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Originally Posted by bob johnson
drop by the Cuda and see us..you might want to discuss the driveline with Alan..do you have the vertical space for the engine up front? How far back are you sitting it?
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Oh, you won't be able to keep me away from you and the 'Cuda Bob, more like you'll have to chase me away....
I plan on running the exhaust under the middle just like you guys did.
I have a couple different concepts on the engine solution. Packaging on this tiny of a car will be difficult. I plan to move the engine as far forward as needed/possible to get foot-well space. The wheel base is very short and on the 356 the front wheel center line is right where the firewall begins on most US car. The 356 shares a 'trailing-arm' suspension design with the VW - and that concept allowed more foot-well space in stock config. I'll need to place the engine over the steering rack - probably at the back of the block skirt to counter that. I have an LS1 GTO front sump pan if I need it. Or, I could rear-steer the stock vette setup - but that screws up the geometry and ackerman a bunch. (I could make it a trailer show car huh ...) There is a bulge in the hood and the engine in stock vette height fits nicely with plenty of room if I solve the above. I could also lower the steering rack by cutting off the vette steering arms and bolt on the lower steel arms from 21st Century.
Backup plan if I run into the hood line is to reverse the intake and connect to the cowl vent plenum where there is plenty of space with the engine forward - plus that's a seldom used concept today and might look trick. Most people are plumbing directly from the grill(s) - which I plan on doing if I don't reverse the intake. I will bottom-feed the radiator like the stock vette setup. With a little space management it will all fit and should be a ball to engineer and package - let alone drive the wheels off !
Can't wait for Columbus !
Jim