How to Mount a Predator 420cc engine to a VW Transaxle

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

INGENIOUS, really like the keying of the 2 parts, now all you need to do is offer kits

[@kaleg.416]

I've spent the last few days checking out your build and thank you for going through the trouble of taking the whole thing apart!

[@larryb4122]

I really wish I could shake your hand. Maybe even give you a big burly man hug. I can thuroughly appreciate the ingenuity and engineering that went into this type of mechanical coupling. I truly believe you deserve a huge helping of gratitude for sharing your skills with us. I can only conclude with, "I sure wish we were neighbors".

[@themellowmechanic]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you appreciate the engineering. It took me some time to figure this one out. A hand shake would be fine!

[@larryb4122]

@@themellowmechanic I do many of the same things. I suppose it's why I believe in the "think tank" method. Great work! Hope to see more of your talent.

[@61066clocks]

Wow..Well designed and engineered..not to mention your machinist/ mechanical abilities to make it all hapoen....very impresive

[@themellowmechanic]

Thanks!

[@lorimcquinn3966]

I've been thing to solve a issue in a design I'm working on and your use of the Transaxle nailed it, thanks and great example of eyeball engineering.

[@themellowmechanic]

Thanks for watching! I’m glad it was able to help you.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

Incredibly well designed and built. Great attention to detail and nothing left to chance.

[@dionstewart93]

I don't think anyone would have a better idea then what you have fabricated !!! You did a amazing job well done ! I've had several vw bugs,Bajaj, Sandrails ,and this one of best I've ever seen ! Thanks for sharing!

[@themellowmechanic]

Thank you!

[@riverasfamily]

Great job and engineering!!! Since a bought my off road go-kart I have been facing the headache of using a 670cc engine with a VW Transaxle. I have seen some techniques but yours is the best!!

[@themellowmechanic]

Thank you!

[@MrJanaRobi]

Great Job ! I have been trying to work out how to do something like that for years . Thank You ,That is a lot in one video .

[@hughjudge3441]

I've been dwelling on this idea for a good while, as you said, many nights lying in bed designing it. So when I happened upon your video I was genuinely curious to see how you did it. You did not disappoint, your design, fabrication and machining are spot on. I'll be getting a very similar project rolling shortly.

[@sicrx69]

While I watched this I thought could be watching modern marvels....love it....thx for taking the time to show us. The details are amazing

[@jimciancio9005]

Very very nice work! I wasn't aware of the fact that you could swap the ring gears of these VW transaxles to change the rotation of the engine to the wheel's! For that I really thank you!!!😄 I have an already heavily modified EZGO TXT cart that I've been building a supercharged Vanguard Briggs V twin for and at the moment I've cut the crankshaft to utilize the standard 1-30mm tapered crank to use a either golf cart comet Salisbury clutch primary or something off any sled engine for a driver clutch. BUT I've never been a total fan of automatic transmissions hydraulic or CVT, I'd probably prefer a CVT for the simplicity of it? Now after seeing your beautiful project with the swing axle design and it all being nice and easily compact just like a standard beetle would be just backwards it's been giving me different ideas Now of how to fit everything under the ass end of one of these carts! Thanks for posting this video, it's relevance that I'm not the only nut case on here LMAO! But in all seriousness though, really thank you for pointing out in the other videos of how you can change it these transaxles around to make them drive the opposite direction, I really appreciated that little tidbit of information, it's probably priceless? I've owned a 66 beetle and rebuilt the entire thing, never paid attention to what you shouldn't be looking to do with the transaxle lol I just wanted it back together in the right fashion at the time, ya know? Not realizing then, it was definitely possible to have swapped around the carrier or ring gear on the things to produce it to turn the opposite direction! Awesome man, well good luck with the Cam job, yeah unfortunately these small engine starters need a bit of help and of course if you're roping them over via hand you want a compression release centrifugal weight Cam. The V twin has no compression release being a Dyno Cams billet tool steel camshaft, so ya luckily they have a stock starter for these engines that were gear reduction from the factory as an option and you can get away with that to get these to crank over. Plus the bigger camshaft profile helps bleed off low speed static compression and because I'm running a Eaton M-24 supercharger off a Benz I was able to knock down the static compression ratio anyways. Hey brother good luck with it and please post another Vid once your back up and running! It's not everyday you see a well engineered golf cart like yours lol.

