Transmission Relocation

Kenghia · Post by **Kenghia** » Thu Sep 13, 2001 7:41 pm

Quick question,

Can the transmission in a karmann ghia be relocated or moved forward towards the center of the car? If so whats the maximum without messing the alignment of the drive axles?

Thanks
Ken

merfin78 · Post by **merfin78** » Fri Sep 14, 2001 5:30 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Kenghia:
Quick question,

Can the transmission in a karmann ghia be relocated or moved forward towards the center of the car? If so whats the maximum without messing the alignment of the drive axles?

Thanks
Ken<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

KEN WHY DO YOU WANT TO GO FOWARD

Kenghia · Post by **Kenghia** » Fri Sep 14, 2001 6:24 am

Since this was was the drag racing forum I decided to leave out the reason, because I didn't want to go off topic. But here goes........................................

I will be installing a Mazda Rotary 13b Turbo into a 1972 Karmann Ghia and was hopeing If the transmission could be moved forward to bring the transaxle and engine closer to the center of the car, to balance the car better since the 13b engine weighs 50lbs more than a standard VW engine. Is it possible.

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Fri Sep 14, 2001 8:02 am

Yep its possiable...just look at the pan it all makes sense. In fact this is just what I had done to my 69 bug pan to fit in my EJ20T motor.

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Fri Sep 14, 2001 8:43 am

Here's an idea... flip the tranny around and mount it mid-engine. You loose the back section, but it's already a 2 seater.

Just a thought.

fastfood · Post by **fastfood** » Fri Sep 14, 2001 10:42 am

Is 50lbs really that important? How about moving the battery? That would be some of the weight. Plus you can cut out some of the sheetmetal, not like you have to be concerned about keeping the compartment sealed! Just remember below!

------------------
Rice, it's what's for dinner!!!

merfin78 · Post by **merfin78** » Fri Sep 14, 2001 6:44 pm

YOU CAN ADD GRYO WEIGHT UP IN FRONT OF BEAM AS LOW AS YOU CAN GET IT I INSTALLED A ROTORY IN BEETLE IN 70S MAN DID THIS THING MAKE NOISE WE HAD NO HANDLING PROBLEMS BUT A LOT OF TRANS RING AND PINIONS BIT THE DUST. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE I WILL EMAIL YOU MARVIN

Lo cash lester · Post by **Lo cash lester** » Sun Sep 16, 2001 4:16 pm

One problem to consider, shorten the spring plates and you've got one uncontrolable car on your hands. Most drag racers want to LENGTHEN the spring plates so the pivot point is more over center, except have the length to make small changes. Then they can tune the suspension easier. Think about a pivot point, take 10" away, how much more does that angle change with the same amount of up and down movement? Now add 10" and repeat. Big difference. If you want more over center enginer it to go longer. Minor Threat is running urethane spring plate bushings, and when you get off the gas in the traps you can not compression break or you'll be looking the other way. Horse power makes the rear wheels over power the S.P. bushing and actually "tow in" the rear end. Run a shorter S.P. and that happens much quicker. I agree with Fast Food, find ways to transfer weight somewhere else, or get rid of it all together! Later-Lester

[This message has been edited by Lo cash lester (edited 09-16-2001).]

Kenghia · Post by **Kenghia** » Mon Sep 17, 2001 7:51 pm

The car will be a street strip car but I want it to handle around curves. It won't be a dedicated trailer queen drag car. I have an IRS suspension. Speaking about suspension can porsche 944 trailing arms fit my 72 Ghia? I heard they are aluminum. But don't know if they are a swap or light mod to put in.

Thanks for the great response guys.

Roland Kunz · Post by **Roland Kunz** » Mon Sep 17, 2001 11:21 pm

Hello

What type of transmission ? IRS or swing axle ?

With the swinaxle you will run in more problems then the IRS.
Keep in mind that every angele out from the 0° level ads friction in the drive and costs energy or say netto power on the road.

Iv you only use it to drag race then leave it and if you like to drive fast or on track events ( Say more then driving on straight roads or oval circles ) then every pound shiftet forward will be rewarded in better handling and resulting higher corner speeds.
If you have a swingaxle and like to be fast in the curves then better convert to a Porsche 951 axle with a IRS trany or just drive as fast it goes.

However for a real solution browse: http://www.xtrac.com/home/hocont.html

Grüsse

Steve Arndt · Post by **Steve Arndt** » Tue Sep 18, 2001 9:55 am

yes
sa

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Kenghia:
The car will be a street strip car but I want it to handle around curves. It won't be a dedicated trailer queen drag car. I have an IRS suspension. Speaking about suspension can porsche 944 trailing arms fit my 72 Ghia? I heard they are aluminum. But don't know if they are a swap or light mod to put in.

Thanks for the great response guys.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Kenghia · Post by **Kenghia** » Tue Sep 18, 2001 12:44 pm

Was that a yes the trailing arms will fit, swap or mods, umm???

Thanks

Steve Arndt · Post by **Steve Arndt** » Tue Sep 18, 2001 12:51 pm

Yes.

Steel arms fit and are like beetle arms but allow a bit of camber adjustment with an eccentric bolt.

Then there are early and late Aluminum arms.

The aluminum arms add offset (width). Alex has all the dates on the arms.

Steve

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Kenghia:
Was that a yes the trailing arms will fit, swap or mods, umm???

Thanks<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Kenghia · Post by **Kenghia** » Tue Sep 18, 2001 1:23 pm

Wow, great, which year 944 trailing arms do you recomend for my 72 Ghia (aluminum ones would be great) and sorry about this, but who is alex. Can I recieve more info from him.

I just finished stripping my car to the bare metal and I will be working on the chassis soon and like to get as much info.

Thanks

Roland Kunz · Post by **Roland Kunz** » Wed Sep 19, 2001 1:09 am

Hello

The 924 Turbo and 944 pre 85 TA are a bolt in exept for the inner bolt/bushing combination.

Only benefit is the disc rear brake. This axle will add exact 10mm track per side.
You also can use the adjustable 924 Turbo 944 swaybars and can reuse a old style sway bar. There are different aluminium TA aviable. ( 924S/944, 951, 968 )
Just can´t remeber the specs and differences exept ABS/non ABS.

You can cut the nose cone mont away and gain some inches however the more the more complicatet and the more forward angled are your halfshafts. If you lower it too then you might need longer shafts or a axle drop stop ( correct word ? it just limits the travel from the liftet car. Can be integratet in the shocks ).

If you make a sleeper you can save some money and use steel. if you go wide track and fat ( heavy ) tires the aluminium units come better in play. However sometimes it is better to invest in lighter rims then in lighter TA ( as TA are linked one side the total wight gain isn´t to big anyhow )

Swaping to 944 will force you to Porsche 5 lug bolt pattern and also to improve the frontend to similar graded brakes to get a balance again.

Emergencybrake setup needs to match the cables. Some german companys have the parts ready out the box ( from the OEM )

Grüsse