What is the most powerful front wheel drive engine from the factory?

[j10-401]

I didn't know that super car existed. Yes same engine except for the twin turbos they scoot pretty good stock i can't imagine how that thing pulls. What amazed me is how little problems we have with that engine, the early ones had balance shaft bearing issues but really that's it they run strong And get around 20mpg.

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[Short Bus]

Mitsubishi lancer Evo. east west all wheel drive, lock the center diff and remove the rear drive.
tons of aftermarket support - even dog gearsets for the gearbox. Small highly strung engine but if you have a driver that can keep it on the boil it's also very light.
However they have a terrible turning circle due to the strength of front CVs required.

If we are going to consider EVOs then of course we should throw out the Subaru boxer as well. There is probably more support for the Subaru in off road and transplants. I did a quick google and found there is a cottage industry of Subaru/air cooled VW transplants. I know the Mitsubishi can be a monster but I don't know if they are used commonly in anything other than what they originally came in.

[Baja Fool]

Didn't the Taurus SHO have a Yamaha V8? Is it the same engine?

The cylinder heads were designed by Yamaha.....

Original Back Up Pick Up (1:40 in):

I watched all of these dragsters at Lion's Drag Strip back in the day. AWESOME video!!

[NoThrottle]

Which FWD engine has the most potential for modifications?
...........

Well we're up to page 4 and I had to check a couple of times to make sure nobody has said this before:
It depends... what do you want to do with it?

Where: in the back of a VW Notch? the back of a buggy? the front of a honda?
For: the dragstrip? Desert racing? daily driver? cruiser/show car?

You have many options if you have lots of space and it isnt working very hard. A sturdy 4x4 transfer case can be used as V-drive if you use an existing or build your own offset centre differential.

[PDANK Racing]

ECU mods or aftermarket must be cheaper and easier for the 5.3L LS4, right?

Custom tune for a 5.3L ecu is around $600, otherwise carb conversion is $700 for intake and msd box.

[Scott_F]

It depends... what do you want to do with it?

Where: in the back of a VW Notch? the back of a buggy? the front of a honda?
For: the dragstrip? Desert racing? daily driver? cruiser/show car?

As examples you could drop a FWD drivetrain into a mid-engine sports car or perhaps a mini pickup behind the cab.

[Scott_F]

Custom tune for a 5.3L ecu is around $600.

Any links on who does this? That's a lot cheaper than aftermarket solutions.

Thanks to all for an interesting thread.

[NoThrottle]

As examples you could drop a FWD drivetrain into a mid-engine sports car or
perhaps a mini pickup behind the cab.

In that case it doesnt have to be front wheel drive. You can probably find similar components in the US, but Masks Adapters in Australia make the transmission to Patrol transfer case adapter and these transfers are a very strong chain drive.

From here: http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...bishi-van.html
"1983 Mitsubishi van chopped into a pick-up with an LS3 (317kw) in the tray.
This is to be street driven here in Australia.
The engine sits in the rear with the harmonic balancer above the rear axle with the 6L80E in front of the engine.
This is then coupled to a Nissan Patrol transfer case that turns the drive around and send it to the rear axle.
The rear axle is a Patrol item that has had 455mm (about 18') chopped off one side to make the diff line up with the drive line.
It now has a 4 bar rear end and 4 wheel disc brakes form a Patrol."

[NoThrottle]

Or you can keep the 4wd. Pay attention to the rear axle housing. This is a mid engined Nissan Titan with Nissan transfer case, TH400 transmission and modified axle housings.
http://www.facebook.com/BigBlackMotorsport

[Finch]

nissan 3.5L - 265 hp (198 kW) at 5,800 rpm, and 255 lb·ft (346 N·m) of torque at 4,400, from the maxama, swap it to Z parts and your over 300