Which FWD drivetrain donor?

GameboyRMH wrote: Wait there are FWD cars that *aren't* cable shifted?

Hondas for one, rod shifted.

Here's the list I came up with for the Midlana project: Ford Zetec and Duratec, Honda, Acura, VW 1.8l turbo, Toyota, GM Ecotec, Mitsubishi, Ford Zetec/Duratec, Volvo

Just keep in mind that depending what your goals are, the Honda has the backing of a HUGE aftermarket selection of virtually anything you'd want, AND the support of many forums for any snags you might have. The hard part is putting a price on that convenience.

EvanB wrote:

GameboyRMH wrote: Wait there are FWD cars that *aren't* cable shifted?

Hondas for one, rod shifted.

I've worked with the Prelude and K-series drivetrains and both are cable-shifters.

OK, maybe just the civics.

mazda6 v6 or 4cylinder. mazda 3 i believe is cable shifted also. lsd is available for both either oem (speed3 for the 3) and mfactory for the v6 6.

Escorts (US) are rod shifted.Hence protege's as well Focus is cable shifted Not sure about the new Fiesta.. Probably cable.

Set the suspension up properly and you don't need a limited slip.

Look at Steve Hoelscher's success with mid-engined cars with no bars or LSD's.

Many older FWD cars came with rod shifted systems. Chrysler L-bodies, older Civics/CRX's, etc.

Accords and Preludes have cable shifted transmissions. So, really you could go h22 for 200hp/160ft/lb if you wanted? They are a bit pricey, but you get reliability with power in that package. The f22/h23/f23 are all really good options me thinks. Honda reliability with honda's fantastic transmission.

GameboyRMH wrote: Wait there are FWD cars that *aren't* cable shifted?

Not so many anymore, but any VW with an 020 (or 012/013/016) are rod shifted. So, for that matter, were all Subarus. And most Mazdas. And most Hondas. Taurus SHOs too. And lot more I'm forgetting.

Pre-93 Rabbit/Golfs are awesome cars, but you get used to rebuilding the shift linkage frequently. Unlike the way Mazda and Honda and basically everyone else under the sun did it with a simple rod on the BACK of the trans that connects via U-joints (or rubber bushed facsimiles) to the shift lever, VW had the shift mechanism sticking out of the top FRONT of the trans, so they made an ingenious yet complicated arrangement of Tinkertoys.

I will give them credit: No matter how much the drivetrain is bouncing around underhood, alternating between denting the firewall and the radiator, the shifter doesn't bounce around in sympathy or bind up. There are CABLE shift cars that have those problems...

Wow, you guys have been productive!

Smart drivetrain w/a Hayabusa sounds plausible - though probably more than I want to spend.

The Saturn packaging sounds perfect, but would an Ion Redline/Cobalt SS also be cable-shifted, hydraulic clutch, and drop out cradle and all?

The VR6 sounds like pure sex and has the power I'd like, but I don't think I want to deal with the other issues involved.

With the Neon or Focus, it seems like the best method may be to just find an entire car, take what I need and sell/scrap whatever is left over.

Thanks again for all the input! I'm still not sure I want to go this direction, but it gives me ideas to think more about.

For what it's worth, you are going to be highly unlikely to find any transverse FWD car that mounts everything to the subframe.

The only one I can even think of offhand is the 1991 Saturn. I think. I know for certain that the engine mount was on the subframe on that year, forget if the trans mount was too. Note that this was a one-year-only fiasco and they went to hanging the nose of the engine off of the strut tower/framerail like every other modern car.

Given your design criteria, I wonder if even using a subframe would be a good idea. It's a lot of bulk that is somewhat unnecessary. The Saturn unit was a full perimeter deal that weighed a LOT, almost everyone else used a simple K-frame.

Having a front/side motor mount to locate wouldn't be too bad. What I'm trying to avoid is custom fab work to build/locate LCAs. Locating the top of the struts is no problem either.

And really, I'm not sure any transverse unit would fit in the width available. But now, thanks to everyone here, I have a good starting point to do more research.

Yes, the ecotec setup will drop out on the subframe as well. Its a better engine, but will be harder to locate cheap in a junkyard (except the 2.2). Not sure about cable shifting/hydraulic clutch. Note that some of the ecotecs are quite tall, not sure if that is a packaging issue for you or not.

If you are trying to retain the LCAs from the donor powertrain, avoid the S-Series. The swaybar/lca setup blows. The Ion/Cobalt stuff isn't bad though. Better control arms, better swaybar setup, the wheel bearings are bolt in (and you can swap bolt-patterns as well pretty easily).

something that has not been mentioned is old GM FWD V6 X- body junk. Probably too wide for your use anyway... And on second thought, probably no LSD either... Or did a X11 Citation have LSD?

Does it have to be FWD or just transverse? The Fiero has a really slick subframe for swapping, four attachment points for the cradle and two strut tops and you're done. LSD doesn't come easy in the Getrag trans, no factory installed units, but I think that goes for ANY cheap transverse stuff.

Bryce

GameboyRMH wrote: Wait there are FWD cars that *aren't* cable shifted?

The sho was rod shift linkage only after the middle of '91......89-early 91 were cable.

Ill go on a limb and recommend the zetec mtx75 combo as well.....gurly light, cheap parts everywhere, etc....

ProDarwin wrote: Yes, the ecotec setup will drop out on the subframe as well. Its a better engine, but will be harder to locate cheap in a junkyard (except the 2.2). Not sure about cable shifting/hydraulic clutch. Note that some of the ecotecs are quite tall, not sure if that is a packaging issue for you or not. If you are trying to retain the LCAs from the donor powertrain, avoid the S-Series. The swaybar/lca setup blows. The Ion/Cobalt stuff isn't bad though. Better control arms, better swaybar setup, the wheel bearings are bolt in (and you can swap bolt-patterns as well pretty easily).

The redline/css are cable shift and hydrolic clutch......where's the "the more you know" picture at.....lol