Hi Guys,

I'm in the process of gathering bits and bobs for my 2nd Locost, which I plan to have built in time for next summer. I have recently got my hands on a tidy ford cologne from an XR4x4 but dont fancy a 4 wheel drive Locost! Is it possible to replace the sump and box to run RWD??
Also is there anything I should take into account regarding chassis dimensions, etc when using this V6??

Many thanks

Paul


[Edited on 7/9/05 by paul v6]

[Edited on 7/9/05 by paul v6]

Yes it is possible to convert the box to rwd.
The big question is why do you want to use the Colonge V6 I can't think of an engine less suited to thr job except the old Essex V6.

The V6 is very heavy it is rough and lacks power, it dosen't even have a lot of low speed torque for its size. In addition it has reliability problem with the nylon timing wheel if revved and parts are getting much harder to find.

I see!! Didnt realise some see the V6 as such an unsuitable engine. The reason I fancied the Cologne was I wanted something that sounded nice and more importantly I got it for silly money

Paul

Ask here in the Kitcar section or the engine section:-

http://forum.fordsierraclub.co.uk/

Will do Thanks Steve

Put it this way - a cologne is a pretty damned heavy way to get 150bhp! But if that dont really bother you then go for it, especially if cost is important. And you're right it'll certainly sound more interesting than a 4-pot.

You need a 2WD sump and your engine is then the same as a RWD one. You need a V6 gearbox too (longer input shaft than 4-pot and different bellhousing). These are very hard to find nowadays but as luck would have it you kind of already have one with your 4x4. You have your V6 bellhousing and the front end of a long input shaft gearbox. You can remove the rear end of your 4x4 box and fit the 2WD rear case of a 4-pot gearbox. There are transmission specialists that should be able to do this for not much money. Do you have 2.8/type 9 or 2.9/MT75?

Best of luck,

Liam

P.S. What's wrong with a 4WD locost!!

Hi Liam,
Thats great as I do have the gear box! The engine I believe is the 2.9, I'll know for sure saturday when I pick it up. Is there a great deal of difference??
Presuming I do have the MT75 which box and axle/diff would you reccomend??

Many thanks

Paul

Well - none other than the very rear axle of the 4x4 sierra!! Um.. well that's if you are going IRS of course - either double wishbone or de dion. Since this is your second locost i'll assume you know what i'm talking about. For speed and simplicity (you do want to be ready for next summer) I'd go for a de dion kit from GTS or the like which will fit the sierra axle to a book chassis with very little mods.

Otherwise just get hold of a normal live axle i suppose. Sierra 4x4 rear diff ratio is 3.62. I'm not sure what's in these live axle thingys but you'd probably want close to that or higher (numerically).

You need a RWD V6 box. If you can find one great (but good luck). 2WD V6 sierra obviously, but also 2.8 Capri has one. Failing that you create one out of the front section of your V6 4x4 box and the rear section of a common cheap 4-pot 2WD box. I believe you can do this swapping with either type 9 or MT75, but obviously not a type 9 front on a mt75 rear of couse.

Liam

Thanks again Liam, Your help is much appreciated!!
My First Locost was built about 8 years ago when the book was first published, at that time I was lucky enough to be working at JEB engineering Mildenhall and had great equipment at my disposal, including Gareth an awsome profesional welder to help me out The donor was a sweet low milage mk2 escort 1.6 chia so I have little experience with alternative builds having stuck word for word to the books plans.

Paul