Mid-engine hot rod Beetle transaxle suggestions please

I've got a 72 Super Beetle that I've been dragging around and putting off restoring for thirty years. Storage trouble is prompting me to finally do something with it. So, I plan to build it into the mid-engine V8 sleeper I've always dreamed of. I learned to drive in the car in 1989 and the last time it moved under its own power was 1995. I've never liked how it shifted or the floor hinged pedals. Here's what I've got for parts so far:

• 4.6L supercharged 04 Mustang Cobra engine
• complete 1999 Porsche Boxster rear suspension unit with crossmember
• complete 1986 Porsche 911 front suspension and steering
• tube chassis (under construction at a buddy's NASCAR chassis shop)

What north-south transaxle would survive behind my 390hp V8? Felloe GRM forum member, Carbon, suggests a Ford GT transaxle, but I don't have that kind of money. Ideally I'd put a Boxster S tiptronic in it

I'm also open to a Porsche 928S engine, or other interesting V8 options but no Subaru or Audi engines ( I make my living fixing cars and I hate working on Audis and Subarus). I also don't want a diesel.

the audi 016 transaxle has been proven to be pretty strong in many applications, also i think you can flip a g50 porsche transaxle for mid engine stuff.

out of curiosity is there enough room between the back of the drivers seat and the rear axle line for a v8 to fit? ive seen some mid engine corvairs and it seems like the engine is really close to the front seats, not sure if beetles would have more or less room

In reply to edizzle89:

It is tight, but it's been done - Paul Newman had a 66 Beetle with a mid mounted Ford 351C

I have no earthly idea. But, I cannot wait until the build thread starts!

I will leave this here: http://web.archive.org/web/20021212201029/http://www.wsu.edu/~426hemi/stepone.html

Its a super-simple Caddy 500 into a beetle. Not joking.

In reply to curtis73:

Well that's brilliant.

"but I don't have that kind of money. Ideally I'd put a Boxster S tiptronic in it"

Well, how fast do you want to go and how fast do you want to spend? With the components that you already have, you're a fool not to spend money on the heart of the beast, really. There are loads of short cuts around, from BMW rear ends to stock 914 transaxles, but they'll eventually break.

There REALLY is no other answer other than buying a proper transaxle from an appropriate builder and paying the cost for reliable performance. Anything else, just plain stupid sauce.

OR . . . s#it can the whole mid-engine madness, and throw that body up on top of a modified GM chassis like mine

Somewhat like above, you could compromise and install a transverse V8, as long as you can find a manual transaxle to go with it.

If only there was a book about putting a FWD drivetrain in the back of a car... Hmmm :) Google "Kimini".

The GT40 and Lambo guys use Audi 01x transaxles with much success since they are cheaper than the 911 units that many had used before. They seem to hold up well to the abuse a mild small block provides and thanks to their use in the 944, 944 turbo, 968 and tons of Audi's there are many variations and parts available as well as tricks to make them more robust.

I believe you'll need to buy or make your own bell housing adapter plate (though an Audi V8 would bolt up with some parts swapping, but I understand not wanting to work on them at home) and the clutch splines are common to Mopar's so options abound there.

Some links:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/transaxles-for-longitudinal-mid-engine-setup/44319/page1/

http://lamboclone.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=c8v3vookfsjrt02efqqphjckc6&topic=231.0;nowap

http://www.gt40s.com/forum/gt40-tech-powertrain-transaxles/23682-audi-01e-technical-info.html

From what I understand, the diesel 6-speed used in Europe has the best gearing and strength for use with a V8, but they aren't cheap (still cheaper than a ZF or G50 box)

North south? How tall are you?

The crown mid-engined conversion for the Corvair (bigger then a bug clearly) is really only a comfortable car for someone shorter then 5 8 or so (or really short legs). I am suspicious there is even enough room. A FWD setup would likely be better, although wheel track would likely get a bit wider.

My uncle claimed his gang back in the day once put a V8 in a bug (likely in the 60's). He said the car was basically undriveable, it essentially just did spins. Of course, they probably had stock bias plies on it!

The transverse idea is really attractive, because I could sell my Cobra engine and buy an entire LS-V8 powered FWD Impala or Bonneville from which I can take the whole power train

Mendeolas can be run mid engine

Porsche 915 (not sure how durable this would prove)

Of course g50

Some of the dune buggy guys build really stout bus boxes and Kennedy can adapt anything to them.

http://www.kennedyenginc.com/Pages/default.aspx

www.autoblog.com/2011/04/04/porsche-boxster-vintage-volkswagen-bug-bugster/

GM TH425 or TH325 automatic with a full manual valve body and ratchet shifter(350 and 400 parts more or less fit). I believe most are BOP pattern, but adapters are available to chevy V8 pattern, and probably ford.

I'm sorry to be Danny Downer, but I've never seen a mid-engine V8 conversion with the engine right behind the front seats that was livable as a frequently-driven car. Very difficult to keep the noise and heat under control. If you must do it, why not go the WRX route? Lightweight, compact motor with transaxle already connected. Easy 300 HP in a car under 2000 lbs. Maybe not as bragworthy, but fast as heck and a damn bit more civilized. If you drag it, the transaxle will need significant beefing up, but still worth considering.

I'm the only idiot here who'd love to see a built 2332 VW engine in a Beetle.

170hp is a blast in a Type 1.

In reply to ebonyandivory:No your not the only idiot, I think that would be awesome. Although, if it were me, I would consider the Subie engine just so I can have good heat in the winter. Not much fun not being able to drive an old bug in the snow! :)

I was going to say Caddy or Olds FWD set up, but Curtis beat me to it.

Would you consider a bike engine? How about a Goldwing engine and gearbox? You would have to figure out what diff to use, but they are smooth, reliable, compact, quiet, not very heavy and have buckets of power. They have a reverse gear too, sort of.

Old school. Kelmark sleeper. From Wikipedia. Early on Kelmark gained a reputation as an innovator starting with V8 conversions for Beetles and Corvairs. They produced a unique car for the time period: a V8-powered Volkswagen Beetle.[1] It was marketed as the "Sleeper", and was meant to look like a stock Beetle. It was this style chassis that the original Kelmark GT Coupe was designed around.