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mbjeeper
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Joined: October 13, 2003
Posts: 159
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 Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 9:39 am Post subject: Mate VW engine to Subaru transaxle (not the other way around |
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I know that you can mate a Subaru engine to a VW transaxle, but has anyone ever done the opposite-- a vw engine to a an '80s Subaru transaxle?
The reason is to get a 4WD transaxle for a vehicle I would like to build. I want the VW engine in the stock location, with a Subaru Transaxle in front of it, with a Subaru differential (that would normally be in the back of a 4WD Subaru) mounted in the front of the VW.
I realize that to do this I would have to flip the transaxles internals since it would be running backwards set up this way, but has anyone ever tried to do this?
The 4WD wouldn't really be used for off roading, but rather to be able to engage the front wheels to pull the vehicle up a boat ramp and out of the water until the rear wheels caught.
I imagine that the gear ratio would be too high also, since a Subaru has 13" wheels vs. a VW's 15".
Anyone ever seen this done? |
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SHMO
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Joined: July 29, 2004
Posts: 1647
Location: Lynden, Washington
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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The old "amphibious 4-wheel drive aircooled VW trick", yep seen that one a million times
I would like to hear a little more info on your project plans before I even start to consider the posibilities, but yes, it is possible to do given an adequate budget.
SHMO
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GeorgeL
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Joined: January 16, 2006
Posts: 7346
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 6:35 pm Post subject: Re: Mate VW engine to Subaru transaxle (not the other way ar |
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| mbjeeper wrote: |
I know that you can mate a Subaru engine to a VW transaxle, but has anyone ever done the opposite-- a vw engine to a an '80s Subaru transaxle?
The reason is to get a 4WD transaxle for a vehicle I would like to build. I want the VW engine in the stock location, with a Subaru Transaxle in front of it, with a Subaru differential (that would normally be in the back of a 4WD Subaru) mounted in the front of the VW.
I realize that to do this I would have to flip the transaxles internals since it would be running backwards set up this way, but has anyone ever tried to do this?
The 4WD wouldn't really be used for off roading, but rather to be able to engage the front wheels to pull the vehicle up a boat ramp and out of the water until the rear wheels caught.
I imagine that the gear ratio would be too high also, since a Subaru has 13" wheels vs. a VW's 15".
Anyone ever seen this done? |
Sadly, I don't think that the Subaru ring gear can be flipped. The housing isn't symmetrical like the VW.
However, cobble up a set of reduction boxes and you're back in business! One of those wierd Brazilian IRS/reduction box setups might be useful.
George |
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Big Dave
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Joined: February 05, 2005
Posts: 271
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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There is a guy here in town building a Thing with the 4WD running gear from a syncro vanagon, but I don't know if those had selectable 4WD, or full time 4WD.
Either way, it seems like that would be the easy(er) way to do what you are describing. |
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mbjeeper
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Joined: October 13, 2003
Posts: 159
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| Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 7:07 am Post subject: |
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Yes, the Synchro transaxle would be much easier, and I've given using one of them some real thought, but I haven't seen any of them around here for a long time, and the transaxles that I've seen online are so expensive. If I could find one reasonable that would undoubtedly be the way to go. Anybody have one?
Bummer about the Subaru ring gear.
There is also a guy that built a 4WD Super Beetle rally car, by extending the pinion shaft on a bus transaxle. Really neat, but beyond my fabrication abilities.
I could build an amphibious vehicle out of several other types of vehicles, but I really want to do it with a VW. It will be harder, but that's what I want to do.
Thanks for the replys,
Greg
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suntour
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Joined: November 25, 2004
Posts: 443
Location: Woodinville, WA
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| Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 8:11 am Post subject: |
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I know you trying to use a VW power plant however a Honda swap would work. It spins the wrong way. If I am not mistaken a Corvair engine spins backwards too..??
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GeorgeL
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Joined: January 16, 2006
Posts: 7346
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| Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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| suntour wrote: |
| I know you trying to use a VW power plant however a Honda swap would work. It spins the wrong way. If I am not mistaken a Corvair engine spins backwards too..?? |
The problem with this is that the gears are designed to transmit power one way only. Force them to work backwards and it will cause difficulties.
I wonder if you could run a Subaru transaxle upside down? That way the axles would run the correct direction. |
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mbjeeper
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Joined: October 13, 2003
Posts: 159
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| Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:41 am Post subject: |
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The starter would be straight down on the bottom if you flipped the Subaru Trans, but I'd bet that with a little reworking of any vents and fill plugs it would probably run upside down. Now, can it be made to mate to a VW engine?
Ditto for the rear (now front) differential.
Greg |
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panzerfuska
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Joined: September 13, 2005
Posts: 142
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| Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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| instead of flipping the transmission/drive train, why not try RGB's? they'll make for some clearance and run the gears in the right direction. of course it would involve ingenuity, but why the hell not?!! |
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