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.
vlad01 ·
awesome!
Triple X ·
Out of interest. What does a standard VW 4 speed box weigh?
Smiley ·
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 🙂
ElusiveStranger ·
I'm glad you like it
Todd proved all the neigh sayers wrong
coletrickle ·
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 ·
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.
seagull ·
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.
nils ·
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?
MISS VDUB ·
I hope Santa puts a gearbox in my Stocking this year, looks great!
psimitar ·
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 🙂
ttriebler ·
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!
psimitar ·
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 😉
nils ·
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?
ttriebler ·
No cost of loan. Fully refundable deposit of $250 to make sure it comes back.
psimitar ·
ttriebler wrote:No cost of loan. Fully refundable deposit of $250 to make sure it comes back.
Dude you are on 😀
nils ·
psimitar wrote:
ttriebler wrote:No cost of loan. Fully refundable deposit of $250 to make sure it comes back.
Dude you are on 😀
ditto
Subarugears ·
buying some of these now
TCS_58 ·
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 ·
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 ·
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.
ian.mezz ·
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.....
Subarugears ·
25,000 kms without even an oil change. Dunno how it goes on fuel but I bet it doesn't slurp much.
mackaymanx ·
Todd can the 2WD shifter/end housing be used to replace the 4WD centre diff/shifter housing on the Subaru gearbox.
Subarugears ·
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.
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?
Subarugears ·
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 ·
possably a large step there Todd. will look more like factory
psimitar ·
Can you give us a rough idea on price for one of these?
Tis funny that you make the parts for Bremar 😂
Subarugears ·
Rough price at this stage is $250 AUD landed on your doorstep. I will likely be making it cheaper as part of a kit though, as I won't need to supply the Subaplug.
psimitar ·
I'm so looking forward to putting my box together with your gear 🙂