Author Topic: 5-speed gearbox into a T3 TD Vanagon (Read 5068 times)

ragulka · « **on:** December 09, 2008, 03:12:58 pm »

Since original 5-speed VW T3 gearboxes (transaxles, trannys, whatev) are really rare, i was wondering, if i could fit in something from a gasoline/petrol one or maybe even a different car - any ideas?

If you have any other ideas, how to make the T3 drive on lower RPMs, i would really appreciate it.

Sam Johnson · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2008, 09:24:26 am »

Ragulka,

You might be lucky and find a 5-sp transmission but it will not be cheap and still take some work to install. The usual means of dropping the rpms is to change the 3rd and 4th gears in the transmission. Thomas at Quality German Auto Parts in CA as well as others are sources to purchase. You will find this is not cheap as well since if you are going inside the transmission it is best to go ahead and have them do whatever work is required to ensure it is in good shape.

You can also change to larger rims and wheeels as long as they will fit in the wheel wells and not scrape when you turn. This is probably the cheaper route although there is a limit to how many rpms you can save.

There are many people on this forum that have experience with all of these methods.

Regards, Sam
Tucson, AZ

the caveman · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2008, 10:54:45 am »

There are a couple "easy' routes. Get your box rebuilt with a taller 3rd and 4th, or get it rebuilt with a taller R&P , find a 4 speed from an air cooled earlier model [1980-83] or just get some taller wider tires poss, with 15 or 16 " rims.
My 5 speed had a 5.5 R&P would turn 3600 rpms at 90 kph[55 mph] . I had it redone with a diff and trans case with a 4.86 R&P, LSD and lockable diff for when it gets real snowy. I now can go 107 kph at the same rpm's . Not much ,but a big improvement from what it was before. If you have enough power you can use the available 4.56 or even 4.19 [i think] .That's what the big HP TDI guys use.

ragulka · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2008, 11:36:48 am »

im going to have a 1.6 TD engine on my vanagon soon, i also plan on installing an intercooler to get more HP... do you have any idea if i can get the R&P-s from junkyards or should i get new ones?

the caveman · « **Reply #4 on:** December 10, 2008, 01:39:31 pm »

You can look in a scrap yard or look on The Samba. There is usually one or two for sale at any time. Check out this http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/VehicleSpecific/T3/info/gbx.htm for all the gearbox codes and ratios.