Winston Todge
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| posted on 1/4/19 at 09:06 PM |
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Toyota iQ rear wheel drive conversion, zzr1400...
Can someone tell me I'm being stupid...
After the children are past their terrible twos, I'm in need of a project.
I've built an MNR VortX R1 and loved it, but I want to do something a little more practical / requiring a load more design work.
I want a car with a heater, roof and some doors (and maybe a reverse).
I have been looking at modifying a SMART FourTwo with a motor in the rear as I can see how this would be an easier project to start with (rear
engined, RWD).
But I think they look a bit crap and definitely don't handle fantastically...
I can't stop thinking about a Toyota iQ as the donor, and I like the looks (in a weird way).
This guy genuinely did a fantastic job, but I still want to see how realistic it is to convert to RWD (if I lost the back seats obviously)
https://daveintheusa.com/index.php/videos/
I'm an Engineer that can use mechanical / electronic CAD packages and have a fair amount of design experience (just not in modding a FWD car to
be RWD)...
Where do I start? Linkies? Comments? Genuine advice, to say I'm being stupid?!
Any comments appreciated...
Chris.
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AdamR20
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| posted on 2/4/19 at 07:44 AM |
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I think you probably start with the base car, an engine you plan to use, an angle grinder, a pad of paper and a pencil, plus a few cups of tea 
Seriously though this would be a bit of a 'pioneering' project, I don't think you'll find much to help you on the net
unfortunately.
To me it sounds like a great idea and absolutely possible! 
[Edited on 2/4/19 by AdamR20]
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Dracula
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| posted on 2/4/19 at 08:52 AM |
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Stupid ? Not at all . We love this kind of stupidity . For three years ago i was in the same situation like you . I love my Westfield but i wanted
something with roof and doors . I ended up with a 500Maxi . Italien design and Japanise heart ( Honda CBR 1000 RR ) Practical ? Just a litle more
then the Westfield
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5BPXRnz3zs3iwzAj9
// Sorin
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nick205
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| posted on 2/4/19 at 09:13 AM |
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Not stupid at all!
Some years ago (pre kids) I built an MK Indy. Loved the building, loved the car and loved driving it. Got married, 3 kids (1 + twins) and a 2 seat
roofless car just didn't work for us, so I sold it.
A couple of years later I scratched a long time itch and bought a Peugeot 205 GTI (roof, heater, wipers, 5 seats). SWMBO was annoyed at first, but
after the first trip out with the whole family in it she came round to the idea rather quick.
Unfortunately due to epilepsy I can't drive on the road, but I still have the Peugeot tucked away
It's front wheel drive and for me (and many others) too valuable as it is to start modifying. I have however seen other people make rear wheel
drive Peugeot 205s. IIRC "NSDev" on this forum built one some time ago.
There's also a Peugeot 205 been converted with 4x4 Cosworth running gear:
https://passio
nford.com/forum/restorations-rebuilds-and-projects/161592-peugeot-205-with-4wd-cosworth-engine-and-running-gear.html
If you have the urge and skills then I say GO FOR IT!
The iQ seems as good a start point as many of the other small hatch backs out there.
[Edited on 2/4/19 by nick205]
[Edited on 2/4/19 by nick205]
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hughpinder
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| posted on 2/4/19 at 10:31 AM |
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just thinking out loud - I assume you are planning a rear engine to move the weight balance backwards?
try this link: https://www.kimini.com/ the early works of the designer of midlana
Regards
Hugh
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gremlin1234
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| posted on 2/4/19 at 11:40 AM |
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it appears that you are not being completely stupid...
for a while the Iq was badge engineered as an aston martin cygnet.
they also made a special,
4.7l V8 430bhp
https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/motoring/aston-martin-s-one-off-tiny-terror-the-v8-cygnet-in-pictures-1.749802
https://www.topspeed.com/cars/aston-martin/the-insane-aston-martin-cygnet-v8-is-a-123-inch-car-with-a-v8-ar181806.html
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wylliezx9r
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| posted on 2/4/19 at 12:56 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Dracula
Stupid ? Not at all . We love this kind of stupidity . For three years ago i was in the same situation like you . I love my Westfield but i wanted
something with roof and doors . I ended up with a 500Maxi . Italien design and Japanise heart ( Honda CBR 1000 RR ) Practical ? Just a litle more
then the Westfield
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5BPXRnz3zs3iwzAj9
// Sorin
WOW
I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.
