Non Surf Related Stupid Question

[kitesurf_phil]

Is an engine and gearbox from a FWD car any good for a RWD/4WD car?

[Guest]

Is an engine and gearbox from a FWD car any good for a RWD/4WD car?

Phil.

Depends on the engine - ford ones can be converted with a new belhousing I think but you will need a new gearbox.

I think Renault engines from earlier FWD can be converted but again on these the gearbox is normally in front of the engine so you need to modify the gearbox to reverse the direction of the output shaft.

Cheers

[kitesurf_phil]

Phil.

Depends on the engine - ford ones can be converted with a new belhousing I think but you will need a new gearbox.

I think Renault engines from earlier FWD can be converted but again on these the gearbox is normally in front of the engine so you need to modify the gearbox to reverse the direction of the output shaft.

Cheers

I was doodling on a piece of paper and considering a mid engined 4WD with one shaft driving the rear diff and the other driveing the front diff. I was thinking that by using that method you could have permanent 4WD due to the gearbox having its own diff. Just an idea for a buggy.

[*Turandot*]

Unfortunately it doesnt work like that. If you have a centre differential it has to be a particular type of limited slip diff. If it isn't losing traction on one wheel will disable all 4.

If you want to use both the outputs from a FWD gearbox you have to weld up the internal diff.

[kitesurf_phil]

Unfortunately it doesnt work like that. If you have a centre differential it has to be a particular type of limited slip diff. If it isn't losing traction on one wheel will disable all 4.

If you want to use both the outputs from a FWD gearbox you have to weld up the internal diff.

Now we're cookin' !

[da SLUG man]

davie's got a 1600 crossflow from a fiesta in his suzuki... just bolted on to a escort (rwd) box... the CVH's were used for front or rear wheel drive too...
how about a XR4x4 motor? 2.9 V6 but no centre diff lock.

[da SLUG man]

Unfortunately it doesnt work like that. If you have a centre differential it has to be a particular type of limited slip diff. If it isn't losing traction on one wheel will disable all 4.

usually uses a diff lock not LSD

[BUSHWHACKER]

Is an engine and gearbox from a FWD car any good for a RWD/4WD car?

I've seen a few Vauxhall DOHC 16v engines used in Caterham/lotus7 type kit cars, so I guess it can be done quite easily
Vince.

[BUSHWHACKER]

[QUOTE=da SLUG man]how about a XR4x4 motor? 2.9 V6 but no centre diff lock.


I used to have an XR4i,two wheel drive, awesome. Bag of sand in the boot for wet weather driving!

[mart 870]

A Series engines were used in both Moggy Minors and Minis, like someone selse said its mainly down to the gearbox - old Saabs used to have a RWD Triumph based engine runng a FWD setup with the gearbox underneath acting as a sump (like a Mini!). A buggy with rear wheel drive and welded up diff would be far more fun than a 4wd one, my Stock Car uses a welded diff and it loves to go sideways.

[da SLUG man]

[QUOTE=BUSHWHACKER]

how about a XR4x4 motor? 2.9 V6 but no centre diff lock.


I used to have an XR4i,two wheel drive, awesome. Bag of sand in the boot for wet weather driving!

should have gone for the XR4x4 then!

[Vagrant No2]

should have gone for the XR4x4 then!

Some , if not all , Sierra 4x4 had a LSD diff in transfer box . My mate had 2 of these motors , the second one sheared a front CV joint and still drove home because it still drove rear wheels .
Another mate just blew the engine in his and may scrap the car , so all transmission bits are OK , just need a lump , and I know where one is .

Rick

[*Turandot*]

Quote:
Originally Posted by *Turandot*
Unfortunately it doesnt work like that. If you have a centre differential it has to be a particular type of limited slip diff. If it isn't losing traction on one wheel will disable all 4.


usually uses a diff lock not LSD

Why would you need a diff if it wasn't a limited slip one? Think about it!

[TonyN]

I've seen a few Vauxhall DOHC 16v engines used in Caterham/lotus7 type kit cars, so I guess it can be done quite easily
Vince.

But he wants to use either side of a FWD gearbox to drive the front and rear axle, the above convertions use a normal gearbox to drive the rear wheels.

You'd have to use Land Rover style axles that have the diffs on the same side of the car, and a transverse engine would be way over to one side to make the drive shafts line up. The gearbox diff would be the biggest problem, can't think of any FWD cars that come with a diff lock, without one your wasting your time unless you can weld it up.

Have a look at some of the mid/rear engine Comp Safari cars, and see how they are set up.

[BUSHWHACKER]

[QUOTE=TonyN]But he wants to use either side of a FWD gearbox to drive the front and rear axle, the above convertions use a normal gearbox to drive the rear wheels.

Is'nt there a Vauxhall Cavalier 4x4? I'm sure I've seen one, I think it may be a V6 tho.