Apparently I don't know the secret handshake or term for these transmissions. I have been looking for information about these transmissions for DAYS with virtually no information.
I've called parts yards and all they know is model and year so I have to know what I'm looking for before I can look for it.
I am looking for a better longitudinal mount transmission than a Subie transmission for use in a project car (http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/bench-racing-torque-tube/10868/page1/).
Basically the Subie doesn't come with an LSD in the front portion of the transmission. The VW/Audi was suggested and it looks nice (or at least the 924/944 Porsche variant looks nice) due to a top shifter vs. a rear shifter for the Subie, but I can't find any data on this transmission other than this from Wiki.
2WD variants:
Porsche (longitudinal engine transaxle)
* 1996–2003 Porsche Boxster 986 2.5L 6-cyl
* 1999–2003 Porsche Boxster S 986 3.2L
Volkswagen Group (longitudinal engine transaxle, front-wheel drive)
* 1996–2001 Audi A4 (B5) 2.8 V6
* 1997–2003 Audi A4 (B5) 1.8T
* 1997–1999 Audi A8 (D2) 3.7 V8
* 1998–2001 Audi A6 (C5) 2.8 V6
* 1998–2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T
* 1998–2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS V6 2.8L
* 1998–2003 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 2.8L
* 2003– Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T
Does anyone know if any of these came with an LSD? Does anyone know if they are any good? Does anyone know where to buy them?
The Por$che variants are WAY too expensive and no one seems to know if they have an LSD.
The Subie is available from a multitude of sources and is pretty inexpensive but the cost of an LSD runs it up. I am hoping to find a tranny that will end up being less expensive than a Subie with an aftermarket LSD as I need to build several of these if it works out right. If not I'll just stick with a Subie engine/tranny stuck in a midships postition.
You can get a quaife or a pelican, I think, for them but they're not cheap...1G or better.
However the Audi trans can take a lot of abuse and HP.
The point is that I don't want to get a quaife or any other aftermarket LSD, I'm trying to find a tranny with one already in it so that I don't have the mess and the expense of tearing one down.
I'm not aware of any VAG longitudinal trans that had an LSD from the OEM.
Sorry, I just had to throw one more acronym in there... 
Woody
Dork
6/9/09 9:05 p.m.
Are you using a Subaru engine?
If so, I'm fairly certain that it won't work with a Boxster transmission. I think Subaru mounts the starter on the transmission and Porsche mounts it on the engine.
I think.
The engine I use won't matter since I will have to use a custom attachment to the engine so I can work out starter and clutch on whichever end makes the most sense.
VAG= Volkswagon Auto Group?
So if no LSD in VW then I might as well use the Subie tranny. You mean to tell me none of the VWs with 1.8-2.0 turbos have LSDs? That just doesn't make sense.
Some Passats have four motion with a Haldex transfer case and an active rear differential. The front differentials on these have an electronically controlled pseudo limited slip.
Nothing as easy as what you want.
The newest Passat has a limited slip transmission option but is no longer north south.
If you can go with older stuff, the Dasher/Fox and their Audi counterparts were longitudinal. I think (and could definitely be wrong) that they share a diff with the Rabbit/Golf tranny. AFAIK they were not available with LSD from the factory but it might be easier/cheaper to find an aftermarket unit for one of those.
If I have to find an aftermarket LSD then I'll use the subie stuff. It's not older and can be more easily found in good shape. Plus it swaps out year to year.
Phantom Grip also makes an insert for some of the transaxles.
http://www.phantomgrip.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=49&osCsid=9496e55b7aa4f3a26ce1b52525c5d0d4
There was talk on the 924board.org site that there was a company in FL selling 944/Audi transaxles for about $150.
http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=29363
With that said, why do you think you need a limited slip differential? No doubt they help. On a lightweight Lotus 7 style car with suspension that can be tuned any which way you want, proper tuning with shock rates can negate the need for a limited slip at least until the driver has caught up to the car and the suspension is tuned.
Poke around on the 924 and 944 boards/sites to get a little more information on model numbers, etc. (the fact that PG shows the same part number for Audi transaxles from 1976-1991 ought to give you a clue ;)
Yeah, I'm thinking that it would be easier to fab some shift linkage for the Subie transaxle than to chase big $ limited slip parts.
BTW: VAG = Volkswagen Audi Group.
