KB58 wrote:
True, but that's just the engine. Don't forget the tranny, and bigger driveshaft, diff, axles, uprights, brakes, wheels and uprights, which will all be heavier than a 4-cylinder application. I understand your point, but we have to compare it apples-to-apples. The Honda drivetrain will weigh a lot less, as a complete assembly. My H22 is about 450lbs, and that's engine, tranny, manifolds, and accessaries.
Trany 135# with torque converter. Driveshaft all Aluminum and about 18" long Diff (Ford 8.8 cobra independent) about 60# and every conceivable option of diff design. Two types of Torsen, other gear types, 2.88 - 5.88 gears ratios available ... Uprights I will build them Mazda aluminum hubs with motorcycle rotors and 300zx Turbo aluminum two puck binders. Wheels are 17x8 15# and the entire car gets 450# of lead to get it up to E-Mod weight. Weight dist 40% to 55% front, totally adjustable. I am shooting for 10.5 at 135 in the 1/4 mile and 1.6 gees on the binders and a 600 RPM idle. All this with a $1000 motor on Megasquirt. Megasquirt is not in the $1000 number. Wish me luck.
Edit: Mid engine would not lend itself to a cheep gearbox. That is how I ended up building a Locost and not a Fiero.
AW