550 Spyder (1300 lbs) + TDI diesel

[nathanabbott]

Hi, folks. Noob, here. Just bought a Thunder Ranch 550 Spyder (replica of James Dean's Porsche) & had a bad idea (my favorite kind):

Can you install a modern VW diesel engine (ala Top Gear's "Project Sipster")? In a 550? Has anyone tried?

I'm aware of the many reasons NOT to do it, but is it POSSIBLE? A 1300 lb car + a motor that pulls 40MPGs in a 3000 lb Jetta has to be good for at least decent gas mileage, right? If a watercooled Subaru WRX engine, will work, why not a diesel? Tom @ Thunder Ranch told me it could be done... with a little creativity in the motor mounts/half shafts dept.

I'm no mechanic so I reserve the right to be wrong about everything.

But if If anyone can, I'm hiring :-)

[cfg83]

nathanabbott -

WELCOME TO EM! I've been waiting for years for someone to Ecomod a 550 Spyder!!!

The following is very simplistic, but I think it shows what the possibilities could be :

    x constant / 3000 lbs = 46 MPG

=> x constant = 46 * 3000 = 138000 constant

Assume diesel engine adds 100 lbs => 1300 + 100 = 1400 lbs

=> 138000 constant / 1400 lbs = ? MPG
=> 138000 / 1400 = 98 MPG POSSIBLE(?!?!?!)

I'm not car mechanical smart, but as long as there is enough clearance, I would think it could be done. I am thinking the "normal" FWD layout of a TDI would interfere with the process (or just increase the cost of doing it). The mid-engine 550 was just a reverse-mounted boxer engine. I also think you could get even more MPG with a smaller displacement TDI engine from Europe. But maybe that would make things harder to to certify.

I edited your title to say "550 Spyder" instead of Pyder. I hope that's ok. I guess Pyder could be an "in the know" contraction of "Porsche + Spyder".

CarloSW2

[cfg83]

nathanabbott -

Maybe talk to Craig :

Saturn TDI

CarloSW2

[Frank Lee]

I knew you'd be all over this!

[Old Mechanic]

I remember a post here by someone who put a diesel in a 356 replica.

I am thinking about one in my $700 MG replicar with a 73 VW platform.

regards
Mech

[Old Mechanic]

Here you go.

hello from NNY (Porsche 356 diesel conversion)

regards
Mech

[nathanabbott]

Thanks, guys. I shook the bushes @ all the VW TDI forums, too. (most replies so far: ecomodder:-).

Here's what i've found, RE: radiator placement:
- VW Scirocco radiator may fit up front
- radiator might work in a Porsche whale tail
- small Porsche 997 radiators could work in front or behind the rear fender vents
- flux capacitor

I'll keep you guys posted on project status.

Oh! BTW, "basjoos" lives just across the state line from me. Time to aeromod a Porsche...

[nathanabbott]

"Pyder"... "Spyder"... Yeah, I guess that works, too . Thx, '83

[cfg83]

Frank -

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I knew you'd be all over this!

Ha ha, I'm such a broken record!!! I drooled over the Beck 550 Spyder in the 1980's. 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, monster shaky-crazy versions at the Knott's Berry Farm Kit Car show. I always imagined that it was very plausible to drive one under a trailer (in an action movie, of course).

CarloSW2

[nathanabbott]

Haha! While you're at it, I can't see why you couldn't rock a James Bond car plane (Roger Moore, tMWTGG) with a 550.

Like you'd even need more than a parasail.