Moving the Trans?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,484
Likes: 2
From: Dayton, OH HAWG: "this is Off Topic...it can get a bit north of care bears and strawberry shortcake in here"
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Moving the Trans?
Has anyone with a C4 moved the tranny back towards the rear to improve weight balance (a la C5)? 
And before I get the obligatory "You're a complete moron for even thinking about this!" posts it's just a thought experiment to discover if someone had done it, or what you would have to do if you wanted to. I'm not planning an all out redesign, just thinking about the problem and wishing to discuss amongst ourselves.
And before I get the obligatory "You're a complete moron for even thinking about this!" posts it's just a thought experiment to discover if someone had done it, or what you would have to do if you wanted to. I'm not planning an all out redesign, just thinking about the problem and wishing to discuss amongst ourselves.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 10
From: College Station TX
That would require a lot of engineering to make it work. The C5 has the trans and rear end bolted together. I'm not sure how you would work that on a C4. Plus, the torque tube setup would require a lot of work to get right. Also, I doubt there is room back there for it to fit (the trans tunnel is a lot wider at the front for a reason).
I would say for the time/money/effort, you might as well just buy a C5 and be ahead in not only weight distribution, but engine and suspension as well.
I would say for the time/money/effort, you might as well just buy a C5 and be ahead in not only weight distribution, but engine and suspension as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
And before I get the obligatory "You're a complete moron for even thinking about this!" posts...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 10
From: College Station TX
With that said, even a C5 is still slightly front heavy. I weighed my friends stock 98 Hatch on Saturday:
LF 821 RF 867
LR 818 RR 796
This was completely and totally full of gas. That works out to 51.112% front weight bias.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,856
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Look into relocating the battery 1st. There's kits and it's a lot cheaper!
There's quite a few races with more weight on the rear wheels than the front. And the trans is in the stock location.
BTW C5/6's have real heat issues with the transaxle. Not enough air to cool it. The C6's have built in coolers.
There's quite a few races with more weight on the rear wheels than the front. And the trans is in the stock location.
BTW C5/6's have real heat issues with the transaxle. Not enough air to cool it. The C6's have built in coolers.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Damn the trans and bellhousing barely fit in there as is. I don't see it being significant unless you moved the entire tunnel back to make room. Then the seats and center console don't fit.
