Mid-engined third gen?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: In a house
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 5-speed
Axle/Gears: Stock
Mid-engined third gen?
So, my clutch went again. I think it's the throw out bearing. Anyway, I'm thinking about getting another car and just modding the camaro to the point of insanity. I'm only at the concept stage now, so nothing will happen for a while, before you start asking for progress updates.
I'm thinking about moving parts around - like the engine to the middle, instead of having backseats, the gas tank into the sad excuse for a trunk, and making the hood area a much more functional storage area...
I know all this would take ALOT of fabrication, and probably render it no longer street legal. I guess I'm just wanting to bounce some ideas around, see what's physically possible to do on the car. I holding nothing sacred here, except for the general shape of the car. Your thoughts?
I'm thinking about moving parts around - like the engine to the middle, instead of having backseats, the gas tank into the sad excuse for a trunk, and making the hood area a much more functional storage area...
I know all this would take ALOT of fabrication, and probably render it no longer street legal. I guess I'm just wanting to bounce some ideas around, see what's physically possible to do on the car. I holding nothing sacred here, except for the general shape of the car. Your thoughts?
#2
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Michigan!
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Engine: Vortec 4200 Inline 6 PT70 Turbo..
Transmission: 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
Buy fiero kit car or bolt camaro panels/fenders on a ferrari. Ultima makes cool kits too.
The suspension re engineering alone makes me dizzy. This like trying to make a big block powered circus tent.. you can't... Unless you pour a foundation...with wheels..
Point being.. these cars don't even have a frame to serve as a foundation. It's a tin can that flexes too much from the get go..
The suspension re engineering alone makes me dizzy. This like trying to make a big block powered circus tent.. you can't... Unless you pour a foundation...with wheels..
Point being.. these cars don't even have a frame to serve as a foundation. It's a tin can that flexes too much from the get go..
#3
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ms. gulf coast
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Car: 91 R/S , 89 dodge p/u
Engine: L31 GM crate re-cammed , 318
Transmission: T-5 , 4 speed auto
Axle/Gears: 3.42 , ?
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
it has been done . try a "search" . you will need very , very deep pockets & lots of skill/knowledge for such a project . good luck .
#4
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ahead of you...
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 1984 LG4 Camaro
Engine: 350 Roller Motor
Transmission: Level 10 700R4
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
Easy way to do this:
Buy a tube chassis with a mid engine mount and all the pieces.
Then stick on a fiberglass 3rd gen body.
Buy a tube chassis with a mid engine mount and all the pieces.
Then stick on a fiberglass 3rd gen body.
#6
TGO Supporter/Moderator
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SALEM, NH
Posts: 11,731
Likes: 0
Received 89 Likes
on
75 Posts
Car: '88 Formula, '94 Corvette, '95 Bird
Engine: LC9, 355" LT1, LT1
Transmission: T5, Zf6, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.42, Dana44 3.45, 3.23
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
I'm all for kit cars and such but I'd be thinking of a much better body than a plain jane camaro if you want a mid engine car.
Just saying.
-- Joe
Just saying.
-- Joe
Trending Topics
#8
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: long island ny
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 camaro sc
Engine: lg4 305
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
the easiest way you could probably do this with a reg camaro body is getting a front wheel drive car for the engine, tranny and suspension components. then you would have to make a jig up for a arms, struts, engine mount locations. cut out rear area in the body make a base frame then using your jig you made up for the mounts make up the frame. use the tranny tunnel to run the lines for the brakes cooling ac power steering. put a gas tank in the old engine bay then make up the sheet metal to cover the engine. i thought it out in depth a while back. there is one street legal mid engine 3rd gen
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: In a house
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 5-speed
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it. I looked at that other car, but I didn't like that it looked like a Ferrari. It was pretty cool, don't get me wrong, that's just not what I want to do.
#11
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
Gas tank in the back is just plain stupid from a crash safety standpoint.
You get rear ended by a SUV and you can bet the tank would puncture. The SAFEST place for a tank is technically the rear seat area. Least likely to be crushed in an accident. The stock location is safe enough.
You get rear ended by a SUV and you can bet the tank would puncture. The SAFEST place for a tank is technically the rear seat area. Least likely to be crushed in an accident. The stock location is safe enough.
#12
Supreme Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Pasadena, TX
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 1991 RS
Engine: 5.0
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
Ehh...it depends on the hit. I had a friend with a 91 RS get hit in front of my parents house years ago. Got hit in the rear end and busted the tank open slightly. Would have been a lot worse if it was in the rear like a moostang, but even mounted over the rear end it can still be damaged.
#14
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: In a house
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 5-speed
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
I don't want to put the tank in the front, that would be too much like a Lamborghini Miura. They had issues with front end grip. What if I put it between myself and the engine? What do you think would be the most effective way of doing that?
