which engine-trans combo you suggest?????

which engine-trans combo you suggest?????

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Discussion

George75

Original Poster:

20 posts

101 months

Monday 11th April 2016
quotequote all
Hello everybody, my name is George and Im located in Europe.

I would like to start building a super-car style car and Im on a research,
in order to find out which engine-transmission combination is good for my project....

About a recent super-car style model, that are V8 or V12 midengined RWD semi automatic
instead of using original engine set (cause I don't have the money for that)
they had suggested me to install a GM 5.3L LS4 engine (that I can find it on the Pontiac Grand Prix GXP).
It's on 303hp, that can arrive to 650hp with some modifications and besides that,
it has transmission that has automatic or paddles shift mode,
I can set it on the rear wheels of the car without changing or modyfing anything
and by this way, gives the effect of a real super-car.....hahahah.....

But besides that, do you have any other option to suggest me?

And if in case,
I would like to build an older super-car concept,
that have V8 or V12 engines with manual transmission,
which combo you suggest?

for example: Pagani Zonda has a V12 S600 Mercedes-Benz engine....
(I think it's the W120 model) that it's a very good option
but I don't know on which transmission I could fit it on.....

P.S
Im looking for the best value for money in low prices,
and besides that I would like to avoid to manufacture adapters and etc...etc...

Thanx for your atention,
waiting your replies







Edited by George75 on Monday 11th April 15:39

stevieturbo

17,256 posts

247 months

Monday 11th April 2016
quotequote all
Really...what is your budget, and is this really a free choice ?

From a keeping thing simple perspective...

Do what Ultima, Gardner Douglas etc etc do

Use any of the LS V8's and stick a Porsche G50 transaxle on it. Manual trans.

If you're wanting fancy DCT or sequential, semi-automatic transaxles, you'll be into big money in terms of purchase, fitting and making it all work.

There will be many other transaxles you can use, but they will undoubtedly cost more. Sandrail racers in the US use the LS engine a lot, with various transaxles.

But the kit car type guys like GD, you'll be able to buy everything off the shelf to make everything bolt together and work very easily.

If you want something more modern, engine/trans out of an Audi R8 or something, but there is the huge complication of making all the electronics work.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

190 months

Monday 11th April 2016
quotequote all
I think this is a question of how long is a piece of string...

Budget will likely dictate here. Along with how easy a build you want. Some engines are used in lots of other kits and bespoke builds. So there may be a lot of off the shelf items.

If you go obscurer, then chances are you'll have to R&D more and have more bespoke items fabricated.


I think the end result of what you are wanting is quite important too. If you are wanting a creamy screaming V12 sound track. Then as awesome as Yank OHV V8's are, they'll never offer that noise or power delivery.

stevieturbo

17,256 posts

247 months

Monday 11th April 2016
quotequote all
Or for a more simple V8 and transaxle...well cheaper maybe.

Audi 4.2 V8 from an A8 or something ? There is a lot to be said for getting a complete drivetrain for a single car for any conversion.

George75

Original Poster:

20 posts

101 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
quotequote all
thanks guys for your answers.
the Audi option with which tranny I can fit it?
can I install it mid or rear in order to have rear wheel drive???

PositronicRay

27,004 posts

183 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
quotequote all
Back in the mists of time Audi did a FWD A8, 3.7 V8 & 2.8 V6, tiptronic trans.


stevieturbo

17,256 posts

247 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
quotequote all
Pretty sure there are some 4.2 V8's too ?

Most use the 01E transaxle is it ? And some kit cars would use it too, GT40's ec

Just google, there is no lack of info out there

PositronicRay

27,004 posts

183 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
quotequote all
stevieturbo said:
Pretty sure there are some 4.2 V8's too ?

Most use the 01E transaxle is it ? And some kit cars would use it too, GT40's ec

Just google, there is no lack of info out there
4.2s were all quattro. However you may be able to hook a 4.2 up to a 3.7 trans.

2.8 v6s were just under 200bhp, 3.7 v8s were about 260bhp, 4.2s around 300bhp

MKnight702

3,108 posts

214 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
quotequote all
Have a look at Hilly's Lotus Esprit to see what may be done with an Audi engine and gearbox.


