TheSamba.com :: View topic - Bus transmission in street rail- Chime in if you have this

Fri Jun 08, 2012 9:16 pm

Hey everyone.

I've been concemplating on doing this since I built my buggy. My buggy is for street use only. It is a 1835cc dp, with a 69 transmission on IRS suspension with 31" rear tires. The buggy is my weekend driver that I take to car shows and around town.

My questions concerning this.

1. Can I go 75mph. What RPM at 75mph?

2. Will I be able to tell a big difference in low end power?

3. My buggy is quick and powerful from 1-2 gear, will I feel the same "power" 3-4th?

I think my 0-60 is atleast 10 seconds.

What do you bus tranny guys get?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Here is my buggy btw

Fri Jun 08, 2012 9:39 pm

58 mph tops @4800 rpm for me (running a 2.3 ford engine)
I feel a huge difference- pull the front wheels almost every time I launch...
3-4 gears are longer and tend to bog a bit
I'm slow to 60
All in all, even with the strength of the bus transaxle, I wish I had a well built freeway-flyer instead...

Fri Jun 08, 2012 9:52 pm

Ok, what do you mean by it bogging in 3-4 gears? Isn't the whole gear ratio lower?

Fri Jun 08, 2012 10:09 pm

What you gain with a bus tranny is strength and lower gears. If ya just running on the street with a 1835 I woul stick with a car box. With losing the weight of a bug and going to the lightweight of the rail you should be able to pull the gears just fine. I would stick with acar box, possibly regear 3rd and fourth to suit the larger tire size.