Rear mounted transaxle

[PerilousActs]

As a spinoff of http://nissanroadracing.com/showpost...8&postcount=21

Has anyone looked into this? I don't want to sound crazy or anything, but I've always thought of looking into it since I have a spare shell to do mock up/cutting/measurements (hopefully not in that order =p) on.

There's crazy options for transaxles out there from companies like xtrac, Hewland, etc, but what about something mildy affordable like the T56 based transaxle from corvettes or maybe porsche setups?

Corvette setup (C5 and newer):


From what I've read about the SR->T56 adapter conversions in NZ/AUS is that the gearing is terrible for the lack of torque down low. So the first question is, is there any companies producing gear setups for them to help with this if this were the route to go? It also looks like one would have to go to a fuel cell due to how it will be positioned.

[Def]

If I went to that point, I'd just tube frame the back half of the car(and the front half for that matter).

I've thought about it a good deal, just way beyond where I see myself wanting to go with my car.


I'm betting a 944 transaxle would work better for us given the displacement isn't too far off without looking too much into it.

[PerilousActs]

Yeah, it'd definitely be a lot of work. I'm not sure I would want to go that far yet either, but it would definitely be worth it.

I haven't had much time to dig into porsche setups yet, but from what I understand, they should work better. The gears sit on the rear side of the tranny instead of the front like the T56 from the vette. This would probably give us a bit more clearance with the stock tank/floor area.

[BeerBringer]

If I went to that point, I'd just tube frame the back half of the car(and the front half for that matter).

I've thought about it a good deal, just way beyond where I see myself wanting to go with my car.


I'm betting a 944 transaxle would work better for us given the displacement isn't too far off without looking too much into it.

Yeah, and at that point, why not scrap that little Sr20 and 240sx body and build a real car?

[Def]

Yeah, and at that point, why not scrap that little Sr20 and 240sx body and build a real car?

I agree 100%.

One of my long term "would like to haves" is a tube frame car I built with a heavy nod towards Group C cars with lots of aero.

[Matt93SE]

Considering you can get the weight distro to 50/50 without much of a problem on an SR, what's the point in moving 100lb of weight from the middle of the chassis to the ass end?
even my car is 53% front, and I can easily remove 40lb of weight off the front end of the car. that puts it about 51% front, and keeps the drivetrain in the center of the chassis where the car will rotate easier.

[WorkInProgressK]

Considering you can get the weight distro to 50/50 without much of a problem on an SR, what's the point in moving 100lb of weight from the middle of the chassis to the ass end?
even my car is 53% front, and I can easily remove 40lb of weight off the front end of the car. that puts it about 51% front, and keeps the drivetrain in the center of the chassis where the car will rotate easier.

Actualy turn in's would be easier.

[Tower240sx]

if you want a transaxle at the back you need a V-8 and a S/C to counter the weight added to the extreme rear then the vette gears are perfect because now you have enough torque...and a parts bill that looks like most of a corvette,

But you have a car that you can't class because it's completely off the wall and you'll wish you had a vette because atleast that would get you laid.


That said, I have put alot of thought into it,
despite finding no good reason to do so,
There is also the transmission and diff from the 2nd generation Honda/Acura Legends they had a longitudinal mounted FWD layout with a 3.2?? V-6 in 5 or 6 speed (or auto)

[Def]

Considering you can get the weight distro to 50/50 without much of a problem on an SR, what's the point in moving 100lb of weight from the middle of the chassis to the ass end?
even my car is 53% front, and I can easily remove 40lb of weight off the front end of the car. that puts it about 51% front, and keeps the drivetrain in the center of the chassis where the car will rotate easier.

My car is 53/47 with an SR. There is a little bit of weight I can ditch up front, but I don't see more than 15 lbs realistically, and I'm still losing weight in the rear.

I'm betting the car ends up being in the 54/46 range after I do a little more weight reduction.

[Matt93SE]

Def, that sounds a bit odd. then again you have an S13 and bigger radiator, intercooler, etc etc etc on the front. my car/dash is completely stripped inside and total weight is about 2450 w/o driver on <1/8 tank of gas. (2690 w/ me while suited)

My hood weighs 60lb easy- cheap aftermarket steel hood. the factory hood weighs about half that.

I still have stock bumper supports and all that, so there's a ton of weight I can cut out of it too.

Batt is already in trunk, but I can remove all of the emissions crap off the engine- probably won't save but a few lbs, but it'll be out of the way at least. that will come depending on the engine I choose once the SR is/isn't approved.

Then there's the roll cage which is a pretty substantial weight added to the middle of the car. the meat of the cage is right at the doors, which is roughly balanced around the center of the car.

so on so forth.

[BeerBringer]

I agree 100%.

One of my long term "would like to haves" is a tube frame car I built with a heavy nod towards Group C cars with lots of aero.

If you realy want one I see that as a realistic dream to some one like you, your smart enough end educated enough to poll something like that off with good result.

If you would build it as a track day only car and not be limited to rules you could build something with retarded performence on a budget that is not extreamly high.

I'm thinking 500 hp V8
~1000kg
Full lenght diffusor with slide skirts + big wing.
~Tires in the 300 width range.

Or something smaller.
300 hp turbo Hayabusa engine
600kg

Think would pull enough G's to make your neck muscles the limiting factor =D

[CodyAce]

C5's are in the 14-16 range, by the time you mod a 240 to have the power, transaxle, and handling of even a base c5, you've eclipsed the cost of the actual c5.

I love my 240, but if I wanted to do a 'badass' track car, it will be C5 or E36 based. Or even just go with a 7 clone

[Matt93SE]

I was thinking Elise or Exige with more power... or maybe a 7 clone as well.

Maaaaan I wish I had video of my last race on sunday. I was running wheel-wheel with a Caterham for about 10 laps. I turned the camera on, but for some reason the recorder never started.

http://blehmco.com/pics/track_pics/MSR%20Houston/2010%20Nov%20Regional/DSC_1750.jpg

(look at pics 1744 though 1753..)

[Ando]

Just build a Locost with a SR20DET. Cheap, familiar, ultimate performance. Imagine your power to weight after you shave off 1000 lbs.

[Matt93SE]

for a track day toy that you can't take anywhere else, sure...

then again I'm thinking maybe a CSR/DSR racer would be fun as well. not sure I want to pay the maintenance bill on that though.