J.S.J

Has any one seen a rear/mid engine build as yet ? Ideas on engine configurations LS4, Audi ?

digitalsolo

iTrader: (2)

Why? At that level of re-engineering, there are much better vehicles to start with.

More power to you if you want to try, but that sounds like a recipe for an aborted build, no offense.

Littleguy

iTrader: (5)

For my style of driving and most people with "average" skill I really prefer the control of a Front/Rear setup to a mid engine car (Yes, I have owned 2). But this is coming from a person who really likes to get sideways and let the *** end hang out for a while.

J.S.J

All good points and it would be a lot of R&D the hard way. I had a 93 Rx7 just think its the most beautiful car around. I built and drove a 500 hp 914 / SBC / stick and loved the build. Now I have a 4500 lb 05 CL65 and its nice but I can't start cutting that car up LOL. I've watched a few videos of the LS conversions and am impressed as hell.
OK, LS7 would be wonderful !

uummm

It does sound like an awful lot of work to convert a 7 to a mid or rear engine car. What trans would you plan on using just out of curiousity?

digitalsolo

iTrader: (2)

You could do a Porsche G50.

BryanDowns

iTrader: (2)

This sounds like a horrible idea. If anything get a tube chassis mid engine setup and outfit the FD body ontop of it.

thethingthatshouldnotbe

Drop an lt1 in a fiero.

Littleguy

iTrader: (5)

I wonder what the life expectancy of a person who owned a V8 Fiero would be? Couldn't be too long.

thethingthatshouldnotbe

Fieros are just scary I could only imagen one with a v8. Scary just thinking about it.

digitalsolo

iTrader: (2)

Eh, I've been in V8 Fieros, not that bad really.

J.S.J

The Fiero is an interesting swap, one would have to change allot more than the engine package. I think any up grade in HP like this needs a chassis and brakes at the very least which is a match for it to work correctly. I see too many conversions done on a small budget, can't blame someone because money is always a factor. I would like to start with a clear image in mind, problem is I don't have one as yet. In a perfect world I would like a tube chassis wrapped with the FD. These cars are light and built for a rotary/low torque power plant. The FD has a incredible amount of potential because it came from the factory with a great suspension. I think its one the most beautiful shaped cars of all time. I loved my 914 but it just looks like a book LOL. Your LSX setup is stating to grow on me !

dream36realms

iTrader: (4)

there is a kit to use the LS family of motors for the fiero and they arent as scary as youd expect (handles relatively well anyway). I did see a guy put a ll0 in the trunk of a saturn but he had a ton of problems getting the damn thing to work properly. I would just say screw it, if you got the skills and knowledge than do it, but other wise it might not be worth the effort. might even be a very very bad idea and the 50/50 would be more like 80/20. now thatd be scary in a turn or two

TrentO

I've thought about. I'd base around the Mendola SD5R transaxle. It is only good up to 650 hp, so maybe a destroked LS7 for power. I currently run a 459 RWHP turbo rotary FC weighing 2300 lbs and running 12" wide Yokohama road race slicks. To be worth it, the Mid engine car would have to be sub 1800 lbs. I like the transaxle and diff as one component and moving the center of momentum to the middle of the car. I daily drive a slightly worked Porsche Cayman S, and I've tracked it. The balance is great, shame about the poor stock brakes.

My $0.02
-Trent

tasty danish

iTrader: (5)

To be honest this sounds like mindless mid engine leg humping, the kind you find often on car forums when the discussion involves things including but not limited to:

German engineering
JDM
Supras
Skylines
Mid engine cars
IRTB's
Ferrari

What are you trying to improve upon with a mid engine set-up? The driving dynamics/balance of these cars are possibly the most universally praised aspects and you're tossing that out. There is a 90% chance that IF you complete the project it will be inferior to the stock arrangement.

What's wrong with a nice v8 swap?