I ran accross some cool stuff from the guys out West. They are experimenting with automatic transmissions coupled to either a quick change rear end or a modified differential like you would use in a dragster. I have seen this before but now it seems to be catching on for mid-engine builds. Heavy-yes, mid-engine only-yes, practical for a woodsbuggy-maybe. The weight would be centered in the chassis but the wheelbase would be quite long. Who doesn't have a small block something sitting around and a spare automatic. The only real cost would be upgrading of the engine and trans if desired and the differential. Custom frames would be a must. Output flanges for 930 and 935 cv flanges seem to be available for the differentials. Some are directly coupled to the quick change and some run a short shaft. A stubby powerglide would be short with a direct couple but not great since its only 2 gears. What do you think?

Quick change direct coupled to powerglide>


TH350 with short coupler to custom differential.

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"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." -Henry Ford

1st gear in a 'glide is a pretty long gear. Seems to work well in Mark Settles' Predator! Might do the same in a buggy with taller tires. (Tall tire to me is more than 31" )

Clayton did a similiar set up on his turbo VW powered drag rail. I think he used a Celica Supra rearend coupled to a 'glide, 'cause it has just a hoghead w/ flanges on each side.

Those stubby rear ends and Quick changes are HIGH priced stuff! I hear mid engine doesn't wrk great for climbing. Might as well do a CD if you gotta use a V8 in a woods vehicle, IMHO.

Larry

Ya, but chaindrives aren't good for the street. The differentials that were being talked about on the website I got the pics from were under $2500. A Winters or Richmond will run around $1500. The output shafts to match the 930 cv's would add some money. What does a built 091 cost and how much horsepower can it take. A custom diff and a decent auto trans can take 600-700 horsepower easy. I have a decent built C-6 with a 460 in front of it cranking out just over 500 horsepower and it doesn't miss a beat in a 4500 pound car. May not be the best hill climber but it would make a fun ride for trails and street.

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"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." -Henry Ford

There is alot of cool stuff out there.

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It's amazing what you can accomplish when you don't care who gets the credit.-
Harry S. Truman

I didnt know you were talking street or trail riding either. Was only thinking about how it might work when pointed at the clouds! Sorry.

Larry

Thats cool most of us think that way anyway!

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"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." -Henry Ford

theres one more way to go its a doug nash 2 quick plus it has quick change gears in the trans. so you could run a 8.8 ford ,datsun or something indepent for a rear end. 2 speeds with rev.