#15
Moderator
iTrader: (2)
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
You could always increase the size of the trans/driveshaft tunnel and build a fuel tank in there, much like the Fiero used.
Front end grip can be taken care of, the fuel cell being in the front I doubt very much was a cause for any poor front end grip, especially on the Miura.
#16
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
I don't think you'll find enough space there, to make a fuel tank in that area worth while.
You could always increase the size of the trans/driveshaft tunnel and build a fuel tank in there, much like the Fiero used.
Front end grip can be taken care of, the fuel cell being in the front I doubt very much was a cause for any poor front end grip, especially on the Miura.
You could always increase the size of the trans/driveshaft tunnel and build a fuel tank in there, much like the Fiero used.
Front end grip can be taken care of, the fuel cell being in the front I doubt very much was a cause for any poor front end grip, especially on the Miura.
However the only way to really put a tank between you and the engine would be if the engine had a transverse layout.
#17
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Toronto
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: TH350 for now
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
How about a custom tank that runs down the middle where the transmission, driveshaft hump is. It will be low, as far away from a impact rupture as possible and it will use the now empty space that is no longer needed.
Likely need some good baffling since the tank will be run length wise instead of cross. Cornering fuel starvation should not be an issue but hard braking or acceleration could be.
PS, maybe measure up a couple of pick-up truck tanks, you may find a plastic one that will fit with a little sheet metal fab (floor and hum).
Likely need some good baffling since the tank will be run length wise instead of cross. Cornering fuel starvation should not be an issue but hard braking or acceleration could be.
PS, maybe measure up a couple of pick-up truck tanks, you may find a plastic one that will fit with a little sheet metal fab (floor and hum).
Last edited by nosajwols; 12-27-2012 at 12:24 PM.
#18
TGO Supporter/Moderator
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SALEM, NH
Posts: 11,731
Likes: 0
Received 89 Likes
on
75 Posts
Car: '88 Formula, '94 Corvette, '95 Bird
Engine: LC9, 355" LT1, LT1
Transmission: T5, Zf6, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.42, Dana44 3.45, 3.23
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
You could convert the car to propane and run two fork-lift (DOT) tanks in the back seat area.
Propane is $1.86 a gallon around here, and about 75% the efficiency of gasoline, but at 104-112 octane. (which means at it's comparable to gas at about $2.35 a gallon, which is about a dollar away from where gas is today).
-- Joe
Propane is $1.86 a gallon around here, and about 75% the efficiency of gasoline, but at 104-112 octane. (which means at it's comparable to gas at about $2.35 a gallon, which is about a dollar away from where gas is today).
-- Joe
#19
Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: '86 SC
Engine: 2.8
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
This might be a boring idea, but have you considered moving the front suspension forward? If there is enough space in the front fenders, you might even be able to move the front suspension and not change the overall length of the car.
You will still have a mid engine, but it will be a front mid engine.
You will still have a mid engine, but it will be a front mid engine.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: New Bedford MA
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1988 Gta trans am project 1-1/2
Engine: 86 4 bolt main cammed sbc 355 hsr
Transmission: 89 wc bw t5
Axle/Gears: Bw 9 bolt (3.27) pbr 11in
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
If u want a mid engine car why dont u just buy a fiero an call it a day less the work an headache
#21
Supreme Member
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Charlestown, IN
Posts: 3,449
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 1971 Camaro
Engine: 427
Transmission: TKO600
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
If you have the cash tools and skill to do this, then the first thing you should do is decide on a drivetrain, find and engine and transaxle combo, and package everything elese around it.
Or fix your clutch and buy a fiero.
Or fix your clutch and buy a fiero.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: New Bedford MA
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1988 Gta trans am project 1-1/2
Engine: 86 4 bolt main cammed sbc 355 hsr
Transmission: 89 wc bw t5
Axle/Gears: Bw 9 bolt (3.27) pbr 11in
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
Exactly what i said buy a fiero an do the 3800 super charge swap
#23
Supreme Member
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Charlestown, IN
Posts: 3,449
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 1971 Camaro
Engine: 427
Transmission: TKO600
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Mid-engined third gen?
fiero with a 3800 supercharger setup would be fun!
I remember years ago while in line to get into the Super Chevy show a fiero went by, and we were like, man that sounds good! Saw it at the show, turns out it had a tpi smallblock in the stock location! Now, this was in like 95 so that was a real big deal then!
I remember years ago while in line to get into the Super Chevy show a fiero went by, and we were like, man that sounds good! Saw it at the show, turns out it had a tpi smallblock in the stock location! Now, this was in like 95 so that was a real big deal then!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Hotrodboba400
Firebirds for Sale
3
12-10-2019 07:07 PM