Mid-engined GTA?

I was having a thought the other night (as you do!) and wondered what the feasibility of making the GTA mid-engined was. Besides the obvious improved weight distribution it would obviously open up the full range of UN1 compatible engine conversions because the length would not be a problem. A 21/ 25 turbo gearbox sorts out the direction of drive so effectively you can run the same driveshafts etc. Obviously the rear bulkhead would need to be cut out but its only fibreglass.

Anyone see any pitfalls? Is there a list of engines that mate up to the UN1?

I'm not an engineer but I am an auditor so I like spotting problems/generally picking at perfectly good things.

I think the first prob you'd come up against is that, as well as the bulkhead, you'd have to remove a lot of the central backbone of the car in order to fit an engine into what the gearbox fits neatly under at the moment. That tunnel between the rear seats is very structural I think.

Second - I think the V6 would only just fit in behind the front seat, if you measure from the wheel centre to the back of the engine and then try that in the other direction you'll see what I mean. In theory, a 4/8 pot engine should be longer than a v6 so anything you replaced it with that wasnt v6 might create further space probs.

Third - the gearshift would be a nasty one to sort - it would need to go under or round the engine and right to the back of the car. Having said that, my mate's kit car manages to achieve it so perhaps not such an issue

Like I say - I aint no engineer so you'll probably find that the experts will tell you its already been done!

I dont think it would be easy, but Ive seen Fiat 500s with V8s, twin A-series engined minis and a transit with an Alfa V6 in it so there will be someone out there that can do it...at a price!!

Of course - did Renault not do the Espace with the F1 engine in it! It must be possible - ignore my previous negative comments.

Anything is possible, but you would be better off starting with a tubular chassis that trying to hack up the semi structural chassis on the GTA., but then its no longer a GTA..

Gear linkage would be a problem more that you think. I had that V8 Mclaren Can-am replica a few years back which ran the UN1 on a spaceframe chassis and there is quite a bit of space either side of the engine to run the linkage as the chassis was very wide, even with things like the fuel tanks back there. On the GTA, the actual space within the confines of the subframe is actually quite narrow, so having a suitable linkage there would be very tricky. Likewise, you can't run it on the other side of the subframe, as it would then interfear with the rear suspension setup...

Whole world of different cooling issues too...Its not really mid engined as per say a Ferrarri, which still has adequate enigne cooling etc, its mid as in a conversion, ie needs a firewall etc. Youd have a nice big boot if you wanted though....

Could be copied from a Venturi, which I have seen, albeit not in detail but it works via a clever cable operated system. I am assuming you would do this conversion for a race/track car, in which case you could build an integeral roll cage/ space framed rear end with suspention mounts engine/ gearbox mounts, this would also replace any structural strength lost through removing some of the central spine...the fire wall would be the least of your worries. Cooling could be carried out in the same format and additional cooling to the engine could be provided by implementing scoops in panels replacing the side glasses. would it be really that difficult to fit

Si21 "NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE MAN WHO DOES NOT HAVE TO DO IT HIMSELF"

would it be really that difficult to fit

:

Doesnt sound like a five minute job

[stephendell]

I have a spare spaceframe chassis with the same wheelbase and track as a GTA. Currently mid-engined with a GTA atmo engine and reversed UN1 box. Full independent suspension with all new coilovers.

Once I take out the engine (needed for my red car) you could drop a GTA body on like a remote control or scalextric car and fit any engine you like!!

Would make a proper track beast.

I have a spare spaceframe chassis with the same wheelbase and track as a GTA. Currently mid-engined with a GTA atmo engine and reversed UN1 box. Full independent suspension with all new coilovers.

Once I take out the engine (needed for my red car) you could drop a GTA body on like a remote control or scalextric car and fit any engine you like!!

Would make a proper track beast.

And stick a plastic man inside thats just a pair of shoulders and head with a helmet

I have a spare spaceframe chassis with the same wheelbase and track as a GTA. Currently mid-engined with a GTA atmo engine and reversed UN1 box. Full independent suspension with all new coilovers.

Once I take out the engine (needed for my red car) you could drop a GTA body on like a remote control or scalextric car and fit any engine you like!!

Would make a proper track beast.

how much for the chassis please

Cool!!! Has it ever actually worked??

I have a spare spaceframe chassis with the same wheelbase and track as a GTA. Currently mid-engined with a GTA atmo engine and reversed UN1 box. Full independent suspension with all new coilovers.

Once I take out the engine (needed for my red car) you could drop a GTA body on like a remote control or scalextric car and fit any engine you like!!

Would make a proper track beast.

how much for the chassis please

See if he does free delivery...

I have a spare spaceframe chassis with the same wheelbase and track as a GTA. Currently mid-engined with a GTA atmo engine and reversed UN1 box. Full independent suspension with all new coilovers.

Once I take out the engine (needed for my red car) you could drop a GTA body on like a remote control or scalextric car and fit any engine you like!!

Would make a proper track beast.

how much for the chassis please

See if he does free delivery...

why dave?

Wheels within wheels
This place is gettin well PASSION FORD these days
It's a good job I don't take it too seriously

Wheels within wheels
This place is gettin well PASSION FORD these days
It's a good job I don't take it too seriously

why can you sniff a forum war comin