sure you have lots and lots of cooling, though, because theyr'e meant to run in the open air and will overheat if they're enclosed.

Uprated coolant pumps and big radiators are a Good Thing.

SB

Yeah, im going to be interrogating at length about the conversion once i have the deposit sorted. So much stuff to ask about - cooling obviously is a big one - braking, suspension modification (dont know about weight differences between the gsxr 1000 and the smart lump) and also how the cars body has been uprated to handle the extra stress - most lightish cars that ive seen that have 140 horsies upwards seem to develop stress cracks at least in localised areas. so more than doubling the standard power of the car seems likely.

Plus how is the bike engine going to handle the different requirements of a car? sadly im not a biker so I dont know how the engines get used but I imagine its a case of wind it out, back off, wind it out again rather than the car situation of a more constant rpm....

And how is this gearbox that they have going to handle 180bhp without shredding itself or being heavy and compromising balance etc....

Anybody have any general opinions on the conversion idea btw? im fairly set on going this route and i know ill enjoy it but what do you reckon people will think - smart roadster - he thinks thats fast (it will look stock) or smart roadster - thats a bit different and cool. And woah, it just took off like a rocketship :) guess which opinion id prefer from other people.

Peoples opinion of me is not high on the list of prorities mind :)

I wouldnt worry 'bout the tuffness of a bike engine/gearbox/ drivetrain, a thou lump will handle 180bhp with little modification, the thous in British superbikes, and a good deal of road bikes have around the figure you mention.....I can remember the last time I heard of a thou gearbox letting go(apart from once in 2001 ,BSB)

Crescent Suzuki are the guys who run the BSB team , and they have their own performance workshop, I imagine theyd be a great source of advice.

Located in Bornemouth I think......