Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 07:14:30 -0800
Reply-To: pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Subject: Re: Engine Conversion Transmissions
In-Reply-To: <200301150217.h0F2GnnN022600@mtac1.prodigy.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Jeff, I have an application that fits most of your criteria. I have an SVX
(240lbs-ft of torque max with 2000rpm - 6000rpm >200lbs-ft) motor in my
manly syncro westie. Modified suspension, brakes and cassette player with a
*real* sheepish seat cover and a *genuine MOMO* shift knob. In back of
beyond trim it weighs in at 5300 GVW. The R&P is the 4.86 with a 0.77 top.
Wheels are 215-75x15. The transmission was rebuilt by Transaxle Engineering
(Jeff Field) whose primary customers are off-road racers of the first
washing. (First washing means they're already washing of the dirt whilst
their competition is still "out there somewhere").
As Bent ment-ions, the application has only vague similarities to ORR.
Transmission failures are primarily of three major types: Abuse,
accelerated wear and stress induced part failure. The 3-4 slider hub is a
weak bit in the 094 transmission and upgrades are available from several
sources. Abuse, generally resulting in chipped gears is unavoidable in most
ORR situations but clearly avoidable in Vanagons. Accelerated wear can be
mitigated but not eliminated by the use of high grade lubricants, SWEPCO and
Redline are two vendors held in high esteem by the ORR crowd. Redesigned,
stress relieved parts of the proper metallurgy can go a long way but not
eliminate stress induced part failure.
Proper assembly both inside and out is VITAL to longevity. My shiny bright
newly rebuilt 094 was not properly installed the first time, wearing out the
4th gear in less than 1500 miles. Perhaps as a result of the first
disaster, a needle bearing of unknown condition at the rebuild failed almost
immediately after the second repair. It lasted ~12000 miles, whining and
complaining all the time and finally was replaced at great cost in parts
(mainshaft was damaged). Third time is the charm, unless the installer
fails to secure the adapter plate bolts and they loosen and fall out.
Caught it just in time. Poor quality control in the installation, no final
inspection. Horrid! Now properly connected with fresh bolts installed to
specification and Blue Loctite, at KEP in Palmdale and a new Stage 2.5
clutch assembly, Bessie, the charolais camper, runs as well as ever and is
eagerly awaiting le tour des les fleurs sauvage.
pensioner (better to wear out than burn out or rust out)
> Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 14:14:31 -0800
> From: Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@TSSGI.COM>
> Subject: Re: Engine Conversion Transmissions
>
> It was a Class 1 / Unlimited off-road buggy. I can guarantee that the
> amount of abuse delivered to that tranny over the course of several Baja
> 500's & 1000's was quite a bit more than will be delivered by a Vanagon
> regardless of the driver.
>
> It's a bit pricey though...
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jeff
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BenTbtstr8@aol.com [mailto:BenTbtstr8@aol.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 2:05 PM
> To: jeff@tssgi.com; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Engine Conversion Transmissions
>
>
> In a message dated 1/14/03 12:54:53 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> jeff@TSSGI.COM
> writes:
>
> << I'm not sure if they're available for Vanagon trannies, but I used
> Hewland
> gears in a '79 VW 090 transmission hooked up to a 3.0 liter 911 engine in
> my
> race car for years and never had a transmission related failure. Worth
> looking into. >>
>
> Jeff,
>
> The question I would ask you is what car did you have that engine
> transmission combination in? Since you said race "car", I am
> assuming it is
> something that weighs much less than a Vanagon or worse a Westy. I plain
> vanilla air-cooled bug weighs in at about 2400 lbs. (probably). A Vanagon
> can
> weigh in at 4200-5600 lbs. That's a huge difference that needs to be
> factored
> in when considering options such as this.
>
> BenT
> <A HREF="http://hometown.aol.com/bentbtstr8/myhomepage/index.html">Vanagon
> Cafe</A>
>
| 
