Looking for help finding a early compact automatic transaxle to mount a mid engine 2j. Not disclosing the project yet but it has been something I've been thinking about for years and I'm starting to collect parts. End goal is a mid engine 500 hp 2jz. The best option I have found is a Subaru Forrester transmission but the power handling capabilities are questionable. It really needs to be something I can find in a junkyard so I think I may be stuck with the subie trans but if anyone has any other ideas I would love to hear them.
No personal experience here, but there is an Audi and/or VW trans that is the same as a Porsche, if I recall, and it can handle that power level. Google up GT40 kit cars and look to see what they are using today.
EDIT: Missed the part where you said "automatic". Twelve page treatise is now worthless.
I wonder if you could scare up a trans from an early front drive Audi A8. I *think* those were 5HP24s, not the 5HP19s that most/all over front drive Audis got.
There's always the TH425, if you don't mind a heavy transmission with three speeds. But you will NOT break it, not with only 500ish HP. The 425 is a TH400 that is sort of cut and folded in the middle so it outputs forwards, and has a separate iron differential that mounts under the engine.
The Porsche 928's transaxle is also a beefy piece of kit (far stronger, apparently, than the manual trans, which is the opposite of strong) but those are not quite as junkyardable...