Converting a FWD to RWD via an engine swap to the rear
Discussion
Done a search but couldn't find what i am after.
Basically, I've seen plenty of cars such as that Saxo(?) that was on here that had the engine transplanted in to the rear.
My main question is, whats the process from start to finish, including road worthiness etc.
For a few years I've had the insane idea of getting a Prelude shell and slapping an NSX engine in the rear. The only thing stopping me is the prospect of it never becoming street legal.
Over to the experts...
Basically, I've seen plenty of cars such as that Saxo(?) that was on here that had the engine transplanted in to the rear.
My main question is, whats the process from start to finish, including road worthiness etc.
For a few years I've had the insane idea of getting a Prelude shell and slapping an NSX engine in the rear. The only thing stopping me is the prospect of it never becoming street legal.
Over to the experts...
If you want to end up with a car with debatable handling capabilities, dodgy reliability, virtually zero value, hard to insure, possibly slower and poorer handling than cars costing a fraction of the amount BUT totally different and unique go for it. But it will cost more than you think, it will be hard work, it will be hugely expensive if you pay someone else to do it eg. Z-cars.
Your proposed project I wouldn't even consider were it me as you won't end up with a particularly good or nice or even quick car at the end of it, and it will end up almost the same price as a real NSX I suspect.
But if you want to do it go for it.
Your proposed project I wouldn't even consider were it me as you won't end up with a particularly good or nice or even quick car at the end of it, and it will end up almost the same price as a real NSX I suspect.
But if you want to do it go for it.
wildoliver said:
If you want to end up with a car with debatable handling capabilities, dodgy reliability, virtually zero value, hard to insure, possibly slower and poorer handling than cars costing a fraction of the amount BUT totally different and unique go for it. But it will cost more than you think, it will be hard work, it will be hugely expensive if you pay someone else to do it eg. Z-cars.
Your proposed project I wouldn't even consider were it me as you won't end up with a particularly good or nice or even quick car at the end of it, and it will end up almost the same price as a real NSX I suspect.
But if you want to do it go for it.
Thats the kicker i know. I really would love to do something unique. I know the cost is not effective its not about that. I'm going down the lines like Andy GTT and his home grown supercar. The idea of a sleeper looking car with awesome handling and speed is what my goal ultimately is. I suppose a tube/space frame chassis would be the way forward, skinned to "look" like a prelude on steroids I guess, but still look convincing, all the time with the engine in the back, since theres more room to play with forced induction out the back from a packaging perspective. Its not going to happen in the near future but its something i am seriously contemplating.Your proposed project I wouldn't even consider were it me as you won't end up with a particularly good or nice or even quick car at the end of it, and it will end up almost the same price as a real NSX I suspect.
But if you want to do it go for it.
SkinnyBoy said:
Thats the kicker i know. I really would love to do something unique. I know the cost is not effective its not about that. I'm going down the lines like Andy GTT and his home grown supercar. The idea of a sleeper looking car with awesome handling and speed is what my goal ultimately is. I suppose a tube/space frame chassis would be the way forward, skinned to "look" like a prelude on steroids I guess, but still look convincing, all the time with the engine in the back, since theres more room to play with forced induction out the back from a packaging perspective. Its not going to happen in the near future but its something i am seriously contemplating.
It wont have awesome handling or be that quick, the whole car is designed for the engine in the front. Have you looked under the bonnet of a prelude there's load of room to go FI. I dont think its worth it with a prelude IMO.
Your going to mess up the handling and weight distribution.
The most difficult thing will be designing and manufacturing new rear suspension. Unless you know what your doing with this then its going to be horrible to drive
The NSX engine will be hard to get hold of and might be expensive to buy.
If you really want a fast prelude then you will be better off tuning the stock prelude engine, 250bhp wont be all that hard to get too, and some guys in the US have 300bhp with major mods.
Although I own a prelude and love them, I dont think its worth converting one to RWD. You may as well buy an MR2, Skyline, Porsche or other fast RWD car.
Your going to mess up the handling and weight distribution.
The most difficult thing will be designing and manufacturing new rear suspension. Unless you know what your doing with this then its going to be horrible to drive
The NSX engine will be hard to get hold of and might be expensive to buy.
If you really want a fast prelude then you will be better off tuning the stock prelude engine, 250bhp wont be all that hard to get too, and some guys in the US have 300bhp with major mods.
Although I own a prelude and love them, I dont think its worth converting one to RWD. You may as well buy an MR2, Skyline, Porsche or other fast RWD car.