Hilly

George75

Original Poster:

20 posts

101 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
quotequote all
Yes, but Im looking for RWD......

George75

Original Poster:

20 posts

101 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
quotequote all
Hilly's Lotus Esprit, looks nice......

MKnight702

3,108 posts

214 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
quotequote all
Lotus Esprits are rear wheel drive!

stevieturbo

17,256 posts

247 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
quotequote all
George75 said:
Yes, but Im looking for RWD......
Bit of a random comment that ? It would almost suggest such a project might be a bit much to handle ?

George75

Original Poster:

20 posts

101 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
quotequote all
Guys, what about the first part of my question?
Any cheap and simple option like the Pontiac?

MKnight702

3,108 posts

214 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
quotequote all
I don't know much about the Pontiac engine, but the GM LS units are superb bang for buck. The cheapest transaxles would be the 6 speed Audi 2.5 TDI in non Quatro format. These should handle a bucketload of torque and the ratios shouldn't be too far off as stock. If you have deep pockets, then the world is your oyster, custom gearbox mated to Audi Biturbo V10 etc....

stevieturbo

17,256 posts

247 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
quotequote all
George75 said:
Guys, what about the first part of my question?
Any cheap and simple option like the Pontiac?
Which of the responses so far is not "cheap and simple" relative to the realms of the Pontiac you mentioned ?

And exactly what part of Europe are you in, that a Pontiac is more common and readily available....than European setups that already use transaxles making them ideal for a mid engine ?

George75

Original Poster:

20 posts

101 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
quotequote all
All the answers are cheap so far and I thank you very much for your interest my friends.
The only thing is, that beside the last answer, all the others are for manual.
The Hilly's option sounds very interesting for manual...
And of course I prefer another option besides Pontiac, because I can not find these parts in Europe and that's why I'm asking you If there is any other option,but I'm talking about a Mid engined RWD set up that will have automatic mode and paddle shift mode also....

stevieturbo

17,256 posts

247 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
quotequote all
George75 said:
All the answers are cheap so far and I thank you very much for your interest my friends.
The only thing is, that beside the last answer, all the others are for manual.
The Hilly's option sounds very interesting for manual...
And of course I prefer another option besides Pontiac, because I can not find these parts in Europe and that's why I'm asking you If there is any other option,but I'm talking about a Mid engined RWD set up that will have automatic mode and paddle shift mode also....
Every single one of the suggestions so far are for mid engine rwd setups.

So you want an actual automatic transmission ? If you're after anything fancier, again you're beyond the scope of both simple and cheap.

No doubt there will be Audi's out there with auto boxes....but most will have some form of electronic control which will mean you probably need the entire car to get all wiring and controllers from them.

George75

Original Poster:

20 posts

101 months

Wednesday 13th April 2016
quotequote all
stevieturbo said:
Every single one of the suggestions so far are for mid engine rwd setups.

So you want an actual automatic transmission ? If you're after anything fancier, again you're beyond the scope of both simple and cheap.

No doubt there will be Audi's out there with auto boxes....but most will have some form of electronic control which will mean you probably need the entire car to get all wiring and controllers from them.
thanx Stevie for your answer,
I don't have a problem if it is an Audi, with auto box (Im a fun of the German technology),and I could buy the rest of the parts that you suggest, but will these sets, with the automatic trans,
will have also paddle shift mode? (always for a mid RWD....)?


Edited by George75 on Wednesday 13th April 01:26


Edited by George75 on Wednesday 13th April 01:27

George75

Original Poster:

20 posts

101 months

Wednesday 13th April 2016
quotequote all
PositronicRay said:
4.2s were all quattro. However you may be able to hook a 4.2 up to a 3.7 trans.

2.8 v6s were just under 200bhp, 3.7 v8s were about 260bhp, 4.2s around 300bhp
ok, we can hook an Audi A8 4.2L engine to a 3.7 trans....
will it be a mid RWD set up?
the trans you suggest is the ZF 6HP26 tiptronic,right? are these two together,work for mid- RWD???

Edited by George75 on Wednesday 13th April 01:24


Edited by George75 on Wednesday 13th April 01:28


Edited by George75 on Wednesday 13th April 01:29