You know, a hot Honda FWD into the rear of a Renault Dauphine etc. Build a cradle and cage holding the engine and suspension and weld that into the back seat? I have no samples to look at locally.
These all have bike engines, FWD units are more plentiful and cheaper. (if I was on a budget).
Build an entire cage, complete with suspension et al and then hang sheet metal. Enquiring minds want to know ....
I think the two most common methods that I've seen on here are adapt the subframe, or a complete custom frame.
The Morris being worked on is one, AngryCorvair's work is the other that springs to mind.
Nohome is about to put a Honda power train in the back seat of a Morris Minor. He's building a tube frame chassis to hold it. Or, you could look at building a structure around the engine and trans that's integrated into the original unibody. A bunch of 2x2x0.065 tubing ought to do it. Example: An MG Metro 6R4...
Or swap a front end "cut" in
Sort of a half body swap.
No two of these projects will be the same, but if you have the track width to work with, I would take the entire front clip with all engine and suspension attachments and figure how to graft that in behind the front seats.
We did not have the track width to work with, so will built a self contained GoKart and drop the body on top.
The motorcycle powertrain ends up being relatively long front to back, because you need some chain, and they tilt forward in the bikes. An automotive transaxle is more compact front to back. But wider.
I think if you've gone that far into a swap like that, the general direction is "use what you can and build the rest".
I agree if track width supports using the factory suspension from the engine donor, do that. Mounting a motor is work, but properly reengineering suspension, axles, uprights, bearings, etc is 10x more work.
It really depends on a couple of things: the size of car and drivetrain, and how much fabrication you want to do. A few examples that show you ways it has been done. The x1/9, early fiero, and df goblin all transplant the front subframe, drivetrain and suspension into the rear of the car. You could incorporate a structure similar to the midlana, 1g la bala or festiva shogun into the back of the car. The simplest way, if you have the space, would be to put the whole front end ( minus bodywork) into the rear of the car that way all of the structure is already designed to bolt in the drivetrain. There was a small truck with the entire front cut of a buick regal transplanted in the bed several years ago at the challenge. These are just some of the ways, I have tried to plan out a similar project. I hope it helps you visualize different options.
In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :
I wasn't thinking chain, but a set up similar to Legend Cars. The crank shaft sprocket is replaced with a Guibo and married to the rear end yoke. If I take this on, it would be a FWD something in the back seat.
Our "old skool" solution for the Outlaw Bug...
I am putting a ACVW Type 1 transaxle in my Renault 8 with a Kennedy adaptor to a Zetec from a Focus. I found that early fwd VW cv axles fit the CV flange on the Type 1. I am using the front spindles from a early Jetta. The axles are both short sides from a first gen Rabbit IIRC.
Full disclosure: I've bolted the axles up and it seems to work... My build is still collecting parts phase and is at the back of the projects list.
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