I have been thinking I'd like to start sourcing all the parts for a 5 speed swap in to my 81 1.6 N/A, but am unsure which trans would be suitable for both the low horse 1.6, and a little more giddy-up AAZ.
I know I will need all the shift linkage, and likely will need caddy half shafts (100mm) and knuckles. Just not sure which trans would be good for the swap (gearing wise). Can a gas trans be used or is the gearing too short?
Also, which clutch would need to be used? The standard size for the 4 speed trans? Help appreciated
I'm digging deep into the memory banks but when I put a 5 speed in my rabbit I didn't swap clutches. I (foolishly) took out my 4A tranny and put in a FF. The 4A has a better 4th then the 5th did in my new tranny.
You don't need to swap all the pieces of the shifter linkage, only 2 or 3 IIRC.
Gasser gearboxes are fine. Use
www.scirocco.org/gears and fiddle with the different ratios that are available. Not all trannys bolt into a mk1 though however most of them are 90mm so you won't need to mess with the CVs.
Why does the tranny need to be suited for a 1.6na and AAZ?
no need to change the clutch. I swapped out a GP 4 speed for an ACN 5 speed. It was a rabbit motor that I installed into a jetta using the gasser's original transmission. took the motor/tranny out, unbolted the shatty gas engine, and the ACN slipped right on to the 1.6. and on a side note, I think caddies have 90 mm axles. 100 mm axles only came on things that had 16v motors, I thought.
The FF trans came stock on my 1.6na Caddy (90mm flanges). I also used a FN bolted to my AAZ TD that went into a MK1 Jetta. I think there is only one linkage that needs to be changed, going from a 4 to a 5 speed but you can buy all new ones and new shifter bushings from Autohaus for about twenty bucks.
my '82 jetta (1.6 NA) came with a FF box and that was standard (as in never modified since factory release). The fith gear was actualy marked "E" on the gearshift nob. E for Economie.
Once you got the car to speed, slip it into 5th and cruise, not fast but reliable and cheap to run