inverting a gearbox or swapping ring gear to run in rear ?

[David Smith]

Evening all...

I have a VW camper - like it a lot but utopia would be a modern gearbox with good 5 speed or even an autobox would probably be better!

Ive looked around the VW sites and loads of engine conversions have been done but not much talk of gearbox changes.

I understand it may be possible to reverse the final drive somehow to enable a gerbox to be run backwards - but dont understand how exactly and have also heard talk of running box upside down?

Can anybody advise of any boxes that could be reversed to run behind the rear wheels so I can investigate running a more modern setup!?

I guess if it was easy more folk would have done it!

I also wondered about a porsche engine and tiptronic box but guess that would be megabucks?

any ideas?

DAS

[dickkark]

why not just fit a five speeder out of a later van.

[David Smith]

tis an option ... but to be honest would be great to have the look of the old bay window with the drive of a new van ... my gearbox has a quick shift and is the 6rib "strong good " gearbox ... but not exactly slick or smooth ... would be nice if a new box would fit with an option then to change engine to suit?

modern automatic with 2L turbo diesel? power steering central locking , power windows blah blah blah...

TA DAS

[Steve_D]

How about a G50 box out of a 911.
Would have thought it would be pretty much a straight swap. May even be 6 speed depending which version you get.

Steve

[wildoliver]

Boxster box is already designed to run in that configuration AND take the operating rods back in the right direction.
However do you actually mean gearbox to run behind rear wheels? Surely the configuration in your van is engine in rear, then gearbox in front and then the van interior? In which case a 911 box is set up for that configuration.

You could have a play with the audi 5 speed unit (80/90/100/coupe/924/944) this is designed for a mid engined or FR location but follows very similar design to the Porsche boxes and thus you may be able to invert the diff, or entire box quite easily.

Not touting but I have a mint low mileage 5 speed if you want a play.

[David Smith]

thanks chaps ... im going to speak with a breakers about porsche set up ... would keep the aircooled theme not that im that bothered ... probably best i find somebody who refurbs gearboxes to have a chat ... TTFN

[BuzzinBilly]

how about a modern'ish passat or audi box ?

[wildoliver]

Transverse?

[David Smith]

kind of looked at transverse but the engine would push into the passenger area - would be a neat solution tho

the more i think about it the more i want to do it and auto is favourite in my mind!

[BuzzinBilly]

I guess you mean a bay ?
this is the passat box I meant very similar to the air cooled one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-VW-PASAT-1-9-TDI-GEARBO...