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