Hello all,
after typing this up I realized it was mostly just me thinking to a key board. maybe something will come of it maybe not. we will see how bad I actually want it.
I am at a point where I need to decide to probably rebuild my stock 998cc motor or do a swap of some sort. I have been soaking up info in the engine swap section here and looking all over youtube and elsewhere. If I were to do an engine swap the most cost and time effective is obviously just a 1380cc motor. That can drop in with the least modification. But to better fit my desires for all things weird an S&S 143 cubic inch (that comes out to 2.34 liters for people who don't feel like mathing) would be a great idea. In theory. it comes out of the box at 160+ HP and 155+ lb/ft torque and according to my dad whose a big harley guy they are easy to crank up a little higher. but its pretty expensive, about 10 grand for the motor new might have luck finding one for 3 off a wrecked bike.
Thinking of the how to bit... its a very big engine. with an immense amount of custom one off parts it could be mated to the tranny already in the car but then it will stick through the hood and nobody wants that. I could mate it to a RWD transmission of some sort and run the power to the back mounting the motor much lower in the bay and leading to a potential ground clearance issue from the transmission itself.
Or, probably the best idea is to stick it in the back with an original style 6 speed add electric reverse and have it rear engined read drive. This sounds the simplest to me but then another issue arises. It is an air cooled engine and that was fine for old 40 horse VW bugs but a big noisy powerful V-twin i don't know. I am sure cooling ducts can be made and various things can be routed and maybe have some fans to help.
Has anyone seen or heard of this being done?