Bypass Variator

I have pulled with my 212 and had no issue with the variator but I was also about mid pack as far as distance pulled. Are you wanting a ratio reduction as provided by the variator or just a direct drive to the transmission? The 208 did not have a variator, in its place was a solid two groove reduction pulley. But if you wanted a direct ratio you could replace the variator with say a 4" two groove idler pulley. In any case I don't think you want to run a single long belt from engine to transaxle, it would be very difficult to control whipping unless you made a belt guard to control movement.