Gearbox, eerrrmmmmmmm... gear change ?!?!

[Brighouse-gti]

Hi all!!.. Now then, when it comes to my 8v engine I'll pull it in bits and put it back together all day long, but I've never really dabbled with the gear box. I've got myself a mk2 golf 020 gearbox to play with, with the intention of fitting a taller 5th gear to eventually fit into my mk2. I thought about doing a 02m conversion, 6speed, but thought better of it. Instead of diving in feet first, thought I'd get myself a bit more clued up first! Soooooo I'm just after some advice from anyone whos attempted or done a 5th gear swap. Any tips, do's n dont's, but most importantly, which 5th gear is going to be ideal. I'm guessing I want to be looking at possibly a mk3 diesel 5th gear, from a 1Y CHC gearbox? (just guessing) A nice taller gear to get some more top end speed, instead of my engine screaming in 5th at around 80-90mph! Any links would be great, but even better with pics, and as always, thanks in adv 

[Sgt_Lemon]

Just gunna jump on this post in case someone answers as also interested. Motorway commute sucks atm.

[Brighouse-gti]

Just thought I'd bring this post back from the dead to see if theres anyone out there in the know!!

[The Mighty Elvi]

If you've got the cash you can go for a Quaife 6 speed box.

Other that that check out Broke VW.  I put the link in the stickies long time ago, but here:

http://www.brokevw.com/5thswap2.html

[roberto]

if you can find yourself a mk3 golf 1.4 cza code gearbox that has an ideal 5th gear set for the 8v box. same ratio as the mk3 8v gti but the circlip set up is a straight swap in to the mk2 box. that's what I done and its spot on. the diesel 5th gears leave to wide a gap between 4th. my car does 70mph at 3k now instead of 63mph. doesn't sound like much but you can really notice the dif out on the open road.

[Brighouse-gti]

Cheers for the link there elvi, very detailed and always an added bonus to have pics to look at!! I think the quaife gearbox will have to wait till I win the lottery as its a tad expensive! I'm still thinking of going down the 1Y diesel option tho, luckily I work next to a machine tool specialist, so modifying the cog to fit the circlip wouldn't be an issue. Looking forward to getting my hands all greased up!!

[Brighouse-gti]

So after 6 hours on my drive way in the miserable weather the gear swap is done!! I decided to stick with the 5th from the 1Y CHC gearbox, and wow, what a difference it makes! Couldn't help but take it down motorway for a quick test run, 70mph @ just under 3k rpm. Magical! Even the A road drive back home she was pulling in 5th @ 40mph @ around 1.5k rpm! Plus the added bonus of some more top end speed if that floats you boat. I'd recommend this gear swap to anyone looking t save a few pennies on their daily commute. All in with the new parts and gear oil its set me back £80, the mk3 gear box I got was a steal @ £50!

Unfortunatly no write up here folks but all the info you need to do the swap is on the brokevw page, and if your unsure then you can still email Brian at brokevw, yes he's still there, and was more than helpful with the queries I had.

[VW BUSH]

Bit late in the day, but....

http://vwtechnic.com/transmission.htm

Click on the picture of the box for a spread sheet of wonderful VW box info.
Some of the site is broken but this still works.
I have a more up to date sheet somewhere......

[Sgt_Lemon]

So after 6 hours on my drive way in the miserable weather the gear swap is done!! I decided to stick with the 5th from the 1Y CHC gearbox, and wow, what a difference it makes! Couldn't help but take it down motorway for a quick test run, 70mph @ just under 3k rpm. Magical! Even the A road drive back home she was pulling in 5th @ 40mph @ around 1.5k rpm! Plus the added bonus of some more top end speed if that floats you boat. I'd recommend this gear swap to anyone looking t save a few pennies on their daily commute. All in with the new parts and gear oil its set me back £80, the mk3 gear box I got was a steal @ £50!

Unfortunatly no write up here folks but all the info you need to do the swap is on the brokevw page, and if your unsure then you can still email Brian at brokevw, yes he's still there, and was more than helpful with the queries I had.

Shouldn't be reading this, will give me ideas. Got too much on the go to start taking the daily to pieces again.

[Brighouse-gti]

Job for the weekend Sgt Lemon... No need to take the box off, it can all be done from under the wheel arch and from under the bonnet! Best advice; wear a helmet cos if your like me you'll keep hitting your head under the arch!!