Corvair engine to VW transaxle info?

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terribleted
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Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2010 2:36 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA
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Corvair engine to VW transaxle info?

Post by terribleted »

I have a customer that has a low production kit car with swing axle VW transaxle and odd Corvair turbo (not stock) engine. He wants me to build an engine for him for this car as the one in it is full of water and frozen badly. I have not done one of these setups. Can anyone provide pearls of wisdom on this type powertrain? We can go 2 carb or 4. He wants to stay away from turbo. His Transaxle is VW swing axle with I am assuming a flipped ring gear. I have heard this is weak? How much power can this take? Should we go 140hp or stay with a 2 carb motor.

If we assume the transaxle is not flipped then I assume the engine would require a reverse camshaft? Any input on a reverse cam in a 140? Is anything available that would work well this way? How good is the VW transaxle durability this way?
Corvair guy since 1982. I have personally restored at least 20 Vairs, many of them restored ground up.
Currently working full time repairing Corvairs and restoring old cars.
https://www.facebook.com/tedsautorestoration/

Located in Snellville, Georgia
cnicol
Posts: 546
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 8:11 pm

Re: Corvair engine to VW transaxle info?

Post by cnicol »

I would suggest contacting Steve Goodman, Rear Engine Specialists, Golden Colorado. Steve's an expert on such matters and a very nice guy to boot. Reverse cam, modified distributor, alternator fan is very common and reliable. The issue with flipping the ring gear is all the internal transmission thrust is opposite to how it's designed so durability is affected. Steve will know if this is practical in a buggy/kit car (or not).
'61 140 PG Rampside
'66 Rear Alum V8 4-dr
'60 Monza PG coupe (sold, sniff, sniff)
'66 Corsa Fitch Sprint Conv. (First car 1971, recently repurchased)
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