having trouble figureing out trans code - General - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• having trouble figureing out trans code by Justin on 19 Dec, 2005 09:45
• Here is the code stamped on the flat pad where the trans code is located
  4A12014
  
  I cannot find this code anywhere on the net all i can find are the GC's GP's and the three letter codes that begin with A
  
  this is a four speed and I am trying to see what the gear ratios are to see if I want to mate it up to my turbo engine
  
  Thanks
  Justin
• #1 by BlackTieTD on 19 Dec, 2005 09:59
• a lot of times the trans code is printed on a sticker in the trunk.
• #2 by zyewdall on 19 Dec, 2005 11:12
• Quote from: "BlackTieTD"

  a lot of times the trans code is printed on a sticker in the trunk.

  
  
   :?    That doesn't help if it's not in a the car, or if someones already swapped it....
  
  But just from your number, it looks like you have a code 4A transmission, manufactured on December 1st, 1984
  
  http://www.bentleypublishers.com/product.htm?code=vfa1  shows the existence of a 4A transmission.
  
  http://www.scirocco.org/gears/ doesn't include a 4A though -- only G codes for the 4 speeds.  Hmmmmmmm.
• #3 by BlackTieTD on 19 Dec, 2005 11:13
• ya its a tough one thats why i suggested checking the trunk sticker. sounds like it might be from his '84 diesel?
• #4 by fspGTD on 19 Dec, 2005 11:57
• 4A is indeed a valid code for a 1984 Rabbit 4-speed transmission.  Actually, VW technically marketed this one as a "3+E"  Meaning 3 speeds plus "economy" gear.  You may have noticed the fourth gear is labeled "E" on the shift knob.  :lol:
  
  The 4A is a very desirable transmission for a high powered daily driver turbo-diesel application.  The 4-speeds has gives wider gear spacing than the 5-speeds, making for less time spent "rowing through the gears".  It is best coupled with an engine having a broad and flexible powerband (perfect match with a VNT or other small, quick-spooling turbo.)  The 4-speed package weighs about 20 lbs less than a 5-speed.
  
  Its ring and pinion (3.94 ratio) combined with its 4th gear (.70 ratio), makes it very well suited for a low-RPM turbo-diesel highway cruising application.  It has nearly an equivalent top gear ratio to the popular for turbo-diesel "FF" 5-speed model (.71 fifth with 3.89 R&P).
  
  Also, it being an '84 (the last of the 4-speeds) means it has some extra features and flexibility not found on any other 4-speeds.  It has the spring-loaded brass shim "mini slip" output flanges (identifiable by green seal cover on passenger side output flange), which allow it to be upgraded with peloquin's 40% and 80% shim upgrade LSD kits:
  http://www.peloquins.com/products_80.html
  
  The '84 case also comes with extra mounting holes making it about the only 4-speed that can be swapped into an A2 or later VW.
• #5 by BlackTieTD on 19 Dec, 2005 12:10
• when i got my '82 with FF gearbox the shift knob had a 4+E pattern... that sound normal to you jake?
  
  (thanks for the info on the 4 speed, good stuff)
• #6 by Justin on 19 Dec, 2005 12:35
• Thanks guys that helps a lot, I will probably use it instead of the 5 speed that i have then since the 5 speed is the 1980 version and i think that its the .76 to 1 overdrive which this 4 speed will give me less shifting, quicker and better overdrive
  
  perfect for the slightly modded turbo diesel that should be on the road by new years
  
  Thanks a lot guys, now I have another one for you, have you ever seen a 4 speed transaxle that has no stamping on the flat pad?? I have 2 of them
  
  later
  Justin
• #7 by lord_verminaard on 20 Dec, 2005 17:23
• Quote from: "fspGTD"

  4A is indeed a valid code for a 1984 Rabbit 4-speed transmission.  Actually, VW technically marketed this one as a "3+E"  Meaning 3 speeds plus "economy" gear.  You may have noticed the fourth gear is labeled "E" on the shift knob.  :lol:
  
  The 4A is a very desirable transmission for a high powered daily driver turbo-diesel application.  The 4-speeds has gives wider gear spacing than the 5-speeds, making for less time spent "rowing through the gears".  It is best coupled with an engine having a broad and flexible powerband (perfect match with a VNT or other small, quick-spooling turbo.)  The 4-speed package weighs about 20 lbs less than a 5-speed.
  
