I have a project kicking around in my head and it involves using a longitudinal mid-engine setup like you'd see in a GT40 replica or the Factory 5 GTM.
I plan on using a GM LS based V8 (L33 5.3 is at the top of my wishlist currently). With a few bolt ons, that engine is capable of 400 reliable horsepower.
Corvette Transaxle For Sale
My question to the vast knowledge of the GRM collective is: Which transaxle should I use? Horsepower/torque capability, overall length, and shifter type/layout are the main criteria. The weight of the vehicle in my head will be about 2200lbs.
The Corvette transaxle is probably the strongest and most readily available. But due to the rearward diff placement it's going to move the engine further forward in the car. So that pretty much leaves you with the Porsche transaxle. Or you could cobble up something of your own. Finally, here is a 5-speed transmission built to fit early vehicles including the Shark Corvette. The Keisler low-profile internal rail-shifted high-torque-capable transmission fits with the least amount of effort in a Shark and is capable of withstanding up to 700 ft-lbs of torque. You can build a transaxle for mid engine use with a standard Saginaw 4 speed transmission and a C5 Corvette differential.For assistance you can follow my web. Get the best deals for corvette transaxle at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items! Greg PajoCar and Driver The new C8 Corvette is the first generation of the Corvette that will be automatic-only. Chevy said the car didn't need a manual transmission because the C8's automatic is.
C5 Corvette Transaxle Service Manual Diagram
Since I want to keep this as grassroots as possible, I don't want to hear about ZFs from Panteras, Hewland FT/LD200s, or any other hyper exotic transaxles (unless you have one taking up space that you would give away ).
Here's a short list of what I have dug up so far:
VW/Audi 016, 01E, 01M.Pros: Kennedy already makes adapters and there is a company that makes cable shifters for most of them. Relatively inexpensive and plentiful.Cons: Questionable durability depending on who you ask. Some of the GT40 guys break them at track days (I don't know at what horsepower level though).
Porsche 915, 930, G50.915 is not known for its durability, but the side shift 915 out of a 914 might be interesting. 930 is only a 4 speed, but it is the shortest from bell housing to tail. The early ones also have the shortest distance from the face of the bell housing to the center line of the drive axle output flanges. I know very little about the G50. Factory 5 does recommend it for the GTM. Although it can be done, these transaxles are kind of expensive to convert to side shift. These transaxles aren't exactly cheap period.
What say you wise ones?