Transverse v. longitudinal mounting for AWD

[DannytheRadomski]

If I were to build a modern version of a transverse midengine car (for the sake of this argument I'm going to use the Lancia Strato) and I wanted AWD, would it be better to just drop the original configuration and go for longitudinal mounting for simplicity's sake or stick with the original?
THe reason I'm using the Lancia Stratos as an example is because it is known for its short wheelbase. Would the tradeoff of size for simplicity be worth it (the Stratos had a V6)?
I don't know if this is even worth asking but I was interested.
Edit: This is all in the interest of a rally capable car.

[Charles Kaneb]

If you didn't want AWD, I'd say you should DEFINITELY go with a transverse FWD powertrain behind the seats. Honda, Toyota, GM, and Ford turn out hundreds of thousands of 250+ hp V6/FWD manual transverse cars every year and they're readily available in junkyards.

Another possibility is to mount the engine behind the rear axle, and use a Porsche 911 Carrera 4 drivetrain with a Chevrolet LS V8 replacing a blown-up Porsche F6.

For midengine AWD, you'll be dealing with a chaindrive or external geardrive with either a transverse or a longitudinal arrangement, unless you can flip the gearbox upside down and backwards and have it work.

My recommendation:

Do what Lancia did! Transverse V6, with a transverse transmission, driving just the rear wheels.

[Adambomb]

Originally posted by Charles Kaneb:
My recommendation:

Do what Lancia did! Transverse V6, with a transverse transmission, driving just the rear wheels.

+1. AWD is mostly hype IMO, although Rally is a totally different story. AWD doesn't help you corner, is heavy, expensive, and gives Murphy many many more opportunities to ruin your day. And for that matter, so do custom transmissions...

Spending a few years in FSAE tends to change your way of thinking though. At first custom transmissions seem cool, and then you realize how much it takes to get one working, and you also realize that you'd rather spend all that time driving race cars. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Besides, dream cars are always cooler if you make them a reality!

[mmendes413]

You could use a 600ccor bigger motorcycle engine and a differential...like us (colorado state)

[StevenWebb]

if awd is really necessary then what about a sidewinder similiar to the one by http://www.dpcars.net/ or otherwise dual engined http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif