Mid-engine vette
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: West Virginia
I agree in general, but I'm not sure that the GTM using a Porsche transaxle supports the argument: last time I checked, it cost more than a LSx crate motor.
{I'm also curious how they got the LSx PCM to play nice with whatever controller the Porsche unit uses, unless it's a decades-old full-manual transaxle, which raises a whole new set of potentially expensive issues.)
{I'm also curious how they got the LSx PCM to play nice with whatever controller the Porsche unit uses, unless it's a decades-old full-manual transaxle, which raises a whole new set of potentially expensive issues.)
But my point was that you would need a "real" transaxle not the inline arrangement the Vettes currently have. Luggage space is the big issue with mid engined cars, no doubt. But I stand by my original comment that it could be done at a similar build cost to the current Vette. And no reason why it should be cramped inside. Yes, some people build mid engined exotics with eye watering prices, but think Toyota MR2, and even the Fiero, as proof it can be done to a budget.
The bigger issue is whether the Corvette faithful would buy a mid engined car. Many people here seem very conservative in that respect. The Porsche 911 crew certainly would not switch - they are buying a self image and a badge, not a car.
Last edited by jackthelad; Jun 27, 2015 at 02:05 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,012
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From: Anaheim CA
Yeah, there is actually. The current safety regs constrain the placement of some critical bits, like gas tank(s), pedals, etc. With the amount of stuff that has to be between the axles, you either end up with a wheelbase too long to be compatible with sports-car nimbleness or a cramped cabin. Porsche tried to compromise with the Boxster/Cayman, but it still has a wheelbase 4" longer than the 911. And the current 'Vettes are already too long IMHO.
(Porsche is a horse of a different color, given the gyrations they've gone through over the years to make sure the Boxster/Cayman can't compete on an equal footing with the 911.)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: KcMo.
2018 C5 of Year Winner
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
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From: West Virginia
Lee,
Yeah, but......the Audi R8 is almost exactly the same size as a Vette, and they seem to package everything in OK, including a longitudinal V8. And they have AWD in there as well. The problem would I think be luggage space - no way to equal today's Vette I suspect.
But, it's doable, if Chevrolet ever wanted to do it.
As to the MR2, it actually had a long life - intro in the mid 1980's, last US year 2005.
The Fiero was a parts box special - Chevette front suspension, Citation rear, and it showed. Almost at the end of its run, they finally gave it decent suspension and braking, (and the V6), but by then it had established a bit of a rep for unreliability - and catching fire. Had GM got it right out of the box, it might have been another story.
But that is a big chunk of the "old" GM story, IMHO. Just think of their attempts to produce diesel cars on the cheap.....
You have to wonder how the Vette ever survived, that alone flourished.
Yeah, but......the Audi R8 is almost exactly the same size as a Vette, and they seem to package everything in OK, including a longitudinal V8. And they have AWD in there as well. The problem would I think be luggage space - no way to equal today's Vette I suspect.
But, it's doable, if Chevrolet ever wanted to do it.
As to the MR2, it actually had a long life - intro in the mid 1980's, last US year 2005.
The Fiero was a parts box special - Chevette front suspension, Citation rear, and it showed. Almost at the end of its run, they finally gave it decent suspension and braking, (and the V6), but by then it had established a bit of a rep for unreliability - and catching fire. Had GM got it right out of the box, it might have been another story.
But that is a big chunk of the "old" GM story, IMHO. Just think of their attempts to produce diesel cars on the cheap.....
You have to wonder how the Vette ever survived, that alone flourished.
Last edited by jackthelad; Jun 29, 2015 at 04:40 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 23
From: Anaheim CA
Lee,
Yeah, but......the Audi R8 is almost exactly the same size as a Vette, and they seem to package everything in OK, including a longitudinal V8. And they have AWD in there as well. The problem would I think be luggage space - no way to equal today's Vette I suspect.
But, it's doable, if Chevrolet ever wanted to do it.
As to the MR2, it actually had a long life - intro in the mid 1980's, last US year 2005.
The Fiero was a parts box special - Chevette front suspension, Citation rear, and it showed. Almost at the end of its run, they finally gave it decent suspension and braking, (and the V6), but by then it had established a bit of a rep for unreliability - and catching fire. Had GM got it right out of the box, it might have been another story.
But that is a big chunk of the "old" GM story, IMHO. Just think of their attempts to produce diesel cars on the cheap.....
You have to wonder how the Vette ever survived, that alone flourished.
Yeah, but......the Audi R8 is almost exactly the same size as a Vette, and they seem to package everything in OK, including a longitudinal V8. And they have AWD in there as well. The problem would I think be luggage space - no way to equal today's Vette I suspect.
But, it's doable, if Chevrolet ever wanted to do it.
As to the MR2, it actually had a long life - intro in the mid 1980's, last US year 2005.
The Fiero was a parts box special - Chevette front suspension, Citation rear, and it showed. Almost at the end of its run, they finally gave it decent suspension and braking, (and the V6), but by then it had established a bit of a rep for unreliability - and catching fire. Had GM got it right out of the box, it might have been another story.
But that is a big chunk of the "old" GM story, IMHO. Just think of their attempts to produce diesel cars on the cheap.....
You have to wonder how the Vette ever survived, that alone flourished.
Point made about the MR2...I quit paying attention to them when they started making that ugly-*** Spyder.
(Still trying to forget the POS early Fiero I owned, so we'll ignore that for now.
)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 23
From: Anaheim CA
Just to be clear (again), I agree it's doable, and it would probably be a very cool car. (Not one I myself would want to own as an only car or even daily driver, but that's another issue altogether.)
Or at least it could be a very cool car. I question whether GM would allow such a car to hit the dealer floor without at least as good a profit margin as the C7, and I think that's where either the "affordability" or "coolness" aspect would fall by the wayside.
Or at least it could be a very cool car. I question whether GM would allow such a car to hit the dealer floor without at least as good a profit margin as the C7, and I think that's where either the "affordability" or "coolness" aspect would fall by the wayside.
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