I know that the engine offset on a C3 is 1.5 inches towards the passenger side.. Is it the same on amount on a C4?

 

'drive-line' is offset but I don't recall 'ever' seeing a dimension mentioned. I'd think maybe 1"/25mm or close. I didn't realize a C3 was actually 1.5"

 

Thanks!

 

I hate to ask a dumb question but I am going to do it. Why would they offset an engine? Is it only for packaging? I mean I could see a reason if the rear end is also offset.

 

It was for more foot room for the driver.

 

That's mentioned often BUT for nearly all manufacturers it allows room for steering box/ column shafts and much other, Weight bias is often a mention.

 

What about right hand drive models?

 

That had/has absolutely nothing to do with the C4 'originally' intended assembly/design. Nothin'

 

It aligns the engine and transmission with the pinion shaft of the differential.

Live well,

SJW

 

Thank you all for the answers!

 

I remember when I was a 19 year old kid and I swapped the first motor in my 84. I had the hood off and once it was set in there in the motor mounts I stood at the front of the car and looked straight at the new engine. I was convinced that I did something wrong. I thought I had a motor mount on wrong because I could see the engine sitting closer to one side. My buddy was laughing at me watching me trying to pry the motor over with a 4' bar. After I struggled for a while he let me in on the secret. But I never measured to see how much difference there is.

 

Someone with the C-Beam, drive-shaft removed and transmission properly supported could easily measure center of out-put shaft to each side side rail I'd think. It's done to accommodate many components.

 

I would think the offset would match the rear center section. Measure one and see if the pinion centerline is offset. The axles are the same length so any offset will have to be in the center section. I guess the factory could have built in a slight offset to promote u joint bearing rotation.

 

It's not much offset. I can say the passenger side header is closer to the chassis but I also don't trust that the front end frame section is "perfectly" symmetrical nor that the headers overall outward dimension from the exhaust flange is exactly identical either.

 

My hood isn't 100% aligned, and im sure some other factors will throw this measurement off, but this gives you an idea.. about an inch offset.

 

the offset to the right is a pain in the butt in a RHD converted C4 - just enough room for a brake pedal and accelerator pedal, gotta drive with 2 feet.