Engine options for avenger gt-12?

[Dennis Davidson]

hey guys. New member here. I just picked up a beat up fiberfab avenger gt 12. It is on a vw floorpan. I got it for 550 bucks and it is sitting in my shop. It doesnt have a rear axle, and is in rough shape. the body is good however, and that is what I wanted. I was hoping to acquire a v8 version, but this was a find, and I will take what I can get.

anyway, I know for certain I will not be content with a vw motor in it. I have a 10 second mustang gt, and I enjoy power. Can someone please point me in the right direction with regard to motor options? I was told kennedy engineering makes a rotary option. I cant find anything on it through google.

What other options do I have? I have a full 5 bay shop as my hobby headquarters, and as such can make ny mods that I may need to, to accommodate more horsepower.

If possible, someone please give me my options, and post links to find them.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jack]

Here's a link for Kennedy
kennedyenginc.com

They make adapters for almost anything you can stuff into a VW.

 

[Randy V]

First thing that comes to mind is Porsche.. Big thing is what you'll use for a transaxle with any sort of spirited driving...
If you want to convert it to a mid engine, take a good look through some of the build logs here..

 

[Jack Houpe]

Subaru WRT turbo with small car adapter bell housing if have a place for a radiator.

www.smallcar.com
http://www.smallcar.com/

 

[Phil]

Dennis:
Your choices are limited simply by engine mounting. In a VW pan chassis the gearbox hangs from the motor and the motor hangs from the frame horns. You would have to do some major modifications to fit something like a V-6 or V-8 into that chassis...ask me how I know this...it can be done with major mods.
Unless you are planning on a total subframe on the VW pan I would go with the Subaru as Jack suggested....plenty of power, very cheap and available. Even a 3 litre non turbo motor would make that car go well, transaxle is already fitted and you might even be able to fit the whole package in place and build the mounts more easily than some other setups. Only issue as mentioned is the radiator...probably room up front.
I have seen some of the rotary setups...they go good but those motors are getting hard to come by and I think parts will soon become a problem. Also rotary engines tend to have really hot exhausts and managing that can be an issue under a fiberglass shell.
Just some thoughts and experiences.
Cheers
Phil

 

[Richard]

I have a v-6 from an Intreped in mine. Made my own chassis also. Not too hard. I have pictures of the chass if you want to see them. Richard

 

[Phil]

Dennis:
Sorry about the info in my previous post, I must have gone dyslexic, I meant to say that the gearbox is mounted to the chassis and the motor hangs from the box...some Porsches mounted this way also.
Richard, that V-6 sounds like an interesting setup in that chassi/body combo.
How did you do the rear suspension and halfshafts?
Cheers
Phil