Has anyone round these parts experimented with different diff rations? Have you perhaps heard of someone that has?

With normal RWD cars the diff ratios are altered relatively easily and commonly. Can this also be done with a VW gearbox, manual and/or auto, to change the final drive ratio?

A compilation of specs on different gearbox types and year of realease for VW transaxial would be great to see posted here.

[ Edited on 15-4-2007 by fozee ]

Yes, but diff ratio changes require extensive disassembly of the VW diff/gearbox all-in-one transaxle compared to Falcodores etc

Aftermarket ratios available for gearbox gears and diffs but costs big $

You can get a lot of variation in your on road speed by changing OD of your tyres...cheapest way to go

Quote:

Originally posted by rocknrob You can get a lot of variation in your on road speed by changing OD of your tyres...cheapest way to go

Dropping a box and seperating the diff from the box isnt a big issue.

The reality of the possibility of altering the diff ratio is what i want to know.
end quote.











Its not that simple


Changing the diff ratio requires complete transaxle dissasembly not 4 the faint hearted

cheers

So can the diff ratios be changed?

Yep there are 2 common factory ones to choose from

3.88 to 1 - Super Beetles with Single side plate boxes

4.125 to 1 - Type 3 boxes / swing axle boxes etc.

Dont know what the lowest final drive combo of stock VW gears and the final drives above is. But I would be interested in finding out too.

Dunno about Bay Window Bus boxes. Not sure if the final drive in these boxes fit the Type 1 & Type 3 style transaxles.

Thanks GRey 57 thats the sort of information im after.:thumb

Have a look at these sites
http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Dunes/9702/transtalk.html 
http://www.bugtrans.com/index.html 

"Quote fozee
:
I have already been through the expensive stage and found that there are many people in the VW industry that will only tell you half the story to get your business. I have found that a little research pays off. "

Aint that the truth ---and don't they get shitty if you pull them about it--even getting an acurate quote is like ffffffaaaaaaaaartk ---you want what??? !!!!.

Just been going through the same thingo with the gearbox--- round about $2 grand for a box rebuild with a brand new crown wheel and pinion for altered ratios-- Inc in and out.
Read up on the rebuild----faarrkk looks like a cow of a job + you realy would need to know WTF you were doing--wieghed up against it is the fact these boxes seem to last 40 freekin years and a 1/4 of a million miles if they're half way looked after.
I'm going with a 1500 box (second handy) and i'll outsize the rear tyres more if I need to.

[ Edited on 19-4-2007 by BASHOdi ]

If you are refering to Auto VW trannys I believe that the diff section
can be changed over with out too much difficulty, as a complete unit,
although I do not know if there are different ratios,
nor have I tinkered with the auto tranny.

Is this for your Bus tranny?
If so 2lt tranny has the tallest diff at 4.57 ratio and there are various 4th ratios stock
ranging from 0.88 (to 0.79 I believe) but I have only seen .88 myself.
Albins makes taller ratios but replacements require complete diassembly,
as is the case to change the crownwheel and pinion.

1800 bus comes with 4.857 and 0.89 4th gear,
and 1600/1700 buses have 5.375 or 5.429 with a 0.82 ratio 4th gear.
These parts can be swapped and changed during rebuilds,
eg the 0.82 with the 1800's 4.857 diff.
But there are some parts changes that VW made around mid '73
that may complicate this process.

Nope-- plain ole manual beetle--I've been told by those that know better than I about matters of the gearbox--which is just about anyone and his/her dog at this stage of the piece--- that a complete strip down is the go for the crown wheel/pinion replacement ratio altering jobby , I've just posted actualy enquiring on what the difference in ratios is between a 1200/1500 swing axle box ---anyone ???
:beer
Al.