I'd like technical input from all who have actual experience with the various gearboxes available for installation into VW's, in particular a beetle for a performance application.

Whilst there may be numerous 'opinions' on this topic I'd rather these are not introduced and simply technical discussion/comment made.

I personally have a Porsche G50 transaxle in my bug but what power/torque can they handle. Does anyone have information on gear ratios based on the gearbox serial numbers?

What are the alternatives available to us nut heads pushing the envelope with our overpowered beetles?

Pics would be good too......

this is one im interested in cause i have a 2L T4 in a bug and the stock gear box needs to be stronger

I had a reply on a G50 box spec. from a web query. The reply was

'Hi Reuben:

The G-50 can handle up to 300 lb/ft for limited periods of time. Racing
requires a pump & cooler.

The G-50/21 has:

11/42
20/43
25/39
33/41
37/38
39/32

final drive is 9/31'

Any idea what the ratios are from the above?

Hi

1st= 42/ 11= 3.81818181818182
2nd= 43/ 20 = 2.15
3rd= 39/ 25= 1.56
4th= 41/ 33= 1.24242424242424
5th= 38/ 37= 1.02702702702703
6th= 32/ 39= 0.82051282051282

Final drive 3.44444444444444

1302Steve

I had a quick look around, and what I basically found was that there are two main types of G50 gearbox. There are magnesium case and an aluminium case versions. The magnesium version aparently first appeared on the 2.7 911 SC.

The later aluminium case was used on the 87 and later 911 C2's. Aparently the aluminium case gearbox is good for 800hp, and the magnesium case for around 300-350hp.

Under heavy HP use, it's not the case that is likely to fail though in the magnesium case version of the G50. More likely instead that it would have a diff problem.

The earlier 915 gearboxes are aparently good for 300-350 hp also, but have problems with the 5th gear, but only long after high speed driving. A later version of the 915 fixes this problem by using an oil cooler with a return line to over the 5th gear.

I don't claim to be a porsche gearbox expert... this is just info i found from reading a few websites.

About the ratio's. There were two factory choses 5 speed combinations, and one 6 speed. I did have the info... but can't find the links anymore. Sorry... try the http://www.germanlook.com  forum. I think it was from a link from there I saw the mentioning of this info.

Reub, I think I was thinking of the 915 instead of the G50 when chatting with you about fragility. For sure a worked EJ20 could eat a 915 box for breakfast, but the G50 would likely survive. Even the magnesium one, because the 911 SC weighed about 400KG more than your bug will. This should go a long way to reducing transmission breakages.

Cheers,

[Edited on 4-7-2004 by iswinkels]

there is also a earlier 901 I know not what you would expect but this has to be from the turbo model it is only a four speed , but has a really tall fourth gear apparently can handle up to about 650 HP was told this by a leading Porsche importer in Sydney. can find the number if you want, they went as far as saying to go with this box over the G50. i was speaking to a guy yesterday, he is putting a blown chev into a kombi this motor combo ran a low 11 second 1/4 mile pass at the creek, he is using a tiptronic auto box out a turbo Porsche will be seeing him later this week and find out more then.
Cheers


wacked1

Hmmm, Tiptronic kombi....

Wacked, am very interested in the Auto option.
I know if I'm asking about price then its not for me
but could you ask him what price for an auto
"tiptronic"
Please.

oval i'll speak to him today, sweeet

There was an issue of Hot VW's I think it's the right US mag that did a full feature on the different ugraded gearboxes for VW. This was not about upgrading your standard box to the usual berg or welded 3rd 4th gears etc. this was about the Mendeola and other super tuff gearboxes...was a good read
Cheers