FORMULA VEE

The Formula Vee transaxle is a standard 1200 series type I (sedan) gearbox that has the ring gear placed on the opposite side of the pinion to reverse the drive direction. This must be done to compensate for the car's mid engine configuration.
Rules allow for any standard VW gearsets that can be used without modifications to any parts of the transaxle, including the Gears. Reverse gear must be able to be engaged from the driver's seat. Svnchro components must be used and in place on at least three gears. (This allows use of the old split non-synchro lst gearboxes but you don't want one anyhow.) You can't use the ZF limited slip differential, and you can't mount the transaxle upside down.
To begin with get a fully synchro tunnel style, swing- axle transaxle. Don't get a broken one and try to save a few bucks by fixing it yourself, it will probably cost you more in the long run. Most horsepower tricks for F/V engines are common knowledge among Vee racers. The only way you can be one up on the competition in the power area is to use what you have efficiently. This is where vou should concentrate your efforts in gearbox work.
GEARING:Obtain a '61 - '63 bus 3rd gear; this will give you a 1.22 ratio(23:28). A dealer won't have this part. they only carry its replacement in a different ratio. A little junk yard hunting will produce one at a fraction of its worth. Use a .89 fourth gear- standard sedan (27:24). Don't leave out the lst gear synchro ring. If you get off the track into the rough, or just plain spin out, you'll have to wait until everything completely stops before you get it into gear. Those seconds will seem like hours, and second gear may not have quite the power you need. If you must use new parts on a rebuild (used ones are best choice) run then, in by hand using lots of value grinding compound to get things loose and freely turning.
DIFFERENTIAL: When you put the ring gear on the opposite side of the pinion, you change the differential (ring gear carrier) to side plate relationship. The old shims used to adjust backlash and side plate bearing preload won't be correct. You can't flip them around with the differential and expect to come up with the right setting. To do things right you'll have to recalculate the shim sizes for both sides. Set the backlash on the loose side (.Ol"-.25mm) and don't add on for bearing preload. This will give you a freely turning differential. Minimum resistance-minimum power loss. The Hard-core racer should have two transaxles; one using the 4.125 ring and pinion, the other with the 4.375 ratio. This way, along with tire sizes, you can set up for a particular track. Use ribbed type brake drums ('66 - '67).
Fill the transaxle with good quality automatic transmission fluid. This will allow things to turn freely, yet offer sufficient lubrication for a race.