yes, I'm going 25 tooth tranny side to 11 tooth axle side, so I won't have to overspin the trans as much, might last longer that way. my engine is already governed to 2000 rpm (from factory) planning to leave it as such for now(note, for now).
I'm trying to figure out a good pulley size to reduce slippage.
I don't recommend welding the rear axles of most transaxles since they aren't hardened all the way through. saying that, since it will have no weight on it, I plan on welding the drive gears in place rather than pay for a keyway to be machined.
I shortened the transaxles to get inside my wheelbase and keep the length respectable (has to be under 50" wide to run in Wayne national forest)
if I had planned better, since I'm not overdriving it, I should have gotten a hydrostatic as it would've made shifting on the fly less stressfull on the tranny, maybe in version 2. i know they are not meant to be shifted on the fly, but I'll do it till it breaks and try some thing else.