Inverting transaxles

[Julian West]

I've been admiring the engineering in the Ultimas for some time, & see the transaxle is inverted.

This is a modification I'm considering for my GT40 replica, using the Renault UN1 transaxle.

The diff can be fairly easily flipped, however I'm concerned about oil control. Does anyone know what internal mods (if any) are carried out in order to keep the oil under control & lubricating everything properly?

Thanks in advance for any information!

[Julian West]

The purpose of inverting the box is to improve the weight distribution by lowering the engine in the chassis.

If you look at the Renault box side on, the input shaft (ie crank centerline) is 70m higher than the driveshafts. Thus inverting the box lowers the engine up to 140mm, whilst keeping the driveshafts at the correct angle.

Flipping the diff is no problem in the Renault box. My main priority is oil control.

Thanks for the link, will have a look. I take it there are no mods made to the internals of the G50?? & Also I see Ultima use the Getrag (Boxter?) transaxle inverted??

[Julian West]

Andy,

I *believe* it's from a Boxster, but more interesting (to me!) is that the box on display at the Ultima stand at the Racing car show was definatley inverted.. I have a picture somewhere if anyone's interested.

I'm sure it's inverted for the same reason, ie to lower the engine in the chassis!

[Julian West]

The diff is flipped in the Alpine as opposed to the R21T, but the box is still used the same way up. The facility to flip the diff means inverting is easier!

FWIW the ZF DS can also be inverted.

So if it's definatley the case that both types of Porsche transaxles are inverted for use in Ultima's, can anyone give a definitive answer with regard to oil control??