[@1620GarageAndFarm]

You have inspired me to look for a golf and swap it with a harbor freight motor !! Nice work man. Keep the video drops coming!!

[@midixiewrecked7011]

*engine*

[@robertwilliams3457]

Oh man I wish I was a machinist... AMAZING work thank you for sharing!!

[@bartjohnson8139]

That’s some wonderful machine work! Very impressive.

[@themellowmechanic]

Thank you very much!

[@reidgutzman6229]

Just Wow ! I am in awe ! I'm currently building a cart with a 250cc honda 4 stroke dirt bike engine. 4 speed with reverse gear and chain drive 🙂

[@kerryray5852]

Very clear and concise video. The best I've seen. Easy to follow and understand. Thanks

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

Beautiful idea, this was 2 years ago & I'd bet you have simplified this as you have thought about it

[@themellowmechanic]

Thanks! If I was to do it again, I would design it so I could eliminate one of the flywheels. The one on the motor could be eliminated if the ignition and cooling fan were reworked.

[@unansol]

I’m about to swap my 2 stroke G1 to a similar 4 stroke motor and came across your channel. Awesome description of what you did and how you solved the issues you came across. Great video. 👍

[@robertwright1818]

WOW very nicely designed , fabrication an machining skills. We can always improve things we build but I think u did a beautiful job it was well throughout. I have a shop at my home an really enjoy doin this kind of work. Thank u 4 sharing ur work I really enjoyed watching it . U got a new subscriber here. Thanks again an keep building cool stuff . God Bless

[@themellowmechanic]

Thank you for watching and subscribing! I'm glad there are other people into the same crazy things I am!

[@bcc172]

You are an absolute genius! Damn I want one !

[@herbienbrian2]

You should sell these as adapter kits.

[@danielrichardson1210]

Amazing... would love to see the 1999c version of this video

[@777nicklebackfan]

You sir have talent 👍

[@ekotustephans]

thank you very clear and step by step demo

[@Biokemist-o3k]

I need to mate an ONAN opposed twin to a flywheel and clutch assembly and transmission from an MGB. My thought is to cast a large cylinder out of aluminum. Then chuck it up in the lathe and make sure the 5.75 inch diameter is perfect. then bore a hole for the output shaft of the opposed twin. Then make a keyway for it so it can be secure. I will also have to make allowance for the nut that holds the flywheel on to the shaft. Once that is done I will need to make an adapter plate for that MGB transmission. I am building a replica of a 1928 Morgan three wheeler with A GN rear making it a special with 4 wheels. There is only one in existence and it is in England. It is made just like the way air[planes were back then with fabric and dope.Thank you for sharing the way you did it.

[@themellowmechanic]

That sounds like a cool project! I would like to see it. Are there any videos on it?

[@Biokemist-o3k]

@@themellowmechanic Not yet. I just ordered a tripod for my iPhone. It has taken me months to source all the parts needed. I disassembled a Lincoln 225 welder and am going to use the engine from it. I purchased an MGB transmission but it is locked up . Have to take it apart and free up what the problem is. I am looking for a junk crankshaft and flywheel with a clutch assembly . I just found and purchased an MGB rear differential with beautiful wire wheels and juice brakes. The original special has a GN solid axle rear with two chain box gears and no0differential or brakes. The car waggles all over the track after a turn sometimes nearly crashing. I will try and find a link for it for you. I located ceconite cloth for airplane coverings as well as the spray plasticizer. Mr. Morgan originally made these to look like all you have to do is put a propeller on the front and wings and it could fly or at least look that way. The original one uses a RIP v twin motor but I believe a flat opposed twin will look incredibly cool. I will try and tag you when I post my videos. I have some incredible equipment I found that people want me to make videos about. you can always type in 1928 Morgan RIP special replica and my videos should come up.....kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWq0fpRtdrp3Y5Y

[@Biokemist-o3k]

Oh and I forgot to tell you. I was thinking of cutting the flange part off the junk crankshaft, boring a hole out for the ONAN output shaft and broaching a keyway so that it connects and stays put....

