Mid-engine Corvette o.O
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,664
Likes: 49
From: Atlanta GA
Mid-engine Corvette o.O
I'm not sure if this has been posted before but this is an interesting mod indeed.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Falco...item2eb72e9c96
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Falco...item2eb72e9c96
Acct suspended by request 21 Sept 2011
Joined: Oct 2010
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It is interesting because it is unique, and thank you for sharing. Its uniqueness in this case, I believe, is due solely to it being a Corvette Mod. Otherwise, it looks somewhat like a mixture of a DeLorean and a 70s Ferrari, both of which are decades old designs. So, to that extent, it fails to ring my bell. Your opinions may vary.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,600
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From: F'burg VA
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '20,'22,'24 thru '26
I think it looks pretty cool, but they could have included some pictures showing the engine bay, what it looks like under the hood, etc. Too many exterior body shots.
Can they call it a 2012 Corvette? - I think that's misleading and wrong since it's a 1997 Corvette conversion.
Can they call it a 2012 Corvette? - I think that's misleading and wrong since it's a 1997 Corvette conversion.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Instead of a mid engine I'd call it a rear engine. All the weight in that car is going to be on the rear tires. Good for traction but it isn't going to handle very well and nothing like a C6.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Austin Texas
For it to be a rear engine the engine would have to be behind the rear axle. Mid engine design is better balanced for handling than a front or rear engine.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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I believe in the Beer Fairy
Exactly. By moving all the parts around they have upset the cars balance. I think that is why no shots of the engine bay or under the old hood. I do like the looks, but really, calling it a corvette.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
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From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
You're thinking of "normal" cars where the engine and transmission are mounted together. The C6 is almost perfectly balanced as is (51/49). If you move the engine back more than an inch or 2 from where it is now the rear gets heavy and the handling is going to suffer. A mid-engine C6 with the same engine and transmission would be a real handful in turns with insane over-steer.
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
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From: Woodlands TX
I think it looks pretty cool, but they could have included some pictures showing the engine bay, what it looks like under the hood, etc. Too many exterior body shots.
Can they call it a 2012 Corvette? - I think that's misleading and wrong since it's a 1997 Corvette conversion.
Can they call it a 2012 Corvette? - I think that's misleading and wrong since it's a 1997 Corvette conversion.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
You're thinking of "normal" cars where the engine and transmission are mounted together. The C6 is almost perfectly balanced as is (51/49). If you move the engine back more than an inch or 2 from where it is now the rear gets heavy and the handling is going to suffer. A mid-engine C6 with the same engine and transmission would be a real handful in turns with insane over-steer.
of the mid engine design is centered.
One mass at the center of gravity compared to one mass ahead and one mass behind the center of gravity. Picture 4 wheels with an engine in front and a transmission /differential in the rear compared to 4 wheels with the engine/transmission/differential between the wheels in one mass.
Race Director
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From: Wayne Township WI
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,664
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From: Atlanta GA
I think $185k is way too much for a custom car. That price range is well approaching the used Gallardo and Ferrari California range where people would most likely buy those instead.I think the interesting point here is the notion that a mid-engine LSx engine is possible and here is a proof-of-concept that is operational (I think they track this car, but not sure). GM needs to take cues from this and really put some effort into innovation and develop a mid-engine Corvette. Whatever it takes to 'move things around' for great handling should be done, it has been done before by other car manufacturers. The result would be a Corvette that would sell like hotcakes (if priced right) because there is currently no American production sports car with a mid-engine design.
