4wd in a bug ?

split_trix · Jedi Knight Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 107

I've seen a few postings for variations on this the most recent in a posting from ricola asking about a readers article in an ultra vw mag... it was saying about a spaceframed chassis split bug shell porsche 4wd system..

I can't see 4wd making that much difference in a bug due to the v.light front end and all the weight at the rear, even porsche themselves on some of the 911's have not done a 4wd version because they made the 2wd so well planted that it would equal if not out perform a 4wd 911.

I cant see why a bug chassis or even a spaceframe cant do this, so what would be the point in making a bug 4wd if not for the poze factor....

(just my ramblings) any comments ?

split_trix
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richbaker78 · Teacher of Padawans Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 1298

i rememebr topgear did one of their highly scientific tests with a 4wd and 2wd porsche and the time differences around a track were pretty much the same. In those circumstances I guess they are gona be similar - but I imagine the gains are more likely to be in traction during acceleration.

Would be fun to build a grass track racer tho.

IM still waiting for RJES to stick a turbo in his syncro bus.....

doppelganger · Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:52 pm Post subject:

the trouble is he would have to locate away from the stock location cos of the fuel tank (so he tells me) Grin

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split_trix · Jedi Knight Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 107

i thought RJES had found a flat6 subaru lump for his syncro .... wait a min hasn't he got a syncro caravelle and crew cab... i think the crew cab has the flat6
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richbaker78 · Teacher of Padawans Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 1298

yes he has both - i know there were plans for h6 but didnt know he had one....
maybe it will be on his newly updated website when it goes live! Grin

Mr Self Destruct · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 6:47 am Post subject:

Me and a mate did have a conversation once about the merits of Subaru engines in bugs and the fact that a stock bug gearbox will struggle to cope (bear with me, I haven't posted in the wrong thread!), and we talked about siting the entire 4wd system in a bug on a spaceframe chassis.
Seemed like a great idea at the time, but when we sobered up we realised that left the diffs and the rear wheel steering to worry about!

Question is, could it be done with the engine in the front if you took the entire drivetrain/suspension mounts from a scooby into the spaceframe and dropped a (slightly Grin

) modified bug shell on?
Albeit with shortened drive/propshafts?
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split_trix · Jedi Knight Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 107

i would of thought if you'd be building a spaceframe chassis from scratch then the diffs wouldn't be any trouble... I didnt know the scooby's hav rear wheel steering only skylines, if they do you would have to stay with the stock ecu or a rather expensive aftermarket item to cope witht he rear wheel steering.

i would think that the shell would need a modded front end and that would be it, the bulk heads would stay the same for the propshaft running the ex tunnel, the rear diff would be in the same place as the original bug gearbox... With the rear wheel steering unless its done by 'drive by wire' then im not sure how its done but wold be too far from the original in the scooby..
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pepper · Jedi Knight Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 245

I think he meant he was going to put the engine and gearbox in the back and run everything the other way round compared to a Subaru.

Therefore if he'd run it the other way round the front diff would then be in the rear and have all the steering attached and the rear diff would be at the front without steering.

Well thinks that what they were thinking anyway, but he did mention that they needed to sober up first.

split_trix · Jedi Knight Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 107

Mr Self Destruct did say :
Question is, could it be done with the engine in the ' FRONT ' if you took the entire drivetrain/suspension mounts from a scooby into the spaceframe and dropped a (slightly ) modified bug shell on?
Albeit with shortened drive/propshafts?

If all the parts are put in a spaceframe in the same orientaion as in the scooby all things will work as they were designed to do... I myself cant see why it wouldnt be possible. infact it has crossed my mind recently of doing this once i've finished and sold my current 52 split vwrx.
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Mr Self Destruct · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:00 pm Post subject:

Yeah, the second paragraph was the sober one! Grin

Was just thinking the bug would end up considerably wider if you were going to do it that way.
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but don't let the name fool you - I drive a 1984 gti and a 1998 T4, both with 140bhp!

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famous phil · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:48 pm Post subject:

why not cut the scooby right down till your left with a floorpan

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