I suppose if the engine is truly mid mounted having it a tad higher wouldnt have that detremental an effect?

It would still raise the centre of gravity. Ideally it wants to be mid-mounted and still as low down as is practical. But as you say you'd probably feel more effect from having it in the middle than you would that little bit of height

i was looking the other day in the shop and did find the haynes single seater book!
its using a motorbike engine mid mounted and is real light buy the looks of it :)



its going to be my next build for my son to drive :D

on a serious note your plans look like it would be a realy long car by the time bodywork had been added
a transaxel would be needed or some form of diffrent powerplant/trans arangement.
my own line of thinking for a single seater was be ditch 1 rear wheel use a bike engine and swing arm to build something very small and light then you get an msva not an iva

from my calcs the off road go kart should cost about £2k to build then :)

I like the idea of the audi unit as they are longitudinally mounted fwd, I think clarkson always use to moan the engine were always hanging over the front axle. Could make it perfect for rwd mounting in a midi, not sure on heights though.

Was going to suggest VAG motor/box as I have previously,front of engine to driveshaft is fairly short,get rid of diff and type 9 and you could always use box as stressed member and part of rear suspension.

They are used in the 40 builds, I think its a no brainer perfect fit.

The only other one worth a toss is the reault v6 with transaxle , espace, alpine,deloreon etc. still cheap and available.




Anything other than this confguration will make it fat at the back with unequal length driveshafts and short bones. If you dont fancy these engine I am sure there would be an adaptor for the renault/audi trans to pretty much any lump you want.

Bob

old VW box with the old reversed diff trick?

Another suggestion,Single seater + 1.

Slim down the tub to a single seat with room at both sides for the passengers legs who will sit behind the driver,hence the "+1".

Friend of mine did it in the early 90's,hand built replica of Ferrari where passenger sat behind and when not in use replica airbox covered the seat,he used a m/c engine and the honda g/box.