4x4 gearbox choices?

[UncleRic]

This is mainly aimed at the guys/gals who have changed gearboxes on the 4x4 (or vRS) for 6 speed units / longer ratioed boxes, but any advice is welcome.

I think someone has a 6 speed TT box and I believe that there is a vRS with a diesel box (?), can someone give me an idea of fittment ease and reliability and more importanlty the rough ratios after fitting. I'd like to be able do motorway speeds at less than it currently revs at so a gearbox with longer ratios, but would also like to be able to top 60+ in 2nd. It'll be mated with a bigger turbo too if that should be taken into account..

I won't be doing it until the house is sorted so I have a couple of months to decide.

[DGW]

I think EddyH and Stuart_J both have modified gearboxes in their 4X4s.

[bengie]

they both have petrol 6 speed boxes from either a TT or an S3, i also have one of these ready to be fitted. the final ratio is the same as the FWD 5 speed box but we do it for the strength rather than the ratios

work required is quite high as its lots and lots or bits to get it working.

you need to change :-

gearbox
clutch
flywheel
selectors
starter motor
transfer box
drive shafts
prop shaft
clutch pipe

and possibly a couple other things i may have forgotton

[Steevie Wonder]

Originally Posted by UncleRic

This is mainly aimed at the guys/gals who have changed gearboxes on the 4x4 (or vRS) for 6 speed units / longer ratioed boxes, but any advice is welcome.

I think someone has a 6 speed TT box and I believe that there is a vRS with a diesel box (?), can someone give me an idea of fittment ease and reliability and more importanlty the rough ratios after fitting. I'd like to be able do motorway speeds at less than it currently revs at so a gearbox with longer ratios, but would also like to be able to top 60+ in 2nd. It'll be mated with a bigger turbo too if that should be taken into account..

I won't be doing it until the house is sorted so I have a couple of months to decide.

Don't know how much help this'll be.......

I changed mine to the Octavia pd130 02M gearbox, this gives me:
50 = 1st
85 = 2nd
120 = 3rd
155 = 4th
180 = 5th
?? = 6th (as a point of interest 110mph @ 3000rpm, standard vRS is 80mph @ 3000rpm)

I did this because I needed a stronger more reliable box, plus I have a bit more poke than most so the extra torque of my car makes up the difference for the longer cogs.

The S3 or TT box would be straight forward, if you are looking for longer cogs though you don't have many options other than the APR long ratio final drive set (around 1k!) or fit the A3 1.9 TDi quattro 02M gearbox......

Hope this helps,


Steve

[bengie]

Originally Posted by Steevie Wonder

The S3 or TT box would be straight forward, if you are looking for longer cogs though you don't have many options other than the APR long ratio final drive set (around 1k!) or fit the A3 1.9 TDi quattro 02M gearbox......

Hope this helps,


Steve

its not straight forward and the S3 has longer gears than an octavia 4x4.

[woodenspatulas]

Originally Posted by Steevie Wonder

I changed mine to the Octavia pd130 02M gearbox, this gives me:
50 = 1st
85 = 2nd
120 = 3rd
155 = 4th
180 = 5th
?? = 6th (as a point of interest 110mph @ 3000rpm, standard vRS is 80mph @ 3000rpm)

sorry to hyjack, but you can do 50mph in FIRST??? or am i reading that wrong?

you must be dreading them trying to change it to 20mph in towns and cities!!!

[Steevie Wonder]

Originally Posted by bengie

its not straight forward and the S3 has longer gears than an octavia 4x4.

Well, easier than what I had to do I would say. I know the 4x4 Octy's have rather short ratios, and that the S3 also has an extra cog so shorter shafts will be needed.

Sourcing the parts at a reasonable price might be the biggest problem!!

Originally Posted by woodenspatulas

sorry to hyjack, but you can do 50mph in FIRST??? or am i reading that wrong?

you must be dreading them trying to change it to 20mph in towns and cities!!!

Standard it would do just over 40mph in 1st, it makes for a very relaxing drive......when you want it to be

Fuel economy is excellent!

[bengie]

your gearbox bolts on the same but without the prop and transfer box though.

i paid £800 for all my transmission parts apart from the starter motor that cost me £60 brand new from ebay and the clutch that i will be buying from another member

[UncleRic]

Originally Posted by bengie

they both have petrol 6 speed boxes from either a TT or an S3
work required is quite high as its lots and lots or bits to get it working.
you need to change :-
gearbox
clutch
flywheel
selectors
starter motor
transfer box
drive shafts
prop shaft
clutch pipe

So it's largely a case of changing parts (for other OE parts) rather than having to fabricate anything major and the TT/S3 box would give longer gears (mainly want 1 - 3) but the same final drive as the vrs?

[UncleRic]

Originally Posted by Steevie Wonder

Don't know how much help this'll be.......

I changed mine to the Octavia pd130 02M gearbox, this gives me:
50 = 1st
85 = 2nd
120 = 3rd
155 = 4th
180 = 5th
?? = 6th (as a point of interest 110mph @ 3000rpm, standard vRS is 80mph @ 3000rpm)

The S3 or TT box would be straight forward, if you are looking for longer cogs though you don't have many options other than the APR long ratio final drive set (around 1k!) or fit the A3 1.9 TDi quattro 02M gearbox......

Awesome..

Thats maybe a bit extreme for what I'm looking for but I bet you surprise a few people on the road..!!

*EDIT*.. I've just found EddyH's original thread about this very same subject.. do'h!

[Steevie Wonder]

Originally Posted by UncleRic

Awesome..

Thats maybe a bit extreme for what I'm looking for but I bet you surprise a few people on the road..!!

*EDIT*.. I've just found EddyH's original thread about this very same subject.. do'h!

Oh yes...

[Steevie Wonder]

Originally Posted by UncleRic

Awesome..

Thats maybe a bit extreme for what I'm looking for but I bet you surprise a few people on the road..!!

Oh yes...

[Liverpool-Lad]

What a great gearbox for motorway work!!