Manual Transaxle

[Koran]

What is a manual transaxle or is just the Transaxle part I'm having trouble with???

[enginerd]

The transaxle is a unit that has a transmission and an axle . The term transaxle is normally used in reference to front wheel drive cars, however newer Corvettes have a transaxle, since the transmission is mounted in the rear of the car with the axle.

[Hudson]

I agree with the above. But just to elaborate...

A transmission is the unit that converts an engine's rather narrow power range into ratios more suited to use on the road. Transmissions can have as little as one gear and as many as you can fit into the box (some trucks have up to 21-ratios).

Power is then transmitted from the transmission to the axle, which, in turn, turns the wheels.

In most front-wheel drive (and some rear-wheel drive) vehicles, the transmission and axle are combined into one unit, renamed "transaxle".

If I read your question correctly, you're confusing the term "manual transmission." "Manual" or "automatic" just describes the type of transmission (or transaxle). With a "manual," there are gears that provide set ratios (usually somewhere between 3 and 7 in production street cars). In an "automatic," there is an elaborate system of fluid that generates the same end result (multiple ratios) but requires little or no input from the driver...therefore "automatically" shifts.

There are automatically shifting manuals and manually-shifted automatics (as well as transmissions with nearly infinite numbers of ratios), but I'll just leave you with the above explanation. I hope that helps.

[Koran]

But is a transaxle transmision better than just a regular manual transmission??
How does it incorporate with the power if it is better??

[Hudson]

There are weak transaxles just as there are weak transmissions. Many transaxles are designed for relatively low-output front-wheel drive cars, so they aren't particularly good for modified engines. On the other hand, most of today's transmissions are higher-performance rear-wheel drive cars or trucks.

If you're having the engine modified (transaxle or transmission), you should work on the transmission/axle as well. It just makes sense. Make sure all of the appropriate components have been boosted to handle the power you're intending on producing.

[enginerd]

In addition to what Hudson said, transaxles are cheaper to produce than a seperate transmission and axle. Combining both units in one also means they are cheaper to assemble on an assembly line. Big automakers are always looking for ways to cut costs, so transaxles are common today.