Ell Diablo - Hydraulic Clutch In

[Grant]

Only just caught up with reading through this...

IMO the idea of a mid-engined V8 powered 306 is better left to the imagination than to reality. Put simply, there will be little remaining of the original 306 to make it a viable project, it would be quicker to fit the panels over a V8 spaceframe chassis (ie. sillouette racer) and the results would be far more impressive.

The 306 Maxi retained FWD and that was a quick competition car. OK it wasn't the fastest, but it was pretty unstoppable on tarmac rallies. Instead of the V8 I would put serious consideration in building a decent FWD turbocharged 306. Even that will cost lots to get a good result from. The V8 thing just sounds a bit pie-in-the-sky at the moment, a bit Mad Max. The results are likely to be un-roadworthy and difficult to setup properly.

Consider other powertrains which could be made to fit. Budget is a key issue so something reliable and with lots of aftermarket support would be a good idea. I'm not an expert (but Ruan is) although I'd look at a Honda lump or the Nissan SR20. Hell, even a Billy-Basic MX5 engine can be turbocharged and run in the region of Astra VXR power for peanuts.

With the original weight-distribution and a rebuilt rear beam with decent setup up-front I think it would make a much more rewarding package than anything V8 powered on the same budget. Just make it very light and the thing will fly with 230-260hp.

All fair points


-I'm not fussed about how much of the 306 chassis remains, as long as it still looks like a 306 at the end of the process (hopefully straight too haha). Space-framing is the most common way to do things like this, albeit, rare within the 306 culture. There are a few who have done it, but with big blower Mitsubishi engines or similar. As long as it can remain road legal and insurable then it's not a huge concern

-I do not doubt for one minute I could take the same money, throw that a charger and that at the car and see bigger power figures. The thing is, everyone does it. Well not everyone, but its becoming common as muck. How many front engine RWD V8 306's have you seen? I'm not after huge power, I don't want to go drifting. I want to do something unique. I enjoy working on my car, and feel at a loss when I'm not, so this should keep me out of trouble for a while...And out of positive equity haha

-With a proper geometry setup and some good research, and everything well set-out, I have no doubt the handling will not be compromised, if not improved. Just because I will be losing the rear beam, doesn't automatically mean it will handle like a sack of poop