4 speed Rabbit only 45-50mph?

[vegfuel]

Hey people

I've got a 1981 VW Rabbit with just the common 1.6 non-turbo. The trouble is the speed. The speedometer looks like it is made for a 5spd. When I go down the road, I stick it in third and it only likes about 30mph, at 35 it's starting to scream. After that I must shift to 4th and it likes 45mph and is screaming at 50!! My speedometer shows all the way to 85. Should a 4spd be able to handle 60? Is something wrong with pump timing? I was hoping on using this for long trips at 55-60mph.

[CoolAirVw]

So....  are you saying your speedo is inaccurate or your motor has no power?

[vegfuel]

hey there,

To be frank I don't know if I have 5spd or a 4spd. I just know that I should be able to top out at 60mph in 4th if it's a 4spd. If it is a 5spd, where is 5th gear? I tried to find it by going throught he gears and then pressing in on the shifter (like you would in reverse) and locking it in what I thought was 5th. All I know is is that it's at high rpm at 45mph, isn't that a bit bad for a 4spd Rabbit diesel?

[lyeinyoureye]

Maybe it's a combo of your speedo being off, and having a relatively high GC trans. Is there anyone who can drive w/ you and verify your speed?

[rabbid79]

Check the code stamped on a little flat area under the transmission on the bell-housing, and then search around on the internet for what it means.  Techtonics tuning has some good info on tranny codes.  It's possible that it's a 5-speed, but the linkage is screwed up and won't let you get into 5th.

I have a '79 with the 1.5 and a 4-speed.  I can do almost 85 in it.

[yankeejim]

Once you get the tranny code from the bottom of the bellhousing, this should tell you whether it is a 4- or 5-speed.  It will also give you an idea of expected RPM at speed.  

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