Hot Rod Forum banner

transaxle???

2K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  deuce_454 
#1 ·
i was looking at the different kinds of IRS that the corvettes have, for those of you who have responded to my IRS posts in the past i have decided to put one in my chevelle, and i saw a transaxle and im not too familiar with them and i was wondering if someone could "enlighten" me as to what they are, and how their different from regular differentials.

thanks,
classic
 
#2 ·
If you put a trans axle under your Chevelle, the motor will end up in the back seat. A transaxle is a transmission and rear end all built into one unit. For a mid-engined car. ....or, a front wheel drive.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Actually the C5 vettes have transaxles under them, with the engine in the front. A long tube and drive shaft connect them

I put a 1966 Toronado trans axle in a 1970 chevelle. It was a FWD setup with a blown small block too
 
#4 ·
the C5 corvette transaxle is a 4L65E (a beefed 4L60E with 5 planetaries etc.) it is linked to the motor with a torque tube. if you were to mount it on a chevelle you would get a couple of advantages,

1 you could remove the transmission hump as the transmission was no longer between the front seats

2 excelent roadholding from the better weight distribution and independent rear suspension

i personally think that a Jag rear syspension would be much easier to mount but a C5 corvette rear definately adds to the wow factor
 
#5 ·
poncho62 said:
If you put a trans axle under your Chevelle, the motor will end up in the back seat. A transaxle is a transmission and rear end all built into one unit. For a mid-engined car. ....or, a front wheel drive.
'62 and '63 Tempest/Lemans, Olds F-85/Starfire and Buick Special/Skylark had a front engine V-8 and RWD transaxle didn't they ? A 326 in the Pontiac and aluminum 215 in the Olds/Buick ?
 
#6 ·
alright well i was just wondering, im planning on putting an all aluminum Corvette IRS in my chevelle with a T56 manual 6 speed and a 427 big block. I was watching TLC's RIDES and they built a 32 Ford Roadster that had All wheel drive and could do the 1/4 mile at an unbelievable time, and it got me to thinkin. So if its at all possible i might wind up installing an optional (4X2) all wheel drive system with all aluminum Corvette suspension, front and rear. I should be able to do it so long as im careful and take my time and build all the parts right :sweat: . I dont doubt that it'll take time, patience, and lots and lots of $$$, but if anyone else wants to give me some pointers or constuctive crticism, go ahead, im open for ideas and new concepts. If theres one thing ive learned about cars its that just about everything is fixable or replaceable, but take your time and do the best you can, and remember that its your car, nobody's elses, so do your thing.

thanks,
classic
 
#7 ·
i dont think building an optional 4x4 is the ticket, id get a hold of an all wheel drive transfer case preforably from a GMC syclone or typhoon, or from an all wheel drive astro van (they are almost simmilar but the typhoon/syclone uses th400 yokes. and using the front fiff from a 4wd S10. this is what Summit racing did on the 4wd deuce.

you might be able to mate the front frame from a 4wd astro/safari or front half from a 4wd s10/15 frame to the chevelle frame and save alot of tinkering time

youd have to moove the engine rearwards to fit the diff in front of the engine but i saw a neat trick in that department the other day. a bucket from a wheelbarrel (available from fleet farm or wharever you have nearby) will give you the panel to weld into the firewall with a minimum of fabrication needed. and then simply trim off excess

infact you chould be able to get a hold of a 4wd s10 or astro van for under 1500 for all the donor parts youd need
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top