Ever have one of those ideas....

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03-19-2009, 08:00 PM
Wes Hyden

Ever have one of those ideas....

For quite some time, I've been considering building a street rod/buggy using the front engine-transaxle from some 1998-new donor car...placed in the REAR. I can imagine it, but have no idea what to watch for or how to to do it. I can't help but believe, that there'd be quite a bit of interest and the expense should not be unreal...but how does one begin? It may not be fancy, or super performance, but there are tons of well powered v-6 front wheel drive engines/trans out there that can be had reasonably inexpensively.

Is it doable?
03-19-2009, 08:08 PM
bigdude

Been done before
03-19-2009, 08:13 PM
HOTRODPAINT

The FWD Toronado front subframe, engine, transmission, and front axle was somewhat popular for that back in the '70s.

Guys would just make an adjustable rod for each side to hold the spindles at the right angle...then weld the subframe to the back of their existing chassis. Presto! Instant mid-engined hot rod.

The same principals should work for just about any front drive powertrain.
03-20-2009, 07:28 AM
Daffy427

The choices are unlimited..If I were doing such a project I would make sure and use something worthwhile rather than just taking whatever comes along cheap because the amount of work this will take will justify a few extra bucks for a disirable drivetrain..
03-20-2009, 07:31 AM
jerry clayton

popular was the tornado/eldorado in the front and back of El Cameo--twin engine all wheel drive!!!!
03-20-2009, 09:47 AM
Bob Parmenter

Spend some time studying a Pontiac Fiero.............nothing like stealing ideas from engineers who had millions of dollars to back up doing the same thing you want to do.
03-20-2009, 09:48 AM
robot

Wasnt a Pontiac Fiero based on this principle?
03-20-2009, 03:02 PM
Flipper_1938

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

Spend some time studying a Pontiac Fiero.............nothing like stealing ideas from engineers who had millions of dollars to back up doing the same thing you want to do.

Millions of dollars to spend and they decided to use chevy chevette front suspension and then stuck chevy citation drivetrain and front suspension in the rear. A winning combination. :CRY:

And yes, I am aware that they finally did redesign the suspension (right before they dropped the fiero).
03-20-2009, 04:19 PM
robot

Damn! Uncle Robert is monitoring my email again so he can post less than 1 minute before me......cut that out!
03-20-2009, 05:33 PM
Bob Parmenter

I just figured you forgot to take your Aricept.:LOL: