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SVreX
SVreX SuperDork
11/3/09 4:35 p.m.
SVreX wrote:
tuna55 wrote: Why transverse?
Because the motor I've got is so darned sexy in the original chassis that I'm not ready to quit on the idea yet.

Wait a minute- you confused me.

I didn't say transverse- I said longitudal.

SVreX
SVreX SuperDork
11/3/09 4:36 p.m.

Are there really VW transaxles that will handle 300hp? 5 spd?

Sofa King
Sofa King New Reader
11/3/09 4:42 p.m.

How about the transaxle from a 944? I am not sure if you can just remove the torque tube and bolt it to the back of the 944 engine, but it might be something to look into.

blackm3sedan
blackm3sedan New Reader
11/3/09 5:08 p.m.

The Acura Legend had a longitudinally mounted motor with FWD and a 6-speed.

924guy
924guy Dork
11/3/09 5:43 p.m.

as mentioned above, Porsche 931 or 944 016 5 speed... they routinely handle more than 300hp with renegade ls(X) swaps with out issue, and they're cheap if you look around a bit... you can also source varied length half shafts as well. I don't believe you can simply eliminate the torque tube, but im sure and adapter can be fabbed up...

Junkyard_Dog
Junkyard_Dog Reader
11/3/09 6:28 p.m.

Just a note about the chryco slushboxes: they don't last long and may not handle the power but they were one of the first automatics to use an autostick feature for manual shifting. I'd think you could use switches on paddles rather than switches in the shifter fairly easily. Food for thought.

tuna55
tuna55 Reader
11/3/09 6:49 p.m.
snipes wrote:
tuna55 wrote: Also, the front drive of a 4wd trailblazer would work, and that I6 engine is a sweetheart, but kinda big.
What does this look like. Is it not just regular truck layout?

Take a look at the pic - the AWD trailblazer has the differential in the oil pan - nice and compact. You could run halfshafts out of there and lock the rear diff and those things can make some power.

tuna55
tuna55 Reader
11/3/09 6:50 p.m.
SVreX wrote:
SVreX wrote:
tuna55 wrote: Why transverse?
Because the motor I've got is so darned sexy in the original chassis that I'm not ready to quit on the idea yet.
Wait a minute- you confused me. I didn't say transverse- I said longitudal.

I can't type today (ever).

Why not transverse

JThw8
JThw8 SuperDork
11/3/09 6:57 p.m.
SVreX wrote: Are there really VW transaxles that will handle 300hp? 5 spd?

Stock bug, no, you'll grenade it. A bus 6 rib should hold it but even that will be on the edge. 5 speed, no, but if you've got deep pockets there are kits to convert. For 300+ you need to look for the bus 6 rib or start hunting for porsche units.

Of course a bug unit could be built up to handle it but its not very budget friendly.

Dr. Hess
Dr. Hess SuperDork
11/3/09 7:09 p.m.

300 for a Fuego... Maybe. The non-turbo based transmissions are said to be good to around 200 or so. The NG1 from the Fuego at 300, well, for how long? That's a "maybe" to "don't think so," but they are said to be stronger than the ones that were in the Europa originally. See what the HP on a turbo Fuego was and go from there. The Renault box from an Esprit would hold up to 300 with the right magic Lotus fluid in it, but those things aren't getting any cheaper these days. I don't think you'll find a 300 HP compatible NS box that's cheap. Your best bet would be to go with the Porsche G50 thing and the big check book. I don't know what the Audi boxes are rated at, but you might get by with one of those.

fiat22turbo
fiat22turbo GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
11/3/09 7:09 p.m.

Yup, Audi 016 or 01E or a Porsche 915/930. They both survive behind V8 powered projects of various types.

Otherwise there was a guy who built a Lambo Countach replica that used a standard transmission and essentially put half a transfer case at the end and ran the driveshaft the length of the drivetrian to place the differential in front of the front pulley for the engine.

It looked a little ungainly but it was cheaper than retrofitting a VAG unit since he could use a built Turbo 350 or a TKO 5-speed, etc.

Of course I would take it the next step and run the other half and extend a driveline to the front of the car for 4WD or AWD.

Jensenman
Jensenman SuperDork
11/3/09 7:12 p.m.

The Acura Vigor isn't real common but it's a nicely designed box. The Audi unit should be cheaper but iffy for 300 HP.

Wheels 777 posted a similar thread a while back and there were a lot of interesting ideas. http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/day-dreaming-grassroots-supercar/3399/page1/

One that intrigued me: get a 1970s Olds Toronado or Buick Riviera diff, a marine reduction gearbox, then bolt that (yeah, like it's really that simple ) to the back of a T56 or similar box, then bolt the Riviera diff to the marine gearbox, make your power flow go 180 degrees. That way, your differential would be just below and somewhat to one side of the transmission.

Here's a drawing of the Toronado/Riviera automatic transaxle, maybe that will help with what I'm trying to describe. The diff bolts to the output which is at the lower right.

SVreX
SVreX SuperDork
11/4/09 1:59 p.m.
tuna55 wrote: I can't type today (ever). Why not transverse

Oh, OK. That's what I thought you were asking, and that's what I answered:

SVreX wrote: Because the motor I've got is so darned sexy in the original chassis that I'm not ready to quit on the idea yet.

chaparral
chaparral GRM+ Memberand New Reader
11/4/09 2:06 p.m.

Second-generation (1991-on) Acura Legend was available with both a manual and an automatic in this configuration.

They are common and I haven't heard of failures with up to 230 hp stock.

chaparral
chaparral GRM+ Memberand New Reader
11/4/09 2:07 p.m.

On car-part.com you can get the autotragic for $175-350 and the manual from $350-$700.

2002maniac
2002maniac Reader
11/4/09 6:32 p.m.
tuna55 wrote: Take a look at the pic - the AWD trailblazer has the differential in the oil pan - nice and compact. You could run halfshafts out of there and lock the rear diff and those things can make some power.

You still need a transmission though?

tuna55
tuna55 Reader
11/4/09 8:46 p.m.

Clearly, the transmission is not in the oil pan, but I honestly don't know how it works, either. I do know that the bolt pattern is very similar to the I5 and I4 engines, and can be swapped to those manual five speeds.

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