SubaruGear 5 Speed Box Feedback ..

Brad Wolfsburg Elder

3,764 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 24 Oct 2011, 3:16 pm

#868430

Ok so I recently finished my Manxter 2+2 which I decided to fit a 5 Speed Subaru Box from www.subarugears.com. I went this way as I was very keen on a subaru engine and by using the 5 speed I would gain around 55mm of ground clearance due to the CV flange position in relation to the input shaft.

So I did some research and spoke to Todd as well as some of the other guys who had used them. The only bad point was the amount of road noise the reverse cut R&P seemed to produce. Before I ordered I spoke to Todd about this and he said he had it sorted and it was no longer an issue. Based on that I placed and order and waited for my box to arrive.

Prior to arrival I was very impressed with teh customer service and level of knowledge Todd had. He was able to supply me with a setup box so I could begin the build while I waited for the R&P to arrive.

When my real box arrive it looked like brand new. The nose cone had been modified and was ready to install.

While I had it out I thought I would weigh it so I knew for future reference, it weighed 47kg

Sitting on the floor it looked a lot like a VW box, a more defined looking version but very similiar.

Another good point about the Subaru Transmission was that it had a speed sensor and neutral switch as well as the normal reverse switch the VW one had.

To fit it into my pan I made up a nose cone mount which bolts to the rear tunnel section under the shifter.

After fitting it to the Manxter I ran out of time to do any real test runs so the first real drive it got was a 1000km round trip to Fraser Island ... not a bad test really as I also towed a trailer there and back.

I am running a set of 930 SubaFlanges which worked very well.

So how did it go ... well there was no gearbox noise at all and the shift was nice and smooth, I flogged it as much as I could on the sand and it had no issues at all. Gearing was a little tall for my application with the trailer and 31" rear tyres but Todd said that would be the case with the 3.9 R&P. I will shortly be changing this to 4.11 or 4.44 which will fix this issue.

The hydraulic clutch was sweet and as a result of the drive I am confident in saying I will not be needing any of my rebuilt 091 Kombi Box's again.

The SubaruGears Conversion would be the 2nd best modification I have done after using a Subaru Engine Conversion.

Hopefully my experience will help anyone else out there looking for a great upgrade make what I think is the correct decision and go with a SubaruGears.com setup, you will not be dissapointed.

If you have any questions and want to see more pics just let me know.

Brad
Why copy when you can own an original ?
Meyers Manx Australia

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 · 25 Oct 2011, 10:52 am

#868525

awesome!

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

Triple X Learner Dubber

9 posts · joined Sep 2009 · 25 Oct 2011, 4:03 pm

#868573

Out of interest. What does a standard VW 4 speed box weigh?

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 25 Oct 2011, 4:37 pm

#868579

Triple X wrote:Out of interest. What does a standard VW 4 speed box weigh?

3-Rib Kombi box weighs 38kg.

I'd assume that a Beetle box weighs less.

Smiley 🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

ElusiveStranger Officially Full-On Dubber

330 posts · joined May 2006 · 28 Oct 2011, 8:19 am

#869063

I'm glad you like it
Todd proved all the neigh sayers wrong

coletrickle Wolfsburg Wizard

661 posts · joined Apr 2009 · 28 Oct 2011, 8:28 am

#869064

hey brad my car is in desperale need of a 5speed but i'm tossing up a berg or the suby.A few of us are going to the drags wed 9th of nov,you intrested in some more testing?

Brad Wolfsburg Elder

3,764 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 28 Oct 2011, 8:33 am

#869065

coletrickle wrote:hey brad my car is in desperale need of a 5speed but i'm tossing up a berg or the suby.A few of us are going to the drags wed 9th of nov,you intrested in some more testing?

Nope will be away on the 9th, maybe you should come on the beach run to Stocko on the 26th, should be a heap of testing on the way there and back.

The current gearset is way to high with the 31" tyres to Drag anyway, I would need to put some stocko's on it which might not be a bad idea.

I would think compared to a "Berg 5 Speed" which is just an add on 5th yeah ? the Subi would be a much better option in the strength department.

Brad
Why copy when you can own an original ?
Meyers Manx Australia

seagull Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,979 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 28 Oct 2011, 11:15 am

#869088

The 5th gear in the subaru box has a very small key to hold the gear from turning. you can wire cut the gear for a second key way and machine the shaft. large od tyres and a hunting gearbox due to incorrect gear selection and you will brake the key way. after market gear sets are done this way.

Looking for that special lady : PM me for coffee & cake

nils Fahrvergnugen

971 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 28 Nov 2011, 1:43 pm

#874639

Really great to hear some real world feed back on the subi box running 31's. How is first gear? Can you tractor it? Or you find yourself riding the clutch a bit?

Quit calling rust patina

MISS VDUB Administrator Mrs KOMBIBOB

2,565 posts · joined Sep 2005 · 28 Nov 2011, 4:49 pm

#874664

I hope Santa puts a gearbox in my Stocking this year, looks great!

1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
1962 Baja Beetle: "Peanut"
1968 Porsche 912 SWB: "Pip"
1972 Kombi Snail: "The Snail"
2012 Skoda Octavia Scout: "Scout"
2016 Scirocco R: "Rocco"

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 3 Dec 2011, 11:27 pm

#875525

Wicked. Had kinda sold meself on this setup with my EJ22. Glad to hear it is quiet and works well.

I'll be going the DIY route as can get a box for under $700 easy and may only need a reconditioners to set the backlash 🙂

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

ttriebler Officially Full-On Dubber

321 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 4 Dec 2011, 9:14 am

#875564

psimitar make sure you get the transaxle assembled properly to factory specs. It is critical to zero the pinion depth using the Subaru factory tool and then set the backlash and preload to factory specs. Then check the gear mesh pattern.

Not hard to do, just takes a little time to do it right. Otherwise the ring and pinion will chew itself out.

I am going to order in a few of the Subaru factory pinion depth tools that will be available 'on loan' to DIYers to help out.
Sounds like a good plan and you should be on the road for about $3,000 - nice one!

Reversed gears for Subaru transmissions.
Fit a Subaru 5 speed to your rear engined car
www.subarugears.com

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 4 Dec 2011, 9:20 am

#875565

ttriebler wrote:psimitar make sure you get the transaxle assembled properly to factory specs. It is critical to zero the pinion depth using the Subaru factory tool and then set the backlash and preload to factory specs. Then check the gear mesh pattern.

Not hard to do, just takes a little time to do it right. Otherwise the ring and pinion will chew itself out.

I am going to order in a few of the Subaru factory pinion depth tools that will be available 'on loan' to DIYers to help out.
Sounds like a good plan and you should be on the road for about $3,000 - nice one!

Yea, tis the bit I'll farm out to a very competent place WITH the correct tool or if I can hire it then I may have it for a week or so to make sure I get it right. Depends how much a pro will cost as we all know how much mechanics etc overcharge these days 😉

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

nils Fahrvergnugen

971 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 4 Dec 2011, 2:33 pm

#875594

ttriebler wrote:I am going to order in a few of the Subaru factory pinion depth tools that will be available 'on loan' to DIYers to help out.
Sounds like a good plan and you should be on the road for about $3,000 - nice one!

definatly hit you up on the loan when i order my gears, should pick up a box next weekend🤘
250 clams is alot for a piece of sheet metal, what cost of loan are you thinking?

Quit calling rust patina

ttriebler Officially Full-On Dubber

321 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 5 Dec 2011, 1:10 pm

#875694

No cost of loan. Fully refundable deposit of $250 to make sure it comes back.

Reversed gears for Subaru transmissions.
Fit a Subaru 5 speed to your rear engined car
www.subarugears.com

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 6 Dec 2011, 12:07 am

#875800

ttriebler wrote:No cost of loan. Fully refundable deposit of $250 to make sure it comes back.

Dude you are on 😀

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

nils Fahrvergnugen

971 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 13 Dec 2011, 8:59 am

#876738

psimitar wrote:
ttriebler wrote:No cost of loan. Fully refundable deposit of $250 to make sure it comes back.
Dude you are on 😀

ditto

Quit calling rust patina

Subarugears Officially Full-On Dubber

236 posts · joined Dec 2011 · 25 Dec 2011, 6:47 pm

#878441

buying some of these now

TCS_58 Casual Dubber

34 posts · joined Dec 2011 · 28 Dec 2011, 12:17 am

#878722

I wonder if this conversion would slip into a Type 1 beetle, I want to run a 13B and a scooby 5 speed would be killer...

Subarugears Officially Full-On Dubber

236 posts · joined Dec 2011 · 28 Dec 2011, 5:20 am

#878727

TCS_58 wrote:I wonder if this conversion would slip into a Type 1 beetle, I want to run a 13B and a scooby 5 speed would be killer...

You mean like this?

[/img]

That's the first beetle with this conversion, done over a year ago.

13B would be awesome.....

tweety Wolfsburg Wizard

460 posts · joined Feb 2011 · 29 Dec 2011, 5:39 pm

#878979

After some research with Todd for a Suby conversion into my trike to replace the auto 3 speed I decided not to go ahead. But I must say, it was a case of the trike design and the monocoque chassis.

If it was a case of service and Todd's attitude I'd do it in a flash. Todd deserves success.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXwh4z8d66o
SUBARU ea81, VW auto, Detour camper
My ex girlfriend said "its me or a trike". Her big mistake.

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 31 Dec 2011, 10:33 am

#879180

good to see a beetle on the road.
How many Km has it done on the clock with the new gearbox and hows it go on fuel ???

Subarugears wrote:
TCS_58 wrote:I wonder if this conversion would slip into a Type 1 beetle, I want to run a 13B and a scooby 5 speed would be killer...
You mean like this?

[/img]

That's the first beetle with this conversion, done over a year ago.

13B would be awesome.....

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

Subarugears Officially Full-On Dubber

236 posts · joined Dec 2011 · 31 Dec 2011, 2:21 pm

#879228

25,000 kms without even an oil change. Dunno how it goes on fuel but I bet it doesn't slurp much.

mackaymanx Custom Title Time!

1,611 posts · joined Jan 2006 · 31 Dec 2011, 3:15 pm

#879237

Todd can the 2WD shifter/end housing be used to replace the 4WD centre diff/shifter housing on the Subaru gearbox.

Quote of the week
"Do I wish to send them to you again, nope, no interest can't be bothered really, to much hassle for little or no return."

[IMG]https://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate2-18600.png[/IMG]

Subarugears Officially Full-On Dubber

236 posts · joined Dec 2011 · 31 Dec 2011, 4:32 pm

#879245

Brent, it can, but not without a lot of work. The 4WD main shaft interferes with the back of the 2WD housing and so the housing must be cut and tigged anyway.
It is more compact to get a 4WD housing and shorten it, seal it the way I have shown on my site.

I have just finished making the plug for my own end casting, this includes a shortened shift rod housing and more bosses for mounting bolts. It's as short as I can get it without changing the design of the pinion and locking spool.

Will be going to casting soon so this conversion gets even easier and looks spiffier.

seagull Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,979 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 6 May 2012, 12:53 am

#900281

others ?

http://www.bremarauto.com/products/subaru-2wd-conversion-kit/

Looking for that special lady : PM me for coffee & cake

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 6 May 2012, 1:32 am

#900284

seagull wrote:others ?

http://www.bremarauto.com/products/subaru-2wd-conversion-kit/

Somehow me thinks they came after Subarugears? Anyone?

Either way, why pay $40 more especially when they only do the locking spool and blanking plate?

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

Subarugears Officially Full-On Dubber

236 posts · joined Dec 2011 · 6 May 2012, 6:37 pm

#900362

I make em for Bremar anyway... LOL

By the way, I have just made my first casting for the Subanose - the nosecone for reversed Subie transmissions. No more cutting down and welding up centre diff housings.

Should be showing off at the VW nats so come down for a look and a chat.

seagull Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,979 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 6 May 2012, 8:21 pm

#900407

possably a large step there Todd. will look more like factory

Looking for that special lady : PM me for coffee & cake

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 7 May 2012, 12:13 pm

#900496

Can you give us a rough idea on price for one of these?

Tis funny that you make the parts for Bremar 😂

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