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so, seeing how there are tons of small engines in america that are FWD and have no RWD version, i was wondering what would be involved in using a FWD powerplant in a RWD application.

I first thought about doing a mid-rear setup, but was doing a little poking around and saw that the engine and tranny mounts need to be stronger to deal with the torque coming out of the tranny. combine that with the lack of readily available space frame plans for a middy and i was wanting to use it on a normal front-rear setup.

i know i will need to remove the transmission from it and rotate it to mount in the correct direction. someone said something about custom fabricating a plate to mount the transmission. i know i will need to find a rear differential and drive shaft.

I guess i'm just wondering if i have a FWD engine and the drivetrain from a RWD car sans engine, is there more to it than just finding a way to mount the tranny to the engine? (besides the mounts that would have to be done anyway).
are there any other major pitfalls i have no idea about?

oh, and obviously a longitudinally mounted FWD setup would need much less reworking

Ah, I thought you were wanting to use a FWD setup.
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Other than coming up with a bellhousing to join the engine to a RWD trans, there are no problems at all. We used Ford Zetec motors with a suitable bellhousing to a T-5 trans. Everything else has been easy so far. If you use a Honda engine, though, remember they rotate in the opposite direction to other motors, so transmissions & rear ends could be a problem (unless you like 5 speeds revers and one forward!).

i was actually thinking of using a mazda k series v-6. looks like people here are using gm 60 degree v-6's and that made me think of my mazda 60 degree. don't know if the DOHC will cause fitment problems on a normal book chassis or if i'll have to look at a +4 or +442 yet... but i wanted to know if there'd be major problems first.

Short list......

Ecotec 2.2L, 2.4L, 2.0L, solstice trans, it has ben commented on that a Colorado/caynon maunual will work. (motors can be had cheap)
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=881
Duratec 2.4L Ford or mazda same motor
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtop ... ht=duratec
Quad 4 special adapter/bellhousing needed.

Zetec

Dodge 2.4L, 2.2L, will mate up to a jeep liberty trans or dodge dakota trans...make it turbo and you beat Dodge to the razor punchline.

http://www.allpar.com/model/concepts/dodge-razor.html

V-6
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Saturn uses a honda V-6 only in auto trans

GM/GMC Camaro, S-10, G-6, GTO (had to a sneak v-8 in),

Kia Serento uses a world motorThe 2004 Kia Sorento four-door SUV is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 192 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, a four-speed automatic transmission is optional.


See this thread
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=83


Most honda motors are a wash except for the new f(?) K(?) series because of rotation direction. (unless you use it as a middy) V-6's should be ok but dont know of any trans that fits.

Do a search for the motor you want to use....chances are it has been discussed.

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I'll keep an eye out for you!

To err is human...
I am more human than most.

Suzuki DOHC 1.3 bolts right to a Samurai tranny, that's what I'm building.

i really want to go with the mazda k-series v-6. some form of it was in the mx-3, mx-6, 626, millenia, and ford probe (in america, it was in a few others elsewhere)
could someone give me a link or a book or some way to find info on picking a tranny with a bell housing that would fit the flywheel on this engine? that was i can say i've at least worked my way through the madness methodically

Ok, this is gonna sound like poo-bah, but if I remeber correctly, if you use a tranny out of a B3xxx (V6) it mates up? Do some research online, I remember helping a buddy who wanted to drop one into his Miata and it can be done- I seem to remember having to use a truck transmission.

This engine was co-developed by suzuki.....for FWD applications
http://www.answers.com/topic/mazda-k-engine

Try related to the susuki H engine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_H_engine#H20A

The Suzuki Sidekick/Viatra/grand viatra before 2006 would ve a good place to start....after 2006 they move to a FWD Theta platform.

The Mazda v2300 and Ford Ranger both us the Vulcan and Cologne engines

First generation XL-7
The first-generation XL-7 was a Suzuki design, and the vehicle was essensially a streached Grand Vitara with company's 2.7 L V6 engine on a rear wheel drive-based platform with optional four wheel drive. The Sales of this SUV were slow in the United States, but has been a sales success in Canada.

_________________
I'll keep an eye out for you!

To err is human...
I am more human than most.

There is a company in Colorado called 'Quads 4 Rods' and they make bellhousings to mate 2.0L Zetec engines to T5's. Also bellhousings from Duratecs to T5's, T9's, C4's, and maybe somethin else. About $450 shipped.

Will

that suzuki xl-7 sounds like the perfect donor for me. looks to be the same (or a very similar) engine and rwd
now i just have to find a way to get from live axle to IRS. i'm sure there are plenty of posts on here about that.
thanks for the help