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5 Speed transmission ?
MattKombi3 - April 14th, 2010 at 10:43 PM

HI All

Can you change a 1974 kombi gear box for a 5 speed box, if so which do i use or where do i get it?


Phil74Camper - April 15th, 2010 at 11:51 AM

The 2.1-litre late '80s T3 Kombis used a five-speed box; you might be able to find a wrecked one somewhere. I dunno how much work it would be to fit to an early Kombi, but it should be possible.


greedy53 - April 15th, 2010 at 09:58 PM

there was a empy converson once


ttriebler - April 16th, 2010 at 12:51 PM

Subaru 5 speed may be an option for you. Bit of mucking around as you would need a Kennedy adaptor plate to go from VW motor to Subie box (installed backwards) but it's quite do-able.

http://www.subarugears.com 


Warrenm - April 26th, 2010 at 02:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MattKombi3
HI All

Can you change a 1974 kombi gear box for a 5 speed box, if so which do i use or where do i get it?


Gene Berg USA still make conversions-not cheap

http://www.geneberg.com/cat.php?cPath=13_389 


rocknrob - April 28th, 2010 at 05:51 PM

:lol:...or just get more torque...stick an EJ22 in it and some taller wheels the 4 speed is perfect then


helbus - April 28th, 2010 at 06:03 PM

This is some good information on 5 speeds in VW's

http://www.geneberg.com/cat.php?name=5%20Speeds%20-%20FYI&cPath=387 


Horaldic - April 30th, 2010 at 12:03 AM

It depends upon why you want the 5 speeds. You don't say in your post.

If you are just after a better spread of ratios the easiest inexpensive option would probably be to use a 5-speed 'box from a late model T3.

Various Porsche boxes would also work and are already in the correct orientation. The shift conversion is pretty straight foward. These boxes can take more abuse than a T3 box, however, they are expensive and getting harder to find.


Horaldic - May 3rd, 2010 at 12:05 PM

I was discussing the same challenge yesterday with a bloke I know, it's funny how things coincide sometimes.

When I was talking to him about his conversion (he wanted a 5 speed in his lowlight) I mentioned to him that the t3 5 speed 'boxes are a good bit wider than those fitted to earlier buses. It's not a simple drop out drop in operation to fit one.

I'm pretty sure new rails would need to be fabricated. Not a really difficult job but time consuming and requring some specialist skill.

All this discussion really depends on why you actually want a 5 speed in the first place.


mike malli - June 27th, 2010 at 01:25 AM

Hi there,
I would devinetely NOT go for the 5 speed option. They are expensive, not because they are good, but because they are rare. Rare, because they are of a very poor quality and they stuff up quicker than you can pass wind. They are notorious to brake gears. The old 4 speed boxes are bullet proof in comparison. Stick to what you have got unless you have money to burn. If that is so, give some to me, I will burn it for you.

Mike


11CAB - June 27th, 2010 at 11:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mike malliThey are notorious to brake gears. The old 4 speed boxes are bullet proof in comparison.

Mike


What do you base those statements on? The 5 speed is almost identical on 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th to the 1st-4th on a 4 speed, and 1st & reverse gears on the 5 speed are huge...... so what makes the 4 speed "bullet proof" in comparison????