39 replies to this topic

[Squat36]

Hi. I am looking to squeeze an engine into a Subaru Sambar van. A mini automatic engine should fit but only if tilted backwards by about 20 degrees.
Anyone any experience of laying an engine backwards? Any reasonable reason why this wouldn't work? Oil dip stick will be on the high section.
Will modify the inlet so the carb stays level.
Any help appreciated.

ps van was a rear engine rear wheel drive. Can't find anything decent that had this set up (vw doesn't fit) so looking for a really slim engine that has minimal engine in front of the drive shafts, hence mini engine. Have dummy fitted a manual to check for space and need to rotate backwards to get the drive shafts to line up. Any photos of the difference between a manual and automatic lower engine/gear housing would be great.
Thanks
Squat

[Guess-Works.com]

With a manual you may get away with it, but not with an auto... 

The oil pickup is at the front of the sump, leaning it back will starve the engine, with a manual you could overfill to compensate, but with an auto, oil level is critical and too much oil in the unit will kill it. 

 

You may also find that oil will piss out of the drive shaft seals. 

 

Way do you put a smart engine in there with a turbo. 

Edited by Guess-Works.com, 24 August 2015 - 05:32 PM.

[Dale_]

Or go crazy and fit a wankel rotary engine! ;)

[Corey96Williams]

It should work, but what would happen when you go up a steep hill? On a regular car the engine will obviously tilt, but with an engine that's already tilted 20 degrees?

[Squat36]

Thanks. Bummer that the auto is oil level sensitive.
Have looked at Smarts but they seem to have a lot of head issues and not the most reliable for a modern car. May be the only option.
Wankel hmmmmm.
Van is auto so doesn't have a tunnel and to convert would mean losing the seats and moving fuel tank.

[Stiggytoo]

Peugeot 304 engine

[Squat36]

Not looked at those. Are they really compact or behind the drive shafts?

[Guess-Works.com]

Thanks. Bummer that the auto is oil level sensitive.
Have looked at Smarts but they seem to have a lot of head issues and not the most reliable for a modern car. May be the only option.
Wankel hmmmmm.
Van is auto so doesn't have a tunnel and to convert would mean losing the seats and moving fuel tank.

Smarts are only prone to problems because of the **** servicing they usually get... Most don't get serviced basically because there's no oil drain plug, it needs to be sucked out and replaced, apparently.

[Spider]

I would tend to think it OK, never tried it, but at 20 degrees, it's not a lot. The Oil Pick up (both of them) are towards the rear of the box, the main one being next to the diff. I'd want to be careful with the Oil Level though as it would be easy to Over-fill thinking you're doing the right thing. I'd suggest before fitting, sitting it flat with Oil at the right level, then tipping it back and re-marking the dip stick.

[Guess-Works.com]

a 20 degree lean on the engine is the same as permanently driving your car up a 1 in 2.75 gradient ( or for those metric types a 36% gradient )

[peter-b]

And when you're going down a 20 degree slope I'll be level.......bonus!

[peter-b]

Daihatsu do a sloped CB engine in Hijets, its almost laid flat. Maybe one of them with a Charade turbo.

[xrocketengineer]

Would an MPI block fit better, with no distributor an the oil filter in the block?

[Squat36]

Is the dihatsu hijet front or rear wheel drive? The engine looks possible as it is a mid engine under a floor pan but would only work if front wheel drive.
I live in Bedford so pretty flat. But would want to be able to go up hill occasionally without losing all the oil.

[Dale_]

It all depends on how much money and fabrication you are going to be throwing at the car? Because you could always fit a motorbike engine? Or even a 1.0l ecoboost :)