Date:         Sun, 22 Nov 1998 11:24:27 -0500
Reply-To:     Pat <pdooley@GTE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Pat <pdooley@GTE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Limited Vanagon content: using reverse running transaxles
Comments: To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I have been giving much thought to the Audi transmission deal again.  We had
a tread months ago regarding using an Audi 5 speed trans in the vanagon with
diff flipped.  I was supposed to investigate the possibility of such a mod.
Well, time has past and I still haven't got to it yet.  I am proficient at
tearing down transaxles and the possibility stills exists, but I too was
thinking of just making a rabbit motor run backwards.  The only problem that
has not been considered is making the oil pump feed the motor instead of
blowing air down the pickup tube.
Or am I wrong?  Will the pump work turning either direction?
If not, one solution may be using an oil pump from a diesel rabbit.  I
believe the timing belt on these motors turns the intermediate shaft the
opposite direction of the gas motors.  For a reverse running gas motor, this
would be perfect.
Can anybody else think of other problems?  I think the oil seals on the
crank, cam and intermediate shaft are directional, they kinda wick the oil
back into the block.  Maybe I'm thinking of the air cooled motors here.
I'll check into that.

The reason all this appeals to me is that Audi 5 speeds cost 50 bucks at my
junkyard and Audi or rabbit motors cost a C note.

With all due respect to Ken, this is much more practical than spending
1600-1700 dollars on a transmission that we know little about.  Like parts
prices and even parts availability.  What happens if the thing breaks and
you can't get parts for it?  If my Audi setup breaks I simply go to the
junkyard and buy another complete trans for 50 bucks.

I know this isn't practical for everyone with time constraints or those
lacking the tools or experience, but it is something to seriously consider.
My interest is renewed in this subject, and hopefully I can find time to
research it some.  I'm still trying to find time to make my 2.3 turbo swap
work, so don't hold your breath.

Going to get hands dirty at the junkyard now,
-PSD.