johnnybusa wrote:
I had a first gen and third gen mr2 and I liked my miata better I like my friends miata better. ....... Anyway I'd like comments about how you think an awd locost would work.
If you like the way the miata handles, a traditional locost is similar, just amped up due to the reduced weight. Maybe consider a more traditional locost build but go a bit more exotic on construction methods or components to give it a unique flare that you appreciate.
An AWD locost has been mentioned many times around these parts. It's a bit of a logistical nightmare. I can't recall anyone actually doing it and posting up a log here but I may be wrong. I think the big issues center around packaging. As gregk mentioned, you are going to have a hard time balancing out that massive weight in front of the front tires. It is a bit of physics that is just undeniable but unlike the 911 where the weight helps rotate the car (dramatically, it isn't called the widowmaker for nothing) your front engined car wouldn't want to rotate at all.
Instead of a transaxle setup that puts the engine in front of the front axle, I think a transfer-case with drivehsaft traveling forward is a better option.
This picture was linked from wikipedia. It is of BMW's X-drive. Many vehicles use this sort of a system, and packaging it would be easier.