Hello to all,
Next on my project list is to "research" what it would take (cost, time, complexity) to swap out my T-1 3:88 manual Freeway Flyer 4 speed transmission for a 5 speed. All comments welcome...... Thanks
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My Berg 5 cost about $5,000. I got it from Wright Gearbox because they had the parts needed and I didn't want to wait for Berg to make more someday.
The main complications were adding the mid-mount and changing the venting of the transmission. I also had to change my shifter to the appropriate Vintage Speed model.
I haven't got anywhere to be for the next hour, so I'll throw down.
Porsche transaxle: Needing the entire frame reconfigured near transmission nose for new mounting points plus the Porsche tax on the transmission equals expensive and a long time.
Berg 5-speed: They only make gear sets when they have enough down payments if I understand things correctly. They aren't cheap and there's still a lot of fabrication/assembly involved. Still pretty expensive and still going to take a while.
Rancho Subaru 5-speed: Rancho sells rebuilt Subaru transmissions specifically for installation in VW platforms onto either AC or Suby motors. Seems to be bolt in. It looks like a great option. I'd go this route on my build if I was willing to go through the pain of selling my old transmission and annoying the hell out of Greg and delaying my build further. I wish this option had been available when I started down this path 3 years ago...
Here's a link: https://ranchotransaxles.com/r...ype-1-2-and-vanagon/
I will also mention that both the Porsche and Subaru are intended for IRS axles. I'm not sure if the Subaru can be fitted with swing axle output shafts. SO if you have a swing axle you'd need to check into whether that's possible. If not your only option may be Berg or redoing your entire rear suspension in a body-off welding project.
A Porsche 901/2 transmission can also be used. Early 911/912 (to about 1971) or '70-72 Porsche 914 (called a tail shifter although off to side - '73 is a true side shifter and not easily used. A 914 trans is cheaper than 911/912 but the R&P has to be flipped so you don't have 5 reverse speeds. The nose cone on 914 has to be swapped to a 911 one or a custom cast nose cone can be used. DIY I'm guessing $2500-3k. Plus you need a 5 speed shifter, of course (plus AT/914 starter).
Type 1 VW Transmission to Porsche 5 Speed Conversion - (aircooled.net)
Parts and more instructions are also at:
bug@5speed - Conversion parts porsche transmission 901/914 (bugat5speed.de)
@Michael McKelvey posted:My Berg 5 cost about $5,000. I got it from Wright Gearbox because they had the parts needed and I didn't want to wait for Berg to make more someday.
The main complications were adding the mid-mount and changing the venting of the transmission. I also had to change my shifter to the appropriate Vintage Speed model.
Hi Michael,
Did you do the work or did you sub it out? and is the $5k price Labor and Matl.'s? How long did it take? DId you find it was worth it in the end?....
@JMM (Michael) posted:I will also mention that both the Porsche and Subaru are intended for IRS axles. I'm not sure if the Subaru can be fitted with swing axle output shafts. SO if you have a swing axle you'd need to check into whether that's possible. If not your only option may be Berg or redoing your entire rear suspension in a body-off welding project.
Thanks Michael....the Rancho solution was in my notes to check-out, seems that it may be a good turn-key solution.......
@WOLFGANG posted:A Porsche 901/2 transmission can also be used. Early 911/912 (to about 1971) or '70-72 Porsche 914 (called a tail shifter although off to side - '73 is a true side shifter and not easily used. A 914 trans is cheaper than 911/912 but the R&P has to be flipped so you don't have 5 reverse speeds. The nose cone on 914 has to be swapped to a 911 one or a custom cast nose cone can be used. DIY I'm guessing $2500-3k. Plus you need a 5 speed shifter, of course (plus AT/914 starter).
Type 1 VW Transmission to Porsche 5 Speed Conversion - (aircooled.net)
Parts and more instructions are also at:
bug@5speed - Conversion parts porsche transmission 901/914 (bugat5speed.de)
Thanks for the links....need to do some reading up on this......
@Larry Scislowicz, I did the work myself except for the little bit of welding for the mid-mount. The $5000 was the cost of the transmission with shipping. I got some of that back when I sold my old transmission.
I think it was worth it. You would have to decide what gearing you want. I kept 5th the same as the old 4th because I rarely drive on the freeway. That left the gears below more closely spaced. With my tires, 70 mph is about 3500 rpm.
Hello to all,
Just got off the phone with Rancho and they recommended, for what I want to do, instead of going to a 5-speed, go to a different 4th gear and get the 3:44 combination. They advised that sending them my transmission (donor) and having them do the work and materials & shipping would run somewhere <$2K (does not count labor in removing and installing rebuilt transmission). Where as going the 5 speed route is possibly >$6K. He also says that the tranny's that he does for Beck, Vintage and JPC are all 3:44's. For those of you with a 3:44 tranny, are you happy with it? Looking for some feed back here......
Does he really have 3.44 r&p's in stock? I thought they were NLA.
