Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (January 1999, week 2)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Thu, 14 Jan 1999 15:10:58 -0500
Reply-To:     Bill Knight <bill@NS.ESC.STATE.NC.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill Knight <bill@NS.ESC.STATE.NC.US>
Subject:      Re: Alternative Rear Wheel Drive Transaxles
In-Reply-To:  <369CEE6D.8D465764@MCI2000.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

There is always the ZF transaxle. I have a friend, in fact, that currently has one for sale for $3500. It was a spare for his GT40. They also put those trannies in the Pantera and Mangusta, I believe.

Bill Knight

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of Blue Eyes Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 1999 2:05 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Alternative Rear Wheel Drive Transaxles

Anyone who has even partial information about the following inquiry, please post it:

What stronger alternative rear wheel drive transaxles exist which may be suitable for replacing Vanagon transaxles in repowering applications where the Vanagon 200 newton-meter torque limit suggestion is likely to be exceeded? That's 148 ft-pounds of torque to yanks. The newest 1.9 liter 115 hp. TDI being released in Germany makes 285 newton-meters of torque, just to give you an idea of the problem for those interested in repowering. MOST of new direct injection TDI motor series makes more torque than these stock transmissions were designed to transmit on a sustained basis, like climbing through mountains in a loaded West. So in my opinion, it's not just those repowering with obviously larger motors who should be concerned about Vanagon transmission torque limits. We know the SA transaxle is stronger, but I'm told the Syncro trans only uses the same load rated parts used in the 2WD units if I understood that correctly. Right Todd?

Source vehicle? How many speeds? What are its forward ratios? What loads was it rated to accept. Stock motor ratings would be instructive guide. Could it fit into a Vanagon? Any thoughts on adapters would be needed? Is one already marketed? Other concerns like pricing, reliability and availability.

Corvair Fiero Toyota MkII Various Porsche (Too often prohibitively expensive)

I KNOW you can run a small block Chevy's output through a Vanagon trans without it instantly snapping. That's not the issue. I want to distance myself from the probable experience distribution of those who run daily drivers like that. Factory torque ratings are based on extensive testing and prudent judgment. Suggestions and input? John


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.