HONDA N600 powered by 06 GSXR 1000

[N600]

I'm building a 72 honda N600 [similar in size and shape to the old mini cooper]. The eng and drive will be placed behind the front seats, much like a sandbuggy. I am in the gathering parts stage, have the 06 Gsxr 1000 motor and looking at the Protodie or desertkarts center drive unit . Are there other brands out there besides those for drive unit axles and hubs? . What is the best way to to keep the chain tight? with idler gear or making the sprocket adj. back and forth? As you can imagine I have a thousand questions. This is a great site, You guys build some radical machines ! Hope to learn alot from you as I go along. thanks in advance. Raul.

[Gene]

Welcome to MBN!

Chain tensioners are the bane of MC powered cars. Sounds like you are building a street machine and could use a differential so it can turn without "pushing".

There are several options for a differential including a modifed VW based setup that Nutz4Sand will be happy to throw up as the low cost solution. Making a cradle that provides some movement could solve the roller/sprocket tensioner problem.

If you have $$$ look into a Jeffco or Quaife differential. With these you get reverse - which is good.

[Gotxqss]

Just yanked the motor on my 71 myself since it had some narly noises and leaked oil from everywhere. Dont know forsure if a rebuild is worth it. I love the idea that a busa motor puts out 5x the power. Maybe we should keep in touch. How are you keeping the front? Pulling axles and motor combo leave the rest? Dont know what im going to do. Id be happy with a solid axle with a sprocket and brake like a gokart. Irs and all that just seems complicated. Hmmm

[standfast]

I would just transplant a FWD engine and transmission into the back of the car. Like a 2.4l Ecotec, Honda, or whatever. You don't need to worry about suspension travel so you can just use offset axles like in the car. Your drivetrain would end up just like a Toyota MR2's mid engine setup. I think you would end up with something that weighs maybe 150lbs more, have readily available parts and have something much more reliable. I know the idea of having a sky high revving bike engine is cool but I fear you will regret powering the car with a chain and losing reverse if you just do a drive spool. The other thing that will make the car a whole different animal is the torque that a car engine has to offer. If you are on any kind of budget this is the way I would go. If you have a big wallet you may be able to make something work with a shaft drive or a direct gear drive or morse chain drive that is oil bathed like the stuff Quaife makes but its gonna get costly.

[ghct619]