Hello! Question about GL1200 Engine dimensions

12032 Views 48 Replies 13 Participants Last post by FM, May 30, 2013

duluthminicar

Discussion Starter · May 26, 2013

2

Hello guys.

Came across your forum and found a PLETHORA of knowledge and information here. Hoping I can pick some brains in the months to come.

Please take a minute to read about my project. I own a 1969 Subaru 360 microcar. The subie came from the factory with a 2 cylinder 2 stroke. Needless to say, it was a gutless turd.

I do not like gutless turds.

So here I am left with a bit of a quandry...where can I find a motor that has PLENTY of power to push this little car around with two adults in it that will fit, will have decent gearing and be cost effective?

In comes the idea of the GL1200.

The HP is about 4-5 times more than the stock motor.

The transmission is proven to handle a heavy bike plus 2 up riding and cargo.

They are reliable.

They are cost effective.

Seems like a perfect donor to me.

Now I come to the next hurdle.... will it fit?

The car is rear engined originally not unlike the VW Beetles.

I will be setting it up more mid engine for this project, thus I need some dimensions.

I need to know the width of the 1200 at the widest points and the length from front to back at the longest points.

As such...

I will be coupling this to a BMW LSD 2.79 rear differential in a Mazda Miata rear subframe and the whole lot has to fit in the car. Sandwiched into the mix will be the starter gear from a Harley clutch I have laying around with a Harley starter mounted to run the gear backwards. Motor trans in neutral, run harley starter and bam... instand reverse. I think it's a silly project, but it would be kinda cool... :ROFL:

If anyone has a 1200 engine around that could grab these dimensions for me that would be awesome.

Thanks, and be safe.

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duluthminicar

Discussion Starter · #2 · May 26, 2013

Also, before anyone feels they need to naysay the project because of the sheer amount of custom fabrication needed to do this, I should mention that I am an ironworker by trade with degrees in welding/fabrication and machining.

I only add this because other mentions of this project seem to be met with some hesitation and outright hostility. haha

UbarW

· #3 · May 26, 2013

I dont think you will get hostility here. Its a good group. Lemme go measure mine for you...

UbarW

· #4 · May 26, 2013

looks like about 22.25 front to back, and 27.25 side to side.

If you were closer, I would give you the motor I have. It needs starter clutch, and probably a freshening over all... but it a good motor overall.

duluthminicar

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 26, 2013

UBarW said:
looks like about 22.25 front to back, and 27.25 side to side.

If you were closer, I would give you the motor I have. It needs starter clutch, and probably a freshening over all... but it a good motor overall.

That would be awesome.

Would you be willing to get it onto a pallet?

As is it looks like I will be shipping either way.

Sounds like it will actually fit. Makes me glad. I contemplated the 1500, but it's too long.

Cornpone

· #6 · May 26, 2013

This should be an interesting thread to watch!

opcorn:

Please photo/video document and good luck!

Ansimp

· #7 · May 26, 2013

Good luck with your project. I hadn't seen these cars until recently when a guy sold 2 on eBay here in Oz for 30k.

DriverRider

· #8 · May 26, 2013

Should be a fun project and there are lots of folks here that would be willing to share their knowledge in your effort.

One area of concern would be the clutch of the 1200, would it be up to the task, what is the weight of the Sub. You should find out what the current 1200 final drive gear ratio is and plan accordingly with the one in the Sub.

duluthminicar

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 26, 2013

DriverRider said:
Should be a fun project and there are lots of folks here that would be willing to share their knowledge in your effort.

One area of concern would be the clutch of the 1200, would it be up to the task, what is the weight of the Sub. You should find out what the current 1200 final drive gear ratio is and plan accordingly with the one in the Sub.

Subaru from the factory weighed just over 900 pounds.

This car is VERY small.

Here's a pic next to my land cruiser...

With the engine pulled and wheels/suspension off I can lift either end of the car up to chest level on my own.

I should be able to stay under 1150 pounds finished.

I figured the wing should handle that since the trans and clutch hold up to 727 pounds of bike, 400 pounds of passengers and then additional cargo (sometimes via a trailer).

