MD4-2D

Overview

This transaxles has beefed up all the weak areas of the VW 091 with a completely new heavy duty case and gear set for off-road applications up to 550hp. It includes a 10" diameter spiral bevel design ring and pinion gear set. This ring and pinion tooth set is designed for maximum power delivery to the rear wheels for race applications. It's the same gear set currently used by the World Of Outlaws sprint cars, NASCAR Super Modifieds, and the Craftsman Super Truck series, so you know it's strong.

At a glance the physical attributes of the Mendeola MD4 are similar to VW, but they are as different as night and day when you need brute strength to harness lots of horsepower. A close look and you'll see a massively reinforced case. The bell housing mates to air cooled VW motors as normal, but places the starter motor at 12 o'clock instead of the 10 o'clock position on the VW. Adapters and clutch kits for almost any engine you want are available from KEP (Kennedy Engineered Products).

Another nice benefit is the Mendeola case is narrower, allowing the axles to be longer, which in turn reduces the angle the CV joints must work. But most important to note are the transaxle chassis mounts. The MD4 added more strategically positioned chassis mounts to absorb all the shear load of more powerful motors. In addition, the MD4 case is physically larger to accommodate the bigger ring and pinion, which affects chassis mounting when compared to a VW transaxle. In road racing applications the MD4 can be flipped upside down with adaptors clocked 180 degrees, available from KEP. Flipping upside down allows your engine to be positioned extra low to the ground to achieve a low center of gravity for ideal weight distribution.

MD4E

Overview

The MD4E uses the same massive case as the MD4-2D. The pinion shaft accepts both the VW 113 or 002 gearsets. By utlizing the 5.14 R&P ratio a higher ratio gear stack can be used assuring you of the strongest possible gear combo. Its target application is sand buggies producing 325 HP or less and off-road racers 175 HP. This would include 2.5 liter turbos and normally aspirated engines under 3.5 liters.

Keep in mind that all current MD Series main cases are universal, as are the diffs and bell housings. Should you decide to enhance your engines performance level your Mendeola dealer can convert your"E" into a "2-D", greatly increasing its' strength.

Transaxle Options

• 4.11 or 4.86 Ring and Pinions
• Aluminum intermediate housing
• 935 Drive stubs (8620 and super duty 300M)
• Pro-Drag conversion kit (supplies with spool)
• Swingaxle conversion kit

MD5

Overview

100% CAD Designed

The MD5 shares all the attributes of the MD4-2D. The 5th gear allows pre-runners the use of that ever important mileage gear. For Class 10 and 12 off-road race cars the ability to really "stack" 3rd, 4th and 5th makes 5th gear invaluable. This gearbox won the SCORE-LITE Championship "3" times. It's performance-to-dollar ratio is absolutely unmatched. It's cost effective for sure.

Transaxle Options

• 935 Drive Stubs (standard 8620 or super duty 300 M)
• Reverse rotation 4.86 and 5.42 ring and pinion
• Pro-drag conversion (with aluminum spool) swing axle conversion

HD4

Overview

Ultra Duty Transaxle-Off-Roadings' first Sequential Gearbox

The Mendeola HD4 is the strongest racing transaxle on the planet. In sand buggy trim it is rated at 1300 to 1600 HP, 800 to 1100 lbs. ft. torque. The off-road racing platform will handle 650 to 850 HP, 500 to 750 lbs. ft. torque. It is currently being run in everything from Baja to the Dakar Rally. It was the unit run in the Marking/Mendeola Unlimited Class 1 Car, which also won the SCORE 2004 Unlimited Class 1 Championship. This vehicle captured the Toyota True Grit Award as well. It was the only open class car to complete all 5 seasons' races.

If it's sheer stregth and unmatched reliability you're after, the HD4 delivers in spades. No other gear system can match it. By utilizing the S4's activating system in its new shifter housing and providing a bearing bulkhead for the gear stack, the HD4 uses other transaxles for "target practice".

Transaxle Options

• 935 Drive Flanges
• Chevy V8 bell housing-LS1, LS6, GEN 2SB
• Howe Power Steering Pump

S4/S5

Overview

Simplicity and extra durability, that's what the S4 delivers. No more H pattern, just pull to shift up, push to shift down. It goes beyond the capabilities of our MD4-2D, yet it fits the same chassis mounts.If you're considering an upgrade from an MD4 some minor spacer work will be needed on your motor mounts to raise the motor slightly. With the larger transmission gears of the S4 the input shaft had to be raised, which in turn raises the bell housing about 3/4" higher in relation to MD4. Although the differential are of the S4 is the same height, the S4 transmission area of the case is about 2" higher than the MD4 case. In road racing applications the S4 can be flipped upside down and positioned extra low for a low center of gravity, ideal for weight distribution. Electric paddle steering wheel shifters are available to bolt right up to the S4 from PBS Engineering. This is the same kind of shifter that IRL and Formula One cars use.