G50 used in mid engine???

[Panelfantastic]

I saw a Ferrari using a G50 in a mid engine config. How does that work? Is there a way to "flip" the ring gear like I've heard about VW trannys? I don't know what the inside of a tranny even looks like so the "flipping" is a mystery anyway but still curious...
And how does the shifter work??


Thanks guys!
Jeff-

[ricola]

Jeff,

the diff can't be flipped in the G50, to use in a mid engine configuration you have to mount it upside down. To do that, you modify the oil breather (maybe other stuff too but I'm not sure). This is how they use the trans in GT40 reps, Ultimas etc (www.ultimasports.co.uk).

The shifter works the opposite way around to the VW style, ie the shifter action is not reversed in the shifter.
Hope that cures your curiosity!

Rich

[Panelfantastic]

Thanks Rich!
Hard to imagine they would work upside down, but I guess a gearbox doesn't really care as long as it's getting oil. I looked at the pics on the Ultima website, they had a whole row of the trannys ready to install... impressive. I also looked at the little bit of shift linkage they showed at the tail of the tranny, I would love to see that in action. My mind just can't seem to grasp the movement and how it all connects.


Jeff-

[ricola]

I think I read on an Ultima forum that the G50 was actually designed to run 'upside down' from the start for race cars so running it upside down is going back to the original design...

[Panelfantastic]

I never thought of that. Figured the race cars had purpose built trannies. More good info, thanks!


Jeff-

[airwerksvw]

When I got my G50 the guy pulled the diff to send it in 2pcs (to stay under max weight requirements) and I saw when I put it back together that the ring couldn't be flipped. Do you guys remember where you saw any more info about running the whole trans upside down? I put a rear clip on the car already, and it would be nice to have the weight distribution of a mid engined car.........