olejoedad thanks for your concern do you know what forces that it has on it other than the collaps of the fuel tunnel. the hard steel stops and does not go all the way across so it looks like that is a shield for the fuel tank and hoses
[This message has been edited by engine man (edited 12-14-2025).]
Originally posted by engine man: not sure how i will brace that up as i was not sure if it was structural so thank you for pointing that out what do you think some 1 x 2 across the bottom that i can bolt in after the fuel tank is in do you think that would do it ?
My recommendation would be to figure out the accessory drive first and then come back to the reinvorcement. You are going to have atleast a balancer, alternator, tensioner, belt path, coolant manifold, hose fittings. and possibly the AC compressor. It would be good to biuld that all out for your test fits to see what additional metal has to be clearanced and what space is available space for reinforcing for the notch. Keep everything as low as possible. You might want to use a non-stock cradle crossbeam to allow these parts to sit as low as possible.
That cross car tube (and the one in front) are two of the primary components for torsional rigidity in the chassis, in addition to the withstanding side impacts. With you going longitudinal your drivetrain will induce a torsional twist vs the transverse setup generating more of a bending force to the chassis.
fieroguru i agree with most of what you are saying with exception of the engine torsional twist as their is no drive shaft front to back so that is all gone due to the transaxle is one solid part bolted to the engine it can not rotate but maybe a small amount due to inertia as seen like running an engine on a runstand or on the ground
well i just got the correct harmonic damper comming and i will get that figured out as there are ways around it like boxing the neds where i cut with heaver 1/4 inch steel and some tricks maybe a roll cage with trianglation as i will be required to do that if I plan to run it at most race tracks
A full cage tied to the face of the strut towers and the front lower frame rails ahead of the front interior bulkhead with x-bracing at the back of the interior, at a minimum.....
olejoedad I know you think there is goint to be all the torqe from the engine but it is not the same as a front engine and rear drive with a drive shaft you need look at it as engine ,transaxle are basicly all one so they can not twist unless the transaxle case breaks because the transmission abd differential are all one part no drive shaft to inpart torque othe than what comes out the axle to drive the tires
[This message has been edited by engine man (edited 12-14-2025).]
i judt dont see where you are getting driver sid to passenger side twist from the engine espacly since the whole powertrain is in the back all bolted together . I can understand the load from cornering or uneven load from 1 drive tire with less traction but front to back from the engine nope not there. why do C5 , C6 & C7 have a torque tube as it provides 2 things helps weight transfer and takes chassis twist from engine torque away as the whole drivetrain is connected as one the rear end can not twist independet of engine and transmission like on a car with a open drive shaft . Hell the VW Bettle has zero engine mount it is just hooked to the transaxle but the engine does not spin in a circle
[This message has been edited by engine man (edited 12-14-2025).]
At a minimum the drivetrain will rock side to side depending on if it is accelerating/decelerating just due to the change in rotational inertia. With big cubes and 1000 hp target, this change in rotational inertia can be significant.
yes i agree there will be some and i feel thing can be modified to be just as strong if not stonger using much heavier steel like 1/4 inch thick C chanel maybe but first things like you said need to know where the alternator is going to be as i plan on electric AC pump
[This message has been edited by engine man (edited 12-14-2025).]
