Bugout4x4

Thank you for doing that. I like showing off your Bug.

It really is a cool calling card of your abilities man!

5-Speed

Not a problem! Glad you enjoy it. Keep on sharing it.

Would you call me crazy if I moved the engine up to the front? But not all the way up. More like a front mid engine meaning the very front of the engine would be sitting about at the center of the front wheels.

Bugout4x4

No I wouldn't, So basically front wheel drive but more mass behind the axle? There is a lot to this configuration for hard cornering abilities. It's one of the reasons they are popular for Rally Racing. The only drawback might be having the rear too light causing it to spin out easy. This is also an issue with rally cars.

Know what? Probably wouldn't hurt to go poke around in the rally car stuff to see what they currently have going on. Might find some info about this configuration from those who are already doing it?

Bugout4x4

And this link has a ride along video.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f9/aut...my-bug-237969/

5-Speed

No not quite like that. More of a traditional front engine rwd setup but with the engine pushed way back. I would have to change over from my current transaxle to a standard transmission and add some sort of rear end. It would be very close to a 50/50 weight distribution compared to my current 65/35.

XJIrish4x4

That is just sick man I read the entire article! I couldn't get video to work here at work but I imagine its bad *** to see. You did some good work my friend. I always loved the Bugs.

5-Speed

Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks. If you want to see more, just go to Google and type in "Bugzilla mid engine Bug". It will pop up pretty much everything on it.

Bugout4x4

Oh, front engine rear wheel drive! The configuration you are now describing would be similar to early British Sports cars! They were very controllable with the rear end broke loose and spinning. I don't know if that would be an advantage or not in your style of racing? Just have to remember that all inline configurations have a torque to one side, so it is going to corner well turning one way, but poorly turning the other way. Is anyone running anything like that in the racing you are involved in now? I don't know much about that racing style just curious?

5-Speed

Ya you got it now! In the racing I do, you really need the rear to be able to turn. With my current setup, the rear does not turn. Its a plow in slow sharp corners and giving it more gas just makes it worse. Coming out of long turns is where it shines right now but most of the tracks are short with sharp turns. The thing I really dont like about the current setup is the snap over steer. If the rear end steps out and you dont catch it in a split second, you are going all the way around and there is nothing you can do to help. Common mid engine problem.

Most of the guys I race against are your typical front engine rwd setups. Lots of Corvettes, Camaros, Mustangs, BMWs, classic cars with a ton of work and a few awd cars. They all carry more speed then me during the turn but I can mash the throttle on the way out of the turn where they cant. If they do, they get sideways. But sometimes, getting sideways out of a turn sets you up perfectly for the next turn. As you know, there are pros and cons to each setup but I believe for what I do, a front engine rwd setup would be best.

Bugout4x4

If you are competing against cars that have the same configuration I think you will have a rocket! But where are you going to sit? lol

I take it you will be moving everything to the back? That's how the early British sports cars were, you basically sat where the back seat should belong.

5-Speed

Based on the rough measurements I have done, I would only sit back 6-8" from where I am at now. But yes, pretty much the entire dash will have to move back as well. But by doing that, I can add in AC and a heater so I could drive it more. Bad news is that I dont think my blower will work in that configuration. The throttle body would point right at the firewall. Turbo time?

Bugout4x4

Oh no! Move some firewall! Make it fit! lol You are not going to like the throttle response at all compared to the blower. And I think that from what I saw in your track run videos you want that instant on instant off response you have now, the distances are too close together. By the time your turbo spools up you will just have to let off for the turn. It might not do much good at all in that situation.

5-Speed

Haha ya I know it wouldn't be the right combo. Would work great for big track days and make some real good power. But not good for short courses. If I ever got rid of the blower, I know I would regret it. With the size of the cams its got, it would be a dog to 4k. The blower makes up for that. Right now I have the perfect combo of low end tq and peak hp near 8000 rpms. Thats a hard combo to come by.

Bugout4x4

I could just vision you sticking your foot in it and saying "where the hell is it?". lol

Ever watch street outlaws? The one guy has been struggling throughout the whole series trying to make his turbo motor hang in there against the blown motors. They even gave him special rule changes so that he could pre-spool his turbo at launch.

5-Speed

I did some more measuring last night and its just going to be too much work to get the engine up front in the location where I want. So tossing that idea out the window. Looks like the blower will stay on.

And back to boring Jeep news, I ordered new pre-cats.... Supposed to be here today but no, Fedex didnt deliver due to "conditions". What conditions?