[@jeremyhutchings4051]

Awsome video man ..thanks always wondered how to mount other motors to vw

[@fryloc359]

I keep coming back to this because my golf cart runs 20 mph, which is fine, but i dont like running the motor that fast. I did see one swing arm unit for sale, so maybe ill pick that up and start a parts pile. I just gotta find a cheap ez-go.

[@bobbyshaw6831]

I'm going to do this and put the 420 into a Geo Metro! Thank you for this video

[@themellowmechanic]

Thank you for watching! Check out Robot Cantina’s channel. He is putting a 420 in a Honda Insight.

[@brees2045]

I’m planning the same have gotten anywhere with it? Automatic or manual?

[@chicano562]

very nice set up

[@roberteanes354]

Very good job have you thought about using a aluminum flywheel give you more faster torq but you smart

[@tatonka6969]

I have two VW transmissions now 1 14 horse motor inspired I think so

[@vwaudiwelder]

Thank you so very much for sharing. Remarkable achievement.

[@russellscallion5139]

You to build a kit of that and mess produce it and sell it. There's a lot of people that are putting predator motors in golf kart. My dad is trying to do one now. We have vw transaxle.

[@stevenpleasant5834]

Hi Mellow Mechanic very good info and good build could you make more of these drive hubs and fly wheels and clutch set up and sell them I would need to find a vw tranny thow I like this set up how you did it very good build. let me know if you would make a set for me and other might want to do this too.

[@themellowmechanic]

Steve, I thought about making kits for the VW transaxle. Unfortunately, I just don’t have time to dedicate to that large of a project right now. It has gotten a lot of attention, so maybe one day.

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

😢😢😢😢@@themellowmechanic

[@KevinWeilacher]

I gotta say...quite an impressive accomplishment with adapting to the VW tranny...but...it sure seems to be an awful lot of engineering for something so basic as that engine adapting it into the golf cart. Way to go though anyway.... It is pretty cool to be able to have a 4 speed trans in the golf cart now...

[@blaketrahan222]

Awesome engineering great thought process How much would you charge to make a coupler and a piece for gland nut i have a 13 hp predator that I've been trying to connect to vw dunebuggy but have no access to lathe

[@themellowmechanic]

Blake, I would find a local machine shop. They should not charge too much to make that part. You could also go to your local college or trade school and talk with a machine shop professor to see if they want to earn a little extra money for a ‘side’ project.

[@blaketrahan222]

Thanks could you tell me what bearings you used for the pilot shaft

[@blaketrahan222]

It may sound stupid but could you tell me where you purchased large roller bearing I had machine shop make a setup similar to yours had the flywheel cut had a piece made (coupler) that goes on a 1"shaft with a 2" od having trouble locating bearing with 2" id except for a flange bearing I have contacted different bearing company's on Internet with no response I would prefer to use a bearing set up like yours instead of a flange bearing any advice would help thanks.

[@solomonkane223]

Take a bow sir. Well done.

[@themellowmechanic]

Thank you very much!

[@blakebaker6424]

Awesome!!! Would you consider selling a kit?

[@nickcummings81]

Absolutely genius!

[@meandmissy1970]

Incredibly. Awesome job.👍👍👍👋

[@themellowmechanic]

Thanks!

[@johndeantx]

Very creative idea! Did you flip the ring gear, or does it mesh like it’s in reverse?

[@brentsmith5647]

Brilliant video thank you

[@clintkirk9690]

Your a genius!

[@logangaddy4917]

Anyway you'd make a set up like this for a 670?