From my research the final drive on the 1200 is 2.93:1 with a 150/90-15 rear which is 25.62" tall.

I can get the BMW rear in an almost identical ratio, final drive at 2.97:1, but I am running 225/45-13's.... 20.97" tire height.

Smaller skins means higher rpm's at speed, but good takeoff down low.

I can't increase the size of the wheels because of size limitations, so it is what it is...

The only other option would be to correct it via external multipliers/manipulation.

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Bike...and Dennis

· #10 · May 26, 2013

I'd think a little higher RPM would serve you well. Motorcycle engines don't make torque like a car engine, so the extra high RPM HP you get could help.

I had a friend with one of those Subs, back when they first came out. What a hoot. It would hold him, with his Fender Deluxe amp on the passenger seat and Gibson guitar on the floor. Good thing he didn't sing as there was no room left for a microphone.

duluthminicar

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 26, 2013

Bike...and Dennis said:
I'd think a little higher RPM would serve you well. Motorcycle engines don't make torque like a car engine, so the extra high RPM HP you get could help.

I had a friend with one of those Subs, back when they first came out. What a hoot. It would hold him, with his Fender Deluxe amp on the passenger seat and Gibson guitar on the floor. Good thing he didn't sing as there was no room left for a microphone.

Yeah, could be. I'd like to track down a dyno chart of the GL1200 so I could get a visual of the powerband and see where everything is at. I know people have said that passing at 70mph+ on a 1200 is no challenge at all, so I would assume by that that theres a lot of oooomph to be had up top... which is where this combo would put me when I am heading down the roads.

For those who HAVE GL1200's... where are you at in 5th at 70mph? What RPM?

OnaWingAndaPrayer

· #12 · May 26, 2013

WOW that photo next to the Land Cruiser really puts the size this car in prospective . I love this project . I hope it works out for you .

duluthminicar

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 26, 2013

OnaWingandaPrayer said:
WOW that photo next to the Land Cruiser really puts the size this car in prospective . I love this project . I hope it works out for you .

Thanks!

Yeah, it's pretty micro. :ROFL:

Ken Bergen

· #14 · May 26, 2013

duluthminicar said:
For those who HAVE GL1200's... where are you at in 5th at 70mph? What RPM?

For the 1984 it's 3303RPM at 70MPH, for the 1985 to 1987 it's 3458RPM.

The sales hype for the 1985 was that the reworked transmission with its lower gearing increased fuel economy.:?

duluthminicar

Discussion Starter · #15 · May 26, 2013

Ken Bergen said:
For the 1984 it's 3303RPM at 70MPH, for the 1985 to 1987 it's 3458RPM.

The sales hype for the 1985 was that the reworked transmission with its lower gearing increased fuel economy.:?

Good info! Any idea where I can get a chart to look at for that year? Whats redline at?

Also, the 84 came with efi right?

Ken Bergen

· #16 · May 26, 2013

duluthminicar said:
Any idea where I can get a chart to look at for that year? Whats redline at?

Also, the 84 came with efi right?

I have no idea where you'd get a torque/horsepower chart for a GL1200.

And no the 1984 didn't have fuel injection, it was only the 1985 LTD and 1986 SEi that had fuel injection.

duluthminicar

Discussion Starter · #17 · May 26, 2013

Ken Bergen said:
I have no idea where you'd get a torque/horsepower chart for a GL1200.

And no the 1984 didn't have fuel injection, it was only the 1985 LTD and 1986 SEi that had fuel injection.

Any idea where it redlines?

Ken Bergen

· #18 · May 27, 2013

duluthminicar said:
any idea where it redlines?

7,500.

duluthminicar

Discussion Starter · #19 · May 27, 2013

Ken Bergen said:
7,500.

Nice!

So for 84 you've got PLENTY of rev's left when running at 70 in 5th gear.

I think my tire combo will work out really well actually.

I'm gonna run with it. Thanks for all the info Ken!

Ken Bergen

· #20 · May 27, 2013

duluthminicar said:
Nice!

So for 84 you've got PLENTY of rev's left when running at 70 in 5th gear.

I think my tire combo will work out really well actually.

I'm gonna run with it.

Keep us posted as you go.:readit:

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