Why isn't there anyone that uses a flat "boxer" engine? Ex. Subaru and perhaps Porsche?
In my opinion it would be perfect, low centre of gravity and very thin.

cos a locost is a front engined car with an engine bay that gets narrower towards the bottom - if anythign you need a V engine to maximise space useage.

atb

steve

I had the very same thought recently. I was thinking of the Alfa boxer engine from the Sud Ti. Lovely sounding engine with reasonable power. Mating it to a suitable gearbox would be a PITA I expect.

Because all scooby engines have had the arse thrashed out of them

Posted by a WRX owner

[Edited on 19/5/03 by MK9R]

the scooby engine is also very wide, and yes they are thrashed, as i found out when mine spun a main bearing after 1000 miles but it was under warranty
so new engine from scooby

also there are very few ways of converting to 2wd

Lots of folk use them for for mid-engine cars.

Admittedly, it's because the box is a transaxle (need a 2wd box though), more than the engine, I think.

Being a transaxle means the engine is still longitudinal (or however it's spelt) and so the weight is a bit more forward (hence in the middle) than the standard fwd engine.


Apparently gives very good balance.

Getting harder to find the 2wd box these days though

- Greg H

I've always wondered why this engine hasn't been used more;

Specs

Engine Type:
1832cc liquid-cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder

Valve Train:
SOHC, two valves per cylinder

Carburetion:
Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) with automatic choke

Ignition:
Computer-controlled digital with three-dimensional mapping

Transmission:
Five-speed including overdrive, plus electric reverse

Final Drive:
Shaft

Thats the engine and trans from a 2002 Honda Goldwing
I know their owners don't go fast enough to crash very often, but even a mild-ish spill could get into "write off" territory once the GRP has been smashed ?

There's also tuning bits available as it shares an engine with the "Valkyrie" (no GRP).
Reading the specs it could be designed for a light 'kit' type vehicle, I know there must be a reason for not using it, I don't think I've seen anyone at all using it...

If anyone has a link to any sites showing the Goldwing engine in a car I'd be much obliged

PS. I'll post the body of this text to the BEC group too

While we're on the subject of flat engines, surely they'd be good (especially a porsche one if you could get it cheap!) for mid engined people? low centre of gravity, good sound, performance etc etc.

Ned.

I would suggest that its cos the power is a bit on the low side for a bike engine - isnt it summat like 120 hp? People thinking bike tend to go for lighter bike engined screamers, but I agree - sounds like a good idea.

atb
steve