Dana Spicer rear in a dune buggy/kart build

[H34choctaw]

I know this is a golf cart forum but the differential in question has been used in gas golf carts so here goes.

I got a Dana Spicer rear end and axle off of a Cub Cadet Big Country 4x2. I'm going to put it into a Chinese dune buggy/go kart. It's a bit over kill but its pretty stout, has a locking diff and has reverse. I'll be using a B&S Vanguard 18 hp v-twin for power.

In order to keep the rear swing arm with the coil over shocks from being too long I need to install the engine BEHIND the differential whereas before it was in front of it.

Can I rotate the differential upwards about 75 degrees or so so that the CV belt will clear the axle if the engine is mounted in the rear? The oil level would come up to the rubber fill hole. I wouldn't rotate it anymore than the bottom of the hole. Would everything still be lubricated properly?

Other option is to turn the axle/diff around so that REVERSE is now FWD and FORWARD is now RVRS. My gear ratio with the 25" tires would be what 14 to 1 now? From around 12 to 1?...Would that be a bad thing for driving on my property with a lot of steep hills?