B series rwd

**Jdmphil** · 15-12-2020, 04:23

Ok I’ve a b series Honda engine in shed I’d love to to get it into my mk2 but as u know the engine rotates anti clockwise I had a thought the other day if I flipped the diff it would it wound counter rotate it my question is has this ever been tryed and Is it possible to do probably with correct diff set up problem I was thinking is the gearbox would be turning backwards would this cause damage to box I was thinking a t9 or Mazda with an adapter plate or if the t9 had straight cut gears might even be better and then the diff is it possible be turn the diff or would I have to turn the axle the car at moment has a Borg rear diff running a 1.3 auto so will be replacing the new axle new box new engine trying to make a plan make up my mind wat to run but would love to the b series in it as be different and cheap to upgrade down the line I know u can get a Gforce box to rotate correctly but 5k bit much for a box for me basically any thoughts can it be done is there a diff I could buy to counter rotate and best axle set up to be able to do this

**Graham** · 15-12-2020, 07:58

flipping axles has been done before, maybe not in a escort though, cant help but feel you are trying to reinvent the wheel here for no particular good purpose, sure the Honda b series is a good engine, BUT what your suggesting is a huge amount of work and money to fit a 160-180bhp engine, there are loads of other engines which make much more sense, if you must fit a honda lump, at least use a K20 it turns the right way and in standalone engine management will give about 240bhp

**Jdmphil** · 15-12-2020, 09:08

Ya would love to go k20 but have an engine here on ground know it’s mint and cheap to mod down the road only putting the feelers out see wat options I have and could this be done as have engine

**onecamohv** · 15-12-2020, 09:39

theres been more than one irish rally cars that have B-series engines fitted, but the engine has been re-engineered to run clockwise by a lecturer in a college in Cork.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oop-nh0OnIw&t=3s

**katana** · 15-12-2020, 10:37

Flipping an axle is often done with trikes running shaft drive bike engines but they are usually sub 75hp so hardly stressed. Running helical cut gears, in the gearbox and rear axle, backwards can't be good for them long term so although they may work for a while, failure is a possibility!

**Jdmphil** · 15-12-2020, 18:02

Yai don’t want to do it If going to be breaking every few months said I’d ask before making a plan and buying parts ya I’ve seen one in cork lot money spend on engine to turn opposite way

**piekey** · 15-12-2020, 19:15

Can you actually turn the english diff through 180 degrees ?
To my mind it would starve the pinion of oil #1
The prop would run uphill & smash on the diff tunnel #2
Would the 1/2 shafts line up #3

I would sell the engine you've got & purchase the right one with none of the phaff..... Or is it April 1st ?

**Forest_rallying** · 15-12-2020, 19:55

Originally Posted by Jdmphil

Ok I’ve a b series Honda engine in shed I’d love to to get it into my mk2 but as u know the engine rotates anti clockwise I had a thought the other day if I flipped the diff it would it wound counter rotate it my question is has this ever been tryed and Is it possible to do probably with correct diff set up problem I was thinking is the gearbox would be turning backwards would this cause damage to box I was thinking a t9 or Mazda with an adapter plate or if the t9 had straight cut gears might even be better and then the diff is it possible be turn the diff or would I have to turn the axle the car at moment has a Borg rear diff running a 1.3 auto so will be replacing the new axle new box new engine trying to make a plan make up my mind wat to run but would love to the b series in it as be different and cheap to upgrade down the line I know u can get a Gforce box to rotate correctly but 5k bit much for a box for me basically any thoughts can it be done is there a diff I could buy to counter rotate and best axle set up to be able to do this

Both Quaife and Elite do reversing transfer boxes that could possibly be modified and fitted for your use use, what power and torque thay would take I have no idea. Whether a conventional manual gearbox would be up to the job working in reverse is another matter.

I certainly admire your enthusiasm for wanting to attempt such a task of fitting a reverse direction engine but to do it reliably is going to be very expensive, posssibly why many don't do such things. The very best of luck to your challenge.