P5 Dimensions. NEED HELP!

[Mazdamia]

I'm looking for a vehicle that has a similar wheelbase and track-width as the Protege5. I would like to do a rearwheel drive conversion with engine swap. I know this will probably bring out a lot of criticisim but oh well.

Hopefully I will be able to put a V6 or inline 6 into the P5. I know that this would require tons of work and more than a little money. Does anyone have any suggestions? The closest thing that I have found is the IS300. Here are the stats for the P5:


Width: 67.1 in. (Not the same as track-width but the closest I have.
Wheel Base: 102.8 in.


Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[SlowPro98]

Rx7 maybe. but I don't know the dimensions. what about a tribute or b2000 truck?

and where in CT are you?

 

[xxmikkoxx]

This would be interesting to see done(thumb)

 

[mogi]

you can import an AWD protege from overseas

 

[aMaff]

sorrt20 ftw

 

[cheapmiata1600]

Buy a car that's already RWD...

An is300 Wagon has similar looks to a P5 and is already driven at the right end.

 

[wipedawg]

yes it will cost more than a little money. I'm guessing your are looking in the neighborhood of 10k to pull it off.

 

[Nomad]

I'm not trying to be an @$$ but if you are asking these questions on this forum I'd venture to guess you have neither the funds or know-how to get this done in the real world. You'd actually spend less money buying a RWD car than trying to take a lousy platform and make it into an amazing platform just because you may like the body lines on a P5. That's really all it comes down to.

In reality you'd have to entirely gut the P5 down to base sheet metal, then build a tube frame/rollcage inside it to mount the suspension points to, then get the front and rear suspension from something else and put it in, then the engine, ECU, wiring and everythign else that "makes a car" will have to be custom.

If you're asking about this on theis forum I doubt (but could be wrong) that you can do it or afford to do it...
Sorry, interesting idea to daydream about though.

 

[P5w3kids]

If you cannot even find the car's specs on your own then I'm thinking an engine swap might be a bit too challenging for you.

 

[Mazdamia]

I'm not trying to be an @$$ but if you are asking these questions on this forum I'd venture to guess you have neither the funds or know-how to get this done in the real world. You'd actually spend less money buying a RWD car than trying to take a lousy platform and make it into an amazing platform just because you may like the body lines on a P5. That's really all it comes down to.

In reality you'd have to entirely gut the P5 down to base sheet metal, then build a tube frame/rollcage inside it to mount the suspension points to, then get the front and rear suspension from something else and put it in, then the engine, ECU, wiring and everythign else that "makes a car" will have to be custom.

If you're asking about this on theis forum I doubt (but could be wrong) that you can do it or afford to do it...
Sorry, interesting idea to daydream about though.

I seriously don't understand why someone cannot ask for help on this forum without all of the naysayers and insult artist coming out to play. None of you know my financial situation and even if I couldn't afford it, generating ideas is what this forum is all about.

I asked for ASSISTANCE. If you don't want to give me any, then don't post. I wanted to see if others had input. I know there are people on this forum who have more free time and could possibly assist in hunting down specs etc. I am more than able to get them myself but I was asking for assistance.

People ask why I would even consider this when I could buy a rear wheel drive car that blah blah blah...The same reason I would rather buy a Lotus Esprit than a Corvette. It's not as reliable, fast, cheap etc. but it is something you don't see very often; it's different.

And if a Focus can be converted to rear drive and V8 power w/out installing a rollcage or building a tubeframe, a six cylinder P5 shouldn't be impossible.

 

[Mazdamia]

Oh yea, I just moved from Wallingford to Waterbury but I work in Bridgeport.

 

[Mike R]

Track width should be the only real concern. Driveshaft will be custom made anyway, more than likely. Even that isn't that much of a concern, because you could run offset wheels to compensate for the width difference. Most of the stuff you make will be custom anyway...rear axles can be made in any width you want. The big thing will be the firewall and trans tunnel, and making the mounts. Rotaries are quite compact....

 

[cheapmiata1600]

The V8 focus you mentioned is like a $40k or $50k conversion. You get a cheaper/better car just buying a SVT cobra instead of the drivetrain stuffed into a crappy econobox. The same will hold true with the protege. There is a RWD rotary P5 out there. It's a track car, and is completely tube-framed with P5 body panels bolted to it.

