Engine/Transmission

[Steve]

I was thinking about using my 351W in my scratch build GT40. I would like some advice on whether an 016 Audi trans. will handle the power from a mildly built 351? Or would a 302 be a better option? I already have a 351W and 016 Audi. Any input on this is greatly appreciated.
Thanks again,
Steve

 

[Eric]

Steve

I think it depends on a couple of things. First, what do you consider "mild"? Second, will this be a street-only car, track-only car, or street-track combo?

If you're building a street-only car and by "mild" you mean 350 to 400 HP or thereabouts, the 016 should be fine. Keep in mind, the 351W is a torque monster, so factor that in as you build the "mild" engine. (Torque is my elixer, not horsepower; that's why I have a 351W! Yes, the plan is street only.)

I went with a Porsche G50-05. In retrospect, if I were to start over, I would go with the Audi 016. It is about 1/3 the price of a G50-0x and should be fine with my planned HP/torque in a street-only car. I think the parts are a bit cheaper, too. (Porsche is pretty much a synonym for $$$.)

If you are building a track-only or street-track combo, I'll have to defer to others on the forum. I would assume for a track car you would be exceeding 400 HP.

I think I would match your transaxle to your engine, not the other way around. Just my opinion.

Eric

 

[Keith]

If you have the budget - personally I would get the best trans I could afford, and by best I mean strongest. While it might be cheaper now to match the engine to what you already have in the transaxle dept, it won't necessarily take account of future engine upgrades, and you might find you have to spend again on both items instead of just the one.

A good trans (Porsche/ZFQ/RBT ZF - there may be others :laugh, would also greatly enhance the resale value of the vehicle and would probably never depreciate as a single item.

I hope this helps and I would qualify my comments by saying that I do not, and never have owned a 351W or a transaxle of any description, but a GT350? That's a different matter..

 

[Cliff Beer]

Steve, I'm no expert but a 016 should be fine for a modest (sub 350hp/tq) install provided you don't do a bunch of drop clutch burn outs. Junk yard 016s can be had for $200-400 each so they're definitely cheap. It's worth trying to find a clean one and replacing output seals and the oil with something good like Redline. You can certainly sink another $2K into one with a rebuild and LSD from a place like German Transaxle of America but then you're starting to get towards the low end of the market for a G50. I've bought G50s for around $2,500. The old porsche 915 box isn't too bad either despite the strong preferance here for the G50. The 915 box is stronger than the 016 but a fair bit and they can be had for around $1,500. Choices.....