Originally Posted by daled
I fabricated the Transaxle front mount our a a piece of 10 awg sheet steel. It is a cut shape with one bend. I designed the mount to bolt to the body under the sway bar mounts. I added a 3/4" wide strip of 10 awg steel along the edges to make the mount ridgid. Two hole are match drilled to catch the factory transaxle mount.
I made my half shafts out of one vw half shaft assembly that I cut in half. I then measured to the Fiat hubs to get the required additional length of each half shaft (note: I set the motor 3/8" off of the centerline of the car, to allow the transaxle to go between the rear suspension mounts withiout any modification ) I added the required length of material using a piece of 4140 steel shafting. If I was to do this again I would cut the Fiat half shafts to the required length, but I wanted the ability to got back to stock if my conversion didn't work out.
I keyed the 4140 shafts and the original Fiat axle bells.
The rear engine mount is nothing more that a length of schedule 40 pipe with two hanging tabs welded to catch the upper two bell housing bolts. The ends of the pipe will require a piece of angle iron the will sit on top of the body frame section in the engine bay.
As to additional parts..
You will need a VW shift lever and the rod that connects it to the transaxle.
I made a flat plate the sits between the shifter and the hand brake. This plate hangs two bushing brackets the the shift linkage passes thru.
I cut the VW shift linkage as required to add 2 standard 3/8 ratchet swivels.
The leading swivel is just aft of the brushings the other swivel is at the end of the linkage and is drilled out to recieve the transaxle shift rod.
Conciderations:
You will not have a speedo drive on a vw transaxle. therefore no speedometer. (I am working o a solution)
The hand brake will require a rocking bar to be added. (I have designed but I have not installed one in my car as of yet.
I used a "Freeway Flyer" transaxle in way car. Vw wheels ar 15's while Fiat uses 13's.
If you use a stock transaxle you will lift the front of the car! and be out of gears at 50 MPH.
PS you will love this conversion!
Go to your local Fiat club and spank those snooty 124 guy's.