901 weak links and, my 901 is apart and I want to get it in proper order to handle a LOT o Options

[RXBeetle]

First post, noob here! Hello all and thanks for letting me in on your fun.
I have a 74 Super Beetle.... ok you can all stop laughing now. (914 someday, but for now I like my Bug) I am in the process of upgrading from a stock VW trans and a 12A rotary engine to a turbo 13B (~300hp and 250ft/lb of torque) and a 901 transaxle. I am sending some engine parts out for nidriding and I would like to get in as many parts as I can while I am at it that may benifit from the treatment. I am aware of the first gears lack of support and was thinking that having the drive and pinion shaft nitrided to make them less prone to deflection (I will still be gentle, not a drag car). I am a little worried about the diff since it's only a 2 spider and a Quaife is not in the budget. I think nitriding the diff housing should help reduce flex and keep the pinion gears fully engaged. I will probably have the pinion gears done as well. Now I'll admit that this is the first trans I have had apart and I am not familiar with what is prone to failure and what is fine for these power levels. In the Type 1 world you always hear the welded keyed 3rd and 4th, super diff, heavy duty side cover, etc. So if any one has some good info on how to beef up a 901 that would be greeeeat
PS anyone have a 901 nose cone from a 911 laying around???
PPS who ever had the red 914 out at the woodward dream cruise yesterday (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) very nice, very clean, kick ass.

Thanks!

[Dr Evil]

Interesting. I am not sure thatyou will notice or recieve any benefit by nitriding anything. The weak point in the trannt is the owner first, and then the other parts (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Seriously, the pinion is not prone to losing engaugment with the diff unless the pinion bearing fails as is common with too much torque. 250ft/lb is near the believed top end of 300. The gears are hardly a failure point and are in no need of keying or anything due to the shaft having flutes for them already. I have seen teeth completely stripped from a gear and it still did not rotate on the shaft.

There are billet aluminum intermediate plates that are touted as fixing case flex issues, but IMHO I do not believe that they are necessary and have never seen a tranny with a failed intermediate plate.

Not sure what else to tell you, I do not know much if anything about nitriding things.