George Best
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russbost
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| posted on 2/4/19 at 01:43 PM |
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This is the ZZR1400 packaged about as tight as you sensibly can, already running smaller pinion & crownwheel to reduce length, you could get a
better (longer) wishbone setup as ours is compromised by needing to accept a car engine as alternative
[img]
 
Description
[/img]
I no longer run Furore Products or Furore Cars Ltd, but would still highly recommend them for Acewell dashes, projector headlights, dominator
headlights, indicators, mirrors etc, best prices in the UK! Take a look at http://www.furoreproducts.co.uk/ or find more parts on Ebay, user names
furoreltd & furoreproducts, discounts available for LCB users.
Don't forget Stainless Steel Braided brake hoses, made to your exact requirements in any of around 16 colours.
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/furoreproducts/m.html?_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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Winston Todge
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| posted on 2/4/19 at 09:30 PM |
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Thanks for the encouragement all!
AdamR20 - I've made a load of tea so far and have a pad full of notes / scribbles under way, along with a growing bookmark manager and folder on
my NAS drive of pictures and articles! I think I'll be doing a load more reading...
hughpinder - That kimini.com site is awesome. Books on order...
Dracula - Looks a great build so far! Love the 500Maxi... Have you got any close up pics of the engine in place? And how you've linked up the
engine to your chosen diff? LSD? How do you tension the chain?
Nick205 - Love the similarities! Sorry to hear about the epilepsy. A good mate has just been diagnosed and has 12 months out. He's managing it
through diet (ketosis!) with success, so fingers crossed!
Gremlin1234 - Love that Cygnet, although it feels like a slightly different beast under the skin. It still used the Toyota motor, but I don't
think the V8 was particularly similar in any way.
Russbost - Love your work! Lots of questions I'm afraid...
- What diff do you use? LSD?
- Doe the flywheel gear that is used to drive the reverse driven by a pre-engaged starter motor? How does that attach to the diff?
- Do you put a cush drive in the rear transmission anywhere?
- Do you hard mount the ZZR14 motor or can you poly bush it for less vibration?
- Have you got some pictures of the motor front sprocket area?
- Where do I start with a design for the engine cradle / rear suspension mounting design?
- What rear hubs / uprights do you use?
Sorry for all the questions....
Ta!
Chris.
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Dracula
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| posted on 3/4/19 at 07:54 AM |
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Hi Chris
https://photos.app.goo.gl/nKiQhCqhmdq8riK97
The brackets which the diff / reverse gear rests on has oval holes so I can pull it back. Thinking of a solution lyke on the bikes a bolt that pulls
it back. I have some ideas i just need to think a little which one will be the best.
One of the picturs is with the old diff in place . Take a look at WestGarage https://chaindrivediff.co.uk/ . Maybe you can find something for you
need
// Sorin
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russbost
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| posted on 10/4/19 at 12:41 PM |
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- What diff do you use? LSD? I use the open diff that comes with the donor – Toyota MR2 modified to seal up & fill with grease & then modded
to fit bearings & chainwheel to. You could use pretty much any diff from anything modern, apart from anything tiny they’d all handle the power as
you’ll break traction (unless you’re using absolutely monster very sticky rubber) waaaay b4 you’ll break anything in the driveline. I use the standard
length Toyota driveshafts by swapping the inner joints (different lengths) side for side. Running an open diff with the Furore isn’t much of an issue
(particularly for road use) as it’s very stiff & long wheelbase – on a shorter vehicle you may be better with an LSD as it will be much more
inclined to lift wheels
- Doe the flywheel gear that is used to drive the reverse driven by a pre-engaged starter motor? How does that attach to the diff? Flywheel gear is
expensive to get machined, but I guess could be done for any given starter motor, when machined you obviously get it made for correct centre size
& a ring of bolts to secure it to the chainwheel with spacers in between the 2 gears
- Do you put a cush drive in the rear transmission anywhere? Nope – but then I wanted hard & brutal, like a race car, adding a cush drive only
makes them marginally less brutal & why add weight & complication
- Do you hard mount the ZZR14 motor or can you poly bush it for less vibration? I poly mounted the first one I did, the engine mounts at the front are
close to the exhaust & I foolishly used poly bushes – it melted them allowing the engine to move around & chuck the chain off – they are all
solid mounted now, you feel very little vibes from the engine tho’
- Have you got some pictures of the motor front sprocket area? Not an area I usually picture, but as luck has it I happen to have one in bits I’ve
just taken a couple of pics, will post in a day or 2 – not sure how much it will tell you tho’
- Where do I start with a design for the engine cradle / rear suspension mounting design? 2 ways of going at it. Best way is to wait until you have an
engine, decide how/where you want the suspension around it & work from there, that way involves least compromise & should be neatest/lightest.
