Are there any reversable Subaru drive lines?

kincaid05 · 07-31-2004, 04:40 AM

I am thinking about building a dune buggy like car on a subaru drive line for the awd. But I'd like to make it rear engine. Does anyone have any information on reversing a Subaru drive line, any year? I know I could run it upside down, but would that be a problem for the transmission oil? I would use a differnt engine on a conversion plate right side up. I was hoping I could just run the "front" differential upside down, and then flip the "rear" (in the transmission) differntial so the transmission can run ride side up. Any info on this method?

Thanks.

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All_talk · 08-02-2004, 12:41 PM

I've had the same thought myself, I've seen the rear diffs flipped (would be front in this case), but I dont know how well it works long term. The ring and pinion in the Subie tranny cant be flipped and I dont think you could make it work upside down.

There are two solutions I've come up with for the 4WD dune buggy, one, get the drive train from the Syncro Vanagon, it has a viscous center coupling and a lockable rear diff, but if you can find this rare gear be ready to pay up. Second idea is to use the stock Subie stuff and add “reduction boxes” like the old VW buses at each wheel, this would require custom spindles on the steering axle and custom half-shafts all around.

Gary

sixpack subaru · 08-26-2004, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kincaid05

I am thinking about building a dune buggy like car on a subaru drive line for the awd. But I'd like to make it rear engine. Does anyone have any information on reversing a Subaru drive line, any year? I know I could run it upside down, but would that be a problem for the transmission oil? I would use a differnt engine on a conversion plate right side up. I was hoping I could just run the "front" differential upside down, and then flip the "rear" (in the transmission) differntial so the transmission can run ride side up. Any info on this method?

Thanks.

G'Day,
If you want reliability, STAY AWAY from VW parts!!

I have tried this in the past and failed, IF you want to have fun 'OFF-ROAD',
you WILL want to go sideways/Drift? Or are you racing Competetively?
MOST off road/BAJA series vehicles are 2WD as classes restrict eng size etc.
I have completed a Conversion on a VW Type3 Chassis with 'Ferrari Dino' 'Glass Bodied Veh. Rear Eng, Rear Drive, Lift BOTH front wheel when Dumped HARD!! The ANSWER?? Porsche "G50" five speed, (Rated for 650HP),
Alternatively, you can go with a Porsche "915" Box, rated for Approx 300HP, (Although I ran one in a Porsche Cup Car/Carrera Cup that was making 450HP), the only faults with the box were driver incurred. (BTW, once we fitted a 'Holley-Blue' Fuel Pump and Tapped the Box with 'Oil-Squirters with Mazda RX7 Oil cooler, these faults ceased!). IF you are going-AWD OFFROAD, You may need to speak to some-one currently competing in that class, or turn up to AWD Buggy Event and have a look at what they have done.

Sorry I can't be of more help!

Sixpack Subaru

RacingBlue · 09-24-2004, 11:59 PM

Subaru ring and pinions are hypoid design and not flipable as in the earlier VW series trans. Unless your "buggy will weighs two tons, you probably don't really need AWD/4WD. Contact some of the west coast buggy builders for advice. Many run stock Suby 2.5s with added turbo 2WD and nothing touches them on sand hill climbing.

07-31-2004, 04:40 AM	#1
kincaid05 Scooby Newbie Member#: 67348 Join Date: Jul 2004	Are there any reversable Subaru drive lines? I am thinking about building a dune buggy like car on a subaru drive line for the awd. But I'd like to make it rear engine. Does anyone have any information on reversing a Subaru drive line, any year? I know I could run it upside down, but would that be a problem for the transmission oil? I would use a differnt engine on a conversion plate right side up. I was hoping I could just run the "front" differential upside down, and then flip the "rear" (in the transmission) differntial so the transmission can run ride side up. Any info on this method? Thanks. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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08-02-2004, 12:41 PM	#2
All_talk Scooby Newbie Member#: 57843 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Thorp (Ellensburg), WA Vehicle: 2007 Spec B	I've had the same thought myself, I've seen the rear diffs flipped (would be front in this case), but I dont know how well it works long term. The ring and pinion in the Subie tranny cant be flipped and I dont think you could make it work upside down. There are two solutions I've come up with for the 4WD dune buggy, one, get the drive train from the Syncro Vanagon, it has a viscous center coupling and a lockable rear diff, but if you can find this rare gear be ready to pay up. Second idea is to use the stock Subie stuff and add “reduction boxes” like the old VW buses at each wheel, this would require custom spindles on the steering axle and custom half-shafts all around. Gary

09-24-2004, 11:59 PM	#4
RacingBlue Scooby Specialist Member#: 3325 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca. USA	Subaru ring and pinions are hypoid design and not flipable as in the earlier VW series trans. Unless your "buggy will weighs two tons, you probably don't really need AWD/4WD. Contact some of the west coast buggy builders for advice. Many run stock Suby 2.5s with added turbo 2WD and nothing touches them on sand hill climbing.