If i was to re assemble a VW Beetle gearbox and put the diff in the wrong way would it give me 4 reverse gears and 1 forward?
If so I can use an adaptor from the states to mate it to a 13b Rotary engine and use it in a LMP style car
or I could use the subaru impreza gearbox and not have to faff with the diff but would have to custom make an adaptor plate

Dont know about the Beetle gearbox but a mate of mine rebuilt his Skoda Estelle (RWD rear engine) gearbox for a trial the next day and found that he had 4 reverse and 1 forward. Had to rip it all out and redo it overnight in time for the trial. Not best pleased to say the least.

depends which way the engine turns!

and if you install the box the right way up, or upside down.

Box would be installed right way up and the engine turns the same way as the VW

they poo them self at 150bhp

there are company making diff kits for the subaru box that poeple are putting in vw's now

Can't you just turn it upside down. Then, if it is behind the engine instead of in front (as in the Beetle) it should give you 4 forward and 1 reverse. Might need to put a new drain plug on, though.

Ideally I want to use the Subaru box. The VW idea came about as a few have been done with the wankel in the back but not the wrong way round to mid mount the engine, plus Kennedy in the states do an adaptor for it.

For the subaru box its already the right configuration,5 speed and newer technology. I can get a cable shift system from here http://www.cableshift.com/Subaru/subaru%20page.html and a 2wd drive conversion from here http://www.bremarauto.com/products/subaru-2wd-conversion-kit/.
But then there is mating it to the engine.
I figure it will handle the power well after all look what the boy racers put them through and my car will only weigh in at around 500kg not 1260kg ish.
I dont know about gearing but I would be on something that looks like this in 13" http://www.imagewheels.co.uk/large_wheel_pages/tvp4.html

[Edited on 8/12/10 by expatkiwi]

[Edited on 8/12/10 by expatkiwi]

If I remember correctly it is possable to assemble the diff on the reverse side, so making it suitable to mount engine in front, rather than behind as per the Beetle. I also remember that it won't take too many BHP. HTH Ray

even the hewland mk8/ mk9 which basicaly just uses the vw casing is only rated for 150 bhp i've seen a diff crownwheel explode with a 130hp pinto pushing a 500kg racecar

Yes, turning the diff will give you 4 reverse and 1 forward. Useful if you are going mid engined with the gearbox at the rear of the car. It's easily possible to build a VW transaxle to take huge amounts of power, just ask the 10 sec drag car beetle owners as they wheelie down the drag strip! You will need deep pockets though!

HTH

Adrian

A porsche 914 box would do what you want without having to flip the diff. 5 speed too.

A Model A Ford with an Oldsmobile engine and the crown wheel in the wrong side of the diff will remove the end wall of a garage quickly.
Don't ask me how I know, but it took the rest of the day to repair the garage wall before the folks came home.

Yes it will work thats what the grass track boys do / use to do

or look at an Audi 016 5 speed from a 5 cylinder 500E

Cheers

Fred W B