Bubbalowe wrote:
I'm loving the 90 degree approach angle the set back axle/differential gives. Too bad there isn't a spool out there to fit the front differential to get away from welding it. I'm a believer in what you are doing and it obviously works well. Please keep the pictures coming!
there is a spool. there is a vw following in other states and countries. I've seen photos on websites but a friend of mine is very good at welding them up solid.I tossed some old bolts in my 1st diff and it worked for almost a year, but when it let go it destroyed the bellhousing wall.Passats and jetta's and New beetles share the same trans and the different ratios of diffs and gears are way too much to count either in automatic or manual.Rite now at pull apart there is a Jetta vr5 170 hp motor with an automatic in a 1999 model.Jetta's and new beetles stayed sideways while Passat went to the trans that looks just like a bus but turns backwards in 1999 and up.Some of those NEWER vr6 Passats have close to 300 hp. Who needs gear reduction with that?Put that on a hillclimb. The motor weight ahead of the rear wheels will be just right the steeper it climbs.Put gas , battery and cooler behind rear wheels.Or just go toyota ,honda, nissan.I can get that trans at pull a part for $70 out the door.
A good running motor at a salvage yard cost what 3 EMPI headers in a box would cost.I put a $20 Auto Zone 3" pipe extension on my stock header and boom I had a great sounding motor.If this is a turn around in more buggies,just saying, ...the parts suppliers would sell more seats, seat belts, 3x3 trailing arms,or 38" like mine, brakes, cut brakes, foot pedals, tires, rims, steering,cv's,traditional front ends, radiators n fans, fuel tanks n pumps, airbags and shocks,modified frames, prefabbed c/v adapters, and start customizing to these popular foriegn motors such as simplified wiring harnesses, computors, chips,consoles,etc.It may take many years but it's coming one way or another.