Not strictly a 7 thing, more a tintop query...

I regularly read Classic Ford mag and it makes me yearn a RWD rally weapon. My MNR sort of goes toward my love of RWD as well.

Old rwd cars are beyond me in terms of body rust and really put me off... so, nice little light hatch to convert? Saxo, not the salt cellar but the little French fancy that weighs next to bugger all. Dead light and dirt cheap I want to convert it with rwd Escort gear.

SO. my first query.. width of the front chassis leg. Is an Escort cross member any where near the same width as the legs on a saxo. Plan is Escort TCA's on a world cup cross member, this will move the rack down onto the cross member and allow me to cut the bulkhead back to get a 2L zetec in.

Back end will be based on the system we have in the backs of our 7's with escort turrets and a boot full of ali tank. Stripped out caged inside with a couple of bucket seats.

A VTR/S donor would be superb for pulling up next to the chavs and lighting the back wheels up.

Anyone know the width of the mounting points on a MK2 cross member and/or the same for Saxo front chassis legs???

Cheers,
Steve

Ive been having the same thoughts with the wifes old and soon dead mk6 escort

looks alot of work.

Its a lot of work though.

How old is too old in yours eyes for RWD?

Or are you just after a very good power to weight ratio gained by converting a french tin can into a RWD car?

I don't think its that much work, may take a while but straight forward fabrication, any different to building a 7 chassis? Minimal body mods to convert, cage to stiffen up and yes, good power to weight ratio.

Old rwd classic for me is the MK1 Escort but seeing as I haven't won the lottery I really like the look of the VTR kitted Saxo's, they're simple, as in no fancy stuff and theres tons of room under the bonnet, enough to get a zetec in.. just! Most important thing is... no rust!

Some may disagree but to me they are the best looking little hatch we've had for years, only problem is they are french

lol, how on earth do you think that's going to be easier than building up a MK2 Escort from a half decent shell!

It's a decent enough ish idea and I'm not knocking that part of it but I don't see how you figure it's the easy option!!

Would it not be easier to fit the engine and gearbox in the rear, It would be easier and cheaper.
I think z cars do a kit for the saxo, but they are expensive. doing it yourself wouldn,t cost as much.

But for the old skool it would have to be front engine rwd,

My mates just done a 306 with a rwd layout using a red top motor, back end simple especially with the french stuff and their flat boot floors just need a box built to accept the diff/live axle, then some boxes to accept the link bars same as you'd need to do with an Escort anyway as would turrets etc.
Build a nice transmission tunnel ..all nice easy folds etc and basic fabrication. At the front I reckon the chassis rails on the saxo would be way too wide for an Escort crossmember, why not chop the lot out forward of the bulkhead and build a straight forward double wishbone set up use Locost or Roadster standard wishbones and put the chassis rails in the right places to make them fit, brace it back to the cage and longitudinally along the floor and it'll be lovely and strong, very tuneable and using 'off the shelf' parts. A very common type of conversion in Autograss circles and a realistic project, just don't expect it done in a weekend!!!!

Well said Grasstracker lad, your on my wave length!!!

you got it Graham, front engine RWD. Classic old skool

Saxo's are cheap, they come whole with no missing worn out parts, unlike Escorts.

There are no unrusty Mk2 Escorts on ebay for £200. i don't want a shell I have to repair or build up, I want a complete car I can modify, and when I say easy option I mean cheap ie locost

Dimension please chaps!!

[Edited on 3/9/08 by coozer]

quote:

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Originally posted by D Beddows
lol, how on earth do you think that's going to be easier than building up a MK2 Escort from a half decent shell!

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Had quick surf on the net and came up with this, dont know if you have seen it Steve but there is someone doing a front engine rwd conversion here..

linky here

oadamo was doing ithis wasn't he?

Z-Cars do a conversion mounting a Type-R engine in the rear of the saxo.

http://www.zcars.org.uk/saxo/conversion.htm

Also a youtube of one too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0KVcpIrBgY

Can't afford the 11K conversion from Z-Cars

i think it would be quite interesting to do, maybe not hugely complicated but alot of fabrication! The only problem is that you couldnt use it as a rally car after this year, new ruling means no changes in the wheels that are originally driven and an i think possibly goin up in engine sizes 2, but dont quote me on that last 1 lol. we were halfway through a build of an escort G3 rally car for next season, to be told that we wouldnt be able to compete in it.

edited to say thats only for stage rallies, if your doin road rallies or just want 2 bam up neds then forget i said anything

[Edited on 4/9/08 by rodriguez]

For a while now ive been thinking about fitting a bike engine in the rear (rwd) of a mk 1 fiesta, ive just got to work out the best way to start.