Hi, I'm planning a project build, a VW bug sleeper with a mid (NOT rear) mounted EJ2X engine with a turbo (probably an EJ2X), manual transmisison and I have a few questions, mostly to do with the transmission, differentials, and axles.
My dream build stared as a typical VW sleeper with a turbo EJ engine. Nothing new there. From that point I figured to set it apart and remove the need for reverse cut crown and pinion gears, I'll have the engine mounted in the middle, where the rear seats will go. Engine selection is flexible, power target is around 300hp at the flywheel. EJ25 I think would work? My understanding is that Subaru has a 2wd conversion kit that eliminates the rear driveshaft. From here my initial concern is in the Subaru front diff (at the rear in my build). Will the front diff handle the power by itself? Can I use the front axles with the rear hubs or the rear axles with the front diff? Now things get a little, let's just say ambitious. I'm thinking of custom A-arm suspension with variable coilover mounts to quickly turn it into a buggy. (Move the mount inwards, get better travel, more height, softer effective spring rate. Fix the camber and put big tires. That kind of thing.). The concern here, as above is in the axles. Strength of whichever I can use. And here is where it gets a little crazy. The transmission was designed for AWD, and built as above I'll have an eliminated rear driveshaft. Is there any reason I can't use it? Say, remove the 2wd kit, and hook it up to a bolt on subframe with a rear diff. Now the car has 6 wheels and space for a truck bed/camper/what have you. Would this work? In this setup the rearmost wheels may not have brakes. I'll see. Is there something preventing me from removing the 2wd conversion, putting in a VCD center diff, and attaching a rear diff via a chopped down driveshaft? Yes this will be a ridiculous 4x6 extended bug. Now a risk of sounding totally crazy Based on that idea above, instead of a VCD and driveshaft, Can I put a solid center diff and a propeller? Some pontoons for buoyancy that kind of thing, make an amphibious Herbie type crazy build. Similar to how guys in New Zealand made an amphibious Impreza most likely. Thanks for reading all the way to the end, and apologies for possibly sounding totally out of my mind.
