Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    04.16.13
    Location
    Houston Heights
    Posts
    15
    Liked: 2

    Default Engine-to-trans adapter

    Does anyone have or know a source for a street engine-to-IRL gearbox adapter? I currently have a GForce roller and I'm considering installing an engine as a project. The car won't be used for racing or tracking, this would just be for fun, smiles, maybe parades, other low speed stuff, etc.

    The car is a GF05 with an Xtrac 195 gearbox that is meant to be complete, but honestly I haven't checked yet. I don't have a real preference on engines though small block Chevys and GM V-6's seem to be the more common swaps that I've seen.

    Any leads are appreciated.

  2. #2
    Banned
    Join Date
    02.04.02
    Location
    California
    Posts
    6,399
    Liked: 1116

    Default

    Have you contacted xtrac to find out what "off the shelf" options you have?

    What year(s) did the IRL use that transaxle and what motor options did the teams have at that time?

    Long shot----try http://www.kennedyenginc.com/Pages/default.aspx.

  3. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    11.10.06
    Location
    Cocoa Beach, FL
    Posts
    18
    Liked: 7

    Default

    Sorry but you will not find an off the shelf solution. Both engines used at that time (Chevrolet and Nissan) had the same mounting which was specified by the rules. It is not a standard pattern. BTW the engine is a stressed member in those cars which will complicate your conversion.

  4. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    04.16.13
    Location
    Houston Heights
    Posts
    15
    Liked: 2

    Default Thanks

    Thanks for the feedback, guys. I've seen several conversions so I know that someone out there knows what they're doing. This was really meant to be a retirement project so I still have some time to plan and source parts.

    And yes, building a cradle to support the engine and tie to the tub is also a task to be solved. So there's the adapter, the engine cradle and then a clutch.

    Hmmm.... maybe hanging it on the wall wasn't such abad idea after all.

  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    08.11.04
    Location
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Posts
    36
    Liked: 3

    Default

    David Ferguson at the DSR Forum built his own adapter plates for mazda to Hewland, (look under Car Building) check out his story, very well documented. He probably has sources or can do it.

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    12.19.06
    Location
    oklahoma city
    Posts
    8
    Liked: 0

    Post G force

    I realize this is an old thread, but have you found an adapter and engine? Would you interested in buying a correct chevrolet for your project ( or another G Force car?) or perhaps selling your complete car?
    Thanks,
    Dave

  7. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    04.16.13
    Location
    Houston Heights
    Posts
    15
    Liked: 2

    Default No progress yet

    Quote Originally Posted by Tweedle D View Post
    I realize this is an old thread, but have you found an adapter and engine? Would you interested in buying a correct chevrolet for your project ( or another G Force car?) or perhaps selling your complete car?
    Thanks,
    Dave
    Dave,

    Hi. No real progress yet. I've done a lot of research on engine-to-bellhousing adapters and learned that it's not that difficult, but it does require a lot of precision measurements. The bigger challenge as it turns out is going to be finding a mass produced car engine that is short enough lengthwise to fit as the prescribed Chevy Gen II V-8 was only 22 inches long. So even a V-6 street engine is much longer than that from rear mounting face to front pulley.

    So at the moment a have a couple of options:
    a) simply use a longer than prescribed engine, but then I'll have to extend the bodywork;
    b) keep the original overall length and bodywork by using a longer engine and replace the ridiculously long (24") factory "bellhousing" with something shorter, but then I'd have to fabricate a longer subframe to carry the rear suspension mounting points as those currently bolt to the side of the bellhousing;
    c) use a motorcycle engine, which would fit sizewise, but won't produce much power.

    I'm still thinking about it and I'm not in any hurry. I'm attaching a photo of the engine compartment so you can see what I'm dealing with.
    The Chevy emblem is on the rollhoop, the black X-brace is part of a frame made to take the place of the stressed engine, and the grey thing behind that is the bellhousing. You can just see the two silver rods coming into the picture which are replacements for the coilover shocks.

    Any constructive advice is appreciated, just don't expect any immediate progress, because like i said, I'm still in the planning phase.

    Thanks.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1287.jpg 
Views:	1761 
Size:	93.3 KB 
ID:	75513  

  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    12.19.06
    Location
    oklahoma city
    Posts
    8
    Liked: 0

    Post G Force

    Hey Alan, I don't have any ideas on engine options. What year is your car? What I'm actually looking for is a bellhousing for a 2000-2002 g Force. I'm looking for a friend who's not familiar with apex. The 195 xtrac is right, just not sure if GF05 is a 2005 car or just a model designation. If you wind up replacing he bellhousing, he might be interested in buying yours, or trading for a new Dalarra housing that is 4" shorter than the g Force.

  9. #9
    Member
    Join Date
    04.16.13
    Location
    Houston Heights
    Posts
    15
    Liked: 2

    Default

    Dave,

    Hi. The GF05 was the car that raced during 2000 to 2002. But I'm not interested in selling mine, sorry.

    -Alan

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 2 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 2 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  




About Us
Since 2000, ApexSpeed.com has been the go-to place for amateur road racing enthusiasts, bringing together a friendly community of racers, fans, and industry professionals. We're all about creating a space where people can connect, share knowledge, and exchange parts and vehicles, with a focus on specific race cars, classes, series, and events. Our community includes all major purpose-built road racing classes, like the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and various pro series across North America and beyond. At ApexSpeed, we're passionate about amateur motorsports and are dedicated to helping our community have fun and grow while creating lasting memories on and off the track.
Social