im going to be getting a watercooled vanagon 6 rib. And im planning to go with a watercooled setup, not sure yet. But what my wonder is how much can a tranny hold up to hp wise? I have a van with a 3.8 that i would be able to use, but it has almost 215 hp and that just seems like alot. I just dont have the money to put into a tranny. Im trying to do this for as cheap as possible, like the alot of us...... im laid off.

The 1983 1/2 and later Vanagon trans was the strongest VW trans made. I would suggest you install a superdiff. I am running a 2.5 Turbo Subaru in my 2500# Buggy and I am sure its putting out more that 215 HP. So far it has held up well and I do not baby it. Stay away from hole shots and land off a jump with power on and you will be fine.

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Water cooled Dry Sumped Subaru Powered Turbo Charged Fuel Injected 2500CC Tank. Oh Rah! He who dies with the most Toys not only wins, He also wears them out!

I agree with Ody,,superdiff is a must. You might consider to hire a good trany builder to install the diff and maybe a chrome moly pinion nut,,,and do an inspection. Good tranny builders are worth their hire if you don't do it yourself. 31" tires and Aluminum wheels are easier on trannys too. good luck.

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If your clutch ain't slippin,, you probably got it adjusted right!!!!!

I've been told that some of the later watercooled trannies already had superdiffs in them? What does one cost, and how extensive is the swap of them?

I am running 31's, just not on alum. I am doing a $1000 budget on $0. haha. There many tranny builders in northeast ohio?

you'll have to shop around and try and find a superdiff, try weddle, but they'll be high... brian stuhldreher in east canton has been doing trans for over 20 years. he built mine and plumberbills and majority of the others running around down at wellsville. He can install the superdiff while you stand there at a very reasonable rate.


or you can also check with one of our sponsers

Some ACW coded trannies had them but that is not a guarantee.
Last one I had here in the shop did.

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Gary

Turbo VW Sand Racer
Polaris Ranger



"If you don't run into the Devil every once in awhile, you must be going in the same direction!"

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Well since the super diff is kinda out of the question for awhile. I think i will try to put the 3.8 in. I'm just cringing on the thought of busting that tranny. But i also dont like to be jumping and all that high flyin stuff. haha. I guess im like nitro, slow and go, rockcrawlin speed. haha.

I have oem vanagon superdiffs $350 complete with bearings.

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A good friend will bail you out of jail. A best friend will be sitting next to you saying: "Damn that was fun!"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5wGMaUMXUQ

you better buy some arms if your putting that on your single seater cause you'll be ridin wheelies.

I am. I just have to get the jig built. Doing rear and front. I'm gonna build it with the stock arms to go and play around with in the back yard on the back wheels. Maybe i can do wheelie donuts!


I was talking to koko lastnight and he was tellin me chuck has em for 250-300 or something. And i dont think thats too bad. Just the wonder is, how much is the installation going to be.

installation $30-$60 id imagine..

Who's the closest builder to medina, ohio?

Brian

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Water cooled Dry Sumped Subaru Powered Turbo Charged Fuel Injected 2500CC Tank. Oh Rah! He who dies with the most Toys not only wins, He also wears them out!

Where is he located? And does anyone have contact info?

How would i have to set this tranny in my buggy to be able to do mid engine? You cant just turnit around right? wouldn't it have 4 reverse gears? lol

I suppose you could turn it around and upside down however that poses lubrication and venting issues. I am also not shure if you can just flip the bell housing and every thing will line up.

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Water cooled Dry Sumped Subaru Powered Turbo Charged Fuel Injected 2500CC Tank. Oh Rah! He who dies with the most Toys not only wins, He also wears them out!

Thats exactly what i was thinking. I dont think it would be getting enough lubrication. It seems to be the best idea to set this up.