So I'm in the process of gathering parts for my frankenengine. (S3 housings, S5 rotors manifolds, S4 waterpump housing.)

I'm also in the process of swapping in the FC subframe into my first gen. (I have everything except FC struts/spindles, hubs, rotors, calipers.)

Problem is, in the subframe swap, I lose the FB subframe and hence mounts and engine support.

There's two ways I forsee doing this:

Option A.)
Modify the FC subframe to accept the FB engine mounts and support. Theoretical flaws: This method weakens the subframe by drilling extra holes in it.

Option B.)
Create a "C" shaped bracket to substitute for the FB engine support. Bracket will bolt to the front of the engine and curve around to either side and bolt to FC mounts. Theoretical flaws: My fabrication skills suck. The mount would probably have to be pretty beefy.

Does anyone else see a way to get this done? I'll probably have to run back to the drawing board, take more **** apart, etc... I'm just trying to gather ideas at this point.

 

Pele, What's up?
It is much easier just to use the S3 front housing to drop in your Frankenstein motor and use the Fb subframe. Modify the front mounts as normal to move the engine forward the appropriate lenght. Use the Se oil pan.

 

I'm not gonna have an FB subframe. It's coming out for the FC subframe which gets me Rack and pinion steering, cool cast aluminium control arms with replacable ball joints, FC brakes (Possible TII brakes if I can get 5 lugs on the rear.

I DO get FC engine mounts in the deal because of the FC subframe, but you can't do that when using S3 housings. I like my water jacket on the aluminium versus the iron...

 

There is another potential problem.Your selection of front cover/mount,will determine the type of oilpan you have to run.FB and FC oilpans are different up front, and not compatible with other front covers.

If you run an FC front cover,you must run an FC oilpan,which means the only way to mount the engine is with FC mounts.You could drill/tap the center housing for those mounts.

If you run an FB front cover and fab up whatever mount you like,youll have to run the FB oilpan.This may present clearance issues with the FC steering and X-member.Im not 100% sure if it itll clear or not,youll have to look into it,but the oilpan's foot print is definately different between the FB and FC 13Bs.

 

Well, offloading the engine from my truck (Crap. Bent the dipstick tip while it was in the engine. Gonna have to straighten it or cut it to get it out.) I noticed two holes on the center iron housing that look suspiciously like where the FC mounts go... I may end up using the FC oil pan. Once I use the FC oil pan and S4 front cover, I'll be able to use the stock FC mounts. Perfect.

 

Any update