Transmission Change?

Anyone out there know how much it would cost to change out the transmission from a 4:12 to 3:88 in an already constructed Speedster? (1915cc engine)

Thanks

Go see Kirk at Vintage...

Daren, Henry, at Intermeccanica, quoted me $3000 to pull my engine and transmission, install a 3.44 and put everything back together.
Note that my engine is fuel injected, which makes the re & re more complicated.

Thanks and sounds pricey!

That's why I didn't get it done. If, down the road, I do end up switching to a 3.44 I'll pull the engine and tranny myself.

Daren, After 10:00AM this morning get in touch with me for a price to do the whole job. I'm in Ontario, about 55 miles east of you.

I'll send you an email with contact information

Without going into detail, $3000 is high.

Wow, there's a local VW shop that said they would charge me $500 of I supplied the trans.

Ron, that $3000. included a new trans, no?

Still high, but some of the transmissions can run op around $1500.

Not worth the effort IMO. At 65-70 mph moving from 4.12 to 3.88 saves you about 211 rpm....and going to 3.44 drops another 400 rpm...so maybe going from 4.12 to 3.44 might make some sense, but 4.12 to 3.88 does not for me. Now, if I were having a new transmission built I would go for the 3.88 for certain...

Changing the R&P does require removing the engine, removing the transmission, doing the transmission work, then reinstalling it all. And it is much easier in an IRS car than it is in a swing axle car. Don't ask how I know that....

John Steele did this for me when my tranny died. Got a rebuit 3.88 for I believe $400 installed.

You got the transaxle and installation for 400 bucks? Even a cheap rebuilt transaxle costs 600+

I just had this discussion with 2 VW shops here and both said that would rebuild the one I have since they did not know what gearing and ring and pinion is currently in it. Makes a lot of sense to me because I might already have a 3.88 and need a 3.44. both said tops $1400.

I was told by both that if they change the Ring and Pinion it could gain 4-6 mph keeping same rpm in 4th and by changing gear could get another 4-6 mph. I do have a 2176 so it would pull really tall gears. You might have problems pulling both these changes off.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1267728

the key words in that samba ad are "starting at"

Sam at Rancho does good work. Built new 3.88 with 3.10 1st, 1.93 2nd, standard 3rd at 1.26 and 4th at .89. Shipped to Fresno and installed locally for much less than 3000.Hope this helps.

Thanks for all the replies and information...very helpful.

$3000 included:
1. taking out the engine and tranny
2. having a 3.44 r&p installed
3. re installing the tranny and engine

Intermeccanica is very good at what they do, but they're not inexpensive.

As I mentioned, I went from a 0.82 4th and 4.12 r&p, to a 0.89 4th and 3.88 r&p. There wasn't any change in highway cruising speed/rpm, but the 3.88 gave the first three gears a bit more spacing. I wish they were spaced out even more.

Plus most likely new quality pressure plate, clutch plate and throw-out bearing!