  Its ring and pinion (3.94 ratio) combined with its 4th gear (.70 ratio), makes it very well suited for a low-RPM turbo-diesel highway cruising application.  It has nearly an equivalent top gear ratio to the popular for turbo-diesel "FF" 5-speed model (.71 fifth with 3.89 R&P).
  
  Also, it being an '84 (the last of the 4-speeds) means it has some extra features and flexibility not found on any other 4-speeds.  It has the spring-loaded brass shim "mini slip" output flanges (identifiable by green seal cover on passenger side output flange), which allow it to be upgraded with peloquin's 40% and 80% shim upgrade LSD kits:
  http://www.peloquins.com/products_80.html
  
  The '84 case also comes with extra mounting holes making it about the only 4-speed that can be swapped into an A2 or later VW.

  
  
  Good info Jake, do you have the gear ratios for this box, it seems to be a rare bird and hard to find info for.  Also, I've heard that the other 4-speeds arent that strong, but if the 4A has the "mini-slip" parts built in, perhaps it's as strong as an 020.  Thanks!
  
  Brendan
  84 Scirocco 8v
  00 Camaro L36 M49
• #8 by fspGTD on 21 Dec, 2005 00:25
• Quote from: "BlackTieTD"

  when i got my '82 with FF gearbox the shift knob had a 4+E pattern... that sound normal to you jake?

  
  
  It is plausible, although just a little bit odd because my '81 Rabbit came with an FF, and it had a 1-5 gear pattern printed on its shift knob.  Oh well, the "E" gear is just semantics anyway.... :wink:
  
  

  Quote from: "lord_verminaard"

  Good info Jake, do you have the gear ratios for this box, it seems to be a rare bird and hard to find info for.
  

  
  
  I believe my '84 Rabbit owner's manual has the ratios listed.  But I don't have easy access to it right now.  If you're willing to dig, I know they are in ETKA, listed along with each gear.
• #9 by BlackTieTD on 21 Dec, 2005 08:38
• Quote from: "fspGTD"

  Oh well, the "E" gear is just semantics anyway.... :wink:
  

  
  
  when i put the TD motor in i switched the shift knob from the 4+E to 5-sp because then i could actually accelerate in 5th.  :lol:
• #10 by lord_verminaard on 22 Dec, 2005 05:47
• Heh, had to format and re-install my pc, never got around to installing ETKA again until just now.   Figured out the ratios:
  
  1st:  3.45
  2nd: 1.75
  3rd:  1.06
  4th:  .70
  
  3.94 final as Jake mentioned.  
  
  Brendan
  84 Scirocco 8v
  00 Camaro L36 M49
• #11 by Justin on 22 Dec, 2005 06:49
• Thanks for the ratios, they are greatly appriciated
  
  what is Etka, and can it be made readily avaliable??
• #12 by BlackTieTD on 22 Dec, 2005 08:27
• you have to work at a dealership parts department to use ekta.  :wink:
• #13 by fspGTD on 22 Dec, 2005 10:17
• Thanks Brendan.  By the way this is what I've got in the VNT Rabbit!
• #14 by lord_verminaard on 22 Dec, 2005 15:51
• Nice.  Yeah, I did a bit of searching in the yards around here and there seems to be a few around for cheap.  Also, if the ring and pinion are interchangeable with other 020 boxes, I found by running a simulation with my "fantasy" TD Scirocco I got a much quicker 0-60 and 1/4 mile time by swapping in the 3.67 ring and pinion that nearly every other 020 box has.  And, with the tire size that I plan to run, puts me at around 2760 rpm in 4th at 75 mph.    Acutally, I pretty much tested every gearset that VW offers in 5-speeds and this 4-speed combination (with the 3.67) beats everything else.  
  
  Wonder how much torque they can handle?   :twisted:
  
  Brendan
  84 Scirocco 8v
  00 Camaro L36 M49