550 Spyder (1300 lbs) + TDI diesel

[arcosine]

Check that the gearing is OK for the diesel. I would think the 914 trans is set up for higher RPMs and diesels operate at low RPMs. It would be quite a bit of fabrication to fit the TDI trans to the frame. Diesel will work with the 914 trans, just maybe not optimal on the highway.


http://www.914world.com/specs/regearing_901.php

The spread sheet shows 95 mph at 4291 rpm. The VW TDI makes maximum torque at 1900 RPM so cruse at should be around 1800 RPM, so this would be 1800/4291*95 = 40 mph. This is with 23 inch OD tires.

The Gulf TDI is at 1800 RPM at 65 MPH.

[nathanabbott]

Thanks. Arc. I'm building it in stages. The 914 trans. is rated for the torque, but you're right; the ratios need to be taller. So far, i've found a few folks that can regear it. Haven't done much digging through the racing supply atores yet, but taller gears are probably available, off the shelf. Hopefully. Wish me luck ;-)

[some_other_dave]

Taller gears are often quite expensive. You can invert the gear ratios by exchanging the drive and driven gears on the shafts, which can get you a few more ratios. But you're stuck on 2nd gear because it is a part of the main shaft, so you can't change it. And the gear sets that invert to nice 5th-gear ratios can be pretty expensive.

-soD