Side loads on a Audi 016

[Wayne M.]

Does anyone have any experience with mounting the Audi 016 trans where the axles are carring the side load weight like the old Corvairs and Lotus Europas used to do. I am thinking of replacing the trans in a Fiberfab Valkyrie that used Corvair suspension.
Wayne

 

[Pete T]

The 016 isn't designed for that. There is only 1--13mm bolt that holds the drive flange on and this is all that would be holding the half shaft from comming out. When the load is inward, you would be loading the side and pinion gears in the differential. This would be dangerous because when it breaks your rear suspension would come apart.

The Corvair has the drive yoke mounted in a bearing that takes the load from the half shaft.

To do this you would need to build a mini frame to mount an upper arm, then you would use a half shaft that does not transfer the load. Something like a Corvette. Some of the guys that still race Corvairs do this.

I had a Corvair and wanted to do this but never got to it.

 

[Eric A.]

Wayne, You have a PM.

 

[Ryan]

I encountered similar problems when working out my options on my Valkyrie. the corvair suspension just is not adequate for the fitment of any other gearbox than the Corvair. Once you step into the Audi or Prosche realm, you should look at using Fiberfab's UMETS system or a similar style linkage suspension or adapted street car suspension. If you were moving to a Porsche 6 spd. or similar I would take a look at using a 993 Porsche suspension. It has some beautiful aluminum pieces and it is easily adjusted. It could also be used to create an entire removeable sub-frame with some fabrication, much like Fiberfab's UMETS system.

I did some brief measuring and it would fit with some modifications in the back half of the ole Valkyrie frame, depending on which model you have. The good thing about that car is it is not too space constrained. Lot of options, might as well be creative.