As Bonzo say's Audi/VW is probably the easiest route as the length from crank pulley to front driveshaft is relatively short. I have seen a MK 3 Escort converted to 4x4 rear engine V8,it was done by making a 1:1 transfer gear on the g/box output feeding two shortened Atlas axle's,the front with two short driveshafts.
Handled like a kart and went like kaky through a goose !

Why is still a good question as its a lot of hard work ?:confused:

Sean

Didnt mean to confuse anyone. No second gearbox required, just use the engine and box from a fwd car turned through 90 degs. you then have one rive shaft pointing forwards and the other backwards. Connect these to the front & rear diffs, (which need to be 1:1 ratio). Just an idea.

Chris

I understand what you mean now.;)

• Take an engine from a FWD car, say a Focus.
• Rotate the whole engine/gearbox assembly through 90 degrees. You will then have the 2 drive shafts acting as front and rear propshafts.
• Front and rear fit 1:1 diffs, just to transfer the movement.

Actually quite a nice idea, not too sure where you would get the diffs though.

I'm sticking with RWD, much more fun:D

Dont quote me on this but I was once told that if you turn the engine sideways and drive two diff's the max revs you will get is about 1500 through the driveshafts,I cant remeber the reason why but the guy did build a 205 cozzy 4x4 featured in CCC in the 90's and he had tried it too and did not work well.

The easiest way to do this is to do what Z-cars still/used to do.

2 x ZX9 lumps facing each other one drives the front wheels the other the back ones. Job done. :D

They also did it with an Ultima, that's on their website

http://www.zcars.org.uk/ultima/index.htm

Kind regards

John

I have spent a magic half hour in Spud 69 car this afternoon and I cannot see the need for a 4x4 unless you want huge amounts of power.

Just my opinion,if you aint tried it dont knock it.

Glad you enjoyed your blast around the lanes Paul, good innit???:D

likewise... not wishing to knock anyones idea,s of engineering but the way the Roadster handles needs to be experienced to believe how good it really is, Spuds car has approx 330-340bhp per ton & is a great drive without being hard work to handle the power, i,m not sure where the benefit of 4x4 would be felt/needed.

cheers
andy

I can only agree with the above (another £50 thanks) and when your roadtser is complete you will see why.:D

I went outside and measured and there's just one small problem with the Subaru - the engine's 800mm wide, and the Roadster isn't at that point.

Would have been nice though - the idea of 300+ horsepower brings a big grin, and for those who want rear wheel drive you can always get the Impreza with the adjustable centre diff and leave it wide open.

Matt