10 replies to this topic

[andysmini1]

Been thinking for a while about building a front engine, rear wheel drive mini and would love to use a Zetec but not sure how much of the engine would protrude into the cabin. If a zetec will be too big then a race 1300 xflow would be ok as the engine & gearbox are much smaller. A frame would need to be designed and made for the rear and i thought of using a Sierra rear end with shortened drive shafts. Using drum brakes would mean i could use 13" wheels back and front. I can get a diff carrier and the wishbones from a kit car manufacturer which would make life a little easier. The engine could sit on the orig subframe but the bulkhead will have to be severely modded.

What do you think? your opinions will be welcome, good or bad.

Thanks

Andy

[andysmini1]

This is a kinda rough idea. The engine in the pic is near to a Ford crossflow. Rear end Sierra with custom driveshafts, wishbones and diff carrier.

You can get xflow engines with front sump bowls which will fit in the front subframe hopefully.

[jaapio1984]

also Opel (Vauxhall) from an omega, ascona have this principle

[andysmini1]

It's not happening now as there are some obsticles i'm not prepared to overcome like moving the steering rack.

[Meepo]

Been thinking for a while about building a front engine, rear wheel drive mini and would love to use a Zetec but not sure how much of the engine would protrude into the cabin. If a zetec will be too big then a race 1300 xflow would be ok as the engine & gearbox are much smaller. A frame would need to be designed and made for the rear and i thought of using a Sierra rear end with shortened drive shafts. Using drum brakes would mean i could use 13" wheels back and front. I can get a diff carrier and the wishbones from a kit car manufacturer which would make life a little easier. The engine could sit on the orig subframe but the bulkhead will have to be severely modded.

What do you think? your opinions will be welcome, good or bad.

Thanks

Andy

Hi, I'm not sure what the car will handle like, but I did get most part through a conversion using all running gear from my Escort I used to use for rallying.

I still have the front stub axles I made up using using the lower end of Capri front struts with a sleeve inserted to take a Metro top ball joint and Escort TCAs to the Mini subframe. If I can find the photos I will scan and post them. by the way the engine was a Kent crossflow.

Edited by Meepo, 05 October 2008 - 07:05 AM.

[andysmini1]

Wow that would be interesting to see, cheers.

I have decided to build a track/road car next year and keeping it simple, i.e engine in the normal place!!

cheers

[Meepo]

Wow that would be interesting to see, cheers.

I have decided to build a track/road car next year and keeping it simple, i.e engine in the normal place!!

cheers

Here's some photos as promised...Unfortunately I can only find some showing the conversion in it's early stages


Transmission tunnel

Pedal box had to be moved further back to make room for tunnel
[url="http://i422.photobuc...dminiaxle.jpg"]

These are Capri struts modified to take Metro top ball joints which I now have up for sale.

Edited by Meepo, 06 October 2008 - 07:04 PM.

[Asphalt]

What about this:

Inline-engine and Porsche/Alfa transaxle gearbox & propshaft?
Should go into the tunnel, at least the 924's propshaft is comparably smal - maybe even smal enough to have some space for 1 big or 2 smal exhaust pipes without widening the tunnel

[omni]

Meepo,

You have done what I am thinking about. I am building a Front engine rear wheel drive mini (Fireblade Powered) and hoping to use the Escort MKII diff I have in the garage. How have you mounted your diff? Where did you mount the trailing arms, etc... Or did you do it another way? Do you have pics?

Cheers,

O

[ecky-1985-]

hi there hows the conversion coming on ???

[mini.glen]

hey man, how did you mount the axle? I'm looking at doing a RWD conversion too