1988 VW Caddy with McLaren 650S engine

[LennyM1984]

I'm so glad you have started this thread. I think it was me who originally suggested it after you had posted about the fibreglass arches on FB. I'm pleased to see that it is as mental as it sounded in your original post!

[McL.VW]

LennyM1984 said:

I'm so glad you have started this thread. I think it was me who originally suggested it after you had posted about the fibreglass arches on FB. I'm pleased to see that it is as mental as it sounded in your original post!

Yes indeed your suggestion!!

Thanks!

[McL.VW]

shalmaneser said:

Could you use a 996/997 front end too? Is there a benefit from getting 'matching' suspension designs front and rear?

Cool project.

This is probably the route we’ll go down actually. Will need a fair bit of rework and we’ve been discussing at what stage we’d go for it. Advantage of keeping it original for now is that we’ve got all the bits to bolt on which allow it to roll and turn and stop and bounce so we can focus on the rear end but it’s not overlooked.

[Escy]

This is awesome. Seeing the McLaren engine bolted to the Audi gearbox, you really appreciate how compact that V8 is.

[doogalman]

A brilliant project that for me brings back memories of the bonkers Mini pickup that was kitted out mid engine by gtd using their gt40 running gear.
As with others I’ll be following this build.

[Firthv10]

Great looking build. I did a similar and cheaper version using all Audi parts. Basically an a8 engine and box in an a3. All standard ECUs etc. apologies for the upside down pic.

[dom9]

Great pics - thanks! Loving this project!

The British version of: https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id...

[MB140]

Wheelspinning said:

Everytime I get disillusioned by PH due to constant bickering and races to post how crap every feature car is, along comes threads like this and the Aston one reminding you of what PH was originally about.

As soon as I seen that mac engine sitting in the rear of a caddy a huge smile appeared on my face!

Bravo sir; I'm in.

+1….. The Lexspace thread, the Aston thread and the guy trying to make his own Maclaren F1 replica are all bonkers and some of the best threads on here.

That and the guy (poppopbagbang) who maintains/modifies old F1 cars for a living and runs a very highly modified 996.

[McL.VW]

shalmaneser said:

Could you use a 996/997 front end too? Is there a benefit from getting 'matching' suspension designs front and rear?

Cool project.

This is probably the route we’ll go down actually. Will need a fair bit of rework and we’ve been discussing at what stage we’d go for it. Advantage of keeping it original for now is that we’ve got all the bits to bolt on which allow it to roll and turn and stop and bounce so we can focus on the rear end but it’s not overlooked.

[Simes205]

The internet will break!
Is this on retro rides?

[P. ONeill]

Just when you think you have seen it all, looking forward to seeing this one finished.

[shalmaneser]

McL.VW said:

shalmaneser said:

Could you use a 996/997 front end too? Is there a benefit from getting 'matching' suspension designs front and rear?

Cool project.

This is probably the route we’ll go down actually. Will need a fair bit of rework and we’ve been discussing at what stage we’d go for it. Advantage of keeping it original for now is that we’ve got all the bits to bolt on which allow it to roll and turn and stop and bounce so we can focus on the rear end but it’s not overlooked.

It's a nice compact unit with a decent aluminium subframe so should be pretty easy to bolt up. Might be better to go with a later 997 assembly as it's a pain to get bigger discs on the 9x6 stuff.

I assume it would work ok with the widened rear end...

[McL.VW]

shalmaneser said:

It's a nice compact unit with a decent aluminium subframe so should be pretty easy to bolt up. Might be better to go with a later 997 assembly as it's a pain to get bigger discs on the 9x6 stuff.

I assume it would work ok with the widened rear end...

Yes I’ve looked at a few pictures. Good to know about the brakes though - thank you.

The rear end is about 40mm narrowed compared to a standards 996 - I used the carriers and not any of the ‘subframe’ structures. I might be able to do the same at the front to nip a little bit of width out of that end too, to match. Providing i can also take it from the steering rack/track rods while also not mess up the roll or bump steer geometry too negatively!

Something on the drawing board for sure.

[ballans]

Wow, casually browsing readers cars and the title McLaren engine in a caddy pops up. That can’t be right but here it is!
How are you planning on keeping a 700bhp caddy on the road? I think it’s going to try and kill you at every opportunity.

Amazing project, well done.

[SturdyHSV]

Fantastic, looking forward to seeing how this goes

Exhaust thoughts, your trying to keep it subtle or thinking something a little more 'murica?

[Meeten-5dulx]

I am enjoying the sheer insanity of this project.
Awaiting the finished product, and the path to get there

[Jonmx]

Lunacy, but brilliant.
You should find a local social media bod, or get one of the UK based automotive channels to come and do a piece. Would love to see some footage of the build.

[Pepperpots]

I like the yellow one but I can't work out where the gearbox is. It looks like the engine is right over the back axle, maybe just my eyes...

[skwdenyer]

Pepperpots said:

I like the yellow one but I can't work out where the gearbox is. It looks like the engine is right over the back axle, maybe just my eyes...

Could be a classic Saab 99/900 type solution, with transaxle under engine with a chain drive? Or gearbox ahead of engine, chain drive down, then short shaft back to the diff?

The Oldsmobile Toronado transmission is probably most likely:

[KarlMac]

SturdyHSV said:

Fantastic, looking forward to seeing how this goes

Exhaust thoughts, your trying to keep it subtle or thinking something a little more 'murica?

RIP Mazdarati.