Reverse orientation of drive train?

hi all, i need to validate a concept of reverse orientationof the gear box being coupled with a 19bhp 300cc engine. i was told to engage reverse gear all the time to all the fwd gears and turning the engine by 180 degree to get forward drive. reverse motion is obtaind at first gear. normal orientation has gear ratios as 31.48, 18.7, 11.4, 7.35 and 55 reverse. and at reverse orientatios gear ratios are told to be 55.08, 32.75, 19.96, 12.87 and 31.48 reverse
. this is basically done to increase the gear ratio as apparent. back drives are installed in lathe but how to get better tordue by using reverse gearing in automobile is quite confusing. are first and reverse gear swaped or something else can be done. we need 55.08 ratio at first for sure. kindly can someone see throught this reply as soon as possible. thank you