[DeTomaso] Any experience of flipping the ZF with a lowered dry sump motor?

[Dave Kanahele]

Ken,

In addition to Mike's comments about the added costs to cover the
bellhousing, clutch/flywheel, starter, starter mount, engine mount, dry sump
system, I would also point out that of the race Panteras I've seen w/lowered
engines, there is also a fair bit of chassis mods and custom parts required.
This will include a custom dry sump pan as well as possibly cutting some of
the main frame rail(s) to fit it within the tight confines. (I had such a
pan on my race GT-5 and can confirm the fit is tight!)

Also, keep in mind that by flipping the ZF you've now shifted the weight
upwards if keeping the engine in the stock location. So just to get back to
the same cg where you started, you'd need to lower the entire package.

But the big question is if any of that's worth the effort. For a
professional race car, sure, but probably much harder to justify for a
street/track car.

FYI, I recall talking about this w/the Byars brothers a few years back. They
pointed out that you'd need to lower the engine ~6" to get the same net cg
impact as lowering the car ~ 1". I may be recalling the numbers incorrectly,
but the point is that it's worth analyzing the net gain and comparing to
other less expensive mods.

Also, Hugh Kleinpeter wrote a series of articles back in the 80's about what
it take to build a race Pantera for a professional series and mentioned the
engine can be lowered 6" . assuming all the rest of the items mentioned are
addressed.

Dave