Sidewinder Engine & Transmission

I was wondering if anyone knew of a Speedster replica with a transverse mounted engine and transaxle?

It seems to me that this might be a space efficient approach and offer a large selection of powerplants, etc.

(I hope to order a new water cooled IM later this year!)

Gary, I personally am not familiar with a transverse mount set-up. But there is a company
called Banham in the UK that kind of "reskins" a Skoda. It's not a replica of the speedster
but an interpretation. On another note , I love saab's, yours especially. But I was wondering why you need 4 cyl's. My parents owned a 1959 "92" and a 1963 wagon and they ran
great for years with their 3 cyl 2 strokes. Nice car you have there.

Not aware of any rear mounted travese engine cars (Simca/Renault?)--- all seem to be front engine. I guess one could be adapted with enough $$$.

No good reason to with so many other options.

Gary: I was at IM on Saturday and Henry was showing me the progress on the water cooled car. I

How soon the Fiero and Toyota MR2 are forgotten.

Nolan, What about the V8 powered Fiero's? Nice!!!!!

The 2.8s weren't as bad as some claimed. I had a (then new 86) Fiero GT that we added bigger Injectors, headers & exhaust system, an Ignition Kit, and a few other upgardes to. It was a fun car to drive.

Besides the 350 conversion, some were installing Northstars for a real kick in the seat.

Jim , the GT40 conversion kit is very tempting. Just think of it powered by a ZZ4 tune port injection. Pinch me.. I'm dreamin!

Did you mean the Northstar version Joe? Super hot!!!!!!!!!!! GM and Pontiac really fouled up discontinuing it as it's a hot donor car for Lambo kits.

This is the car ! Can you believe it is a Fiero?

Banham went under, but 356 sports (356sports dot co dot uk) took over the "Metro Speedster." It is based on an Austin/MG Metro (reasonable Brit econocar 1980-1993). It may be the only Front wheel drive speedsteresque car.

I like the idea, to a point. I might have even tried it, but the MG wasn't imported to the US

Joe. I gave those Fiero GT40 kits a consideration at one time. I believe the Co. was North American 'sumpthin'. That one looks sharp.

I have been in contact with Henry - nice guy. Suggested a few nearby IM owners to contact about their cars. One even offered to meet me half way and let me drive his IM. Amazing.

IM owners seem almost fanatically devoted to their mark which is reassuring to me as a potential new owner and besides, Henry builds a speedster with real windows - something this Kansas boy needs.

If he's addressing the watercooled challenge the way he has customer satisfaction, this should be one sweet Speedster.

As to my original sidewinder question, I wonder how a JCW Mini powerplant would feel pushing instead of pulling?

John Austin on spyderowners.com has a northstar powered 550.
It is a pretty crazy setup.
http://www.spyderowners.com/forum/readmsg.asp?t=8110

He also has some photos in his file section.
-=theron

Hi Gary.

I'll give you a call and see what we can line up. Love the pic!

Your southern neighbor,
Jim

Transverse mid-rear engined? AutoWeek last week reminded me of the Lambo Miura, V-12, 400 Hp. My neighbor used to have one back in the 70's. He hated me. My stock 70 Vette could take him in first gear any time. I was smart enough to get out of it after about 60 MPH. Aww . . I love the smell of unleaded gas, octane booster and burning rubber in the morning!

Hi Gary,
try searching for 'PGO speedster' on this site, or google it.
It is a modern rendition of a speedster which uses a watercooled Peugeot 138hp transverse engine with 5 speed trans. This lot is normally mounted in the front of the Peugeot, but is unaffected (apart from cooling issues) when moved into the back of a speedster.
The drivetrain issues on the PGO don't bother me at all, but the appearance does, that thing looks like its been on steroids.
The company also does a traditional looking speedster but that has a traditional engine and transmission (air cooled).
Cheers
Nick

Probably near any front driver donor powertrain/suspension could be moved to the rear, but I fear a substantial amount of enginering might be involved. Not for beginners, but loads of fun for those with the equipment. Some things to watch out for might include:

Removing the caster from the set-up. I hear it does strange things to the handlilng in a rear engine application. Anyone know how Subie builders do that?

Height of the total engine package. Will it fit under a speedster body shell?

Track width. How you gonna widen or narrow the rear tread to fit the fenders?

Cooling. A front radiator has been done before, but do you need additional air induced cooling in the engine compartment to keep other components cool? The headers are back there with no air flow over them.

This is really getting away from what kit cars are all about and getting into the street rod realm, but that ain't bad at all, except for the money required to play the game. I've always thought it's really too bad, with all that talent out there, that more people can't make "original design" vehicles. Maybe kit cars are just the springboard needed to step off into the new and unknown. And yes, I have seen at least two different 911 Porsche bodies with blown Chevies sticking up (way up) through the front bonnet. Kooollll.