Transmission Question ID

[ffgb]

I have a 1981 1.6N/A rabbit with a 4-speed transmission..  I am interested in a FF transmission with code date 10120.  Does anyone know what the 5th gear is in this thing, .71 or .75?  Is it worth switching from the 4 speed to the 5 speed FF transmission?  Also, what is all required in the swap, what items do I need to purchase?  Thanks

[burn_your_money]

www.scirocco.org/gears should answer your ratio questions. If not, www.brokevw.com will help

[Dakotakid]

Life will be more enjoyable with the 5 speed. Esp. if you have one of the 3+E models of 4 speed. The 5th ratio of 0.75 is just flippin fine. I did literally hundreds of thousands of miles with those. I actually hated the 0.71 in my former '81 pickup (with Glasstite topper). The gap between 4th and 5th was too much (with any wind at all).
It's been awhile since I worked on Mk. I's (yippee...I hated them!), so I will let someone else answer on your required parts list.

[burn_your_money]

If you have a 4A tranny in there now you may as well just leave it. It's as good as any mk1 or mk2 gear box.

[rallydiesel]

FF has a .71 5th with the same ring/pinion as your 4-speed. Basically it will be like adding an extra gear onto your existing ratios. I would definitely do the swap.

[Rabbit on Roids]

what trans do you have now? GC? if it was a GC, then swap it.

[ffgb]

I have to see what the transmission code is.  I'll check tomorrow, but the build date of my rabbit is 03/81 if that helps.

[Rabbit on Roids]

the manufacture date of your car has nothing to do with someone potentially swapping your trans at one point. or have you owned the car since it was brand new? my car is an 84 rabbit diesel, supposed to have came with a GL trans, but it has a 4A..

[rumbling_caddy]

   I'm in the middle of a similar trans swap.  Going from a 4 speed 020 GN to a 5 speed 020 ACH.  It's already bolted up in my caddy.  Just need to finish hooking up the clutch, 5 speed linkage, and replace a broken CV joint bolt and I'm done.  Let you know how this will turn out. 

[ffgb]

I also have a 1984 with 4A transmission.  I thought the 4A was standard because it was only offered in 1984.  Also, on my 1981 rabbit, it's all stock, have all paper work.

[RustyCaddy]

i had a FF that was starting to spin a carrier bearing (i think).

Replaced with a GP...i like the GP much better.  Seemed like i was always shifting between 1-4th with the FF.

But everyone else seems to like the 5 speeds better.

[GEE-BEE]

You will need a shift plate , and a 5 speed engine mount

I have a extra chd if needed

Gb

[burn_your_money]

I didn't need the shift plate when I swapped to 5 speed.

I did prefer the 4 speed and am thinking of switching back

[ffgb]

Why do you prefer the 4-speed?  I have a 4-speed in my 1984 1.6N/A.  It is a 4A transmission.  I rebuilt the motor, head, IP with gov mod, and new injectors.  I like the performance now, it accelerates great.  First and Second gear are good.  Third gear is just ok and fourth is obviously for the freeway.  The reason why I want the 5-speed because I feel that first through fourth gear should accelerate/pull even better than the 4-speed.  I don't know, what do you think?

[burn_your_money]

Yes each gear will pull a bit more since the torque is more spread out but you'll have an extra shift to contend with.