Lets build a mid-engine Trans Am - need advice
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Hou. TX.
Here they are a bit wider and the center moved back like my picture.
Here is the bulge moved way back like in Erocs pic. Even this may not be far back enough to enclose the wheel.
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I was looking at your trailblazer ss and caddy pictures, and they look like an option. What about the drive direction though? Wouldn't the forward gears be reverse in this situation? You would have to figure out a way to reverse the rotation.
What about mounting the engine in the normal fashion right behind the front seats, with a t56 and tranfer case. By your pics this looks like it will put the transfer case behind the rear end. The driveshaft would be pointing back to the front just like it was designed for. Then use a fullsize truck front diff, and spindles with hubs. Then have custom length half shafts and your in business. No worrying about reversing the rotation of anything. Then your would have mid engine, your 6 speed, and IRS. And all of this would be easy to find in a junk yard.
What about mounting the engine in the normal fashion right behind the front seats, with a t56 and tranfer case. By your pics this looks like it will put the transfer case behind the rear end. The driveshaft would be pointing back to the front just like it was designed for. Then use a fullsize truck front diff, and spindles with hubs. Then have custom length half shafts and your in business. No worrying about reversing the rotation of anything. Then your would have mid engine, your 6 speed, and IRS. And all of this would be easy to find in a junk yard.
I was looking at your trailblazer ss and caddy pictures, and they look like an option. What about the drive direction though? Wouldn't the forward gears be reverse in this situation? You would have to figure out a way to reverse the rotation.
What about mounting the engine in the normal fashion right behind the front seats, with a t56 and tranfer case. By your pics this looks like it will put the transfer case behind the rear end. The driveshaft would be pointing back to the front just like it was designed for. Then use a fullsize truck front diff, and spindles with hubs. Then have custom length half shafts and your in business. No worrying about reversing the rotation of anything. Then your would have mid engine, your 6 speed, and IRS. And all of this would be easy to find in a junk yard.
What about mounting the engine in the normal fashion right behind the front seats, with a t56 and tranfer case. By your pics this looks like it will put the transfer case behind the rear end. The driveshaft would be pointing back to the front just like it was designed for. Then use a fullsize truck front diff, and spindles with hubs. Then have custom length half shafts and your in business. No worrying about reversing the rotation of anything. Then your would have mid engine, your 6 speed, and IRS. And all of this would be easy to find in a junk yard.
I see what your sayin - and I too had this vision - but - How does he change the gears? I'm no mastermind nor do I have extensive knowledge on the options for alternative shifting, but what are his options to change the gears on the stick if the tranny is above the rear end?
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
I see what your sayin - and I too had this vision - but - How does he change the gears? I'm no mastermind nor do I have extensive knowledge on the options for alternative shifting, but what are his options to change the gears on the stick if the tranny is above the rear end?
Y'all need to put down that crack pipe.
This is a 35" tall car. I can't just mount the engine 20" higher.
Last edited by JasonWW; Oct 17, 2008 at 11:52 PM.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Hou. TX.
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I dont have any photo programs to mess with, so i just used the pics you had up and roughly looked at how it would go together, and it would be close, but it will fit within the body. You have to remember with an independant front axle the side that goes under the tranny isn't but a couple inches in diameter. The only thing is the engine will be extremely close the the front seats. It is pretty tall, and the top of the engine is close the the top of the body too. You could lower the differencial an inch or two and that would give you more clearance up top. The half shafts would just be pointed up towards the hubs, which shouldn't be any big deal.
I dont think i understand your ideas on the trailblazer setup. Which way would the balancer be facing? On my last idea the balancer would be facing towards the front of the car.
I dont think i understand your ideas on the trailblazer setup. Which way would the balancer be facing? On my last idea the balancer would be facing towards the front of the car.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
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From: Hou. TX.
Load a picture of the car into Microsoft Paint. Then make a square engine and rectangle trans. 
I think I'm going to keep the AWD option open, but not screw with it right now. I can use 4 C5 spindles as the front and rear are the same. I just need 2 left and 2 right. Then I'll get 4 rear hubs. That way the fronts will have the splined inputs on their back side. Plus it makes the brakes super easy as well. I can run 14" rotors front and rear.
Let me get the car driving with the front mounted transfer case and see how it does, both noise, vibration and heat wise. If I feel the need later on for AWD, I can add the front diff and halfshafts and be on my way. That sounds like a plan.
I'm not sure how to address the drive shaft joints. The one from the trans to the transfer case should be easy, like a stock aluminum driveshaft, just cut much shorter. The other 2-piece shaft could be a problem. I was thinking of something like on the new G8. (excuse the crappy pics, I used a phone camera) From front to back:
Notice it's small diameter and rubber universal joints. I'm sure I'd need to replace those rubber units with regular steel joints due to the angles. The support bearing is pretty small as well. Think that would work?
I think I'm going to keep the AWD option open, but not screw with it right now. I can use 4 C5 spindles as the front and rear are the same. I just need 2 left and 2 right. Then I'll get 4 rear hubs. That way the fronts will have the splined inputs on their back side. Plus it makes the brakes super easy as well. I can run 14" rotors front and rear.
Let me get the car driving with the front mounted transfer case and see how it does, both noise, vibration and heat wise. If I feel the need later on for AWD, I can add the front diff and halfshafts and be on my way. That sounds like a plan.
I'm not sure how to address the drive shaft joints. The one from the trans to the transfer case should be easy, like a stock aluminum driveshaft, just cut much shorter. The other 2-piece shaft could be a problem. I was thinking of something like on the new G8. (excuse the crappy pics, I used a phone camera) From front to back:
Notice it's small diameter and rubber universal joints. I'm sure I'd need to replace those rubber units with regular steel joints due to the angles. The support bearing is pretty small as well. Think that would work?
Last edited by JasonWW; Oct 18, 2008 at 10:33 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
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From: Hou. TX.
Something like this:
Is that going to be turning the right direction?
I also need to think about a LSD between the front and rear diffs to aid cornering. Without one, the car may not turn properly.
Here's your motor pic:
Is that going to be turning the right direction?
I also need to think about a LSD between the front and rear diffs to aid cornering. Without one, the car may not turn properly.
Here's your motor pic:
Last edited by JasonWW; Oct 18, 2008 at 12:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
how much power will you lose tho in the rear cause i mean its gonna have to go threw alot before it gets to the rear wheels. and what are you gonna do about the fact that the engine is right behind the drivers seat? would u enclose the front two seats some how?
I got an idea - ... Yank the rear, the tranny, and the motor - and just drop a FWD v8 setup in the rear and all you'll have to do is figure out your shifting setup.
Or, get a 1600cc VW engine!
Or, get a 1600cc VW engine!
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in that picture you are going to be going in reverse in first through 6th gear. Reverse will get you going in the right direction. If you flip the diff, then you will be powering on the coast side of the gears, so i dont know if that would work or not.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
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From: Hou. TX.
It's an easy fix. I just need to reverse the rotation at the transfer case or at the diff.