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Tue Aug 11, 2015 6:49 pm

Hey guys, recently acquired a 5.3 liter vortec motor, and was going to purchase a 091 bus transaxle from Rancho and was wondering if this transmission would handle the 5.3. It will mainly be an on road vehicle, possibly maybe a dirt road here or there but nothing more. The only other idea is take it to the desert in a couple to few years but hoping to have something else in it tranny wise by then. Plan on running 31-33 inch tires. I'm thinking maybe if I'm easy on the gears, don't dump the clutch or try to pull wheelies or anything it should be okay for just cruising down the road, right? As I said, it's a Rancho 091, I don't think it's modified any as it's $900. So, my only question is would the 091 hold up to a bone stock 5.3 v8 as just a daily driver?

Tue Aug 11, 2015 8:29 pm

200 hp stock is what I've read.

Tue Aug 11, 2015 8:59 pm

somewhere between 200hp - 500hp? Don't know.

Tue Aug 11, 2015 9:26 pm

Here is the specs I found for your Vortec motor:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-engines/lmg/#tab-2
here is Rancho's web site:
http://ranchotransaxles.com/vw-transaxles.html
You have not told us much about the vehicle you are building.
Spec out the vehicle a little more, and then call Rancho for their professional advice on what transaxle you want to pair with that Vortec motor.
Better to spend a little more on a Rancho modified transaxle to handle the Vortex, than to waste $900 on a a guess.

Tue Aug 11, 2015 9:45 pm

Will work for a lil while but its life will be short even if it is all weddle internals.Minimum will be a mendi 2d with a stock ls

Wed Aug 12, 2015 7:14 am

Back in the day, Dave Folts told me 300HP with his axles also depending on wht clutch and how you drive .. Mendi if you wana spend bucks .. or maybe a Porsche box ??

Wed Aug 12, 2015 7:41 am

Measuring a transmission in hp is nothing more than a selling gimmick. Example, 350 hp turboed vw in a 1200 lb glass buggy on asphault only, you will never have a problem. 200 hp v-8 in a 3500 lb sandrail in sand only with paddles, that trans is now a potato chip. Torque against load is what is hard on transmissions, not horsepower.

Wed Aug 12, 2015 2:10 pm

It's a 1964 bug, has a bug eye baja bit, 6 inch extended beam up front with 12 inch bilstein shocks. Little tube work upfront for shocks. Very small cage on the inside, will have motor cage on the back. Will have 14 inch bilstein coilover on the back with 22 or 23 inch chromoly axle shafts, 31s or 33s all around, 10 inch wide wheels on the back, 7 on the front. Was considering buying Weddle super diff along with spider gears for it to beef it up a bit.

Wed Aug 12, 2015 3:25 pm

Don't skimp on what gets you down the road. It would be wise to have more invested in your trans than in shocks. Having an LS1 powered Baja is bad ass! Having to baby it so you don't break something would be a shame.

Wed Aug 12, 2015 3:47 pm

Ls1 with a mendi we built here

Wed Aug 12, 2015 4:12 pm

CHUBB805 wrote: Don't skimp on what gets you down the road. It would be wise to have more invested in your trans than in shocks. Having an LS1 powered Baja is bad ass! Having to baby it so you don't break something would be a shame.
Got the front shocks for 50 bucks for the pair. The rear shocks I can get for only 300-400. Just a high school junior so on a bit of a budget, can't afford a mendi or anything super expensive like that, but wouldn't mind putting some money into a good bus transaxle if it'll hand the 5.3. Getting the vortec motor simply for trade for labor, so I can't pass it up, also been a dream of mine to put one in the back of a vw. The closest desert to me is about 7 hours away so it wouldn't see any abuse anyhow. Mostly just a bad daily driver.

Wed Aug 12, 2015 4:57 pm

Fair enough. I think it's possible to make it last as long as you are cautious and smart about it. Chase your dreams dude! But when you come into some extra cash, beefing it up should be priority.

Wed Aug 12, 2015 5:12 pm

CHUBB805 wrote: Fair enough. I think it's possible to make it last as long as you are cautious and smart about it. Chase your dreams dude! But when you come into some extra cash, beefing it up should be priority.
Beefing it up will definitely be on my agenda!