While a I6 RWD P5 would be somewhat interesting, it'll be really expensive and probably a total engineering nightmare. You could probably retain the stock front suspension hardware, but you'll probably have to cut out everything from the rear seats back and start from scratch. Not to mention fabricating a transmission tunnel, motor/trans mounts, new cooling, heat, and AC systems, a bunch of custom driveshafts, somehow to mount the rear diff, shift linkages, you'll have to relocate the steering rack and power assist system, and a thousand other things.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but before you get into a $50,000 Protege 5 project you really need to think about everything that's involved and whether or not you have the required skill to pull off such a feat. If you have to pay someone else to complete this project it'll get stupid expensive real fast. Also, while P5s may be good looking cars, the chassis isn't very good compared to most cars that came RWD stock. I'd even bet that a tube frame with a P5 skin would be easier/cheaper/better, even as a street car.

 

[Mike R]

40-50K? WTF are you smoking? One of the members here did the swap. I doubt the parts, excluding the car were over 10K....


http://www.kugelkomponents.com/focus/focus.html

 

[redpr5]

it sounds like a cool idea, pretty unique. but the probability of it working isnt that great. but im not here to b**** and moan or call you a dumbass or anything. i say if you can afford it and really wanna do this, then go for it. be unique man, nonconformity is always great

 

[Nomad]

I was hardly being an "insult artist" but that's ok if you think so.

I did actually give some info in my post as well. Pretty basic stuff for car building if it's to be done the right way.

Like others have said, very expensive, but hey, go for it, it aint my money so maybe I'll read about your work in a magazine sometime.

Go ahead and ask questions on the forum, that's fine, I didn't discourage it. I usually try to be helpful in all my posts, and I was merely trying to make sure someone didn't go cutting first and asking questions later.

I've seen several cars hacked up with good intentions before info was gathered... unfortunately.

Go for it, I'll be the first to say good job.

 

[Nomad]

From the website. Looks like pro install could be $20K and self install (with lots of fabbing skils) could be $10K or $12K. Look into this kit and build from it's ideas and designs...

"Our East coast dealer in Florida (JD Motorsports 1-888-907-0477) also installs and he figures a first class conversion with new parts is about $20,000.00. The conversion parts, less engine, transmission and rear end purchased from us would cost about $5,500.00. That would include the bolt in engine cradle and transmission mounts, modified suspension crossmember, front steer & hub modification kit, sway bars, rack & pinion steering, alternator and bracket, clutch kit, steering shaft kit, rack & pinion extension kit, transmission cover, fuel tank, headers, rear end crossmember, 4-Bar kit and shocks & springs."

40-50K? WTF are you smoking? One of the members here did the swap. I doubt the parts, excluding the car were over 10K....


http://www.kugelkomponents.com/focus/focus.html

 

[Mazdamia]

The reason I am looking for something with a similar wheelbase is so I could look further into positioning of transmission and clutch/shifter. This is obviously a long term project and as such it would not be a daily driver or anything. I have no qualms at all about stripping out the P5. I've stripped down cars before and it is great fun.

I have a good friend whose dad owned a tuning shop for many years and has already said he would love to play around with the P5. So, I have access to the engineering expertise and tools essentially whenever I need them. Right now I am starting with engine suggestions (pros/cons). So now that I have validated myself and my intentions...Is there anyone else out there with ideas? I appreciate all legitimate contributions.

This is a long-term project goal by the way. I have to wait for my wife to go back to work after the baby before she will let me waste money on stuff like this.

 

[Rdshark1]

<--- has the RWD V8 fOCUS (it's still for sale!)

If you really want to ask how much something like this takes (time + money) PM me and I'll give you my hubby's email address.

 

[ronin12]

Oh yea, I just moved from Wallingford to Waterbury but I work in Bridgeport.

What's up with that? It was like you just dissappeared. I saw your car there, but never saw the other car. Congrats on the baby. Don't mean to get off topic just good to know your still around. I saw a 323 GTX about a month ago for sale that needed work, not sure of the dimensons, but it would keep it in the mazda family and might make the conversion a little easier. By the way if you weren't sure I am the one that drove the white thing and was just getting started with my P5.