Help

I got my Lotus Super 7. I plan to convert it to cycle fenders and build a hardtop version. I've also lifted my destroyed 360 modena's engine and plan to put this under the bonnet. I plan to put it in the fron, bu want to know whether I should make it front or rear wheel drived, by using differentials in the rear or to just reattach the drive shaft from the modena kit. Please help me.

That engine and front wheel drive......no way, make it 4 wheel drive, that would be new in Seven but it will bring all the new problems since front suspension is not good for instaling driveshaft..... or just go with rear wheel drive :D.

I agree with Sasa.

For 1,5 seconds "mid-engined" flashed through my head but I guess that's not really a viable (or even attractive) configuration for this car...?

I had thought of mid engined, but it would mean building a whole new rear to the car, I'll try and do it 4 wheel drive.

To me the "trans-axle" configuration is the best for this kind of toy: also becouse the V8 is pretty heavy compare the Cosworth stuff: so to me gear+differentials in back: ho to do? You will find some inspiration in the 612 Scaglietti sheme, or in some old Daytona.

If you want to do a AWD I suggest the Lancia Delta as inspiration: Hasegawa kit have only the bottom side casted but the sheme is great: engine and T-gear in front, central and back differentials.

There is no good way to put this engine into a Seven. Not to say that you can't or shouldn't do it, but there is no configuration that won't give you major headaches in trying to figure out how to make it work. Mechanically, the simplest way to put an oversize V8 would probably to do it as a transverse rear mount- but then you would need to install a refridgerator and a hot tub up front to counteract the weight. Mount it up front, and I'm pretty sure it would be too tall to see over- the intakes would be nearly as tall as the roll bar. I can't even imagine how a 4WD would work.

Again, not that you can't or shouldn't try it- but if you do, you're in for alot of work.