carcentric
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| posted on 29/10/03 at 08:08 PM |
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Mid-engine basics
I'm thinking about putting a FWD drivetrain sub-assembly in the rear bulkhead position of my 1950 Morris Minor (about half in the boot and half
where the rear seat goes).
I'd be building a custom frame to support the body and offer connections for the drivetrain subframe, and probably using Triumph Spitfire front
suspension since I already have several sets from parts cars (that's the locost connection).
Is there any basic stuff to consider other than keeping the (now) rear wheels from steering and routing long coolant lines to a front radiator?
If this has been done, I'd appreciate a link.
[Edited on 29/10/03 by carcentric]
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Alan B
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| posted on 29/10/03 at 08:23 PM |
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Yep, gearchange and handbrake....but all is doable...
There is some reference stuff on my site...
http://www.desicodesign.com/meerkat/
Also, this is very relevant too....
http://members.cox.net/kimini22/car/
and now running....well done Kurt..nice job..
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 29/10/03 at 09:06 PM |
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Take a look at an X19, its a Fiat 128 with the engine in the boot
If you can keep you head, whilst all others around you are losing theirs, you are not fully aware of the situation
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carcentric
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| posted on 29/10/03 at 09:14 PM |
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Thanks, Alan and Mark.
Since my wife wants an automatic, I've been considering the torquey Fiero 2.8 V6 as an engine. Actually, '80s Chevy FWD sedans use the
same drivetrain and they're both more abundant and less expensive. Might be far too wide for the Minor, though (although fenders are meant for
widening . . . ).
With an automatic, shift linkage isn't too tricky, but what DO you do about an emergency brake? Go without? The P in PRNDL would work for
parking, but isn't much help in a main brake system failure.
M D "Doc" Nugent
http://www.carcentric.com
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ned
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| posted on 30/10/03 at 09:45 AM |
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you can buy a single 'spot' caliper (a wilwood part) that you could fit to the upright (assuming its disc brakes?) that work off a cable.
You'd need to make up a bracket to mount it...
try here:
http://www.raldes.co.uk/2003/page018.htm
Ned.
[Edited on 30/10/03 by ned]
beware, I've got yellow skin
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Spyderman
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| posted on 30/10/03 at 12:38 PM |
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What does the Fiero do for emergency brake?
Surely it will already have one!
Spyderman
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ned
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| posted on 30/10/03 at 12:50 PM |
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spyderman,
I'm guessing if he's putting the fwd drivetrain in the rear of acar, the donor would have had its hand brake/emergency brake on its rear
axle, hence he needs an alternative.
if that makes sense :s
Ned.
beware, I've got yellow skin
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Alan B
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| posted on 30/10/03 at 12:59 PM |
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Terry (spyderman), yes I'm certain that is correct....
Ned, yes that is true also if Carcentric does use an actual FWD unit...however if he uses a Fiero unit that will have the handbrake feature included
because Pontiac have already solved the problem when they took it from the front to put in the back...
Did that make sense??
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Simon
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| posted on 30/10/03 at 04:32 PM |
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Many, many years ago I had an Alfa Sud.
Was driving around a field, and thought it would be a good idea to try a h/brake turn.
Interesting the front wheels locked up.
That would solve all probs in one go!
If you could find an auto Alfa Sud!
ATB
Simon
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JoelP
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| posted on 30/10/03 at 04:35 PM |
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i used to have a car that had front wheel handbrake, nearly stoved it into a curb a few times. Not a clever feature in that instance! cant remember
which one it was, though it was manual FWD, and probably last winter. wish i had a memory...
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timf
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| posted on 30/10/03 at 04:39 PM |
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joel
probably an orrible citron bx / cx thing
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JoelP
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| posted on 30/10/03 at 04:52 PM |
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no. but you've reminded me, it was a xantia 1.8i!! About 400 on an L plate with 30k, which was fairly nice. Shite suspension though, bloody
hydraulic schtuff.
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sgraber
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| posted on 30/10/03 at 05:01 PM |
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Most Subaru's have front parking brake. If my faulty memory recalls...  
The mid 80's Subaru XT-6 came in a FWD only flavor and with automatic too.
