rear engine donor body suggestions for smart fortwo .8l cdi diesel engine/trans

[new_bug]

Looking for opinions on the "easiest" or "lightest" vehicles with rear or mid engine to swap a smart 450 fortwo diesel engine/drivetrain into.

the 2005-2006 fortwo was sold in Canada with this engine but cant technically really be imported to the usa..

Some brief background, the .8l cdi is integrated with the transmission and computer, so donor body will get a complete engine/trans and complete wiring harness, cluster, ecu swap, with everything unneccessary deleted and coded using mb star diagnostic program by a master mercedes mechanic.


70-80s vehicles, or possibly earlier... are probably the sweet spot, as it just helps to avoid all the emissions and electrical headaches that come with newer vehicles when doing a swap. this will help keep it (relatively) low budget

I will share a large list of vehicle options i have come up with, but want to hear some suggestions first so i dont influence anyone with my prior ideas.

I am in the states (so selection is a lot different than europe) and there arent really a lot of rear engine vehicles. there are some out there obviously and some european and asian oddball imports that have been imported with enough frequency to consider them.
however in my situation, anything extremely rare or extremely expensive is not an option. I'm not going to use a lotus, for example.

the avion is one custom vehicle that has used this engine. im sure there are a few others, and LOTS of people who have thought about the idea..


the goal of this project will be ultimate mpg at 55mph with a more utilitarian and universally appreciated (or just different) body style vs the fortwo (people either love it or hate it). it would be cool if the vehicle could double as a mini "pickup truck" work car, or hauler, but obviously not required.

although aeordynamics is an important consideration, it is not going to be the biggest consideration in picking a body platform. light weight of the (stripped to a bare minimum) platform IS a very important concern, as the cdi is a little sluggish (although adequate) in the fortwo with a curb weight of 1775lbs...

thank you for any input!!!

[oil pan 4]

Air cooled VW.
Pontiac ferrio.

[Stubby79]

Second for the Fiero. But you'll have to lose a good bit of weight to push it around with the Smart drive train. Or hybridize it. In which case you might as well use a Prius drive train.

The notchbacks are about 2400lbs. The fastbacks/GTs are about 2700. The lightest I've seen a severely stripped out GT was right around the 2000lb mark. Assuming the diesel drivetrain weighs less than the stock Fiero, you could probably get a notchback down to 2000lbs and still have an interior. If you're lucky. That's still heavier than the Smart.

The original MR2s weighed about 2200lbs. Doubt you can make it much lighter than the Fiero, mind you. There's plenty of dead weight on a Fiero and I doubt there is on an MR2

I'd say stuff it in the back of a Geo Metro...but you'd have a bunch of body/metalwork to do. OTOH, a first gen Insight is already a 2-seater and has the IMA battery filling up space in the back...you'd still have body/metalwork to do, but it would be as light or lighter than a Metro, and you'd not really notice the interior space being taken up by the engine in the back.

[Baltothewolf]

Honda insight. I know you want an older rear/mid engine vehicle, but man an insight shell can be had for ~500 bucks and power steering is electric so no need to worry about a pump for that, and it's super light on top or that.

[jakobnev]

Fiat 1/9:

[LittleBlackDuck]

Fiat X1/9 or MR2 are mid engined.

Simon

[freebeard]

1750lb is the weight of a 1950s Beetle. Please don't cut one up! Or a first gen Insight!

A Baja Beetle, minus the bumpers and with fiberglass fenders, without the off-road roll cage and beefed-up suspension should be around 1500lb. A sand rail around 800-1200.

Here's a swap meet body that would be a good start.

[rmay635703]

The ideal 4 passenger 900lb car for that setup is a 1970 Subaru 360, whole kabootle should drop in without mods,
but make sure to decide whether you want to flare fenders for original smart tires or convert to the original tires.

I would estimate over 100mpg driving normally and scary acceleration (seriously you could flip)

Good Luck
Ryan

[acparker]

Fiat 600/Zastava 750 is a great city car. Much more spacious than a 500 (I am 6'1" and could just fit in one, more or less). A lanky young Serbian told me that tall drivers would take out the driver's seat and drive from the back bench. It can park in spaces a few inches longer than its overall length. Wouldn't want to be in a collision in one. I never drove in one much faster than 40 mph, but it was invigorating at that speed. Freeway driving would probably be terrifying. Serious understeer at higher speeds. Rare cars in the US, but there are some out there, though many sellers consider them collector cars. Hipster cred?

[gumby79]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...08317246052718
VW BUG aero mod ,freebeard I think you'll like this one.