Board Logo
Go To Bottom

Printable Version  
[ Total Views: 1767 | Total Replies: 13 | Thread Id: 5147 ]
Author: Subject: which IRS gearbox is best for me? L Bug or Superbug
MemberVWFOOL
Bishop of Volkswagenism
King for a day, Fool for a lifetime.
******


Avatar


Posts: 3436
Threads: 572
Registered: September 3rd, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Newcastle - Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: inspired yet?

posted on April 9th, 2003 at 12:29 AM
which IRS gearbox is best for me? L Bug or Superbug


ive been looking around for gearboxes to replace my IRS box from a 1600 superbug.
when ringing around i hav been asked do i want the L Bug or the superbug?
the L bug is always more exspensive.
1. does this mean the L is a better box?
2. will the L fit my car even if my gearbox was from a superbug?
3. if they r both as good as each other and both fit my car, which would you recommend for me? I cruise around town mostly, not alot of hwy driving. i am having a motor rebuilt, not too powerful but with a bit more guts than my stock 1600. any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated
thanks
sam
vwfool@hotmail.com




++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
One man's junk...
Super Administratorvw54
Super Administrator
Always Waiting 4 Friday
*********

Rank Avatar

No Avatar


Posts: 16723
Threads: 378
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Sunny Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Oval resto ongoing

posted on April 9th, 2003 at 07:22 AM


As for a single side plate they are suspost to be stronger.



MemberSecoh
Fahrvergnugen
****


Avatar


Posts: 926
Threads: 97
Registered: September 20th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Newcastle
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Rarin' to

posted on April 9th, 2003 at 08:16 AM


I removed my twin sideplate superbug gearbox and replaced it with an L bug single side plate box in my '72 super. there was no modification, its a direct swap.

apparently the single side plate box is stronger, all I noticed was that 3rd/4th had taller ratios which suited the freeway use the car was getting at the time :)




If it aint broke,
Make it go faster!! http://loud-noises.com/Forumstuff/Dakdak.gif
MemberVWFOOL
Bishop of Volkswagenism
King for a day, Fool for a lifetime.
******


Avatar


Posts: 3436
Threads: 572
Registered: September 3rd, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Newcastle - Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: inspired yet?

posted on April 9th, 2003 at 09:37 AM


how was the single side plate around town, as nice as the superbug one?
does this mean on highways my car wont feel like the revs r too high wen cruising at 90-100 in fourth. sometimes wen in fourth at high-ish speeds i feel like i need to change to 5th coz the revs sound a little high, do u knoiw wat i mean? by having taller gears does that mean this will be reduced?
thanks again
sam




++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
One man's junk...
Super Administratorvw54
Super Administrator
Always Waiting 4 Friday
*********

Rank Avatar

No Avatar


Posts: 16723
Threads: 378
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Sunny Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Oval resto ongoing

posted on April 9th, 2003 at 10:52 AM


Yep thats what it means



MemberVWFOOL
Bishop of Volkswagenism
King for a day, Fool for a lifetime.
******


Avatar


Posts: 3436
Threads: 572
Registered: September 3rd, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Newcastle - Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: inspired yet?

posted on April 9th, 2003 at 11:34 AM


thanks dave for that



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
One man's junk...
Member56astro
Custom Title Time!
*****


Avatar


Posts: 1772
Threads: 74
Registered: August 25th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: The Nambucca
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Pobjoy Powered with twin ignition & soon to be EFI'd

posted on April 9th, 2003 at 02:34 PM


Sam, here's what I know about gearboxes.

Superbug has taller 4th (0.89 compared to 0.93) but lower R&P than Lbug (4.125 compared to 3.875), so final drive 4th is slightly LOWER overall in the super compared to the L.

Lbug boxes are supposed to be stronger, and their 3.875 R&P is also stronger than the 4.125 of the super.

The later Lbug boxes have more ribs than the earlier Lbug boxes, making them extra stronger! A mate of mine bought one and has it in his split screen kombi. It was sold to him as a "Rhino" box but that it not the correct term.

I have an Lbug box for my Oval (light car) with a 0.82 4th which gives about 2600 rpm at 100-105 kmh. I could have put a 0.77 Albins 4th in but I reckon that would have been too tall.

