What is the best gearbox solution?

Superleggo

Hi folks - I have just joined the world of classic vw'sbut have had a modern Passat for the last 8 years. Having just finished welding up my 1971 Bay and I am trying to decide what to do next. I plan to end up with a usable classic with classic looks but something that will keep up with modern traffic. I was thinking that 150 -200 HP would do nicely in a camper so there are lots of engine options. To me the biggest problem is the gearbox as the ratios seem a bit lame. I would like a van that will cruise at 80-85mph and return good mpg like my Passat . I know the Bay is a bit of an aerodynamic brick but every white van on the road can do 90mph if not they would not sell and they even return sensible mpg. Can a Bay do the same? Having read many of the posts on the forum I suppose the obvious choice is 091 box and Subaru engine.
However I was thinking why not use a transverse engine / box in the back. I realise that most combinations will not fit sensibly as the engine will end up in the load bay or I will end up with 5/6 reverse gears and one forward. But why not fit a Honda/VW combination. The Honda engine runs backwards so it be possible to mate one of the Honda engine to a VW or other gearbox or visa versa. Will any of the gearboxes be happy running backwards? Has anybody done it? any thoughts?
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VW Camper 1971
VW Passat 2006
Lotus Elan +2 Convertible 1967
Lotus Elan +2 1968
Mini Moke 1974
Land Rover Series 2a 1967
DB5 replica Work in progress

Another day another car!

RobScott · Initiate Jedi Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Posts: 39

hmm, well the engine will still be basically mid mounted what ever transverse box you use. seems a tough way of doing somthing that can be done a lot simpler.

at the end of the day a bay is old technology, if you want to be blasting down the motorway at 80-85 mph in a bay then you will need some decent suspension and brakes, modern vans are just that... modern.

you will end up hacking a lot out of your camper if you go down that route, maybe go for a built box with bigger ratios? also think about trying to sell the camper in the future, no one will want a hacked up bay with a random engine/box combination.

richbaker78 · Teacher of Padawans Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 1298

i understand what you are thinking - i too want to cruise at sensible speeds ....having spent a lot of time and even more money fitting my subaru turbo to my van on a modifie 091 box and RJES bell housing it is ulitmatly still going to be compromised by the gearbox.

Had I known better at the time I could have saved a fortune by using the subaru box(admittedly they arent exactly brilliant) but are 5 speed, modern and cheap ( i could buy 4 of them for the cost of one of my 091s). The other advantage is you use all subaru components- clutch etc etc. Yes it would be a lot of fabircation but in my case (turbo) I have spent a lot of time fabricating stuff anyway. i still have moments of thinking im going to cut it all out and start again but i will see how it all drives if i ever finish it!!!

So I would definatly be looking to either mdmount the engine and reformat the rear end or if i was a` diesel enthusiast i would be looking at fitting a transverse set up....like a nice 150bhp VAG Tdi and 6 speed box.

jp · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:34 am Post subject:

Kai · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 12:37 pm Post subject:

jp · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:08 pm Post subject:

That'll be this one..

http://vwkd.co.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1501
http://vwkd.co.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?t=38
http://vwkd.co.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1962
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1971 Devon Bay with 1800 Ford Turbo Diesel Engine (wip)
1983 VW Golf GTI Campaign
1979 Mini 1275 GT
2013 Scirocco TDI GT

doppelganger · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:32 pm Post subject:

next year bears have a proper 5 speed busbox coming out
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jp · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:42 pm Post subject:

richbaker78 · Teacher of Padawans Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 1298

he should do some cunning marketting and team up with RJES and offer them ready converted of the shelf at a slightly cheaper price than the two parts bought seperatly. THen its a ready made package for conversions off the shelf.

Kai · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 3:58 pm Post subject:

Superleggo · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 5:24 pm Post subject: Thanks for the quick reply

wow - you guys are on the case. Thanks for replying so quickly. i have spend ages reading some of your posts and they have provided great inspiration to me and persauded me to join in. I have very much enjoyed reading Richbaker78 build - stunning work and thanks for such an honest reply. I am keen noot to loose space inside the van and hence I had already dismissed Ford option and any other FWD mover to mid engine layout. I really think that RWD rear engine mounted transversly would work well. I can't see why a modern transverse box will not run backwards if mated to a Honda engine, or a Honda box running backwards to any engine of your choice. Surely it would make a very drivable bus. Someone must have tried it?

The Subaru to 5 speed box is stunning but too much space lost sadly. I bought the bus to go camping in but was hoping not to spend all the holday getting there! hence the need for a different engine / box combination. I am not frightened of fabrication as I scratch built the body shell chassis and suspension for my DB5 replica.
_________________
VW Camper 1971
VW Passat 2006
Lotus Elan +2 Convertible 1967
Lotus Elan +2 1968
Mini Moke 1974
Land Rover Series 2a 1967
DB5 replica Work in progress

Another day another car!

13 window deluxe · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 6:17 pm Post subject: