So i have been thinking about doing this for a long time, about since the nsx crx project began back in the day. and with the recent RWD swaps, the flame has new fuel.

Basically i want to do a mid engine RWD swap into the back of the rex, most likely a b16. as stock as possible, well at least to begin with . Here is where it gets tricky, i also want to have a b16 in the front, thus the dual engine. Now if some of the more intelligent people would give me some insight on this one i would appriciate it.

my main question is; will this be advantagous to having just one engine in the rear. all the theorizing i have done tells me yes that they will both help eachother in order to propel the car faster than just one engine could. Not to mention the better traction(well acceleration anyways). im not really looking for questions or comments on the mechanical workings of this, so please leave them out .

one last thing, i searched a lot but couldn't find any mention of this being done before. has it? if not why?


thanks

 

ask the people that built the 2-engine hyundai?

 

ya i saw that vid, pretty nuts. there are more dual engine cars too, like an audi tt, the escudo(at times), and more i can't think of right now.

well firstly i will be looking for a suitable shell, so thats where im at right now

 

i dont think the engines themselves would be a problem. i think you have to think more along the lines getting the transmissions synchronized perfectly, as far as shifting. i dont have a clue to how you would be able to shift two manual transmissions at the same time. or you just hook them up to automatic trannys and save yourself some possible headaches lol....

 

hah ya two autos, i have thought of running one auto 1 stick, but in my head i think i have figured out how to make both the shift linkages work. you really don't need to have any syncronization, since the engines will sync themselves really.

think about it, if you have your front tires up in the air and jam the gas, that engine is going to rev to redline in a matter of seconds. this translates into the rear engine helping the front engine(and visa versa) get to speed. the biggest problem will be traction, the rear should have more traction and the front should be burning out(somewhat) since the rear engine will be pushing the car up to speed the front will burn out less. and once you shift the road speed will force each wheel to sync up. the best way to over come the launch traction issue will be to simply put in a rev limiter that will allow the engines to bounce the limiter without causing damage(ie lower rev limit), along with some upgraded valve springs and retainers.

or you could solve the problem with 4 nicer 225 tires and 2 nice LSDs, i wouldn't see much traction problems then

so i have been doing more researching, and talking with my friend/co builder, along with my boss at the race track(can anyone say HUGE garage and all the fab tools you need), and im going to slowly start the process. my biggest concern right now is fund limiting, i don't have mucho denaro so goings might be slow... hell i might have to settle with some d16s in her before i can scrape together the cash for some real engines. if this gets off the ground, expect to hear about it, i will document it as much as i can.

 

yeah you would probably want LSDs on both ends. and also, both tranies would have to be identical, and doing a dual shift linkage wouldnt be that tough, whitesol (the rwd del sol guy) built his linkage that allows him to run 2 if he likes, talk to him, he can help you out in that department. i think too much power in this would start to hurt driveabilty as if you have the front wheels spinning and the back starts to break away you could get into trouble real fast

 

thanks for the lead. at this point im pretty sure it is do-able. my first plans are to use 2 obd o b16s, with ys1 trannies. i was playing with the idea of using LS trannies though. I think the ys1 would be easiest considering its a package deal and its a simple cable actuated clutch.

 

ok after doing some researching, parts sourcing, and most importantly pricing(im cheap), i have decided on this.

Initially
88-91(hopefully an 88) hf or dx model crx
full cage, possibly tieing the cage into the engine supports etc.
b16 in front b16 in rear, both with ys1 trannies, OEM LSD if i can find em.
MSD rev limits on both, keeping a safe rpm when traction loss.
MSD Launch control, individual, i think the rear should be able to launch at a higher rpm than the front.


I have a very wild idea in my head, that will work and DEFINENTLY has not been done before, but im choosing to keep that in my head. lets just say if i do this, expect it to to be pretty nuts. thats all im gonna say for now

 

I HIGHLY reccomend cable trannies, both manual, same exact tranny and same exact motor setup, so youll have to **** with air intakes and exhaust flow.

This is a very impractical modification, but it IS doable, given enough welding.

I do know a guy with a EM1 chassis, 2000 Civic Si. He has a 400hp JDM (?) engine in the front, and another identical one in the back. Both LSD trannys he can peel all 4 wheels going around a corner. he does 0-60 faster than most all motorcycles, and the chassis has had severe strengthining. Its not street legal of course, but he takes it out rarely on the road, and will kill any Ferrari you can think of.

Please make safety your main concern, with all the heat, fuel tank, chassis rigidity, and most importantly, brake pad and tire selection. Definatly get LSD trannys.

 

thanks for the inspiration, i do plan on making this a street legal car, with limited street use of coarse. there are a lot of issues that need careful consideration, and i do plan to do this as right as i can, so you will probably have forgotten about me by the time i get good progress done.

and yes i liked the cable tranny idea, no fiddling with hydro clutches etc.