Transmission Selection Help 4or5sp?

[trav1856]

I've got an 81 n/a, with a 3+E (4sp) .70 4th gear. (GP transmission)

I'm not finding much data on this thing, other than the gear ratios, no final drive ratio data and no overall data.

Is this an odd-duck transmission? Is it a desirable transmission to have? (for economy naturally).
or
Would it be wise to upgrade to an FN/H/J or 6G 5speed?

[RabbitJockey]

i have the same trans its nice it has a .71 4th and 3.89.  a 5 speed will go along smoother and will be nicer for going up hills and all, i have had both i am plenty happy with the 4 speed and it is the second tallest 020 u can get, the tallest is the 4a with a .70 4th so its not that different

[Quantum TD]

I had that same trans in my Rabbit sedan. If you were on flat roads, it was good. But dwonshifting to 3rd when going up hills really sucked. The difference between 3rd and 4th was huge.

I tried a few different transmissions before I pulled my head from my arse and figured out the codes. Here's what I'd do:


Here's what you'll want:

Tired-a$$ 1.5-1.6NA:

All of these have 3.94 R& P or higher, and a .76 or .71 5th gear.

AVX : out of 1991-1992 ECODiesel. These are RARE.
7A:  out of 1983-1983 Jettas, Rabbits and rarely trucks. This was the 4+E trans. Also RARE.
4S: Supposedly they exist, but I've never seen one.
AGS: Out of 1985-1987 Jetta and Golf diesels (diesel only)
AOP: Out of 1987-1989 Jetta and Golf diesels.
ACH: Came in a variety of cars from 1985-1990




Healthy 1.5-1.6NA:

All of these have 3.89 R&P and .76 or .71 5th gears.

FF, FO, FH, FJ or FN: Came in most 5-speed cars from 1978-1982 including gas and diesel vehicles.

Or, any of the transmissions listed under "tired a$$ motor"



1.6TD, 1.7TD, or 1.9TD:

All of these have 3.67 R&P and .76 or .80  5th gear.

Any of the above transmissions except AVX.
ASF
ACN
AON
ACL
ATH
DFP
CHD
AMC
DFQ
CHE

Check it out:

http://www.scirocco.org/gears/

[Quantum TD]

Also, be reminded that you'll need to swap many of the linkage parts, and the shifter box too in order to complete this conversion. But in the end, it's totally worth it.

[RabbitJockey]

i wonder how a 3.67 with a .71 fifth would go along

[VWCaddy]

i wonder how a 3.67 with a .71 fifth would go along

That is what I run in my '82:
- http://www.4crawler.com/VWpickup.shtml#Transmission

So far it has worked well.  In the process of swapping out the old leaking 1.6 pump for a Giles-built 1.9 pump and then see how it does.  

Probably a little tall for a 1.5D or 1.6D, but fine for a TD or larger engine.

[trav1856]

Thanks for the input, it is appreciated.

[Quantum TD]

i wonder how a 3.67 with a .71 fifth would go along

That is what I run in my '82:
- http://www.4crawler.com/VWpickup.shtml#Transmission

So far it has worked well.  In the process of swapping out the old leaking 1.6 pump for a Giles-built 1.9 pump and then see how it does. 

Yeah, but aren't you running a 1.9? I wouldn't recommend a 3.67 for a 1.5 or 1.6na.

[745 turbogreasel]

My Caddy started out with a 4-speed.
I swapped in an FF 5-speed,and it seemed pretty natural, though I can't remember if I had it in there while the car was NA or not.
If I ever had the tranny out, I'd go with 5.

[RabbitJockey]

i  had an ff in my na jetta, then swapped a turbo diesel and another ff in to it,  i really like the ff 3rd gear felt amazing at 25psi

[R.O.R-2.0]

GP and 4A trannies are like having a 5 speed with blown up 4th gear..

[Dakotakid]

I'm on board with the guys above me: running one of these "3+E" trans on an n/a is like going through life with an amputated leg. EVEN an earlier normally ratioed 4 speed would be an improvement over one of these. Honestly, I know, as I had one of these in my old Rabbit years ago and ran it 75,000 short tempered/angry miles. Ants and stink bugs would create a vortex as they passed me up!

[8v-of-fury]

I have a 1981 1.6 na, with the FF transmission. Its got a lot of miles on it.. 598k with one rebuild.

It is a blast to drive. I feel a closer ratio might be more fun in town though.

[maxfax]

The original trans in my '81 was a GC 4 speed..  Seems like I was always shifting, especially on the hills, and never could find just the right gear..  Swapped it for an '81 FF..  Worlds of difference..  After I trashed the FF I went with an ACH, and for my particular driving it's perfect.. It does wind a bit high on the highway, but I'm mostly on 2 lane with speed limits varying from 25 - 55 mph.. plus several hills and a mountain.. Granted I don't use 1st gear very much, unless I'm crawling around the junk yard or pushing cars around the parking lot with it, but I hardly have to shift on my commute now days, unless some spirited driving is in order..

[R.O.R-2.0]

I have a 1981 1.6 na, with the FF transmission. Its got a lot of miles on it.. 598k with one rebuild.

It is a blast to drive. I feel a closer ratio might be more fun in town though.

FF is close ratio dude.. well, pretty close atleast.

drive a 4A..

but honestly, any of the Fx trannies are pretty close geared.

and diesels arent very fun with close ratio trannies, cause by the time your ready to shift, the gears are so close that the engine rpms dont fall enough to get the engine back down in its torque band.. they are fun, but wider ratio trannies like an ACN or something like that are funner