I shipped the transmission I sold in a plastic storage box I got at Costco. If I remember correctly, I covered it in plastic and sprayed some urethane foam around it to hold it in place.
That depends on what the 1-2-3-4 ratios are(very important). The 3.44 final drive is only part of the information. The other part is displacement/approx. hp and where/how you use your car.
FYI, if you have a swing-axle the 4 speed VW is your only option.
I think a swing axle Berg 5 is an option.
It certainly is, but I believe the OP is not willing to spend 6k.
FYI, Weddle list some of the Berg5 parts on their website. I have no inclination to check stock.
Did I read this right? If you use a type 1 or a type 4 in an IRS 356 replica you can now use a Subaru 5 speed with those engines?? Sorry trying to work and read post at same time.
I read that too, and find it pretty hard to believe.
But then, Rod Emory can do anything, right?
Apparently, it is possible.
Well, I'll be damned! 
I considered a Subaru trans. when I did my 5-speed. My understanding is that it moves the engine up and back which could be a problem for a Speedster.
Yeah, the arrangement of the shafts and ring and pinion do raise the engine.
Probably not going to work in either a Speedster or a Spyder with dual carbs.
If you had a single throttle body and a 914 cooling system, it might fit.
I guess in a sand rail or dune buggy it would be easier to make it work.
@LI-Rick posted:Does he really have 3.44 r&p's in stock? I thought they were NLA.
From our conversation they are not in stock, but I would need to order parts from Berg and have them sent to them along with sending my transmission (donor) to them to complete the installation...
@Michael McKelvey posted:I considered a Subaru trans. when I did my 5-speed. My understanding is that it moves the engine up and back which could be a problem for a Speedster.
How did you do your transmission brand/make? What gear ratios are you using?....
My guess is that the Suby R & P would have to be flipped to eliminate 5 speeds in reverse ? If a person wanted to have an automatic, this would be an option too.
Rancho can install limited slip as well. It's a throw away unit. It's welded together.
Bruce
@Larry Scislowicz, my transmission is a Berg-5.
My gear ratios are 1st - 3.78, 2nd - 2.06, 3rd - 1.48, 4th - 1.12, 5th - .89, R&P - 3.88.
Again, I had Wrightgearbox build it because they had the Berg parts in stock.
Anthony Autowerkes has done a number of these, I think they were mostly Berg's. I know a couple of the users personally and they were very happy. Discuss all the ins and outs and that is the bottom line.
@aircooled posted:My guess is that the Suby R & P would have to be flipped to eliminate 5 speeds in reverse ?
Bruce
R&P can't be flipped in the Subaru - an entire new R&P gear is milled. $1300 in various ratios.
SubaruGears | Subiworks - Conversion parts and Accessories that Work !
In Australia they have been putting subie trannies into vw's with a vw engine for a while now.
But, You could do a full subie engine and tranny with reverse R&P, they really fit together well and have a great power band. ;0
@IaM-Ray posted:In Australia they have been putting subie trannies into vw's with a vw engine for a while now.
But, You could do a full subie engine and tranny with reverse R&P, they really fit together well and have a great power band. ;0
Do you have any idea about how much that would cost?.....
I'd bet that Subaru trans will cost more than the Berg5, Larry.
FYI, you'll also need some clearancing done to the fiberglass and pan due to the longer and wider nosecone. Also, a new shifter and linkage needs to be fabricated. It's not that much, but still needs to be done.
At US Subie link I listed - a rebuilt trans with Subigears R&P installed is $4700-5300 with choice of ratio and LSD. You still need shifter, mounts and shorter axels.
Honestly the cost would be close I would think it may be $500 cheaper but I believe the reliability and choice of gears may be to your advantage, and no waiting for Berg. Also if you did go for a subie engine the tranny VSS ECU etc all fit together.
Other than that a 914 tranny or 901 tranny would also work.
Look us subarugears and there are many conversion videos you can watch.
SubieGears is the USA vendor in Cali.
Danny, fyi, the front nose cone is cut to shorten the tranny and be able to fit into a beetle frame the shifter is easily modified and a coupler added.
This is a Suby done by Rancho for me. That is the new LSD differential they use. mine was $4700 . Polished case was done before assembly but not by them. They have a place to send them for that. I wouldn't normally have the case polished but in a Spyder it's the most prominent thing you see when the clam shell is up.....Bruce
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The polished case is very impressive. I trust the engine will look equally great.
Bruce - In a Spyder you wouldn't need the SubieGears reversed R&P would you (since engine sits in front of transaxle)?
I tried to clean up (no hopes of polishing) a VW magnesium transaxle - it was quite a sparkel-ly show just using a drill with wire brush.
Sure hope so Mike ! This will be my first venture into electronics , ie, fuel injection, ignition and "black boxes". Thankfully I have Outfront Suby close by. The engine is pretty well shined up as well but as you know, there's always something to tidy up or tinker with..............Bruce
Wolfy is right on thata one a traditional subie setup is engine front. 
You can't have swing axles, so any change to a Subie transmission needs to include conversion to IRS. I thought Larry had a swing axle car.