A Canadian ice racer did this once with a classic Saab 900 Turbo (back before they were 'classics') by welding in a front clip (excluding outer wheelwells) complete with the double wishbone front suspension at the rear - quite successfully so if I remember correctly.
Note that the c900 has a longitudinal engine, and the double wishbones allow for full adjustment of camber as well as castor and toe (of course, the tie rods would be attached to a fixed point rather than a steering rack at the rear) - also, it's a lot less difficult to set up a car for a very defined set of conditions than for general road/track use.
I also seem to distinctly remember a Saab engineer did something very similar in the early Eighties - I think one of the big US mags (R&T, C&D) did a feature on that car back then.
Note that the c900 has a longitudinal engine, and the double wishbones allow for full adjustment of camber as well as castor and toe (of course, the tie rods would be attached to a fixed point rather than a steering rack at the rear) - also, it's a lot less difficult to set up a car for a very defined set of conditions than for general road/track use.
I also seem to distinctly remember a Saab engineer did something very similar in the early Eighties - I think one of the big US mags (R&T, C&D) did a feature on that car back then.
chuntington101 said:
the is a company that offer mid engined conversions for the saxo. i cant remeber what they are called but they normally advertise in the back of PPC.
Cheers Chris.
PS. sounds an intresting swap!
Probably Z-CarsCheers Chris.
PS. sounds an intresting swap!
Nothing to do with me... www.zcars.org.uk
deviant said:
chuntington101 said:
the is a company that offer mid engined conversions for the saxo. i cant remeber what they are called but they normally advertise in the back of PPC.
Cheers Chris.
PS. sounds an intresting swap!
Probably Z-CarsCheers Chris.
PS. sounds an intresting swap!
Nothing to do with me... www.zcars.org.uk
Chris
Cut out the entire engine bay, including inner wings. Cut out the back of the Saxo and weld in the engine bay. The you have all the mounting points for engine, gearbox and suspension. You need to reverse the final drive so you go forwards instead of backwards.
have a look here for inspiration: http://205mi32.com
have a look here for inspiration: http://205mi32.com
Here's a Clio that someone did earlier.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/596395.htm
Oh yes, it was done by Renault.
You could spend a bundle trying to get it right. or just buy one of these.
If you do look at these little fun-buckets, I'd keep to the Mk2 ones, since they display very lightly less spin-happy behaviour.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/596395.htm
Oh yes, it was done by Renault.
You could spend a bundle trying to get it right. or just buy one of these.
If you do look at these little fun-buckets, I'd keep to the Mk2 ones, since they display very lightly less spin-happy behaviour.
Thanks for the input chaps, ZCars is the site i was after.
I actually rebuild cars for a living, I run a panel shop and have access to car-o-liners, migs, the lot.
Also my relative runs a Honda wreckers, so parts are not a problem, i can get a rear cut NSX for about 4 grand.
My idea is to create a super sleeper. What to all intents and purposes looks to the average punter a normal 4th gen Prelude, but underneath beats a supercharged NSX engine, RWD, lightweight body and tube chassis. The exterior would look a bit like a stock prelude although obviously the track would be slightly wider, but subtle sculpting would cover that.
Its only in my head at the moment, but once its down on paper and i work out the ins and outs, i'll let you know.
I actually rebuild cars for a living, I run a panel shop and have access to car-o-liners, migs, the lot.
Also my relative runs a Honda wreckers, so parts are not a problem, i can get a rear cut NSX for about 4 grand.
My idea is to create a super sleeper. What to all intents and purposes looks to the average punter a normal 4th gen Prelude, but underneath beats a supercharged NSX engine, RWD, lightweight body and tube chassis. The exterior would look a bit like a stock prelude although obviously the track would be slightly wider, but subtle sculpting would cover that.
Its only in my head at the moment, but once its down on paper and i work out the ins and outs, i'll let you know.
chuntington101 said:
900T-R said:
5318008 said:
Have a look at the RX7 engined VW beetle on youtube to make you chuckle.
There's also one (13B) living in the back of a Skoda Estelle... Chris.
900T-R said:
chuntington101 said:
900T-R said:
5318008 said:
Have a look at the RX7 engined VW beetle on youtube to make you chuckle.
There's also one (13B) living in the back of a Skoda Estelle... Chris.
i had heard of Scooby engines being run and even a front engined V8 but not the 13B.
Chris.
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