« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Beetle R + P's  (Read 2916 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline HeliMike

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 1158
  • Karma: 0
Beetle R + P's
« on: January 11, 2005, 11:22:05 AM »
Hey all.
I'm planning on doing an IRS conversion on my Squareback at the end of this month. Obviously I'm in need of a transmission, and seeing as beetle tranny's are so easy to come by I figured I would just do the nose cone and hockey-stick swap to get it in. I've done my homework regarding the swap and have come up with what I think is the easiest way to do it. I'm using the stock swingaxle frame horns that are in it and just cutting in and welding the pivots from a beetle donor pan I have laying around then doing a little \"persuading\" on the frame horns to clear the CV's.

ANYWAYS here are a few questions I have:

What is the tallest R + P available in a beetle trans?
How can I tell without opening it what R + P it has (codes etc) ?


Basically what I'm after is a good highway cruiser. The trans in my car now will top out at around 115km/h (screaming) with 205/60's on the back.
I'd like to get a higher top speed while using a 195/50 on the back if possible hence why I want a taller R + P. Is a 3.88 ideal for this?

What do you guys think or suggest?

Thanks in advance.
Mike
« Last Edit: January 11, 2005, 11:22:46 AM by Gutterslug »
Logged
67 Sunroof Beetle

Offline Bruce

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 2912
  • Karma: -65458
Beetle R + P's
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2005, 01:37:47 PM »
The tallest R&P ever made by VW was 3.88.  It came in a trans with code AT.  But if you think you can just install one of those gearboxes and be done, no way.  The AT trans has a shorter 4th gear such that the final drive in 4th gear is within 1% of your stock type 3 in 4th gear.  
The tallest stock combo you could get is if you built a trans with a 3.88 and an early Bus .82.  This will still be too low geared for 195/50 tires.  
Last spring I swapped one of these gears into a 3.88 gearbox for a fake Speedster that was running 195/50s.  Although the guy was happy, his max cruising speed is only about 100-110km/h.  

Another solution is to use an aftermarket 3.44 R&P, but that will run you about $400cdn.

The best thing you could do is use a taller tire.
Logged

Offline HeliMike

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 1158
  • Karma: 0
Beetle R + P's
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2005, 02:18:40 PM »
Wow. I've just been schooled. :mellow:

Thanks Bruce. :rockon:  Huge help!


So would there even be an advantage (speed-wise) to installing a bus box in it? If so which one?


 
Logged
67 Sunroof Beetle

Offline Bruce

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 2912
  • Karma: -65458
Beetle R + P's
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2005, 03:17:33 AM »
A Bus gearbox?  Yikes, that's going the wrong way.  The tallest Bus R&P is a stiff 4.57, and they get stiffer from there.  That's why its the ideal off road gearbox.  The stiff R&P counters the super tall tires the Baja guys use.

If you keep the 205/60s stock gears will work great.
Logged

Offline HeliMike

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 1158
  • Karma: 0
Beetle R + P's
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2005, 08:30:55 AM »
I forgot it's not an easy conversion in a type3 anyways.
 Duh...
Thanks again for the help Bruce.

 
Logged
67 Sunroof Beetle

Offline James Buchan

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 6403
  • Karma: -51
Beetle R + P's
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2005, 08:34:13 AM »
BUy my tranny!
Logged

Offline HeliMike

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 1158
  • Karma: 0
Beetle R + P's
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2005, 08:49:41 AM »
If it's any good I may just do that.

Although I would also partial-trade my complete (drum-drum type3) for a beefed up IRS if anyone is even willing to do that.
Logged
67 Sunroof Beetle

Offline James Buchan

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 6403
  • Karma: -51
Beetle R + P's
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2005, 08:55:42 AM »
Yup it's working and it's CHEAP 40 bucks!!!!

I'll even take a trade for it.
Logged

Offline HeliMike

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 1158
  • Karma: 0
Beetle R + P's
« Reply #8 on: January 12, 2005, 09:03:02 AM »
I'm not worried about the price at all. That's no prob.
Did you actually drive the car it was in though? And you wouldn't have any reservations of putting it in your own car?
« Last Edit: January 12, 2005, 09:04:37 AM by Gutterslug »
Logged
67 Sunroof Beetle

Offline James Buchan

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 6403
  • Karma: -51
Beetle R + P's
« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2005, 09:24:15 AM »
I never drove it, I got it from my brother in law, but I trust his word that it is good.
Logged

Offline Mike Scott

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 727
  • Karma: 0
Beetle R + P's
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2005, 11:33:31 PM »
Mike swung by and grabbed the windshield today. I took a look underneath the squareback and there it was full IRS conversion, WOW! Looked awesome, rear disks too!
Great job  :rockon:



 
Logged

Offline HeliMike

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 1158
  • Karma: 0
Beetle R + P's
« Reply #11 on: February 21, 2005, 01:38:09 PM »
Hey thanks Mike.
That was a MASSIVE amount of work and f-ing around. Still isn't done yet though. After test-driving it last night I found out that the front beam bearings are completely shot to shit so now I have to dig up a good front beam before I can even drive it again :angry: Piss me off. If it's not one thing it's another.
 
Logged
67 Sunroof Beetle

Offline dannyboy

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 1082
  • Karma: 1
Beetle R + P's
« Reply #12 on: February 21, 2005, 04:19:46 PM »
Hey mike, are we still holding this rear disk brake kit for you?
 
Logged

Offline HeliMike

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 1158
  • Karma: 0
Beetle R + P's
« Reply #13 on: February 21, 2005, 06:58:05 PM »
No. Sorry Danny I should have let you guys know a few weeks ago. [_[  
Logged
67 Sunroof Beetle

Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »