1983 GTI 5 speed into a 1.6 N/A....?

[GIDDY_UP_GO]

I know where there is a 1983 GTI rusting away in a field close to my house (Makes me sick everytime I see it!) But I have access to the car and the owner has more or less given me the GTI aluminum snowflakes, the GTI steering wheel, and now I am contemplating getting the 5 speed tranny.

Is anyone familiar with the 1983 GTI 5 speed tranny and would it be a good match for my 1.6 N/A? What if I add a turbo to my 1.6?

Comments and suggestions appreciated!

Thanks

By the way, I would love to rescue the entire car, and could probably get it for free, but the floorboards have been in the dirt for 5 years and are rusted thru!

[burn_your_money]

It's probably a close ratio tranny which is a lot of run for ripped around town but make sure you have a good set of earmuffs for the highway.

[Quantum TD]

If it has its original 2H or 4K tranny, then forget about going over 55 MPH. You'll be at 3800 in 5th gear at 55.

[1outof5]

I don't think the GTI gearbox woud be much fun (better than nothig though  )

Might be worth taking a look at the front brakes, easy upgrade for your 1.6NA

[theman53]

The 83 GTI is what I currently drive. 55MPH is exactly 3K maybe 3100. I don't like the 5 speed much as all the gears are 500 rpm apart except for 1 to 2 is about 1,000 rpm difference. My driving style and this don't mix. I usually just use 1,3,and 5 unless I am in town. All that said if top speed isn't a concern it probably is the best get up and go trans they made. Just my .02.

[drrtybyl]

Any room for sixth and seventh gears? 

[catlin_cava]

Some people Love those transmissions and some Hate them. I Hate them. Like eveyone says they are Great intown I could take off pretty quick, But i would top out at 140kph with it.

[GIDDY_UP_GO]

Well, I appreciate your thoughts on this, I still may grab ahold of it, just to have for later down the road. We all know that you can never have too many spare VW parts laying around! 

[catlin_cava]

Well, I appreciate your thoughts on this, I still may grab ahold of it, just to have for later down the road. We all know that you can never have too many spare VW parts laying around! 

Thats true, I have a barn full of MK3 parts lol

[8v-of-fury]

take the close ratio trans and drop a low 5th gear in it. Amazing in town and Amazing on the highway what more could you ask for? lol it would be the ultimate trans

[catlin_cava]

6th speed, 1 2 3 and 4 close ratio, 5th and 6th long gears for highway.

[sawedoffgolf]

the 020 trannys in 83/84 gtis are some of the worst transmissions vw has made.

[8v-of-fury]

the 020 trannys in 83/84 gtis are some of the worst transmissions vw has made.

How so? Do a simple fifth gear swap from one of their "Better" trans (even though there all identical) and put it in the 2H or 4K transmissions. I have a 4K mated to my 76hp 1.7 gasser right now.. bone stock.. and it hauls. Because of the short gearing. .you can really take advantage of all 76 hp at 5000Rpm.. if the gearing was tall the car would never be able to tap in to that.. tall gearing is for engines with torque not horsepower. You ever notice how a v8 car will haul no matter what is behind the engine? Like lets take a 460 ford for example.. stock the engine only produced some pathetic low 200's at 4000rpm.. but it had over 400 ft at around 2300 :O Thats gobssss of torque and will gladly spin a tall geared trans like they had.. and propel the 6500lb car they were usually found in.

The "Hybrid" vw trans as I call them (close gearing with the tallest fifth) are amongst the best for any application. Wicked awesome in town on power, and amazing low rpm cruising on the highway.. and if you need to pass no worries! just drop it back in to fourth and you'll be in the powerband around 4500 rpm

4K with .71 5th FTW

[dennis]

I had an 83 GTI with the 4K. Milled the head a tenth of an inch, euro cam, and a 100 horse shot of nitrous. The tranny lasted through about four or five axles twisted in half untill it blew the differential. (slicks) It has a limited slip diff but is rivited together. May have survived longer with a bolt kit. Went to a 9A trans afterwards which has taller gears with a quaife diff. At 105mph the engine was turning over 8 grand. Passing gear was hitting the nitrous in fith gear.

[rabbitman]

Went to a 9A trans afterwards which has taller gears with a quaife diff. At 105mph the engine was turning over 8 grand. Passing gear was hitting the nitrous in fith gear.

My Dad's golf gasser has a 9A and I hit 105mph at about 5000rpm