Computer Aided Design

so in parallel with stripping, cleaning and checking the engine and 'box I have been busy measuring up the Elise chassis and formalising a plan to mount the engine, without compromising the strength or stiffness of the chassis, whilst also trying to minimise the amount of weight I will be adding to the back of the car.

Pictures speak 1000 words:

Standard model of rear chassis & subframe

Cut out rear subframe and tank area. Concept #1 - Re-braced with 25,30 and 50mm steel tube.

How this would look with engine and gearbox mounted. There is perfect driveshaft alighnment (no offset). Engine and gearbox will be mounted on stiff rubber mounts as solid mounting would be too harsh for a car I intend to be able to use on the road as well as the track.