It has to be possible, I read an article here in the USA, curious if anyone might have some info on converting to rear wheel drive in my cougar. Worth a long shot but anyone might have parts to do this?
RWD Rear Wheel Drive?
- Thread starter Rippin6Gears
- Start date
I've been pondering this the last few days.
Essentially a transverse engine would be required, that in itself would require an awful lot of work, driveshaft and physically powering the rear wheels has been proven with the 4-be conversions.
The alternative, and this would require some rather expensive parts to be fabricated, could (please note the emphasis, this is hypothetical)be to fit free-wheeling type hubs to a 4x4 converted Cougar. It's common enough on old Land Rovers with fixed four-wheel-drive to make them economical and driveable to any extent on tarmac, then locking the hubs when 4x4 drive is required. It's well beyond my wit to imagine if this is in any way practical though. It'd be desperately uneconomical though, either that or somebody smart may be able to work some magic on a transfer box, but whether the Mondeo 4x4 transfer/gearbox is strong enough to cope with unsymmetrical power delivery to any great extent, I've not a single idea.
Theroeticlaly I guess with the Cougar having McPherson type suspension on the front (grr!) removing the driveshafts should have no effect on the suspension and steering mechanism. Again, this is well beyond my wit as a spanner-waver rather than a designer!
Essentially a transverse engine would be required, that in itself would require an awful lot of work, driveshaft and physically powering the rear wheels has been proven with the 4-be conversions.
The alternative, and this would require some rather expensive parts to be fabricated, could (please note the emphasis, this is hypothetical)be to fit free-wheeling type hubs to a 4x4 converted Cougar. It's common enough on old Land Rovers with fixed four-wheel-drive to make them economical and driveable to any extent on tarmac, then locking the hubs when 4x4 drive is required. It's well beyond my wit to imagine if this is in any way practical though. It'd be desperately uneconomical though, either that or somebody smart may be able to work some magic on a transfer box, but whether the Mondeo 4x4 transfer/gearbox is strong enough to cope with unsymmetrical power delivery to any great extent, I've not a single idea.
Theroeticlaly I guess with the Cougar having McPherson type suspension on the front (grr!) removing the driveshafts should have no effect on the suspension and steering mechanism. Again, this is well beyond my wit as a spanner-waver rather than a designer!
**puts fist in mouth and squeals!!**
Taxi for myself please! - Blame it on me having looked at the Audi's engine bay all morning!
I've said it before and I'll say it again. The weight distribution is all wrong for RWD.
Of course you *could* achieve it, as many others have done with other FWD cars before. It'll be able do donuts and other things to prove it works, but it'll never handle well at moderate to high speed.
If you want to spend a load of time and money reproving it can be done then fine, but if you want a car that drives well, start with one that has been properly engineered and developed as a RWD platform. It won't have 40% of the weight on the rear wheels and the engine mass ahead of the front axle - that's for sure.
Of course you *could* achieve it, as many others have done with other FWD cars before. It'll be able do donuts and other things to prove it works, but it'll never handle well at moderate to high speed.
If you want to spend a load of time and money reproving it can be done then fine, but if you want a car that drives well, start with one that has been properly engineered and developed as a RWD platform. It won't have 40% of the weight on the rear wheels and the engine mass ahead of the front axle - that's for sure.
Could do worse Rich...
Depends what it's all about though. Some people like the idea of a tail happy pig of a car who's back end pendulums from one tank slapper to the next. That's not my personal idea of fun as I prefer higher performance cars that can corner and put the power down fairly well but each to their own.
Depends what it's all about though. Some people like the idea of a tail happy pig of a car who's back end pendulums from one tank slapper to the next. That's not my personal idea of fun as I prefer higher performance cars that can corner and put the power down fairly well but each to their own.
Okay Okay I found the link I originally read a couple years back....
http://www.v6cougar.com/v6_modguide.pdf
Looks like I need to find a mk1 4x4... Fuel Tank, complete Rear end and prop shaft. Then I can fit any engine/gearbox combo I want to be rwd. Hmmmmmmm
http://www.v6cougar.com/v6_modguide.pdf
Looks like I need to find a mk1 4x4... Fuel Tank, complete Rear end and prop shaft. Then I can fit any engine/gearbox combo I want to be rwd. Hmmmmmmm
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The Cougar in that link was known as 'Thundercat' and belonged to Shagmonkey, an ex-member of the forum.
Cut a hole in the floor for the transmission and put the engine in that massive boot. Room for a V12 in there. Mid-engined RWD lunacy and a massive luggage compartment in the front.
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Mad. Totally, utterly, unequivocally, certifiably mad.... but I'd love to see it done!
I assume it would be completely undriveable, unfortunately. It'd be hilarious as a show car though.
Ford Motorsport provide a (very expensive) kit to allow a V8 to fit in the focus. It uses the mustang rear end and a cradle that fits between the front chassis legs to mount the V8 longitudinally
Wonder if it can be make to fit in a coug
Wonder if it can be make to fit in a coug
I haven't measured it, but I expect that engine would want to intersect the line of the bonnet.
Dude. Don't do that.