Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 21:02:45 +1300
Reply-To: Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Subject: Trans info for repowered vans
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
VW TRANS
I wouldn't really trust ANY VW trans to handle a high-torque or
high-powered engine. Eventually it is likely to strand you, and if this
happens 1000km from home it'll cost you...
If you MUST use your VW trans, best replace ALL forward gears with Albins
Elephant Gears and mainshaft, made in Australia. These gears are much wider
than stock and are by far the strongest made anywhere. You won't break them
or spin their centers (but your mainshaft bearing will still be
failure-prone due to its chronic oil-starvation); however trouble will move
on to the next-weakest link, and the case or diff housing may fail...
Albins Offroad
7 Tramminar Court
Wendouree
Victoria (don't know zipcode)
Australia
phone: (03) 5339-5134
Elephant gears are available in a wide range of ratios, and for 091 and 094
(4 & 5-speeds trans). A 4-speed gear/mainshaft set sells for $1095AUS +
p&p. The 091 from my 75 Bay has these ratios: 1st-2.79, 2nd-1.67,
3rd-1.13, 4th-0.77.
PORSCHE TRANS
To handle the EG33 I am going to fit a Porsche trans in my T3. I bought a
915 trans, but have now decided to go the extra expense and fit the
stronger better-shifting Getrag G50 Porsche trans from an 87-89 911, using
an MSDS adaptor kit (not cheap). MSDS contact:
MDM810@aol.com
www.msdsinc.com/vanagon_ecs.htm
Use SAW axles with Porsche 930 CVs; VW axles can break. MSDS' kit includes
axles. When using MSDS' kit you'll need to source for yourself: CVs and
shift tower (the VW shifter won't work).
Other sources for Porsche trans adaptor parts:
Weddle Engineering info@2weddle.com -kit starts at
$549, includes axles, complete CVs, 930 stubaxles (specify Vanagon-to-920
stubs!).
McKenzie Performance Products jekkhotmail.com -930 CVs $54ea, 930
cages $40ea, 930 boot holders $17.95ea, 930 boots $8ea, 930 axles $199pr,
930 stubs $46ea with your cores, modify your 915 flanges $46ea.
Porsche trans prices:
915s go for about $1000 unguaranteed, maybe $1500 rebuilt.
G50s go for a bit more:
$1800 (PartsHeaven in San Francisco, <partshvn@ix.netcom.com>)
$1950 (Patrick Motorsports, Phoenix, AZ <JEPIII@patrickmotorsports.com>)
For LSD add ~$800. Specify 1987-1979 G50, as later units are too long to
fit. PartsHeaven sells 930 CVs for $50ea.
915 trans has the same CV bolt-pattern as the VW. To use 930 CVs with a VW
or 915 trans yol'll need adaptors for the trans drive flanges; either
plates or welded: Mckenzie will weld your flanges to fit 930s.
KEP makes adaptor kits to fit engines to Porsche trans (uses same adaptor
plate as the VW trans kit).