I was restricted in that we wanted to use car engines as well, hence chassis was designed around a car engine & the bike engine sits in its own
cradle which mounts the diff & the whole lot drops into the frame. I could give you the size of the engine bay & you could work similarly
& then just drop the engine in in a cradle afterwards, or I could flog you the rear section of a chassis, but if I was doing your project I would
start with engine/suspension & work from there
- What rear hubs / uprights do you use? I use the Toyota donor again, with some modifications, but my recommendation would be to look at what is
readily available for anything using IRS, like 7’s, & probably go that route unless you can find somethingthat’s particularly good elsewhere.
Remember, it’s far easier to use an existing diff/driveshafts/hubs etc. which all marries together & if necessary mount the engine slightly off
centre rather than get the engine dead centre & then try to make everything else work around it
I no longer run Furore Products or Furore Cars Ltd, but would still highly recommend them for Acewell dashes, projector headlights, dominator
headlights, indicators, mirrors etc, best prices in the UK! Take a look at http://www.furoreproducts.co.uk/ or find more parts on Ebay, user names
furoreltd & furoreproducts, discounts available for LCB users.
Don't forget Stainless Steel Braided brake hoses, made to your exact requirements in any of around 16 colours.
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/furoreproducts/m.html?_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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Winston Todge
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| posted on 12/4/19 at 05:43 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Dracula
Hi Chris
https://photos.app.goo.gl/nKiQhCqhmdq8riK97
The brackets which the diff / reverse gear rests on has oval holes so I can pull it back. Thinking of a solution lyke on the bikes a bolt that pulls
it back. I have some ideas i just need to think a little which one will be the best.
One of the picturs is with the old diff in place . Take a look at WestGarage https://chaindrivediff.co.uk/ . Maybe you can find something for you
need
// Sorin
Thanks Sorin.
I love these build pictures! Looks like an awesome project car. Is the spaceframe your design? Or based on a kit of some sort?
Looks like the WestGarage diff is a great bit of kit. Very tempted to get one, just need to finish the house DIY first before I'm allowed to
spend money... Seems like a slightly unfair deal now I think of it...
What is your rear driveshafts / uprights and hubs based on? Donor car?
Ta,
C.
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Winston Todge
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| posted on 12/4/19 at 05:55 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by russbost
- What diff do you use? LSD? I use the open diff that comes with the donor – Toyota MR2 modified to seal up & fill with grease & then modded
to fit bearings & chainwheel to. You could use pretty much any diff from anything modern, apart from anything tiny they’d all handle the power as
you’ll break traction (unless you’re using absolutely monster very sticky rubber) waaaay b4 you’ll break anything in the driveline. I use the standard
length Toyota driveshafts by swapping the inner joints (different lengths) side for side. Running an open diff with the Furore isn’t much of an issue
(particularly for road use) as it’s very stiff & long wheelbase – on a shorter vehicle you may be better with an LSD as it will be much more
inclined to lift wheels
- Doe the flywheel gear that is used to drive the reverse driven by a pre-engaged starter motor? How does that attach to the diff? Flywheel gear is
expensive to get machined, but I guess could be done for any given starter motor, when machined you obviously get it made for correct centre size
& a ring of bolts to secure it to the chainwheel with spacers in between the 2 gears
- Do you put a cush drive in the rear transmission anywhere? Nope – but then I wanted hard & brutal, like a race car, adding a cush drive only
makes them marginally less brutal & why add weight & complication
- Do you hard mount the ZZR14 motor or can you poly bush it for less vibration? I poly mounted the first one I did, the engine mounts at the front are
close to the exhaust & I foolishly used poly bushes – it melted them allowing the engine to move around & chuck the chain off – they are all
solid mounted now, you feel very little vibes from the engine tho’
- Have you got some pictures of the motor front sprocket area? Not an area I usually picture, but as luck has it I happen to have one in bits I’ve
just taken a couple of pics, will post in a day or 2 – not sure how much it will tell you tho’
- Where do I start with a design for the engine cradle / rear suspension mounting design? 2 ways of going at it. Best way is to wait until you have an
engine, decide how/where you want the suspension around it & work from there, that way involves least compromise & should be neatest/lightest.
