I need to find a transaxle that....

[Guest]

I need to find a transaxle that will place the engine the "right way" (longitudal) in the car. I have been trying to think of all the possible cars that may have a transaxle that would be inexpensive enough, and available. Must also be manual shift, 5 speed at least, 6 speed is a bonus.

About the only cars I can think of are exotic or supercars, like Ferraris and Lotus', then there are the slushbox Chryslers (Intrepid and such), but I really want a true manual. There are also Pantaras and more rare cars, but good luck finding one of those.

So any ideas on cars that might, just maybe have something that might be close to what I'm looking for? Bellhousing pattern is not an issue, I'll work around that.

If I can't find anything, I'll just stick to the transverse mounted design.

TIA
Chris.

[brian89gp]

Porche tranny's are like that, they look like a RWD tranny with a differential in the end. I know that some have used them for Lambo Fiero kits for a SBC engine.

I was also thinking that there are VW tranny's like that and there are very built ones available for sandrail applications.

[bszopi]

Yeah, old Bug transaxles are like that. I would think you'd be able to find one of those pretty cheap just to mess around with. There are a ton of VW parts available as well (like Brian said), so building it up wouldn't be a problem.

[brian89gp]

What I was getting to is that I ran across a place that builds those VW transmissions. Full CNC cases, LSD, sequential shift, etc. Enough stuff to hold 800+hp and cost more then $10,000.

So, wucha planning on doing :P ?

[jmgtp]

I could be remebering this entirely wrong... thinking back to the days I worked at an oil change....

dont some Subarus have longitudinally mounted engines that are FWD using a transaxle like the style you are looking for?

I know I have seen it (may not have been a Suby) and it was in relatively cheap and common cars. The one I may be thinkin of may have been AWD, but if the transfer case would seperate what would prevent you from using it as fwd only? (that is assuming the output shaft to the transfercase wouldnt just spin freely with nothing attatched -- like a fwd trans missing an axle would just spin the side with no load)

[Guest]

I'll have to look into the Subi tranny, that's a good idea.

I also have to go look at a Corvair transaxle, even though it is only a 4 speed, it'll be cheap.

[v6h.o.]

yeah i was just going to say subies are like that.

my 92 Legacy AWD has the longitudinal transmission, the front axles exit the transmission through the sides of the case much like the chrysler transaxles do, and then the rear is typical of a rwd application going straight to the rear diff.

the only problem is that most subarus are AWD... so you'd have to do something with the rear output shaft setup..

here is a pic of a subie auto awd trans:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2446432834&category=46104

[bwawuz02]

don't know that it pertains, but i thought once of setting a TDC 3.4 long w/stock 284 tranny and having diff's in the front and rear, but you'd have to put one of the front axles through the oil pan i think.