Fran,
Not to take this thread off track, but I think this setup could be used.
Jim N.
The problem with going with a motorcycle package is there is no reverse. Although you can use a product similar to this one (the inboard brakes are just a option). When I talked to them about a year ago, he said it would be easy to make a two speed box. Now you can have a low gear for around town (6 sp low) and high gear for highway (6 sp high). Since these motors don't make that much torque keeping the RPM's in the power band is a must.
Here is a little quote from them:
MINI SAND CARS, POWERED BY MOTORCYCLE ENGINES, ARE A RAPIDLY EMERGING TREND AMONG OFF ROAD ENTHUSIASTS AND ARE BECOMING IMMENSELY POPULAR. SEVERAL MANUFACTURERS ARE NOW BUILDING KITS AND TURN KEY CARS, AND SOME ARE VERY IMPRESSIVE STATE OF THE ART VEHICLES. HOWEVER, MOST ARE LACKING IN ONE AREA. THE PREFERRED METHOD OF TRANSFERRING POWER TO THE REAR WHEELS SEEMS TO BE A CHAIN DRIVE AT THIS POINT, AND THIS SYSTEM LEAVES A LOT TO BE DESIRED. WE WERE RECENTLY APPROACHED BY A SMALL GROUP OF MINI CAR ENTHUSIASTS WHO ASKED US IF WE COULD ENGINEER A DRIVE SYSTEM THAT WOULD PROVIDE A GEARED POWER TRANSFER WITH A DIFFERENTIAL CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE HORSEPOWER OF HIGHLY MODIFIED HAYABUSA ENGINES. THEY ALSO WANTED FULLY INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION WITH 930 CV JOINTS, THE ABILITY TO INSTALL SINGLE OR DUAL INBOARD DISC BRAKES, AND A REVERSE GEAR WAS A MUST. WE WERE INTRIGUED BY THE CONCEPT, AND AFTER RESEARCHING THE MARKET DECIDED TO STEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE.
THE RESULT IS THE TRANSWORKS MINI-DIFF. IT IS BASICALLY A SINGLE SPEED TRANSAXLE WITH A REVERSE GEAR. POWER IS TRANSFERRED THROUGH A SPIRAL BEVEL GEAR SET, ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO BE MOUNTED SIDEWAYS RIGHT BEHIND THE SEAT(S). IT IS BUILT AROUND A LOT OF THE VW BASED PARTS WE USE ON FULL SIZED SAND CAR TRANSAXLES, SO THERE IS A LOT OF FREEDOM OF INTERCHANGEABILITY AND EASY ACCESS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE STANDARD OVERALL FORWARD GEAR RATIO IS 5.55:1, BUT THIS CAN BE CHANGED TO SUIT INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.
Transworks min diff
along with the coupler you no longer need a chain. Looks like a great way to motorcycle power a car.
THE TRANSWORKS MINI-DIFF DRIVE COUPLER IS BASICALLY A 6-BALL CV JOINT, MADE OF HEAT TREATED 4140 CHROMOLY STEEL, THAT ATTACHES TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF A MOTORCYCLE ENGINE IN PLACE OF THE STOCK SPROCKET.
WE MANUFACTURE THE OUTER HOUSING AND OTHER COMPONENTS, AND THEN A MODIFIED SPROCKET IS WELDED TO THE END OF THE.' HOUSING. WE STOCK THEM COMPLETE FOR HAYABUSA ENGINES, AS THIS IS BY FAR THE MOST POPULAR ENGINE CHOICE, BUT WE CAN USE A SPROCKET FROM ANY MOTORCYCLE ENGINE, SO THEORETICALLY THIS COUPLER CAN BE USED FOR ANY MOTORCYCLE ENGINE/ MINI-DIFF COMBINATION, AS LONG AS THE SPACE EX1STS FOR IT ON YOUR PARTICULAR ENGINE. IN OTHER WORDS, AS LONG AS YOUR SPROCKET COVER CAN BE REMOVED OR TRIMMED FOR THE 3” DIAMETER AND THERE IS NOTHING ELSE IN THE WAY, THIS COUPLER WILL WORK FOR YOU. YOU MAY SPECIFY THE SPROCKET NEEDED, SEND US A SPROCKET, OR ORDER IT WITHOUT A SPROCKET ATTACHED, FOR CUSTOM APPLICATIONS. WITH THIS COUPLER THE MINI-DIFF INPUT SHAFT ENDS UP WITHIN 1/2” OF THE ENGINE’S OUTPUT SHAFT, MAKING FOR A COMPACT DRIVE TRAIN PACKAGE.
