General How much would this upset the pureists?

[L7 KVV]

Been discussing this idea in work with a few of the mechanics to see just how hard it would be. The panda has only moved a few feet since I bought it as I couldnt work out what to do with it.

The idea.... Bike engine...RWD

Seen it done a million times to mini's so it must not ba that hard to do, its just deciding wha way to do it.

Anyone think its a good idea?

 

[Alan.D]

As long as it's not one of the limited edditions (Sisley etc) and you are going to restore an otherwise dead duck.......fill your boot's.

A hyabusa (sp?) would be interesting....

 

[pandafan]

As long as it's not one of the limited edditions (Sisley etc) and you are going to restore an otherwise dead duck.......fill your boot's.

A hyabusa (sp?) would be interesting....

Total agreement.
I can't see that you would destroy a 4x4 for a bike conversion. Ask for help any time you want.

 

[Plug]

Concur with Alan and pandafan. Don't wreck a rare one, but if it's vanilla flavoured then go for it.

We may be purists around here, but we like a laugh as much as the next man.. a 'busa or blackbird engined Panda would be a hoot, I reckon .

Cheers,

Plug

 

[oliverking]

Has anyone actually done this by the way???

Hi everyone, im new to this forum by the way.

 

[firstcar-Y10]

yeah why not? love to see it
as above, don't break a rare one unless it's already a goner..

 

[L7 KVV]

Its just a regular super. Been thinking of using rear axle from a 4wd, but this would most likely need the engine mounted sideways. This could cause a problem in two ways. The 4wd's use leafsprings dont they? And with the prop and diff being offset in them, if the prop rotates the wrong way then the engine will br right into the quarter panel. Or else it will need to be mounted high.

Plus, does the 4wd use a live rear axle?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Its just a regular super. Been thinking of using rear axle from a 4wd, but this would most likely need the engine mounted sideways. This could cause a problem in two ways. The 4wd's use leafsprings dont they? And with the prop and diff being offset in them, if the prop rotates the wrong way then the engine will br right into the quarter panel. Or else it will need to be mounted high.

Plus, does the 4wd use a live rear axle?

Yep, does use leafsprings at the rear.

What do you mean by live rear axle It does spin when driving if that's what you mean

Jon.

 

[L7 KVV]

Yep, does use leafsprings at the rear.

What do you mean by live rear axle It does spin when driving if that's what you mean

Jon.

The rear diff would be a solid axle, like mk2 escorts. Id say it would have to be since it uses leafsprings then, since the suspension wont be independant.

 

[randomizered]

fit a cheapie bike engine, box and diff in the front first.

Once your wallet has recovered, fit a second in the rear.

Twin engine, AWD :slayer: :devil:

 

[Alan.D]

The floorpan of the 2wd & 4wd are different so not sure if it would host the rear diff ?

As for a live axle I suppose yes as the rear axle is solid and attached directly to the leaf springs.

 

[L7 KVV]

fit a cheapie bike engine, box and diff in the front first.

Once your wallet has recovered, fit a second in the rear.

Twin engine, AWD :slayer: :devil:

Engine in the front would probably be even more dificult, plus it couldnt do donuts!!!

 

[L7 KVV]

The floorpan of the 2wd & 4wd are different so not sure if it would host the rear diff ?

As for a live axle I suppose yes as the rear axle is solid and attached directly to the leaf springs.

Would need to chop out the floor and fabricate a subframe anyway Id say. A friend knows of space framed clio running an m3 diff and twin rear engines. Dont think Id have the tallent to make it let alone steer it! :slayer:

 

[rallycinq]

There are plenty of suppliers of gearbox/diff units for running bike engines in cars.

Make the rear end independant and part of the subframe you'd have to build anyway.

Cheers

PD

 

[Crashtest33]

A rear subframe is the only way. You fit a bike engine to a 4x4 rear axle & leaf springs it'll rip it to pieces!!
I would re-fabricate the entire rear of the car.

I'd start with an acid dip... Just kidding. Anyway, I'd grind out the entire rear floor sheet and start by welding cross members to the long chassis members.
I'd ditch the leaf springs all together and install a wishbone system.
Cheap as you like, just need to be a dab hand with a TIG.
:yum:

 

[pandafan]

A rear subframe is the only way. You fit a bike engine to a 4x4 rear axle & leaf springs it'll rip it to pieces!!
I would re-fabricate the entire rear of the car.

I'd start with an acid dip... Just kidding. Anyway, I'd grind out the entire rear floor sheet and start by welding cross members to the long chassis members.
I'd ditch the leaf springs all together and install a wishbone system.
Cheap as you like, just need to be a dab hand with a TIG.
:yum:

If you're going to ditch the leaf springs, why not go for the Omega setup ?
It's tried and tested ... and very reliable.

 

[Welsh Jon]

why would you need a TIG? I've welded quite a lot of my Panda without touching one? MIG is the way forward

If you look at buying an engine and gearbox from a bike that already uses a prop shaft you should be half way there (BMW might work out ok when considering balancing the weight in the front of the car). As for if it is a live axle, it would be a lot of money and work but shouldn't be to impossible to put a diff or even limited slip in ... just lots of time to work things out.

Sounds like a very interesting project if you decide to do it, let is know what you do.

 

[L7 KVV]

Delay on plans

Pandafan I havent actually got leafsprings. It was just that I had concidered using the panda rear axle out of convenience. Although it turns out not to be as convenient as I have hoped.

Brought smokey into the garage about half an hour ago, (must have took 10 mins to get her to idle steady). Now im back in bed as its freezing out there.

I made two mistakes recently, one makes me smile,the other doesnt.

First, I traded my Altea Fr tdi in for an audi S4 avant, (this makes me smile)

Second, I agreed to sell my last project to my mate when he gets his own car shifted, cordoba tdi. (this makes me frown)

So now If I start work on the panda straight away, and the cordy goes, Il have to take the s4 to work every day. As much as Id enjoy the heated seats these mornings, I dont look forward to the fuel bills.

So since there is still 8months mot on the panda, and it should be cheap to run, Im concidering just tidying up the bodywork for now.

But all inspiration and suggestions will be gratefully recieved as Ive wanted to make a weapon out of a panda ever since my first one, ten years ago.

 

[pandafan]

I do apologise for my gaff, regarding the leaf springs.

Reading your last post ... the standard Panda sounds like your best option. You never know; you might grow to love it.

 

[JimMagill]

Re: Delay on plans

But all inspiration and suggestions will be gratefully recieved as Ive wanted to make a weapon out of a panda ever since my first one, ten years ago.

I just think that it will be an awful lot of work thats really gonna cost and will give you very little return. That and you and I have talked about insurance and what your proposing sounds virtually uninsurable in NI

Fit a 1242cc, lower it and fit some X1/9 alloys and fancy paint/graphics and have some fun without going down the usual route on here of numbnuts telling us that they want to fit boeing dreamliner engines, space shuttle brakes and door handles from a mondeo (or what ever they've got in their grand pappies shed cause they can't afford new fiat dealer supplied ones)

Peace, love and what ever drugs pandafan is on :slayer:

Jim