can a vw automatic trans be installed in a vw pan/tranny replica speedster

Due to a leg issue, I must drive an automatic. Can a vw automatic be fitted into a vw pan based replica speedster.

Any suggestions or "warnings" regarding vw automatic tran

Thanks, Sparky

I recall a discussion about a Bus auto trans ? ...also there is the possible use of a VW auto stick ( 3 spd w/ a clutch that operates via an electrical/ vac operated servo) that has no clutch pedal. ~Alan

Nick,

I think Barry Hudson (Ziggy) has an automatic.

If he doesn't notice this maybe you can shoot him an email.

I now have 2 a 72 super beetle and a 356 speedster with the FULLY automatic trannies. IM also offers them in their cars.

We are still finishing up the bug. I have to remake the dipstick to clear the left carb But it is other wise ready to hang the new engine. I have picures and patterns but the pic's are still in the cammera.

You have to remake the forks with a open middle area to have clearance for the tranny pan and my zero clearance mount worked like a charm. It makes it a lot easyer .
You will want to put a extra clutch disc in the 2&3 clutch pack when you rebuild the tranny. That reqire a steel disc to be machined thinner but its pretty simple.

In a speedster the stock shifter and cable will work. But! On a bug you need a 8 ft cable shortened to custom 6ft 5 inch lengh. The rebuild kits are avalible in a place in Texas But the modulator are hard to find Im going to try a mid sixties ford crusieomatic modulator. just to see if it works.

If you use a VW pan its hard to fit a full auto because the trans is wider than the framehorns. I have seen the framehorns moved outward to make it work.

I will find a link with pics.

If your car has a tube chassis it should not be a problem.

The VW full auto is VERY strong (it's said to handle up to 300hp) and the shift points can be changed. Any/most trans shops can rebuild it. This trans was in 411/412 and buses.

My next project is a 911 converted to Subby turbo with a full auto.

The big issue with the old bug 3 spd automatic is that you need good engine vacuum for the servos to work. Dual carbs aren't very good for high vacuum. Otherwise its simply get the AT trans, shifter w/switch, pedal assembly, the vacuum servo/tank, special oil pump and AT fluid tank plus the AT flywheel/torque convertor (some of cooling tin is different too).

THanks Wolfgang we fired up the bug last night.(Sweet Engine) and barly had reverse and nothing else. Im hoping you just hit the nail on the head otherwise I may have a bad pump in the tranny. That means I'll have to pull it again and check out the pump. I have 2 more trannys in the shop as spares Id hate to have to use up my spare rebuild kits on another one But if I have to I will!!!!

But i realy hope you nailed it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guess I should have called it the old bug semi-automatic 3 spd since you still shift gears - just no foot clutch reqd. Barry - your using an Audi "real" AT, right?

It was a Auto stick but on its last leage.
Yelp.. the 003 vw /Audi fully automatic.Just like Henry uses at IM.

If its not that then it has to be the pump. but we were extremely carful not to cram the converter and to rotate it onto the shafts.
I sure hate to pull it But looks like I have to.
I have 2 spares in the shop and parts enough to build 3 more. If its a cracked pump case. I do have the old wore out bus tranny I could rob the pump case and rehand machine back to spec's to make the pump gears run almost like new.It's a real pain But I have no other choise

Like Mr Russo,, I too have foot and knee problems.

Pulled it and we found a very simple probem with a simple solution .

One 3 tabed brass bush washer had came out of its knotches preventing the pump shaft from being sealed off Nothing in the tranny is damaged everything else including the pump was very nice It did have some trash in the pan so I recleaned the valvebody.
Then I reassembled the tranny using a stickyer cam lube to keep the washers inplace.

Well you lean sumin every day? I'll tell you anything about these I can to help anyone that wants to build one on thier own .

Im still holding a spare rebuild kit for Henry at Im. I guess no ones wanted one lately. But I'd Recemend the Texas Bug Stop as a Builder If your West coast .Im still trying to find some one East coast so far I've had to build my own. (Which I can do)!.. But reluctainley.

I need to find a way to test run them Their is a fella in Snow Camp near here that builds VW trikes Maybe I can strike up a deal

The shop is full so I will have to wait untill the weekend to put the car back together. But Im releived It's not a busted pump. from the previous tranny oweners possible miscare.