[@alphabob8156]

Wow! Just Wow! Thanks for sharing this! Quick question: Is the big bearing in the 1" thick aluminum plate a tapered roller bearing to take the thrust load, or is it just a ball bearing (which in this application would probably be fine for the thrust load)? Thanks again!

[@themellowmechanic]

It’s just a plain bearing. An angular contact or tapered roller bearing would probably be better, but the budget dictated that decision!

[@prepertruckin8525]

⭕️respect ! job well done good sir.

[@themellowmechanic]

Thanks!

[@drmachinewerke1]

My question is you up to building another adapter

[@boydreise-ward3924]

nice work

[@Guns_N_Gears]

Are you running 2 flywheels then? Good job on the engineering 👏

[@themellowmechanic]

Yes, if I was to do it again I would figure out a way for it to only have one flywheel. I need a cdi ignition to eliminate the motor flywheel. Then I would have to run a vw starter to get things going.

[@robertwright1818]

The other 1 now becomes a harmonic balancer he could change it out 2 the lil Chinese atv wiring harnesses cdi setup would be nice.

[@offgridmangogrower]

Enjoying your nice mods Any info on your clutch set up…?

[@themellowmechanic]

It is a VW clutch. I don’t know if it is a 6 volt or 12 volt flywheel. I turned it down to the pressure plate outer diameter to reduce weight. Friction disk, throw out and pilot bearings are all VW.

[@offgridmangogrower]

@@themellowmechanic I didn’t dig in before asking for the ice cream….to avoid all of that mass and clutch pressures….I’m going with an electric motor Warner clutch/drive. My 1st attempt will be with a 10hp yanmar air cooled diesel Coupled thru a love joy and Warner to a Suzuki Sami 5 speed. I just need a fruit grove getter….and top speed will be when the brakes fail. What is impressive is the mount patterns on the engine mimic the motor/clutch drive….I will need a engine to clutch shaft reducer adapter…got it laid out mentally…

[@DavidPrice-q3j6e]

How many spline is the output shaft on the transaxle?

[@brandonsfishfarm6910]

Nice job do you have drawings of this so I could reproduce that on a taylor dunn b2-48

[@themellowmechanic]

Unfortunately I didn’t document this build. I wish I had!

[@capthwdy08]

what would you charge to make the plate and adapter's?

[@scootersonlyrepair510]

Yes that. We want that.

[@davidmeier1004]

Do plans/files exist for this adapter i could get somehow?

[@johncozz2951]

Hello, great job on your build. Do you have any blue printing on any of the machine parts? I have almost the same cart. I would be able to do all the fabrication work just not the machining part.

[@themellowmechanic]

Sorry, I don’t have any drawings of the parts I made.

[@codeywaldroop6446]

Trying to build something similar but don't have the availability to do the machining would you possibly be up for doing the machine work and configurations for pay?

[@themellowmechanic]

Codey, there should be a machine shop located near you. They should be able to machine the parts for you. If you live near a college or trade school, ask one of the engineering or manufacturing professors if they do any side work. A student could also machine the parts during open shop time. They would be happy to make a couple extra bucks!

[@rickyzuela7569]

really freaking nice!

[@tatonka6969]

How much would it cost me if you machined the clutch transmission pieces

[@stevensawyer2489]

Dam good work.

[@adrianmartinez2408]

Hey how does the clutch work?

[@marvinschleicher5542]

pretty ingenious.

[@danielrichardson1210]

I would like to know if the thrust receiving bearing is a torrington

[@themellowmechanic]

Thanks for watching! No, it's not a Torrington. The lateral support comes from the large bearing that sits at the end of the shaft adapter.

[@danielrichardson1210]

​@@themellowmechanicbut its fine with the axial play? Thats something that plagued the vw cases for ages

[@hadlock]

Brilliant

[@roccomane1558]

Very cool

[@gregw7278]

Genius.

[@garynickel648]

I like it, thank you

[@musickmike997]

Any interest in building a kit to go from hayabusa motor to bug transmission?

