Dont hate me for asking...

[HRT]

I have a spare car body and not sure what engine to put in. Stupid idea popped into my head of something along the lines of a 1000 or 1200cc bike engine and just use a shaft drive box for the drive to the back wheels.

May sound like a dumb idea, but would like the know the possibility of it. I'm not stupid when it comes to cars, but bike engines etc are a new thing to me. I'm not sure what boxes bolt to what engines etc etc, and not entirely sure what sort of clutch arrangement I would end up with. If anyone has ever tried this or got any useful info on, or some useful discussion then let me know

Cheers

[Guitana]

They're not designed to fit in cars mate and would probably shit themselves under the load, if you did manage to somehow put one in the stress on the gearbox would be too much!!!!

[James Deuce]

You really are a guitarist ain't you?

People have been bike engines in cars and car engines in bikes (look at Guzzi's Vtwin - that was designed for a FIAT 500 originally) since, well internal combustion engines in vehicles. Load isn't an issue. You just X HP to get Y weight moving at Z velocity.

The biggest problem with putting a bike engine and transmission in a car body is the box has no reverse, and it is of course a sequential box. Setting up a foot clutch is not drama. It's just linkages after all, or even a cable if you want.

[Colapop]

You'd be better to build a lightweight steel frame and mould a fibreglass shell to sit on top of it.

[Disco Dan]

Been done before... best example I saw was a busa motor in a mini... even had a electric scooter motor for reverse... they go like the clappers if done right, if not... the motors are notorious for 'exploding' under such unantural stresses. They dont tend to last long thats all im saying...

you thought about how to get the drive to the wheels?

[HRT]

Yeah, I know its been done as I've been a few examples in the past. Main idea for drive to the wheels was the shaft drive setup being thats its already RWD it would make it a bit easier.

Colapop, while I'd like to do that its a matter of cost (and the fact that I have the spare car).

I see the issue with reverse... I dont think I'd like to be pushing it out of carparks. Clutch and linkage stuff shouldn't be an issue, can sort that sort of stuff out.

I suppose the other option for a gearbox is the car gearbox setup, though then I would have clutch issues and having to make up a plate for the box to bolt to. And having to have a big flywheel on the back of the motor...

I might have to just find a motor and pull it apart so I know where I'm start out




Sorry if I sound hopeless and like I don't know what I'm doing, bikes are just new to me.

[onearmedbandit]

Good on you for trying something different. It may cost lots, take up too much of your time, frustrate the fuck out of you, but projects like that are immensly satisfying at the end.

[Colapop]

Not hopeless to ask.. The stupidest question is the one not asked.

If you have a car body and no engine - it'd be easier to get an engine, rebuild the car, sell it and use the cash to buy a bike engine and some materials and build a scratch bike around it...

[MaPeXi]

Depends what car body you are using?.. Ideally you would want to use something small and lightweight. How about something like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPQIizRp9ck

Not completely relevant, but talking about engine conversions.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgEK2xqyEUM

Only in America..

[HRT]

I dont want to sell the car though Car in question is a 1972 Corolla. Wet weight with old engine and everything in was a bit under 800kgs from memory

Mainly just wanting to do something different. I could just throw a bit of a tickled up standard motor in but then its just like every other one out there.

OAB, I'm well aware of projects taking up too much time and money They are worth the time and effort at the end though

[wildpudding]

Might be a good idea to check the prices from wreckers for a decent 2nd hand 1000. I've got a feeling they will set you back thousands...

Stefan

[HRT]

Damn them and their wantingness of money

I'd imagine GSXR750s and like the aren't cheap for engines either. Will have a hunt around though. Not 100% set on 1000cc, just really wanting to plan it a bit before I go buying anything

[Motu]

The weight of the Corolla is the biggest problem,what ever you do is going to be slow.Get a shaft drive XJ and turn it sideways,you can bolt a UJ onto the drive flange.

[Quartermile]

ooh ooh a car body, blow the fuker up!!!!!

sorry that wasn't at all helpful

[trumpy]

"Star Cars" (NZ version of Legend race car) are done with shaft drive and bike motor. Not sure about reverse with these although they are technically required to have one. Lotus 7 replicas in England that are being built with Busa motors use a starter motor for reverse.
You can buy a reverse gear kit ready to bolt on from England but you might need a friend standing by with a defribullator when you hear the price.
Give Craig Greenwood at Challenge Racing in Taupo a call he may be prepared to answer some of your questions. His single seaters run chain drives but I know he did look into the reverse gear thing closely.