I would like to be able to afford one of those 3.44 R&P from custom & speed parts which would have made all the cogs taller.

Hope that sheds some light

:thumb




http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~astro/images/maltese%20cross.JPG
VW car, VW engine ...... keepin it "real"
35MPG on 101.3kPa
MemberQuickbug
Officially Full-On Dubber
***


Avatar


Posts: 363
Threads: 16
Registered: September 24th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Roselands NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Plucked...

posted on April 9th, 2003 at 03:32 PM


L bug boxes rock and they fit straight into the superbugs.
They are worth a fair bit more too.
If you are highway driving get it.
Also if you are intending to go decent horsepower its a good idea.
Ive given mine hell for years and its still running great.




MemberOvalGlen
Custom Title Time!
*****


Avatar


Posts: 1361
Threads: 46
Registered: August 27th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Liverpool.
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Change

posted on April 9th, 2003 at 08:59 PM


with grunty motor it will be good.
If only used around town with standard engine - not so great.
Chances are they are newer boxes as well.
Probably stronger.




Regards,Glenn>
MemberSecoh
Fahrvergnugen
****


Avatar


Posts: 926
Threads: 97
Registered: September 20th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Newcastle
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Rarin' to

posted on April 9th, 2003 at 09:28 PM


to be perfectly honest, the difference was slightly noticable. it's still screaming for a 5th gear.



If it aint broke,
Make it go faster!! http://loud-noises.com/Forumstuff/Dakdak.gif
Member1303Steve
A.k.a.: Steve Carter
Scirocco Rare
*********


Avatar


Posts: 8650
Threads: 564
Registered: August 27th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Sydney, NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Parrot Heading

posted on April 9th, 2003 at 10:11 PM


Hi

The L box has a .93 top gear which drops it down a bit, almost to the 4.125 superbug final drive. The L boxes have fine teeth gears so they will not take a lot of HP. The L bug also has different mouts but these can be swapped over from your S box. Be careful if just buying a single side plate box, late Type 3 had single side plate boxes but used the 4.125 diff. Im not sure how to tell the difference but a Type 3 didnt use mountings under the bell housing so the holes should have alloy slugs in them. The only way to be certain about the final drive ratio is to turn the mainshaft and count the turns at the drive flange. The later 75 & 76 bug boxes seem to have more external webs on them, so they may be stronger.

The gearbox in my bug is 3.88 ratio from a 1976 Beetle with Albins ratio gears, 3.55 1st (taller), 2.00 2nd (taller), 1.30 3rd (lower) and 4th is also an Albins gear but is the standard .93 ratio.


25.315 inch 235/45x17 metric


RPM 1st gear 2nd gear 3rd gear 4th gear
1800 15.84 28.12 43.27 60.48
2000 17.61 31.25 48.08 67.20
2200 19.37 34.37 52.88 73.92
2400 21.13 37.50 57.69 80.64
2600 22.89 40.62 62.50 87.36
2800 24.65 43.75 67.31 94.08
3000 26.41 46.87 72.11 100.80
3200 28.17 50.00 76.92 107.52
3400 29.93 53.12 81.73 114.24
3600 31.69 56.25 86.54 120.96
3800 33.45 59.37 91.34 127.68
4000 35.21 62.50 96.15 134.40
4200 36.97 65.62 100.96 141.12
4400 38.73 68.75 105.77 147.84
4600 40.49 71.87 110.57 154.57
4800 42.25 75.00 115.38 161.29
5000 44.01 78.12 120.19 168.01
5200 45.77 81.25 125.00 174.73
5400 47.53 84.37 129.80 181.45
5600 49.29 87.50 134.61 188.17
5800 51.05 90.62 139.42 194.89
6000 52.82 93.75 144.23 201.61

1302Steve
MemberVWFOOL
Bishop of Volkswagenism
King for a day, Fool for a lifetime.
******


Avatar


Posts: 3436
Threads: 572
Registered: September 3rd, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Newcastle - Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: inspired yet?