[@themellowmechanic]

Now that would be a cool setup! I am not familiar with the hayabusa motor. Does it have the transmission integrated into the motor case? If so I would use that instead of the vw transmission. The gearing would be way better. I would use a chain final drive to an axle like a quad setup.

[@musickmike997]

The bug transmission is actually in my dunebuggy. Hayabusa does have integrated transmission as well but would like to keep the bug transmission for the independent rear suspension.

[@carlosg1165]

How fast ..????????? Great work lots of work thought how fast, can you used all the gears, top speed in four 👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👋👋👋👋👋

[@themellowmechanic]

It accelerates in all gears. I’ve had it up to 40mph.

[@davidthorne4943]

How much would you sell it for??? Very nice build. Bad ass.

[@themellowmechanic]

I probably won’t build another one. $7,500 would make it worth selling. It’s probably a stupid high price, but any less and I’d prefer to keep it.

[@davidthorne4943]

@@themellowmechanicCan you direct message me.

[@themellowmechanic]

@@davidthorne4943 send me an email: [e-mail]

[@787305pilot]

How much would you sell it for?

[@joeradle8700]

Is this a adapter kit something you'd be willing to make and sell? The possibility for that adapter to a vw rear is endless. I'd like this to make a hunting woods golf cart

[@themellowmechanic]

I did consider making a kit at one point, but I decided against it. One was enough work for me!

[@jmlcolorado]

I’d be willing to pay you to make a second adapter set 😁 And I’m serious.

[@alrevels2510]

What's the top speed of your cart

[@wbs325]

Do you have any measurements or drawings for any of those pieces?

[@themellowmechanic]

Unfortunately, I don’t have any drawings or documentation on those parts. I wish I did!

[@wbs325]

@@themellowmechanic well damn lol. You definitely did a good job though. I was going to do an ac swap but I have a 420 laying around so I think im going to do this with the same concept you came up with just a newer trans with cv axles. I appreciate you taking the time to make the video it will be extremely helpful to look back on when I start building one

[@RobertFulton-o9j]

So you have 4 reverses and 1 foward ?

[@themellowmechanic]

Nope, I flipped the ring and pinion.

[@Allen811973]

thats a cool thing to do to a electric citie car (Cheeze wedge) that would fit

[@garage.activities]

Do you still have this cart?

[@themellowmechanic]

Nope, I sold it to fund my CNC build.

[@rrm69]

Hi mechanic Are you willing make me all the same things (parts) n sale it to me? N if so for how much?

[@ipaapkr5959]

Hey bud . How much for the custom parts . Dm me

[@fryloc359]

As much as I like and want a cart like this, I don't think I'm going to go through all that design and fab to have one. Besides, my lathe is not big enough to turn large parts.

[@captainchaos3053]

Why not just use a taperlock. That's what I used all be it my motor is not going in a high powered application like a golf buggy. Mine is in an old roof chopped Austin A30. I'm only 23hp where the stock motor would be 27hp. But its okay cos its only for my kids to mess around in.

[@themellowmechanic]

Thanks for watching! I like the idea of a taper lock, I don’t know if I can machine the keys in it like I’d did to mine.

[@eduardoorozco3455]

Would you be interested in selling this golf cart?

[@themellowmechanic]

Sure, if the price is right!

[@davidthorne4943]

@@themellowmechanic So what's the right price???

[@penisulafaitele2899]

would you be willing to build me that same setup to put in a vw for my dad

[@bonzeroni1]

no more talkin , fire that sweet thing up HAHAHAHAHAHAH

[@cristohidalgo]

I don't like it. I LOVE IT ❤️

[@themellowmechanic]

Thank you!

[@ericbeck-py9fe]

Which specific vw transaxle is that, they have a grip of them.

[@themellowmechanic]

I’m not entirely sure, I ran the numbers on the case and found it to be a 1964 model year swing axle. I don’t know if it was a 6 or 12 volt as I never had the original flywheel.