Converting a hot hatch to RWD
Discussion
I really fancy an original Mini with a bike engine in the boot...
Yeee and, indeed, Haaaaa ----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOldGhPe0-0&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQlS303dtig&fea...
Yeee and, indeed, Haaaaa ----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOldGhPe0-0&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQlS303dtig&fea...
Remember there's a massive difference between turning the original engine 90* for a FR layout and sticking an engine where the back seats should be for a MR layout.
The FR layout puts very little weight over the drive wheels so grip isn't great but the handling should be fun and predictable. A MR layout gives plenty of grip and better weight distribution for faster cornering but with such a short wheelbase you'll soon get in a muddle when it does reach the limit.
The easiest solution? An MX5 or an MR2. Both offer hot hatch thrills and a compact overall package but crucially all the dynamic homework has already been done so you don't have to work it out by punting yourself through hedges backwards repeatedly.
The FR layout puts very little weight over the drive wheels so grip isn't great but the handling should be fun and predictable. A MR layout gives plenty of grip and better weight distribution for faster cornering but with such a short wheelbase you'll soon get in a muddle when it does reach the limit.
The easiest solution? An MX5 or an MR2. Both offer hot hatch thrills and a compact overall package but crucially all the dynamic homework has already been done so you don't have to work it out by punting yourself through hedges backwards repeatedly.
mybrainhurts said:
I really fancy an original Mini with a bike engine in the boot...
Yeee and, indeed, Haaaaa ----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOldGhPe0-0&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQlS303dtig&fea...
The 400bhp vtech (I guess supercharged or turbo'd), AWD version from the USA is very nice and won't deafen you like the rear engined one might Yeee and, indeed, Haaaaa ----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOldGhPe0-0&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQlS303dtig&fea...
superfastminis.com I think
busta said:
Remember there's a massive difference between turning the original engine 90* for a FR layout and sticking an engine where the back seats should be for a MR layout.
The FR layout puts very little weight over the drive wheels so grip isn't great but the handling should be fun and predictable. A MR layout gives plenty of grip and better weight distribution for faster cornering but with such a short wheelbase you'll soon get in a muddle when it does reach the limit.
The easiest solution? An MX5 or an MR2. Both offer hot hatch thrills and a compact overall package but crucially all the dynamic homework has already been done so you don't have to work it out by punting yourself through hedges backwards repeatedly.
Not only that but the 3 series, MX5, MR2 and MGF are all widely available from under a grand. I wouldn't count on the MR2 (or even MG) not trying to kill you every once in a while. Mine attempted it on many occasions. The FR layout puts very little weight over the drive wheels so grip isn't great but the handling should be fun and predictable. A MR layout gives plenty of grip and better weight distribution for faster cornering but with such a short wheelbase you'll soon get in a muddle when it does reach the limit.
The easiest solution? An MX5 or an MR2. Both offer hot hatch thrills and a compact overall package but crucially all the dynamic homework has already been done so you don't have to work it out by punting yourself through hedges backwards repeatedly.
just buy this for just under nine grand, save a packet, and have the best of both worlds?
http://www.driftworks.com/forum/drift-cars-sale-pr...
Wadeski said:
just buy this for just under nine grand, save a packet, and have the best of both worlds?
http://www.driftworks.com/forum/drift-cars-sale-pr...
realistically they should be worth around £2k.
Edited by Efbe on Sunday 2nd January 00:54
TallPaul said:
You can buy a Ford approved RWD kit for the Focus, to accept a V8!
Indeed...... very silly See here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP3xsI790sg&fea...
Kugel Components did the kit, see here.....
http://www.kugelkomponents.com/focus/focus.html
Efbe said:
Wadeski said:
just buy this for just under nine grand, save a packet, and have the best of both worlds?
http://www.driftworks.com/forum/drift-cars-sale-pr...
realistically they should be worth around £2k.
The Hachi-roku is just the Japanese equivalent...
havoc said:
Yes-ish. Look at the prices of GOOD (RS, Mexico etc.) Mk1 and Mk2 Escorts for evidence of what desirable (i.e. good-handling) rwd can fetch. 30y.o. Lotus Sunbeams seem to have steadied at £5k+
Escort RS prices went ballistic because of post-historic rallying scene.... and largely because of that parts remanufacture became a commercial proposition....and thus base car prices go up as they are seen as more desirable etc.,etc.The prices of the Sunbeam-Lotus (and Chevette HS) has remained low because they were built in far fewer numbers to the Escorts, and parts availability for both is frankly almost non-existant now. An engine rebuild on either is as much again as you'd pay for a whole car.
The parts situation is why I reluctantly sold my Sunbeam-Lotus a few years back.....after owning it for some 16 years
Roman said:
How about a BMW E36 Compact (318ti is 140bhp/1275kg)
Not much bigger or heavier than some current hot hatches (208 GTI is supposed to be 1400kg).
That's what I was thinking - same weight as a Clio 197 and if you wanted to tinker about with it you could up the power a bit as well as lighten the interiorNot much bigger or heavier than some current hot hatches (208 GTI is supposed to be 1400kg).
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