thumbup.gif posted on April 9th, 2003 at 11:28 PM
thanks all


thanks for the all the info guys, but was that some conflicting stories about teh L bug's strength with greater HP? or do u mean ALOT more horsepower steve?
also, all those numbers are great but ive never been sure wat 3.55 1st (taller), 2.00 2nd (taller), 1.30 3rd, that kind of stuff means, can anyone explain.
so i should look out for a later L bug box, like 75-76? can i only work out the year by looking at it, no part numbers anything like that?
im not much of a hwy cruiser, only every now and then to syd for the shows etc. does this mean the L's not for me, not a very good around town cruiser? its in an Oval too if that helps...
wats the weight diffeerence anyway does anyone know, ive often heard ovals r lighter?
thanks again everyone
sam




++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
One man's junk...
Member56astro
Custom Title Time!
*****


Avatar


Posts: 1772
Threads: 74
Registered: August 25th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: The Nambucca
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Pobjoy Powered with twin ignition & soon to be EFI'd

posted on April 10th, 2003 at 09:31 AM


Sam

I'll print some graphs for you to compare.

They will be from a GEAR CALCULATOR program I downloaded from a fella called Stephen Foster (I can't locate his site again though, bummer!)

I'll try and get them up this arvo.




http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~astro/images/maltese%20cross.JPG
VW car, VW engine ...... keepin it "real"
35MPG on 101.3kPa
MemberQuickbug
Officially Full-On Dubber
***


Avatar


Posts: 363
Threads: 16
Registered: September 24th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Roselands NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Plucked...

posted on April 10th, 2003 at 02:41 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Secoh
to be perfectly honest, the difference was slightly noticable. it's still screaming for a 5th gear.


Word to that.
But all i ever hear about is gearboxes with a 5th gear slotted between 3rd and 4th :cry




Member56astro
Custom Title Time!
*****


Avatar


Posts: 1772
Threads: 74
Registered: August 25th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: The Nambucca
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Pobjoy Powered with twin ignition & soon to be EFI'd

posted on April 11th, 2003 at 12:30 PM


Sam

I can't post the bloody graphs from the gear calculator so I'll try and e-mail them to ya.

If / when you get the graphs you'll see that there is not a big difference in overall gearing between the S & L bugs, but the L bug has TALLER gears.

I always understood that the 3.875 ring & pinion was the stronger of all T1 gearboxes?
:thumb




http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~astro/images/maltese%20cross.JPG
VW car, VW engine ...... keepin it "real"
35MPG on 101.3kPa
Member56astro
Custom Title Time!
*****


Avatar


Posts: 1772
Threads: 74
Registered: August 25th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: The Nambucca
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Pobjoy Powered with twin ignition & soon to be EFI'd

posted on May 11th, 2003 at 08:53 PM
Here's the graphs .....


This is a comparison between the L bug and S bug ratios ..

Error
Sorry, you must be a registered user in order to download attachments.




http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~astro/images/maltese%20cross.JPG
VW car, VW engine ...... keepin it "real"
35MPG on 101.3kPa
Member56astro
Custom Title Time!
*****


Avatar


Posts: 1772
Threads: 74
Registered: August 25th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: The Nambucca
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Pobjoy Powered with twin ignition & soon to be EFI'd

posted on May 11th, 2003 at 08:56 PM


Here's the graph using my ratios, showing the tyre size ..

Error
Sorry, you must be a registered user in order to download attachments.




http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~astro/images/maltese%20cross.JPG
VW car, VW engine ...... keepin it "real"
35MPG on 101.3kPa
Member56astro
Custom Title Time!
*****


Avatar


Posts: 1772
Threads: 74
Registered: August 25th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: The Nambucca
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Pobjoy Powered with twin ignition & soon to be EFI'd

posted on May 11th, 2003 at 08:58 PM


And this one shows the speeds for Steve Carters ratios and tyre size ..

Error
Sorry, you must be a registered user in order to download attachments.




http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~astro/images/maltese%20cross.JPG
VW car, VW engine ...... keepin it "real"
35MPG on 101.3kPa


  Go To Top


Powered by GaiaBB, © 2011 The GaiaBB Group
(C) 2001-2025 Aussieveedubbers

[ Queries: 40 ] [ PHP: 2.3% - SQL: 97.7% ]