i was checking FB, hoping to find a corvair with a Crown V8 conversion for sale, when my mind went awandering. I started thinking about pulling a flat vair engine/trans and swapping it for a front wheel drive automobile complete set up. some late models have hi-po set-ups. has anyone given this more thought than my quick brainfart?
I remember seeing mid engine swaps from Cadillac Eldorados and Tornados and more than a few mid engine SBC's
Like with a v8 swap, getting enough air flow can be a challenge. I have seen a Toranado swap. It's very limited for wheels and tires unless you do some type of fender flares. I also saw a neat little truck at a local show. It was a VW with a V6 GM engine/trans in the back under a pickup bed. The front had one of those 40 Ford noses and from a distance it looked pretty cool
You gotta...be careful of Olds / Cadillac front wheel drive swaps. They are "tail" heavy. Or...that is...front...light !! You can think of the things that can happen from those comments. Years ago, My brother was looking to buy a Cad swapped conversion. Visually, nice work. BUT, it was "wheelie happy", and didn't make turns very well, with no weight in the front. On the other hand, your Crown Kit Corvair thought, is a GREAT way to go. May years ago, I had a pretty beat up one. It was cheap, I bought it. I fixed a few of the really bad stuff. For even in as bad a shape as it was, it was FUN to drive. It handled like race car. You didn't need to slow for corners, just turn the steering wheel. Crown Kit Corvair...ALL THE WAY. Mike
John Reynolds on that Youtube place. He is a Couple years into a Corvair build with GM V8 turbo FWD setup in the rear of the Corvair . He has done extensive nice fab work on the car front to back.
here is a crown kit on ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/2352670372...wg8hsR+zJaZLhzF+gWoEWE+Q==|tkp:Bk9SR-a33oynZA
I am on board for a four-cylinder swap... It would be pretty cool to have whatever that little GM Chevy HHR SS turbo four-cylinder engine is called in a 'vair. 260 HP out of 122ish cubic inches and I believe they are all aluminum so they are probably as light if not lighter than a corvair horizontally opposed 6. I don't really know a lot about these little four cylinder engines but I know they get decent mileage, I believe they have pretty good aftermarket support to make even more power and because they are late models they are pretty reliable. It would be fun for a corvair driver, all you need to do is keep the exhaust quiet because nobody likes the sound of a 4 cylinder.
How about the drive train of a Subaru conversion for a Vanagon? Later transaxles are 5-speed; if you can find an EG33 six it'll probably bolt up to the adaptor (otherwise an EJ25 would be plenty); and the whole package should fit in the 'Vair's engine/transaxle space.
You could always start with this. Anything would fit in the rear. https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...wse_serp:00176698-60b8-4f16-86ee-24a741b28d4a
Have you considered a Fiero drivetrain? It's already set up for rear mounting. Might be a little wide but that's what they make fender flares for! You have a choice between the 2.5 Iron Duke or 2.8 V-6. The 2.8 can be easily swapped for a 3.4 or stroked with a 3.4 rotating assembly. The GM bellhousing also gives you a bunch of choices. Mine would be a Buick 3800 with factory supercharger. There is also an LS V-8 that came in fwd Impalas that may fit. One advantage would be lighter weight than the SBC/Crown setup. Likely not much heavier than the stock parts. This would also make using a stick vs an auto much easier, as you could use the stock Fiero cables without all the linkage hassle. Added bonus is being able to use the whole subframe with suspension. Depending on space considerations, this could be the easiest and cheapest way to do it.
good thinking, the Fiero never entered my mind. I also liked the corvair on a G Body frame as I just happen to have a complete 64 Skylark chassis. it's time for more dreamin'
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