Other possible (but more expensive) donor cars?

[paul the 6th]

I've done a lot of driving this week but noticed quite a few cars which I thought could *possibly* be used as donors simply for their FR steering/transmission setup except the costs would be significantly higher.

I noticed a bmw 1 series which I know is the only "1" in it's class with rear wheel drive. Would the major components from one of these be useable albeit at a cost?

Also, mazda rx8's - are they rear wheel drive? would the rotary engine be unusually bigger?

Vauxhall omega too - I'm sure someone once told me they were rwd?

was just a thought

[bobbyh]

rx8 would be cool the engines are good but can not start if left for a long time

The one I've been looking at are the Omega, the BMW 3 series (E36) and the Mercedes 190.

All of them are significantly more difficult to use than the Sierra bits, Some bits are easy to accomodate (Diffs for example) but the multi link rear suspensions mean that it is difficult to incorporate the bearings/hub into a new wishbone system. It may be possible to cut the bearing carrier out and weld it to a similar upright to the Roadster or have a bearing carrier turned up on the lathe.

The fronts have different problems, the BMW has a very short upright which means that a new fabrication is required, the Omega has rearward facing steering arms. This means that the steering rack would be in the same place as the sump/crankcase in a Roadster. This might be solveable by swapping the uprights side-for-side.

I've not had a detailed look at the Merc bits but I believe that that too is a "rear steerer".

I don't know wether the RX8 is RWD or not.

Other possible rear axle donors are four-wheel-drive versions of front drive hatches or saloons. The Golf 4motion and the Peugeot 405 come to mind. There is a very rare 4x4 Mondeo too.

If we can get the parts It should be possible to use them but it won't be easy!

Cheers

Chris

[paul the 6th]

interesting thanks for the replies so far everyone.

it's all confirmed that me and the missus are moving to york on may 1st so my first major project will be champion's off road buggy to see if I can hack it.

Funnily enough I've seen 2 lo-costs/roadsters today alone (one at the angel/toby carvery pub near morely, west yorkshire - and the other just down the road from my apartment in the warehouse unit district of cleckheaton). I'm guessing there was a meet today?

[les g]

hey chris
what about the nissaan 200 sx
rn,t they meant to be flying machines
les g

[BlaydonBodger]

Chris when you were looking at omega bits how does the gearbox look? I was wondering about the width and how they compare with an mt75.

It's about 30mm wider than the MT75 at it's widest point, I really need to get hold of one to check but I think it should fit into a MT75 modified Chassis.

I've no experience of the Nissan, as a general rule you can make anything RWD work, it's just a matter of the time/work/cash required.

Cheers

Chris

[3GE Components]

Caterhams would be a good donor, it's almost made for the job

Seriously though......

Our demonstrator is going to be Nissan powered, but only the N/A version, we're aiming for 200BHP.

Later Saab turbo units will fit on the Omega box without too much hassle.

Geert at AlphaX does a conversion kit to mount the Audi/VW 20v turbo unit to the ford box.

And don't forget the MX5 is plentyful now, bound to be a few in the brakers.

[rjes77]

The Westfield MX5 SDV kit has been around for a year or so and is pretty popular. Using Mazda power has the advantage of access to all the aftermarket tuning products available, if thats your thing.

I guess, as with the old Escort, eventually the supply of Sierras will dry up so we'll always be looking for alternatives. I wonder what happens when the glue in an Elise chassis gives up?

[Theoldman]

What about the Lexus is 2XX series, not cheap, but rear wheel drive.



The Old Man