And yes, this is a real question. I don't work on transmissions, so I have to ask. And I may not get pummeled on this forum as much as others Here's the question: a final drive in an automatic:: if a reverse cut gear were made for that, would the car go backwards in all gears but reverse? Yes, weird, but here's the backstory. I'm a longtime kit car owner. One of my mutual customer with another client is building a custom chassis for dune buggies that uses the standard EcoTec 2.2 and automatic transmission (and pretty much the entire front suspension as a rear suspension). They've build a buggy body that clears the components of the engine while keeping the engine and output shafts centered on the axle line of the buggy body. They want to do the same for my car, which is an enclosed ****pit and very tight - I can't afford anything taken out of the firewall between my seat and the engine to make room for the engine. Hence: reverse gearing, much like the vintage VW pinion and ring gear swap that was common for Formula V mid-engine setups. If a reverse gear can be used, the engine/transmission can be turned 180° and I gain space and not have to worry about cabin intrusion. Yes, I still have to worry about the exhaust, but that's easier to route.

So.. what would need to be done? Oh, and the car weighs about #1600 pounds wet, so I'm well aware of potential wear patterns on the non-thrust side of the relevant gears.

 

Wow, great concept, but It’s a crap shoot, in theory yes , however in reality?
Ive seen the Ecotec’s used in several buggy platforms and sports vehicles like the Ariel Atom.
which also uses a Honda engine in some models.

 

Not HHR, moved to the lounge.

 

Right, but those engines are typically hanging off the transaxle at the back (or, in the case of the Atom, have much more room than I do). And it's interesting the forum software "starred out" the actual word c*ckpit :-)

 

It is a family site, you have to open the radiator drain valve, not the pet****

 

True.. but blanking what an airplane has? Crew compartment?

 

I know, but I didn’t write the programming for the controls

 

Is it possible to flip the ring gear in the trans ?
Sorry never had one apart for this question.
I would do this myself when installing Chevy Corvair engine in VW's.
As the VW would rotate opposite of the Chevy.
If I didn't, the VW would have 4 reverse gears and one forward.

 

That's essentially my question. Transmissions like these don't have ring gears, but planetaries and a final drive.

 

Sorry didn't know that.
Like I said never took one of these apart before.
Exploded picture of the trans might help.
You would think an idler gear would be needed to reverse direction.
Think 4 speed manual trans and the reverse in it.