Using a FWD Engine?

[acra]

Just coming back to this, does anyone know of somebody building a Haynes/7 roadster using an engine originally from a FWD?
I'm still interested, as it makes the choice of engines far greater. I'd probably stick to the Sierra to begin with, for simplicity - but if I wanted to use an old FWD engine later down the line, I'd have to modify the chassis sooner rather than later.

Are there any build diaries or anything?
I'm just trying to think logically, it can't be much more than rotating the engine to longitudinal, then mounting it to an appropriate gear box - for that matter (at the risk of exposing my newb-ness), why isn't it possible to use an original FWD gearbox, mated to a RWD drive shaft?

[MikeB]

Hi,

Most builders will be doing exactly that, mating a FWD Zetec engine from a mondeo to the seirra gearbox is really simple, job done.

A FWD gearbox also contains the diff so you would end up with outputs for 2 halfshafts rather than one output to send down a prop shaft to the rear diff so a no go I'm afraid.

Alternatively with some mods put the engine and gearbox from the FWD into the back of the roadster and have it as a mid engine car a bit like the atom.

mike

[acra]

Originally Posted by MikeB

Hi,

Most builders will be doing exactly that, mating a FWD Zetec engine from a mondeo to the seirra gearbox is really simple, job done.

A FWD gearbox also contains the diff so you would end up with outputs for 2 halfshafts rather than one output to send down a prop shaft to the rear diff so a no go I'm afraid.

Alternatively with some mods put the engine and gearbox from the FWD into the back of the roadster and have it as a mid engine car a bit like the atom.

mike

Cheers Mike, that answers exactly what I was looking for, I didn't realise that the diff was included in a FWD gearbox! I've seen several FWD engines in the rear of cars, the MidLana project for one - but I'm more keen on the 'proper' layout so I think I'll be sticking with the norm!

How does the engine mate up with the 'box? I'm just wondering if it'd be possible to couple a non-ford engine to a ford 'box, via welding or something similar.

[piston head]

in my opinion one of the best 4-pot engines are:4AEG,M42..Toyota engine can be mount with T50 gearbox.BMW engine originaly has 1.8l,136-142bhp,10:1 compr.ratio.But with some little extra,it can be stroked to 2.0l,200bhp,12.0:1 compr.ratio. end it's has not so comlicated EFI System,+ it's from RWD car,so you do not need all this nigthmare for converting FWD TO suit RWD car

[acra]

Originally Posted by piston head

in my opinion one of the best 4-pot engines are:4AEG,M42..Toyota engine can be mount with T50 gearbox.BMW engine originaly has 1.8l,136-142bhp,10:1 compr.ratio.But with some little extra,it can be stroked to 2.0l,200bhp,12.0:1 compr.ratio. end it's has not so comlicated EFI System,+ it's from RWD car,so you do not need all this nigthmare for converting FWD TO suit RWD car

I'd still really like to use the 1KR-FE from the Toyota Aygo etc - it's only a 3 pot, but it gets 69hp standard - with a supercharger gets around 100hp. Considering the weight of the roadster, that's still a nice amount of power-weight to be playing with, plus it'd get a nice high petrol mileage!

[piston head]

OK,but do not forget how much it will cost you to supercharge the engine:lower compr.pistons,modify oil system,electric stuff and many others fings..in the end you get few thousend punds engine with 100bhp..It's all up to you

[deezee]

Originally Posted by acra

I'd still really like to use the 1KR-FE from the Toyota Aygo etc - it's only a 3 pot, but it gets 69hp standard - with a supercharger gets around 100hp. Considering the weight of the roadster, that's still a nice amount of power-weight to be playing with, plus it'd get a nice high petrol mileage!

Your going about this backwards. The Aygo engines weighs in at 70kgs and a 2.0 Zetec comes in at 115 Kgs. So your 69Bhp car at 500 kgs will be 138bhp/Tonne. But the Zetec, producing 140Bhp comes in at 545 kgs, giving 256Bhp/Tonne.

Your engine of choice, not only being almost impossible to engineer into the car, is going to give some mediocre performance compared to a FWD Mondeo engine. There are loads of RWD gearbox / engine combinations out there, why don't you benefit from all the engineering and money car manufacturers have spent with engines and gearboxes and choose a combination to suit you.

[acra]

Originally Posted by deezee

Your going about this backwards. The Aygo engines weighs in at 70kgs and a 2.0 Zetec comes in at 115 Kgs. So your 69Bhp car at 500 kgs will be 138bhp/Tonne. But the Zetec, producing 140Bhp comes in at 545 kgs, giving 256Bhp/Tonne.

Your engine of choice, not only being almost impossible to engineer into the car, is going to give some mediocre performance compared to a FWD Mondeo engine. There are loads of RWD gearbox / engine combinations out there, why don't you benefit from all the engineering and money car manufacturers have spent with engines and gearboxes and choose a combination to suit you.

But power is only secondary to me though, I'm also looking for economy (sounds daft) with something I've built myself... if that makes sense? There's no other route I can see that fits this specification:
> Nice engine noise
> Fair power/weight
> Low fuel usage (when driving sensibly)

[deezee]

Why do you want low fuel usage from a sports car? What kind of MPG are you looking for? Why does the engine need to be specifically light? I understand wanting to build a car, thats why I started building mine (with the engine out of a FWD Escort)

Maybe you'd be better off with a motorbike engine if you want light. Although you'll only manage 30 mpg with something like a Triumph 3 cylinder. I believe the whole engine AND gearbox only weighs in at modest 70kgs but it gives you 100 plus BHP.

[snapper]

If this is your preferred engine then it's all about a gearbox.
You need to find a rear wheel drive gearbox that is light and will compliment you lack of power with ratios that will get you off the line but also give you economical and usable 5th gear.
Bellhousings can be adapted usually with a spacer that has bolt hole that mate with the engine and the box.
Flywheels can be drilled to take full clutch kits or you search the manufacturers to find a plate that is the right diameter for the cover and also has the right spline for the gearbox input shaft.
Anything can be engineered but is it really worth it?
Having built and been involved with many kit builds I would not fixate on an engine then try and make it fit at any cost, smaller engines often return less mpg on the road than bigger ones driven reasonably.
You can fit any Ford engine from 1100 crossflow to 2.0L Zetec straight on to a Ford MT75 or Type 9, easily for little cost.