Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:39:00 -0800
Reply-To: Jeff Schwaia <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff Schwaia <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 5 speed
In-Reply-To: <02b601ccd191$a4570050$6401a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I'm a 5 speed convert. Didn't like the shift pattern at all when I got my
1st 2WD with a 5 speed (Syncros don't count). I loved the gear ratios, but
hated the 1st to 2nd shift. Felt awkward. About 2 months after I started
driving that vehicle, it became second nature. The 5 speed had won me over.
It really makes the 2.1 liter motor much more drive-able. Being able to
shift down from 5th to 4th at 60-65mph is great. Long grades become a
breeze instead of a PITA.
I guess it depends on what you're used to... After 30+ years of shifting
that H-pattern on Bugs, Busses, etc., it took awhile to adapt. I still have
problems with the 3rd to 2nd down shift when entering a corner. That motion
just seems engrained in my reflexes.
Cheers,
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Scott Daniel - Turbovans
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2012 5:21 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 5 speed
who said it's a dream to drive ?
it has a few advantages over a 4 speed..
the three I mentioned.
it's also 'difficult' about first gear.
Funny that VW did it that way ..
don't know what they were thinking..a 2WD drive version of the Syncro trans
perhaps..
woulda been nice if 2nd wasn't quite so high .
and they called it 1st,
and the what is now 1st in a 2WD 5 speed..coulda called that G or L ..
then things would be fine..
you'd have an OK 4 speed, like a syncro does..
with an extra low grawler gear below those 4 ratios., called G ..or perhaps
L.
but for 2WD ..
I suggest put more energy into getting a subaru 5 speed with a reversed R &
P.
I don't know how well they shift and work ...
but at least 1st is really first, and it's where it should be, forward and
left like any normal manual trans.
and 5 nicely spaced ratios ........I assume.
people put in Porche 911 5 speeds too...
that's a natural ..turns the right way ..and likley plenty tall enough and
close enough ratios.
Scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "ralph meyermann" <ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2012 4:46 PM
Subject: Re: 5 speed
>I don't wanna go crazy but just off the beaten path!!
>
> Velma 82diesel 1.6 na westy
>
> On Jan 12, 2012 6:38 PM, "Jim Felder" <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Right. The five speed is a dream to drive. This is an example of how one
> uninformed opinion propagates into "fact."
>
> Jim
>
>
> On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 5:55 PM, Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@q.com> wrote:
>
>> You had a granny gear, or a ...
