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Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:39 pm

So, im planning on putting a syncro drive train into a beetle and i'm wondering what the weak spots of the trans are and what upgrades I should do to it?

Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:41 pm

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:roll:

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Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:14 pm

ChesterKV wrote: .

:roll:

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epic post. Thanks for playing

Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:19 pm

IRGreg wrote: ChesterKV wrote: .

:roll:

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epic post. Thanks for playing

Chester can really get right to the point...lol

Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:22 pm

I know of several syncros with powerful TDIs in them, 250+ Ft/lbs of torque and they've had no problems, and it is torque that kills driveline components.

What engine were you going to hook up to it?

Sorry for the on topic post :lol: :wink:

Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:26 pm

jackbombay wrote: I know of several syncros with powerful TDIs in them, 250+ Ft/lbs of torque and they've had no problems, and it is torque that kills driveline components.

What engine were you going to hook up to it?

Sorry for the on topic post :lol: :wink:

Im planning on a 2110 turbo or something like that, so roughly 200-220hp.

I'm going to have to change the gearing later to take advantage of the 5 speed.

Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:43 pm

That will be a fun car, how much torque do you expect?

Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:54 am

4wd Beetle???
Not likely. Don't waste your time with the Syncro trans, you think you are getting a 5 speed, but first will be completely unusable to you.
Youi may as well start with a European Vanagon 5 speed.
Now by the time you figure out how to get that in, get the side shifter working, why don't you start with something that has been proven to hold up to your power levels, such as a Berg 5 speed or a 911 5 speed. Both have been perfected to go in a beetle.

Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:46 am

Yeah, I was curious too. Is your intent a bad-ass 4WD Bug? or merely a 5-spd ? The Syncro trans would only make sense if creating a 1-of 4WD.

Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:15 am

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2955969&highlight=#2955969

Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:31 am

Thanks for posting that, Art. That creative set-up makes a lot more sense (for 4WD conversion) than a Syncro trans because it eliminates the extra length of Granny and 094 reverse gears. Great idea.

Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:59 am

You'd be better of with a theft recovery/burn job all wheel drive porsche. At least they are still using a pan similar to your beetle. The other option, would be to get an old nissan or toyota 4wd pickup. Pull the body off and set the bug body on the frame. You might need to shorten the frame, but that would be way easier than adapting a synchro drive train I would think.

Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:57 pm

jackbombay wrote: That will be a fun car, how much torque do you expect?

roughly the same amount

And I am aware id be better off getting a porsche but right now I dont have that kind of money. I traded my 66 beetle for a Vanagon syncro so Im going to use what I have.

my plan is to build a whole custom tube frame and basically set the body onto it.

And wellington, why would I take something that someone else has perfected when im trying to make something different. If it were the case of just bolting a 5 speed in then I wouldnt be making a thread about syncro transmissions. I am aware that 1st is a granny gear, and I am aware that it isnt the best geared trans, but I figured it would be a good starting point

Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:10 pm

IRGreg wrote: jackbombay wrote: That will be a fun car, how much torque do you expect?

roughly the same amount

And I am aware id be better off getting a porsche but right now I dont have that kind of money. I traded my 66 beetle for a Vanagon syncro so Im going to use what I have.

my plan is to build a whole custom tube frame and basically set the body onto it.

And wellington, why would I take something that someone else has perfected when im trying to make something different. If it were the case of just bolting a 5 speed in then I wouldnt be making a thread about syncro transmissions. I am aware that 1st is a granny gear, and I am aware that it isnt the best geared trans, but I figured it would be a good starting point

I think a 4x4 bug is great I have toyed with a 4wd sand rail for years

Tube frame seams like the way to go.

Good luck and keep doing your own thing.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:34 am

And wellington, why would I take something that someone else has perfected when im trying to make something different. If it were the case of just bolting a 5 speed in then I wouldnt be making a thread about syncro transmissions. I am aware that 1st is a granny gear, and I am aware that it isnt the best geared trans, but I figured it would be a good starting point
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Well now that you clearly state that you will be making a whole new chassis, my response would have been different. I guess I just assumed you were a newbie getting all wet at the prospect of having a 5 speed in their beetle. Don't forget to show us pictures of the project.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:06 am

Just a suggestion, Greg: Provide us with a link in your opening post, so that we don't have to continue guessing at your intended purpose ... Or just tell us.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=290391&highlight=

Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:14 am

IRGreg wrote: So, im planning on putting a syncro drive train into a beetle and i'm wondering what the weak spots of the trans are and what upgrades I should do to it?
The 3-4 slider is the weak point in a Vanagon trans, mid-90 VW upgraded. I'm not really up on my Syncro specs but I believe it applies to them too.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:24 am

The slider hub (guide) weakness pertaining to '86-mid'89? is an easy issue to address .... there are a number of other trans issues that are bigger obstacles to this particular project. A Syncro trans just isn't a good choice when compared to Art's link.

Sat Jul 19, 2008 3:32 pm

gears wrote: Just a suggestion, Greg: Provide us with a link in your opening post, so that we don't have to continue guessing at your intended purpose ... Or just tell us.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=290391&highlight=

I didnt do that cause I'm really not interested in people telling me that it cant be done (Such as what a few of you had said) All I am interested is in knowing the weak spots of this transmission/drivetrain so I know what I will have to beef up

Sat Jul 19, 2008 4:09 pm

Well, we still don't really know what "it" is ... If you're thinking of tuirning a granny gear into a useable road racing gear, "it" isn't in the cards, and you're better off starting with a different type of 5-speed.