Has anyone considered RWD conversion?

[1975DCS]

Lately I have some fantasy ideas about a RWD conversion. That may sound stupid because I have always been a 4WD fan. But then it got me thinking:
- RWD means it is easier to put the engine further back for optimal 50/50 distribution
- RWD means you can put a simpler transmission in
- RWD means you have acces to a lot of (very strong) gearboxes from other brands (Mercedes 7 speed?)
- RWD means you can probably save a few kg's
- RWD means less stress on driveline

Otherwise it is a shame that Audi didn't go the WRC route with there inline's. Then we could have seen active diffs (in EVO or Haldex style)...

[Ross]

Um, sounds like you should buy a BMW? They have all the above. Quattro was built on the basis that the negatives would be outweighted by the positives that 4WD offers...

A RWD 20vt I5 would be interesting though!

[1975DCS]

Even better... You could go a bit DTM style if you move the seats and pedalbox also much further the entire engine could be behind the front axle... And a gearbox amd diff of like a Mercedes AMG is capable of 700 Nm anyway...

[newsh]

I drove an M3 earlier this year, what a strange car, I had absolutly no idea what it was doing or how fast, slow, safe or dangerous it was, apparently they understeer but I couldn't tell you, I gave it back before it crashed itself, give me a quattro any day.

[1975DCS]

I understand! I had a 3d Sierra Cosworth before and this was very difficult to drive too! But that was a bit front heavy, nothing like a racing car style concept of today...

[iain1067]

The last rwd i drove was a 330d bmw, nice car in the dry but give it a damp road the traction control light was just too easy to get going, white lines for example. I am too used to quattro now and with the roads where i live covered in salt the 4wd is excellent, grip and go thank you

Iain

[filofilsem]

I drive both an M3 CSL and an S2
And it's difficult to step from one to the other. The CSL IS quicker on the straights, and is fantastic for a bit of tail-out action, but it's a bit twitchy.
The S2 goes round corners at balistic speed.
I love them both.

[s2dude]

Got any pics of your M3 CSL and S2 lined up next to each other
I would love to see a picture of that. :mischeif:

[aelred]

Just put the engine in the back with a 2 wd box and by the nature of the layout you will have a mid engine car as well.

[pastures16]

a 7a with rwd

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17665

[Keeper of The Kitten]

@ 1975DCS - While the reduced weight of a 2wd system would put less overall strain on the driveline, it should be borne in mind that the two driveshafts will now be subjected to 50% of the torque each, instead of 25% each for the four driveshafts in the 4wd system.

I am with Aelred on this one, go mid engine with a fwd gearbox. A cable operated gearshift can be manufactured to accommodate the new position.

__MDC__

[nip]

ya cant ever beat the feel of a rwd, i loved my vs opel manta

[S2central.net]

Would you rather be going sideways (into a wall, hedge, oncoming traffic, innocent bystanders) or faster ?

[nip]

sideways lol

[Jon441cc]

Here's a nice image