Date:         Fri, 18 Sep 1998 12:43:18 EDT
Reply-To:     Jwilli941@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Todd Hill <Jwilli941@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Diesel 5-speed transaxle upgrades-reply
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Frank Grunthaner wrote:

<< I drove a 5 speed here in California in April of
1983 and was very disappointed because the third
was too low and fourth was too high. For the
minimal power of the diesel, the 4 speed was
actually a better choice.  However, with a gasoline
1.8L or 2.0L in-line 4 conversion,  the five speed
would be a real improvement. Probably justify
R&P replacement.  >>

I can get just about anything to do what is required
to convert 4-speeds to a 5-speed transaxle.  The
problem is that performance does not come cheaply.
When we start tallying up the bill and it begins to
push the $4000++ limit those owners who were
considering this upgrade start to get glassy eyed-
much like deer caught in the oncoming headlights
of a 18-wheeler.

This is why, particularly for the earlier Bay window
drivers, I mix and match some factory and aftermarket
parts to come up with a 4-speed that still has plenty
of oomph around town and has a nice cruise rpm at
highway speeds.   When I can build one of these
gearboxes for about $1500+ that will do 90% of the
$4000 trans then you can see why I don't have much
call for a 5-speed conversion.   Heck, even the Berg
5-speed conversion for the Type 1 owners will set
them back around $2500.

Speed costs money- how fast do you want to go??

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Todd Hill
VolksWerks Transaxles
Olympia, WA