I was restricted in that we wanted to use car engines as well, hence chassis was designed around a car engine & the bike engine sits in its own
cradle which mounts the diff & the whole lot drops into the frame. I could give you the size of the engine bay & you could work similarly
& then just drop the engine in in a cradle afterwards, or I could flog you the rear section of a chassis, but if I was doing your project I would
start with engine/suspension & work from there
- What rear hubs / uprights do you use? I use the Toyota donor again, with some modifications, but my recommendation would be to look at what is
readily available for anything using IRS, like 7’s, & probably go that route unless you can find somethingthat’s particularly good elsewhere.
Remember, it’s far easier to use an existing diff/driveshafts/hubs etc. which all marries together & if necessary mount the engine slightly off
centre rather than get the engine dead centre & then try to make everything else work around it
Fantastic Russ. Thanks for the reply!
I've been trying to work out whether there is a slightly easier conversion (more space / possibly RWD standard) but I really can find anything I
prefer than a ridiculous iQ like this one...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/YPfPQc2TLpAAsmHs5
So I'm set on it, therefore I have to work out a way of stacking the engine slightly higher above the diff (similar to what people have done for
smart car conversions).
Anyone know the diff and jack shaft combo that people use for these conversions? Or do people tend to fabricate from scratch?
All the feedback is really useful, so thanks for that. Just slowly forming a plan for my project based on all this!
Chris.
[Edited on 12-4-19 by Winston Todge]
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Dracula
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| posted on 12/4/19 at 06:50 AM |
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Thanks Sorin.
I love these build pictures! Looks like an awesome project car. Is the spaceframe your design? Or based on a kit of some sort?
Looks like the WestGarage diff is a great bit of kit. Very tempted to get one, just need to finish the house DIY first before I'm allowed to
spend money... Seems like a slightly unfair deal now I think of it...
What is your rear driveshafts / uprights and hubs based on? Donor car?
Ta,
C.
Hi
I have bought the frame and body from Italy. (http://www.500maxi.com/ ) The uprights and hubs is from Fiat Punto. The driveshafts are also from
Fiat punto but they need modification. (Too short) I will buy new ones from http://berrisford.co.uk/index.php/driveshafts.html . West Garage diff is a
very nice unit. A little pricey but you get what you pay for .
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jnEqMS48FEYV6ZNw6
// Sorin
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Winston Todge
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| posted on 12/4/19 at 07:41 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Dracula
Thanks Sorin.
I love these build pictures! Looks like an awesome project car. Is the spaceframe your design? Or based on a kit of some sort?
Looks like the WestGarage diff is a great bit of kit. Very tempted to get one, just need to finish the house DIY first before I'm allowed to
spend money... Seems like a slightly unfair deal now I think of it...
What is your rear driveshafts / uprights and hubs based on? Donor car?
Ta,
C.
Hi
I have bought the frame and body from Italy. (http://www.500maxi.com/ ) The uprights and hubs is from Fiat Punto. The driveshafts are also from
Fiat punto but they need modification. (Too short) I will buy new ones from http://berrisford.co.uk/index.php/driveshafts.html . West Garage diff is a
very nice unit. A little pricey but you get what you pay for .
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jnEqMS48FEYV6ZNw6
// Sorin
Love this kit! What is the cost of the frame and body? Couldn't see on the website (Plus my Italian is not that great... )
Ta!
C.
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Dracula
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| posted on 12/4/19 at 12:00 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Winston Todge
quote:
Originally posted by Dracula
Thanks Sorin.
I love these build pictures! Looks like an awesome project car. Is the spaceframe your design? Or based on a kit of some sort?
Looks like the WestGarage diff is a great bit of kit. Very tempted to get one, just need to finish the house DIY first before I'm allowed to
spend money... Seems like a slightly unfair deal now I think of it...
What is your rear driveshafts / uprights and hubs based on? Donor car?
Ta,
C.
Hi
I have bought the frame and body from Italy. (http://www.500maxi.com/ ) The uprights and hubs is from Fiat Punto. The driveshafts are also from
Fiat punto but they need modification. (Too short) I will buy new ones from http://berrisford.co.uk/index.php/driveshafts.html . West Garage diff is a
very nice unit. A little pricey but you get what you pay for .
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jnEqMS48FEYV6ZNw6
// Sorin
Love this kit! What is the cost of the frame and body? Couldn't see on the website (Plus my Italian is not that great... )
Ta!
C.
Hi
The prices it's always negotiable in Italy . Depends how good you are on negotiating .Its not a real " kit " more like you order
what you need . Quality it's not so good unfortunately . It gonna take a lots of work until everything its like i whant them to be .
Sorin
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