A few questions

Post by **notorious_T_I_G** » 06 Apr 2005 02:39 am

hello everyone, im in the process of building a bit of a hybrid car at the moment incorporating the engine from a renault 5turbo (same family as the engine used in the 1.4 300 series). what i need tho is a suitable Rear wheel drive gearbox, now I know the 340 is rear wheel drive but Im a bit concerned that the non std gearbox layout is going to cause me problems.

does the 340 1.4 have the std engine-clutch bellhousing - gearbox - propshaft - diff layout

If this is not the case (ive seen some threads mentioning the gearbox is at the back) can anyone suggest a gearbox that will fit the renault 1.4 engine in the traditional layout

Thanks for you help guys.

I have only just stumbled accross this site, wish id discovered it earlier as my dad used to own a 360 saloon and we just scrapped it. Think we still have some spares in the garage tho Ill have a look and post them up later

Post by **5lab** » 06 Apr 2005 07:37 am

i think that the belhousing etc is exactly the same as a renault 5 (i may be wrong) so puttitng the GTT engine in would simply be a case of pulling the old engine out, ubt leaving the clutch and everything behind it, and replacing it with the new engine. i've a feeling there might be some problems with actually fitting the engine in - maybe the heater box fouls on the turbo or something

Post by **foggyjames** » 06 Apr 2005 10:45 am

He ain't putting it in a 340 dude!

Why is the layout a problem, just out of interest? Think of the weight distribution...

In a word, no, all 300s are RWD transaxle, so it'll not help you.

cheers

James

Post by **notorious_T_I_G** » 06 Apr 2005 02:59 pm

looks like the plan may have to undergo a rethink

the plan was to fit the engine and box from the GTT and 340 and link it to a modified Triumph GT6 Propshat and Differential

This was all going to bolted to a triumph spitfire

does anyone have any pics of the gearbox in question as I may be able to work round it

never thought about the weight distribution issue, so it could work in my favor

UPDATE
Think im gonna still gonna work with this, will need some transmission tunnel mods but im thinking it might work with the extra weight at the back it should be erm..... entertaining to drive.

Still would like to see some pics of a trasmission removed from the car if anyone has one

Also torque tubes, I think im gonna need to find something tough as u guys say its a weak spot. Any suggestions?

Post by **bodejodel** » 06 Apr 2005 06:38 pm

I believe the Torque Tube is only to be found on the 360's, not the 340's...

Post by **SteveP** » 06 Apr 2005 06:43 pm

Indeed.. 340s didn't have torque tubes. However, I've heard that 340 propshafts are the weak link here with the splines wearing out.

Post by **foggyjames** » 06 Apr 2005 07:29 pm

It depends how far you're taking the GTT engine...they're fairly weedy as stock. 'Huskyracer' here had a steel prop made up. The torque tube bellhousing will be the wrong one for the Renault engine.

Regarding pictures, take a trawl through the 'brochures' section (in French)....one of them has a picture. Shouldn't take too long if you're on broadband. If you can't find it, let me know and when I've got a few spare minutes I'll look it up for you.

cheers

James

Post by **notorious_T_I_G** » 07 Apr 2005 02:31 am

Last GTT I had was running 165Bhp at 1bar (14psi). That is a quite somewhat modified engine, running charge cooler and an uprated double capacity intercooler never liked the big front mounted intercoolers and on the spitfire I think it would ruin the look.

I had a lot of problems with "carb icing" on the last car in cold weather so this time im going to run the charge cooler switched from the inlet charge temperature.

with regard to the prop shaft, I have a chap near me who does custom props and driveshafts for the hot rod scene. Ive spoken to him this evening about the project and hes quite keen to see what he can do

Looks like the jobs gonna be a goodun as they say.

I would like to say a big thank you for all your help. The advice has been a lot moreforthcoming than another "owners club" forum (not volvo) who basically called me a heretic and various other unsavory things.

I know this isnt the place to say it but I found them very unhelpful with their comments "why bother" and "theres another spitty for the scrapheap". I dont think anyone actually had anything constructive to say. Well I say sod em at least I feel welcome here even if its only a volvo gearbox in my car

Post by **bodejodel** » 07 Apr 2005 08:47 am

I love modding cars and seeing people modding their cars...

And I think I am not the only one here!

I can imagine spitfire owners are not to happy with someone modding a spit, like you... but I would atleast be happy it stays on the road.

Post by **foggyjames** » 07 Apr 2005 11:25 am

Sounds like a fun project. There are people within every scene who are 'traditionalists', and often fairly militant with it, but I've not got too much time for it. In general, as long as your work isn't a dogs dinner, I'll most likely appriciate it.

Can't wait to see this thing when it's done...you must bring it along to a meet some time! Just out of interest, did you consider using the Renault 1.7/2.0 turbo engines (Volvo 400 turbo / Renault 21 turbo respectively)? Same bellhousing, more power, more efficient, etc? We've always overlooked the GTT engine because it takes a great deal of work to make it powerful enough to shift our family sized cars!

cheers

James

Post by **notorious_T_I_G** » 07 Apr 2005 01:04 pm

there was thought put into running a GTT engine, main reasons being

size is similar to the spitfire engine
Ive had many years of experience maintiaining and modifying GT Turbos
parts are easy to come by and relatively inexpensive
the wiring side isnt to complicated as its a force fed carb

Picked up the haynes "book of lies" fo the volvo 340/360 today only a pound from a local 2nd hand book shop.