Crazy thought - Mid Engine 911 fab?

[DGriz]

These are the sort of nutty thoughts that get me through a lunch hour spinning class...

Prior to the Cayman, did anyone ever try to build a mid engine 911 for better balance?

Would it be even possible to reverse an air cooled 911's engine and transmission, so that the engine sat in front of the rear wheels?

Lots of issues, fabrication, etc I know...But food for stupid rambling thoughts. Dickson

[polo classic]

Yes, Porsche did. They called it 914

[TRE Cup]

Two shops did it for racing purposes
Dave Klym (Fab car) built two that i know of. One was raced by Charlie Slater, who owned imsa at the time. And the other was the yellow/black SI Valves car. Both competed in the 24 hours of Daytona, but needed more development time. They were semi tube chassis using stylized 993 body work

Gunnar Racing built a green 993-ish version as well. It MAY have been based on a Fab car chassis, but i never asked

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by polo classic

Yes, Porsche did. They called it 914-6

Fixed it for you

[TRE Cup]

You mean the Pre-Cayman ?

[Cory M]

Here's some info on the Gunnar Racing car:

Car Spotlight>>the Gunnar G-93 | Speedhunters

[DGriz]

Cool!

[porsche930dude]

I believe it is possible to swap the ring gear to the other side in some transmissions im not sure which ones. that allows for the mid engine. mounting the engine is the easy part. suspention is the tricky bit. coil overs for sure but then you have to figure out some kind of trailing arm arangement. shifter design is easy enough . take a design from a formula vee

[HawgRyder]

If you are taking the time to construct the frame points necessary for a mid engine...then the amount of time to configure it for equal...or unequal A-arm suspension at the rear is minimal.
Personally I would be looking at equal a-arms...with inboard discs to lighten up the unsprung weight.
Bob

[GH85Carrera]

The 911 GT1 was mid engine as well as I remember.

[HelmetHead]

Funny! Yesterday, I was thinking it would be kind of cool to stick a newer boxster drivetrain into a 911 tub

[Jack Stands]

I saw one at Perfect Power in Illinois. I think that Sol Snyderman built that one, but I'm not sure.

Certainly looked nice!

[burtm5]

I instructed at mid ohio 6 or so years ago in a 71 T that had been converted to mid engine. Left very little room for the seats. scary because the engine is right behind your head with nothing between you and engine but the seat. The driver/fabricator worked at fordmoco IIRC and worked on the ford gt which he also had. later after pumping up the 911 motor he ran faster times at MO with the Porsche than the ford gt. The car may still be in the Detroit area. best Henry

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by Cory M

Here's some info on the Gunnar Racing car:

Car Spotlight>>the Gunnar G-93 | Speedhunters

Wow, what is that behind it?

[Kraftwerk]

I seem to remember hearing of racers moving the engine forward about 4 inches or so.