This should be a real good one,

It had very little wear in it. I did add one extra clutch disc in the 2 clutch packs to give them more bite surface . That Im told helps it run cooler with less friction.

But this one wants to be hussey. 4 weeks now I worked on this critter. But at least I have a sweet running motor Im releived over that!!!

END HIJACK.

At least Im Honest but its still a no Go. This tranny is not just a hussy... It's a SHAMELESS HUSSY!! I went threw it with as carefully as I could and Im stumped. At this point Im pulling a spare and just doing a basic outer seals and gasket service on it

It looked pretty good after I drained and washed out the pan . It had a little more wear on the shaftsand very little trash in the pan.
I just dont have time to rebuild it. And MR Vestal is urgeing me to just use it as is and thats it. Looks like I looking for another spare.

I spoke to Mr Aldridge and he has not got a test trike But said he would be willg to try this one after I go through it yeat again this time witha experanced tranny teck on hand when it comes down and goes back Its just to nice to lose it.

Barry, you're amazing. I remember hearing about the automatic stick years ago, but they were phased out before I was old enough to appreciate vacuums, fuel injectors and carbs.
You must have been working on VeeDubs for a very, very long time. My hat is off to you, sir.

Auto Sticks when working right, were a blast to drive.
I don't know why VW didn't do a manual three speed with the same trans ratios as the AS. It had plenty of power ony had to go from third to second to pull any hill and did so at a brisk pace.

My first car was a 68 Auto-Stick. It wasn't any speed demon though, my bud with a 67 4-speed spanked me easily. I did make a good bit of cash taking some pals for their driving test. All passed on the first try.
The most interesting thing with it was when the wire at the base of the shifter broke. The clutch would kick in and out and she bucked like a bronco.

Did you know there is a web site JUST for the two pedal auto stick shift!

http://www.vwar.org/

The autostick that came with this car was well worn out. and this car does have a clutch cable tube I could go back 4 or 5 speed.

But I really realy want the type 3 fully automatic in the bug

After walking my 27 spinning frames at WORK that are over 120 ft with 288 units to maintain each frame On a 12 hr shift and you have to protrol them all day long fixxing and tweeking stuff to keep every thing going smoothly so it wont run you ragged. It can get rough. and has on several ocassins when we have power failures during storm. It a lot a walking.

I just want to relax and get home. I like my El camino but its a gas hog. I realy need the bug. And Id never take the D to work and leave it in THAT parking lot. But wish I could it's even more comfortable than the El camino

In VW shops they were known an "Auto Sh*t car"

I do know with a well worn auto stick w/t a well worn 1600 dp engine equals a boggy grummy old beast, thats a slow mule at go. But once your up to 55 its right decent. I put up with it for 2 years and was in one way kind a pleased it died. I just wish it could have waited untill I was ready before it spun the rod bearing.

As I said shes a HUSSY!! But I still luv ya baby.

Ps,, Alan don't Choke on your coffie

I came up with another spare fully automatic tranny I went to the Farminton Drag races Near Tannglewood,, Sunday morning

I picked one up from Aubry Watson from Orangeburg SC. and asked him if he would check into a 411 rearend with the 3.41 gears

He told me the auto drive units are the same but the 411 & 412 transaxle units are different. It has a longer case.

I now have a new question can the ring and pinion be swaped into the shorter type 3 tranaxle unit???????????????

Well I was a very late getting home tonight. but for a wonderful reason.

We took the bug out on her maiden voyage and We had a blast.

This engine CLEARLY is in the wrong car. and It Realy reminds me of the engine noises that came from the 356 in the Casile Rock race track video. It sounded that good, even with the automatic..

The second tranny I rebuilded Is a real keeper. So the new spare is going to get a fluid cap off and be put into storage.

The first one that I Built and then went through twice checking it.. Is coming down for a forth time. but this time we are going to do a valve body comparison from it and the bus valve body to see if anythng is missing. As I said it looked way to nice to give up on.

Then I will offer it up to Mr Buddy Aldridge as test subject for a automatic trike. If it then works. He will know I can build these decently. and if he wants one done.I will cut him a deal he cant refuse if he will continue allow me use his next trike as a test bed for my rebuilds. I'll build his at cost. No labor

Opps I ment Limerock track. not Castlerock.

Id like to get a DVD copy of that video threw them if that were possible.