LocostUSA.com

I have been pondering this problem for a while. I'm using a Windsor based roller 351 or 392 with an aluminum flywheel and double 7.25 clutches driving a T5. With the proximity of the clutch to feet and legs a scatter shield is a good idea. The clutch throwout arm would pose a problem with the tunnel. To me the simplist/least expensive solution would seem to be to change toe location where the throwout arm protrudes to the top of the bellhousing then use a push slave on top of the transmission. This could be acomodated by raising the tunnel and with inspection pannesl would be easy to service.

I've been pondering the same thing. It's also possible to shorten the lever, position it to the top or right side of the bellhousing, and use a (for example) Ford F-150 slave cylinder with a homemade adjustable pushrod, so you could put the slave cylinder anywhere you want. Mind you, with the RAM concentric now available, I might go that route now. It would certainly be the easiest, and I already have the Wilwood 3/4" master cylinder and pedal for it...

I was thinking top mount as being the least in the way and I am trying to leave enough room on the right side for a front driveshaft.

Hyundai Genesis
Front Engined RWD 375hp 4.6L V8
ZF 6-speed automatic with shift interlock and SHIFTRONIC

Set to compete with the Chylser 300 hemi
and
Lexus

crikey im famous!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gax1c5q924U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyLFD4l0mvk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2tu4olO0fg

A couple of thoughts touching back on the Starion / Conquest as a donor. The original base engine line was 2.4 / 2.5 / 2.6 (?) SOHC with a small turbo and a propensity to blow head gaskets - there is a possibility that modern head gaskets will handle the aluminum to steel transition better than the mid 80's OEM ones did. The good news is that the venerable 4g63 is common replacement for the old engine when it's time to make serious power with your Starion / Conquest.

What that means is that both of those engines should be usable in a locost build but with the Starion / Conquest also providing an IRS set-up and some decent brakes.

I want to know more about the saturn to toyota rwd conversion. Saturns are 10 cents for 12 of 'em where I live, and I'd imagine everywhere else in the states.

I could see some kind of interchangability from GM and Toyota since they traded some different cars from time to time like the geo prism/corolla and the cavalier was exported as a toyota (suckers). I suppose that just because they traded some cars doesnt mean they traded any engineering...

Ross,

I was VERY interested in the Saturn Engine too. My daily driver is a '96 Saturn with 263,000 miles on it. It's the DOHC engine, and makes great power and if you keep oil in it, it seems to be indestructible. Plus it's aluminum head and block = light weight. I seached High and Low for a bolt up solution to get power to the rear wheels. I even called the guy from Colorado who put the Saturn DOHC engine in his rock crawler buggy with a Toyota truck tranny behind it. He said everything was custom machined, and hacked and he ended up "making" his own friction disc for the clutch, or something like that.

The locost is the first car I'm building, and while the saturn engine can be made to rear wheel drive, I didn't want to tackle that for this project.

If you get some more information on it, post back here so I'll know for my next build.

-Indy "circling the rings of Saturn" Joe

Thanks for posting that info, IndyJoe. A buddy was recommending the DOHC Saturn engine and saying that he saw somewhere that it had been adapted to RWD, but he didn't know details. When I tried to investigate I found a lot of "you might be able to make it work with a Toyota transmission" stuff but nothing solid.

It seems to be a very nice engine, but I guess it's like those great backwards-rotating Hondas. By the time you got it to work, it wouldn't be anything like low-cost anymore.

No problem Nippy,

I hope someone figures out how to use the engine for RWD.

By the way, I wanted to reference, and give credit to the Four Wheeler guy I talked to. I can't remember his name, but his web-site is www.rockstomper.com I beleive the buggy was called the Mantis ?

Real great about giving info and his thoughts about it.

You could buy a cheap Saturn and use it for a middy donor. Something like Kurt's Midlana or the Labala.

Ecotec RWD Solutions....ready?

Solstice/Sky
Colorado/Canyon

Also a certain bell housing with a toyota t5....(read for details)

Found at
http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.p ... ght=ecotec

The first WCM Ultralite(s?) used a Saturn engine... said to be very lightweight...

Up front is the mystery engine. With no identification, few onlookers can guess the derivation of the handsome twin-cam four-cylinder mill. It's been turned from its usual sideways configuration in a '98 Saturn and fitted with a fabricated 4½-quart aluminum wet-sump oil pan. The engine displaces 1.9L and has been fitted with cams and a ported and polished "Bullfrog" cylinder head from Gude Performance. Dual 45mm Webers (a high-performance fuel-injection system is in the works) are used along with a four-into-one ceramic-coated header, and an Electromotive electronic- ignition system fires the spark. At 183 pounds, the Saturn* mill weighs 60 pounds less than a Ford Zetek and it produces around 170 hp.

The five-speed transmission is from an '87 Mazda RX- 7 turbo and runs through a Fidanza aluminum flywheel. An aluminum Griffin radiator with two I-inch cores and a 12-inch electric fan provides plenty of cooling.

http://www.wcmultralite.com/article_kcm-10-2001_2007.htm
.
.

I realized since the market crashed the british pound to dollar exchange rate is more in our favor. So there are a couple of companies that offer duratec bellhousing to type 9 transmissions. Granted you'd have to find a xr4ti to get a t9 but it would probably be cheaper then buy a q4r bell housing even after shipping.

http://www.raceline.co.uk/products/part_section.asp?SectionID=26&CategoryID=1
http://www.sbdev.co.uk/Duratec/Bellhousings_Flywheels_Clutches.htm

200 pounds to dollars = about $258 then add in shipping.
q4r has the duratec to t5 for about $475 plus $28.50 for shipping.

Just food for thought.

Found this on the SAOCA.org site:
"I used a 1992 -1994 throtle body injected engine from a SL1. and an automatic trans computer. I prefer the automatic computer to the newer ones -- up to 1999 will work as well, with a little work. I had to relocate the alternator, but not a real big job. The bellhousing fits all 2.8 and 2.5 engines for rear wheel drive Chev S-10 trucks, as well as 2.8 litre Camaros. The top 2 bolts fit well, and 3/8" must be filed off the end of the input shaft. A bracket is required on the bottom 2 bolts, but I can supply a template or a bracket if you need.

I used a T-5 trans from a Camaro or S-10, and the shifter housing is from a Camaro to get the shifter in the correct location. A Chevette transmission would work as well, as it is a T-5 also. I used the Saturn pressure plate and flywheel, with an 8.5" clutch disc from a Chevette. I machined a pilot bushing for the Saturn engine, as it does not come with one on the front drive application.

I built the motor mounts to fit the original Triumph mounting holes and original mount. The rear trans mount is S-10 with a bracket to fit the original Triumph holes, as well. Removed all unessary wires from the computer and put a switch in for park or drive, which allows for RPM limits of 4000 in park and 6000 in drive. I have included pics before and after. Top speed in 4th is double the speed limit, and 5th gives 2200 rpm at 100 kmh. Fuel mileage is 40 mpg, and better if at 120kmh. 100kmh comes up in 7-8 secs, depending on traction. Engine only weighs 175 pounds complete, and trans is 65 pounds... and the total with clutch and all is still less than 280 pounds."

May be of some use to the Saturn guys.