Automotive Engine in a 4x4 UTV??

[Simonomis]

Hi All,

New to the thread - Ive started design a UTV and would desperately love to include an automotive style engine - 1.6l ford Duratec anyone? (im english btw please dont hold that against me ) Also would like it to be 4x4 - need to define the drive-train components before going any further with the frame design - here's what I have so far:

Does anyone know of a build where a auto engine has been used?

Trouble im having is find a gearbox, transfer box, front and rear Diffs

Cheers Guys

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[motive]

If you are set on using an auto engine, just use the entire engine/transmission combo from a front wheel drive vehicle. Turn the engine 90* in the chassis. Now there is no need to find a separate transfer case. Something like Subaru diffs are easy to find. This combo will yield a very low gear ratio as it is effectively going through double ring and pinion reductions. Still the top speed could be close to that of a UTV. There has been a number of rock crawlers built this way and I'm sure you could easily find some videos on Youtube.

 

[Simonomis]

Thanks for the reply - I have been considering this option quite carefully recently - theres a few of hurdles to overcome with this: number one is: i would like at least 60mph top speed - ive kinda exhausted the search for a tall ratio differentials i was hoping for at least 2:1 but the tallest I can find is around 2.78 I think. This means if you take a say 130mph top speed (and wheel diameter roughly the same) your final speed would be 47mph - I would love to find a 2:1 diff - anybody know of a diff or kit to achieve this?.

The next thing which i think would be easy enough is to find a FWD engine with a limited slip diff - this would provide a fairly good AWD solution as opposed to one that would allow front and rear to slip (then LSD front and rear would be also good additions for a good all round AWD system)

The third thing is the engine would be quite off center (maybe) meaning the COG would be off to one side as generally FWD engines have the engine forward of the drive shafts - so depending on final engine choice might be able to minimise this.

If anybody could help with the first point id be eternally greatfull and you would be regarded by me as a hero of the first order!

Cheers

 

[motive]

You are not going to find a 2:1 differential out of anything automotive. I have also seen a motorcycle engine output mated to an automotive transmission in a similar layout. The higher RPM ceiling of the motorcycle engine would overcome the differential gear ratio.