A friend of mine bought a perfect running specimen with only 50,000 miles for $300 at auction. The car had a number of scratches and 2 broken mirrors
and was missing a wheel. It was so expensive to fix those minor items that the insurance company totaled the car! He put a wheel on it, started it up
and has been driving it ever since. I wanted to use that boxer engine for my build and he was going to give me that car, but then the MR2 came along
and that was free too, but with manual transmission. The rest is history.
Graber
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
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Mk-Ninja
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| posted on 30/10/03 at 05:04 PM |
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A mate of mine used to work for the GPO (when there was such a thing).
One day he has got his boss in with him and decides that he will show him his latest skill of handbrake turns, so speeds off down the carpark, snicks
the steering wheel and yanks on the hand brake. His boss promptley disapeared through the windscreen, not a good carear move.
It turns out his new Commer van had a front handbrake.
Maybe dosent help you but it was a good laugh at the time.
I'm sure I've got one, just don't know where I've put it
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JoelP
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| posted on 30/10/03 at 05:11 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by sgraber
Most Subaru's have front parking brake. If my faulty memory recalls...
The mid 80's Subaru XT-6 came in a FWD only flavor and with automatic too.
Graber
i dont think new subarus have front p brake, certainly not the few legacy's and imprezas i've had the priviledge of abusing!
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carcentric
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| posted on 30/10/03 at 11:53 PM |
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[ SNAP!! ]
That loud sound you may have heard was my wife reigning me in. When she heard she'd loose the rear seat if I put an engine in that area, she
nixed the whole mid-engine idea.
Back to Plan A:
. . . slipping the old RWD GT6 chassis under Moe!
[Edited on 30/10/03 by carcentric]
[Edited on 30/10/03 by carcentric]
M D "Doc" Nugent
http://www.carcentric.com
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Hugh Paterson
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| posted on 31/10/03 at 09:10 AM |
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Doc, your as mad as at least half the people on here, but its nice to see your wife is "normal"
Shug.
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sgraber
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| posted on 31/10/03 at 02:35 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Hugh Paterson
Doc, your as mad as at least half the people on here, ...
Shug.
ooh yeah, I can agree with that!  That is that at least half the people here are crazy!  And that Doc's in good company!
Graber
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
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Noodle
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| posted on 31/10/03 at 02:52 PM |
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Doc,
I've got a '53 Minor that I've been measuring up for various perverse (motoring) tendancies. Why are you thinking of going with the
separate chassis route? There are plenty of people who've stuffed in (as I'm sure you're aware) Fiat's, K-Series, Rover
V8's etc but who've just stiffened the basic structure (front cross member from hell and various bits of bracing)
Or is it the pants suspension that's bothering you?
Cheers,
Neil.
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carcentric
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| posted on 1/11/03 at 12:49 AM |
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Reasons, excuses, etc.
quote:
Originally posted by Noodle
. . .Why are you thinking of going with the separate chassis route? . . . Neil.
1) The Minor's floor is toast and the door to body gap on the left side is non-existent; correct replacement panels would cost more than I paid
for the car ($350US). Ditto the brakes, suspension bushings, tires, etc.
2) The GT6's chassis is fully assembled and sorted (I know the engine works with the trans, the differential angle's set, the brakes are
mounted, etc.).
3) Having never driven a Minor, I'll have no comparison or sense of loss resulting from a lack of originality.
There's also the Locost Imperative: Use what you already own (in this case the GT6 chassis and several Spitfire parts cars).
Perhaps this project would be easier to conceptualize as a GT6 rebody than as a Morris Minor engine swap! There are pictures
HERE
Keep in touch as you go forward with your "newer model."
M D "Doc" Nugent
http://www.carcentric.com
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Noodle
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| posted on 1/11/03 at 10:18 AM |
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Looks exciting
Mine belonged to my in-laws and has been dry-stored since 1974. There's only a few spots of rot underneath. The ash-trays are still full of
unfiltered cigarette ends and I found a picture in the back that my wife did at play school when she was tiny.
It's an 803cc. I'm still undecided which engine route to go, but the Firebalde-turbo powered MKII Escort at
http://www.sitetun.no keeps me awake at night. JLH Morris Minors at
http://www.jlhmorrisminors.co.uk/ is doing a flip front and K-Series kits.
Although there's no trim to speak of to 'lose', I'm sure that glass replacement and f/g panels could reduce the weight a bit.
I haven't weighed the wheels yet, but they're no featherweights!
Less is more!
Cheers,
Neil.
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