North/south mid-engine transaxles...

[mullett]

Bit of an odd-ball question, and not really Toyota specific, but what do you guys know about inline transaxles? IE what you'd run in a lambo/ferrari style car, engine mounted north/south in the middle, driving to a gearbox which effectivly has a diff in the middle, driving the rear wheels...you all know what i mean There's Hollingers and stuff out there, but they're VERY $$$y. There's also stuff like the box out of a later kombi, supposed to be pretty strong. Any more info out there? Something else which crossed my mind is having a crownwheel/pinion setup on a 'normal' (say...E51) box, with the motor mounted 90deg to where it normally would be...not the most neat solution, but I wonder if it'd work...I'll explain the basis of this question later on

Cheers, RM.

[jonra23]

How much power are you looking at putting through it?
The GT40 replicas are using ZF or porsche 911 transaxles.
Buick put out some V6 and V8 fwd cars that would give you diff gearbox combo but would need scratch built suspension.

regards
jon

[mullett]

Looking at around 400hp/800kg. The porsche option might me a good one...the buicks, were they north south engined? Must have HUGE bonnets!

RM.

[jonra23]

Yes Buiks were North/South, they are Yanks.

Project sounds like fun, not sure but i think they used ZF transaxles in the Gicatilos(spelling)

regards
jon

[mullett]

Damn and jesus...like a FWD 454 isn't bad enough, the motor is inline...jeebers. Yup, tis a fun project indeed. Any idea what kind of $$$ the ZF transaxles would go for? And availiblity of parts/LSD, etc? If you know of someone who specialises in them, that'd be awesome...google here I come

Cheers, RM.

[jzk25]

Front wheel Drive Subaru Liberty box. I know a guy with an EJ20Turbo in a Porsche 550 spyder replica with this box and it copes quite well. You could also fill one up with PPG gearset and LSD for (I imagine) a lot less than a Porsche box. Can also use cable or hydraulic clutch.

[mullett]

Damn good suggestion, rep awarded to both of you I imagine the STi Box would also do a pretty good job, just block off the output for the rear wheels/transfer case (whatever they have). Hmmm. This is looking easier and easier...for that matter, I'm sure you can get whole replacement dogboxes and other such tasty things for a scooby. Do you know if they have a removable bellhousing? Or if it's all one cast?

RM.

[Enchanter]

Im guessing you are looking into a scratch built car. RACE magazine is designing one at the moment, they have opted with a locally delivered fwd v6 and transaxel. In a light weight car it wont have to be enourmously strong.

[mullett]

Yup, I came across that the other day, great magazine...I'm opting for something a little different though, I want the weight of the engine/box lower and closer to the centre of the car, and the centreline too. To let the cat out of the bag, I'm looking at a mid-engine'd 1UZ powered spaceframe, with some kind of fibreglass body and a serious braking and suspention package...oh, and the 1UZ might just be supercharged...

RM.

[Enchanter]

Theres been a few mid engined rear drive kit cars using the 1uz. A twin turboed 1uz Ferrari F40 replica comes to mind in NZ.

[mullett]

Pah...replicas I love the idea, but it just makes everything look like a cheap knock-off when you clothe it in someone elses design...personal opinion though...do you have a link?

RM.

[Enchanter]

Yeah I agree, I feel its better to design it your self, then it really is yours and not a copy of someone elses.

The link I had died, I think they changed sites, infact I cant find anything on google. I do have some video of it from the original site but it isnt very good and it only shows it racing, no tech stuff.

[skiddz]

first thing that comes to mind is a g50 porsche as jon said, they are used behind 5L ford v8's, in the gt40 replicas, they are quite expensive though no surprises there

[mrshin]

Much as it pains me to say it, but you might be able to look at old Alfa's - Alfetta, GTV, etc.

[thechuckster]

you could also look at Audis (North-South engine + AWD)?

Another issue with front mounted north-south engine with a rear-mounted transaxle/gearbox is that the tailshaft running from engine to box has to run at engine speed.