Well.. I was thinking about possible engine choices for my Comet and I wondered to myself about putting a Duratec engine from a Taurus? 200 HP isn't so bad, it's about what our 302s came with in stock form... With twin turbocharging, I'm sure 350+ would be a possibility! And what about all wheel drive? Maybe putting in the differentials and whatnot from a bronco (didn't those come in 4wd versions?) I did a search and didn't find anything. Is this even possible without a six figure salary? I was just thinking about how the guys across the pacific seemed to turn to twin turbo 6's (Supra, Skyline, 3000GT...) and all wheel drive (Skyline, 3000GT, WRX, Evo) and was wondering what you all would think... Hey at least it would be a Ford in a Ford lol
Someone on this board is usaully very fond of saying anythign is possible if you throw enough Money at it.... I think that applies here.
The Duratec V6 is a very wide engine. Mustang II front end will be required. If you are thinking of performance, I wouldn't bother with the Taurus engine. Go for the engine out of like an Escape or Lincoln LS or Jaguar S Type. I wouldn't bother using 4x4 truck parts to try and achieve AWD. All that is going to do is add weight and increase parasitic loss in the drive line. Vehicles that are factory AWD have parts that are designed and well matched with the rest of the vehicle. As far as I know, every RWD vehicle the Duratec V6 is used in has independent rear suspension, so the tail shaft/housing isn't designed correctly to be used with the type of driveshaft Mavericks use. My mom's Lincoln LS dosen't even have U joints on the drive shaft, because the rear differential is mounted solid to the body. So you would have to come up with something like some of the older pickups use I guess, with a split drive shaft with a carrier bearing in the middle so that the front shaft never moves and the rear shaft does all the traveling with the suspension. It would be a lot of work. Honestly I would do the Taurus SHO engine before a V6 Duratec.
Money is all you need..... and a little know how.... Sounds like a neat idea..... I'm not so sure I would worry about all wheel drive though..... That part would be the hardest to deal with.... Mustang II set up in frt would be a must as stated by Mr. Jamie Miles....
If you could fit a front diff in there, which is a big if, you'll need not a 4wd but an AWD transfer case like the Borg-Warner 4472 that GM used in the Bravada/Syclone/Typhoon/Astro. This works kind of like a limited slip differential turned sideways, so you can run it on the highway and turn without binding. The problem with this and any other transfer case is it's a big heavy bastard and would require very significant floorpan modifications, not to mention the interference between the front driveshaft and the steering. I'm not saying it's impossible, but this is what quickly killed my AWD Monte Carlo SS idea.
And you also have to think about wiring. You better really like wiring. You will have to get around the factory PATS security system, which will likely involve having the computer reprogrammed. The Taurus still had a throttle cable, but most other late model applications will have the electronic set up where there is no throttle cable.
Thanks for the input guys! I have always been curious as to what would be needed to make an all wheel drive mav/comet a reality... I had this idea of a lowered, chopped, all black twin turbo mav sitting on 17's all around and I figured AWD would be pretty cool... But I guess I bit off more than I can chew LOL
I found this on youtube, you might like it, it's not a Mav, but it's a 260Z with a sbc and a 4wd setup from a hilux. I like it
I think there are a lot of vehicles (even Fords) with all wheel drive that could handle the power of a twin turbo V6... I think if you scavenged the parts you could even accomplish it on half your salary. (depending on your life style) It sounds like a fun two year project.
Hell yeah! LOL I think it's pretty cool... I wanna slam a 4 door all the way to the ground, chop the top, paint it black, and tuck some good size wheels underneath it..
