Mad Project or is it me that's Mad

moonwatcher · 03-01-13, 09:18 PM

Advice please, after an amount of engineering is it possible to get a 5 pot engine to run backwards, my theory is run the engine backwards and fit it pointing backwards in the rear (boot area).
I think if this could be done would this give me five reverse gears and one forward but if the engine is running backward the I would get five forward and one reverse.
If so would this solve the engine overhanging the front wheels.
Is it possible or should I shut myself in a dark room

4v6 · 03-01-13, 09:26 PM

Turn the gearbox over so the left shaft becomes the right and vice versa......
Voila correct rotation of engine and gearbox....

or swap the diff over somehow.

Isimmo · 03-01-13, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonwatcher

If so would this solve the engine overhanging the front wheels.

If the engine is in the boot, then, in all likelihood, yes....

Isimmo · 03-01-13, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonwatcher

Advice please, after an amount of engineering is it possible to get a 5 pot engine to run backwards.

With a firing order of 1,2, 4, 5, 3, I imagine it probably wouldn't be impossible.

4v6 · 03-01-13, 10:09 PM

To actually run it backwards, youd need:

To turn all the pistons round because theyre offset on the rod.
The oil pump would need replacing with an electrical item because itd be running backwards.
The cam would need regrinding if it is asymmetrical.
Alterations to the way the timing belt is tensioned as itd be tensioned on the unloaded side if running in reverse.
Water pump would need a different impeller on it to drive coolant in the correct direction.
Starter motor needs rewiring to run it backwards and the bendix on the end would need work to make it run the right direction too, hard cos its got a helix machined on it....
Dizzy cap would need the wires swapping and the timing changed.
Otherwise itd work i think.

Gearbox dunno how itd like being run in reverse.....might cause issues if oil is picked up by gears and distributed to other places as some other boxes do.

Renault Master gearbox sits the same way as your idea so you could use that maybe...but its a bit looooong.

Tonks4x4 · 03-01-13, 10:34 PM

I enquired about this some time ago and was pointed instead to various Porsche gearboxes that fit the 5cyl engine.
There is also a VW LT 4x4 box that fits so that drive is in the correct direction.

Tonks4x4 · 03-01-13, 10:36 PM

Or if you don't want a Quattro.

Make it mid engined as moving the overhang from front to rear would just be as bad.

Then use a front wheel drive box to just drive the rear wheels and have a rear wheel drive mid engines monster

Andy10v · 03-01-13, 11:05 PM

You would just reverse the problem, all the weight would now be behind the rear axle.

There are a few mid engine swaps, engine in the centre, fwd gearbox in line with the rear axles and everything working as it should. When you try and do a quattro mid engine version it becomes expensive/complicated unless you have an R8 driveline running about. Or switch to using transfer boxes etc.

WOT · 04-01-13, 12:31 AM

There was a guy on the s2forum asking about this about a year ago, he wanted to run it in some sort of citroen. Might be worth a search.

missfire · 04-01-13, 01:42 AM

Just buy a volvo 340 and be done with it, gearbox joined to the rear diff, engine between the front wheels! Four pot 1.7t transplant, graft into an audi....

missing the point a bit though..

03-01-13, 10:34 PM	#6
Tonks4x4 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire Posts: 2,607	I enquired about this some time ago and was pointed instead to various Porsche gearboxes that fit the 5cyl engine. There is also a VW LT 4x4 box that fits so that drive is in the correct direction. __________________ http://www.tonks4x4.com

03-01-13, 10:36 PM	#7
Tonks4x4 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire Posts: 2,607	Or if you don't want a Quattro. Make it mid engined as moving the overhang from front to rear would just be as bad. Then use a front wheel drive box to just drive the rear wheels and have a rear wheel drive mid engines monster __________________ http://www.tonks4x4.com

03-01-13, 11:05 PM	#8
Andy10v Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stirling Posts: 861	You would just reverse the problem, all the weight would now be behind the rear axle. There are a few mid engine swaps, engine in the centre, fwd gearbox in line with the rear axles and everything working as it should. When you try and do a quattro mid engine version it becomes expensive/complicated unless you have an R8 driveline running about. Or switch to using transfer boxes etc. __________________ 2005 350z GT Sold-1992 3B S2 coupe-RS2+, 996s, konis, forged rods, rear torsen.... Sold-1993 ABY coupe

03-01-13, 09:26 PM	#2
4v6 Ex Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5,565	Turn the gearbox over so the left shaft becomes the right and vice versa...... Voila correct rotation of engine and gearbox.... or swap the diff over somehow.

03-01-13, 10:09 PM	#5
4v6 Ex Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5,565	To actually run it backwards, youd need: To turn all the pistons round because theyre offset on the rod. The oil pump would need replacing with an electrical item because itd be running backwards. The cam would need regrinding if it is asymmetrical. Alterations to the way the timing belt is tensioned as itd be tensioned on the unloaded side if running in reverse. Water pump would need a different impeller on it to drive coolant in the correct direction. Starter motor needs rewiring to run it backwards and the bendix on the end would need work to make it run the right direction too, hard cos its got a helix machined on it.... Dizzy cap would need the wires swapping and the timing changed. Otherwise itd work i think. Gearbox dunno how itd like being run in reverse.....might cause issues if oil is picked up by gears and distributed to other places as some other boxes do. Renault Master gearbox sits the same way as your idea so you could use that maybe...but its a bit looooong.

04-01-13, 12:31 AM	#9
WOT Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 119	There was a guy on the s2forum asking about this about a year ago, he wanted to run it in some sort of citroen. Might be worth a search.

04-01-13, 01:42 AM	#10
missfire making wooden things Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: cow land Posts: 8,156	Just buy a volvo 340 and be done with it, gearbox joined to the rear diff, engine between the front wheels! Four pot 1.7t transplant, graft into an audi.... missing the point a bit though..