FWD bike engined mini kit

[pjenni12]

Found this on the mini forum for those who have not already seen. www.pro-motive.co.uk

Uses R1 bike engine in the front without modifing the shell.

[minipete]

Only problem it has NO reverse,you are going to look a bit daft pushing it out of a parking space.The princible idea works but it needs a solution for reverse.I`ve seen some footage of it on Youtube and it goes really well,sounds fantastic.

[FWDRacer]

minipete said:

Only problem it has NO reverse,you are going to look a bit daft pushing it out of a parking space.

You could probably do it with one hand tho' whilst still talking to your mate on the moby with your other...

Any ideas of the all up weight for the Yamaha R1 powerunit? It must be, what, half the weight of an A-series? Twice the bhp?

[asn163]

Would guess the R1 unit weighs about 60kg

[big welly]

Think of a FWD car, take too much weight out of the front, consider rear weight transfer and using the basic laws of physics, tell me what happens.

Crap idea. In fact very very crap idea. If you are going to bugger about that much, put it in the back.

[Mr2Mike]

big welly said:

Think of a FWD car, take too much weight out of the front, consider rear weight transfer and using the basic laws of physics, tell me what happens.

Handling improves considerably? Eliminating the huge iron lump in front of the front wheels will greatly help reduce understeer.

[FWDRacer]

I think Bigwelly is talking about acclerative weight transfer rearward and the lack of weight over the front causing the front tyres to light up? . As for the weight and reduction in understeer, I'm sure both of you are correct. You'd have to get an R1 engined FWD Mini rolling before giving it full beans... combination of Bike clutch and no torque anybody?

[dark_helmet]

I know what you mean about the clutch but the torque on a superbike is 70-90 lb ft. Most 1275's wont do that

Perhaps there is none at low range? This looks like a fun conversion but probably a bit expensive.

Found this while googling http://www.lynxaelr1.co.uk/Developments-1.htm interesting that the engine is the other way around?

I really shouldnt look at stuff like this , I have enough trouble with the project I have

Edited by dark_helmet on Thursday 13th December 12:49

[big welly]

It'a crap idea and the more you think about it, the more crap it gets!

[Baldspeed Racing]

Well my mate Darren co owns/runs Pro Motive so I have been in some of his cars, they do handle, they are far more user friendly than the Z Car kits as in you still keep your boot and back seat etc and around Castle Combe they whoop most cars out there at the mini shows, there are a few vids on yuotube for you non believers.

Im sure if you went out in one with Darren driving you will be really impressed so do not knock them until you either try or see them.

[big welly]

I'd rather trust my laws of physics on this one.

If a FWD and RWD bike engined mini of identical engine/box/fd spec are driven around a track by an expert, the RWD one will be better purely from a top speed POV. As far as handling goes, if they are both set up sticky at the front, the FWD one may have the slightest edge in corners on a slightly bendy track track.

I'm sure the FWD version is great and very very fast but it's not maximising it's potential due to the weight transfer. So, if you are also lifting a front wheel on a corner, fit an LSD. How does that make FWD cars feel/handle again? Esp on super bendy tracks.

I'm sure that a FWD bike kit is wicked but minis are about twisty autotest stuff and there the FWD would have the edge reversing, but would probably miss out on cornering/accelleration due to wheelspin.... You could tame it with an LSD, but then it would be a handfull, which isn't the deal.

All my opinion/dogma

Edited by big welly on Wednesday 19th December 16:38