Front or mid engine ?

[Warren]

I wonder how it would go if the engine was mounted under the seats ala Jap vans.

While it is not exactly in the centre, the weight would be far enough back to improve things, its around the door pillar section so may be less flexing, wont encroach to much into the rear space, and give extra leg room.

The only down side I can see is that you wont have the walkthrough to the back, or atleast you'd have to climb over the top.

Just thinking out loud.

Warren
 

[Rogue Trooper]

Just found this post.

The mid mount definitely improves the handling. You can mount the engine relatively low and then there is no problem leaping over the engine cover to the back. Remember to leave room for judderbars and a sump shield is a really good idea. Also having the engine between the seats means I haven't lost any room out the back.

The main chassis rails were not cut in mine and the edges were all folded over and welded creating a frame around the hole in the floor so I have never had problems with van flex.

My 750mm long drive shaft has never been a problem.

Bear in mind that moving the engine back lightens the front so you will have to have your springs altered to bring the ride height in the front back down.

The gearbox sits back a lot furthur than standard so you will need to overcome the long linkage problem. I went to auto and converted the shifter to cable operation so that solved that.

Yes there is a lot of extra leg room up front. Most modern engines have air ducted to them so all you would need to do is sort out a ducting system for air supply. Just leave a little extra room at the top of the engine cover for the ducting if using a carb.

Supplying hot water to your heater unit could be an issue with air locks due to the height difference of the heater to the engine but I don't know for sure as I haven't got that far yet.

Bear in mind that mine was a straight six. A V configuration may require more of the floor area to be cut out to accommodate the engine. This will cause issues with the seat mounts as well as the seatbelt mounting points so you will then have a whole lot of extra issues to deal with. Also if you go any furthur back you will problems with the fuel tank which will require relocating.

That's about all I can think of for now.

[Auda]

Thanks for all that. I'll have to look into it a bit more. I was thinking that with a short driveshaft I might have problems with the universals it sounds like I wont though. I dont know what the Ld28 weights compaired to a 202 1/2 as much again ? I should work out what the weight will be on the front, but droping the front springs is easy if I need to. I like colum changes so the linkage will be long anyway.
Auda