My v8 mid engine project

Hi all,

Just thought I'd put a quick intro into my latest project. I'm building a mid-engine audi v8 powered beetle chassis for use under a full beetle body. Based upon rorty concepts, I've sources an audi 01e box, aqj 340hp s6 engine, fully configurable racing ECU, cortina suspension and updated brakes.

Previously the beetle ran various rotary engines, and even had a subaru in for a short while.

Chassis will eventually be going full cage but I'm working on the standard pan for now.

Hope you like!

Steve
 

Jim Craik

Lifetime Supporter
Welcome Stephen.

I remember the Fittipaldi brothers built a twin engine Beetle, they road raced it and as I recall, it was very fast. Good luck with your project, keep us informed.
 
Thanks guys,

I will, it'll be a slow ish project but I'm enjoying the fabrication side at the moment. Bottom chassis layer is nearly complete- next up is the tunnel and front suspension box. I'm waiting until the engine and box can be mated before mocking if up in the chassis- anyone have any recommendations for mounting angle or driveshaft angles when viewed from the top?

Steve
 
Nice project!

Looks a little like mine: Mid engine V6 TDI Baja

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I just need to use as much as possible from the original chassis to keep the road homologation in the Netherlands.
 
Stephen, I don,t want to hi-jack your thread...but Bert,
I,m building something similar hear in Leiden...a Renault Alpine which I,ve converted from rear to mid engine with a rear chassis section built by myself...ex-FIA mechanic & fabricator...I would be interested in your knowledge of the RDW. rules to keep my car legal in Holland.
Cheers Eddie.
 

Mike Pass

Supporter
You might want to have a look at Mick Hill's V8 beetle supersaloon which ran in special saloons in the 70's. I saw it run back in the day at Oulton Park. It is still around today and has been seen recently at Mallory and Goodwood.

VW Beetle Hill/Wilson

Recent outing with other special saloons from the good old days when cars looked and sounded different and were actually interesting.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2z7-wuuWfo]Mallory Park Modsports & Supersaloons 290811 - YouTube[/ame]


Cheers
Mike
 

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Well its been a little time since my last update.

Ive been slowly putting the chassis together, Concentrating mainly on the front suspension framework and rear Engine bay arrangement.


suspension will be based upon cortina dual wishbone, and rear will hopefull incorporate rockers and pushrod (with centrally mounted shocks). Ive done a heap of cross-bracing for strength as well.


heres the front uprights - COrtina mk3, and grp4 ali hubs. Standard bearings dont fit - anybody have experience of what these hubs may be from and how to get them to fit? They were an ebay purchase....






Ive also been slowly stripping the engine of non-essential parts; PAS, Non-essential belts and idlers, and it soon became aparent that the Sump is far too wide to fit. In addition, the audi uses a large cast block for an oil to water cooler and massive oil filter. This is going to have to go because its far too big and busy to be used as an engine mount, and as this is also the mount for the alternator, i'll have to relocate it to the other side of the sump.



here you can see the left-over oil and water fittings that will need to be bypassed, and a remote filter put into place.



heres the engine and gearbox connected:

 

Mike Pass

Supporter
Group 4 ally hubs are usually for the Ford Escort Mk2. The Escort upright takes a McPherson strut in the socket at the top whereas the mk3 Cortina upright attaches to top and bottom pressed steel wishbones. I don't know if the bearings for an Escort group4 hub will fit on the Mk3Cortina stub axle. Measure the Cortina stub axle dimensions for the bearing inner size and the group4 hub for the bearing outer size. As Ford tend to use the same bearings on many cars you may be lucky with some standard Ford size bearings. There may be some useful info on the locust builder site or places like Rally Design or Group4 Fabrications websites may lead to the info you need.
Cheers
Mike
 
So just a little update. Today I formed up an aluminium adapter to allow fitment of a remote oil filter and cooler in replacement for the bulky stock oil to water cooler.
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I started with a lump of Ali:

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And a bare engine block:

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And formed up a section to drill and tap for oil fittings

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Then found the hole centres and drilled to suit-

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All I need to do now is find an appropriate drill and tap!

Ive decided against trying to retain the stock firewall- so have started on the tunnel section- very basic at the moment but in development. All progress is worthwhile!

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Now onto finding an oil cooler and exhaust sections prior to making engine and gearbox mounts. Anyone have any recommendations for universal mounts?
 
A little updAte-

Decided on how I want the tunnel to look like- it still needs support and diagonals but happy with the layout as it is.
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The slash-cut box will connect to two further pieces of box which connect to the rollbar.

I've decided against trying to keep the bulkhead up front. The 'napoleons hat' was going to mate up to the stock bulkhead but I don't like the way it's meant to support the front suspension box. It's only 16gauge sheet. This means I've taken the centre tunnel all the way to the front suspension box above the hat and I'll cut it out later.
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Here's a view from the back. I've put a cheeky shot of the new oil cooler where I'm hoping to position it; behind the gearbox.

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Progress!
 
Mini update! Finally got the roll hoop bent up from 2" chromoly. Here's what it looks like against the chassis......
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The keener eyed of you may also notice the bench sitting lower- I had to lop a massive 35cm off each leg to get the roll hoop standing up!
 
You are progressing Steven.

I am a mechanic by trade, I was looking at your engine.
Why do Germans have to complicate everything, they just cant help themselves with plumbing and pipes.
At least you can shed some of it.
It looks more than a 90 deg V or is it an elusion, its very wide and deep.

Jim
 
I Know! Crazy germans! Ive always wondered about water to oil coolers as the temp difference between oil and water isnt all that large - So am dubious about the effectiveness of laminova style coolers. Plus it means you need a bigger rad - something im struggling to find room for anyway.
you're bang on - the audi V8 is a 90deg vee.....which makes it difficult in a fairly narrow chassis as above!
 
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