Hi all,

I am working on dropping a modded STi engine into my 72 Beetle. Is it possible to flip the ring gear in the STi 6-speed to get reverse rotation at the axles? (so that the impreza driveline can be used in the rear engine layout) This can be done on VW transmissions, so I'm hopeful that the STi shares this possibility.

Thanks for any help

Dave

 

Good question. Never really thought about that but I have taken many trannys apart. Which ring gear would you need to flip?

 

Great question! I was actually just talking about this with my dad over Christmas break. Input anyone?

 

So far it is not looking too good for the gear flip. Apparently the 5-speed uses Hypoid gears, unlike the VW which uses spiral bevels.


Dave

 

Maybe all you'd need is a custom ring gear.

 

check this thing out.. These guys are VERY helpfull and forthcoming with information.
http://www.edge.au.com/buggies_ballistic.htm

 

Put the motor in front of the axle like some have done with v8's

It will be better balanced and hook up better (unless you need a back seat)

 

^^How do they hook the shift linkage up then? They would haveto use paddle shifters worked by cable or electronics, right?

 

Dude... that buggy thing... is... AWESOME!!!

 

No matter which (s)he does it will require some custom linkage
end product is pretty cool

 

I'd say! Do you have any good info on a project like that? Even if it is a V8?

 

There's a dune buggy co. in California that makes an adapter plate to mount Subaru engines to stock VW transmissions , the Transmission from a VW bus would be a good place to start looking for stronger internals . With this setup , there would be no need to fab linkages.. also I think the V-8 conversion mentioned above was for Corvairs , I may be wrong though..