TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:26 pm

How much power can I put to a stock IRS and axles before I have to worry about breaking something? I have solid steel mounts for the transaxle front and rear. I'm wondering because I have installed the 2.3 turbo coupe motor in my Baja, probably about 190 hp, and I don't want to break the transaxle. Then again I don't know if that is a concern.

Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:36 pm

umm i would be very cautious about romping on it. i have a built 3rib bus trans in my off road car. (weddle 1st-4th, chromoly main shaft, super diff, race prep 930s) and the guys at rancho transaxle told me it should be good to about 200hp or so and thats it.. they built it so they should know..

so if mine is good till 200hp, i would be ver careful with a stock bug tans and cvs.. hope that helps

Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:59 pm

Thank you, I'll try not to beat it too much. I'm going to need to beef it up so I can see what it really can do.

Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:49 pm

but a 3 rib and type 1 trans are basically the same internally the only big difference is the case

Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:58 pm

bigpapakamen wrote: but a 3 rib and type 1 trans are basically the same internally the only big difference is the case

your partialy right, but what is your point?? he wasent asking what the differance between the two trannys is. he asked if his stock tranny will hold up the 190hp he has behind it. the simple answer is no, not for very long.

Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:00 pm

twistingawrench wrote: the simple answer is no, not for very long.
So true.

Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:02 pm

Your going to brake it . No way it will last. t1 trans stock is a 40hp trans. A t1 prostreet is not much more. the first gear is still 40 hp. Just know It will brake. I am on my 4th trans.in 2500 miles. All built. Drive it until it brakes and get a 002 or 091.

Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:34 pm

what i was saying is the you made one hold up to the hp so his can if he makes it i know thats not how it sounded but thats how it was ment

Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:05 pm

Umm yeah, so how do you go about building one to hold up to the power? Or can you buy one for a reasonable price? How about a superstreet or prosand tranny, like from KCR transmissions?

Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:43 pm

if you max out a t1 trans it will cost you 1800$. it will still not be strong enough. You could make it last but how long? for that price you better off picking up a built 002 or 091 . Unless you pay for the big $$ gears it will still be weak. but it will be better than the t1. Pay now or pay later. A conversion to bus is not that bad. mine is about 2k for trans and labor. i have way more $$ in my t1 trans, it has broke 3 times.

Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:19 pm

3 rib (002) will stand up if you drive like a granny. 6 rib (091) built will handle some abuse. or for about 14 grand you can get something that'll handle a twin turboed Corvette engine.

Retterath
Proud new owner of a 2.3 turbo powered '70 Baja featuring a 002 trans with smooth 2nd gears.

Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:10 pm

a stock 6 rib will more than likely hold up fine a slightly beefed up 5 rib should work too i wouldn't go with a three rib

Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:19 am

Ok. I don't know much about ribs. What are they and what do you mean by 3 rib , 6 rib, 5 rib? Also I never really got a straight answer on the KCR trannies, they are $689 for prostreet and $899 for prosand. Wouldn't those work and bolt right in? Also if I have to convert to a bus tranny what does that take?

Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:33 am

Read this sticky at the top of the forum.
It explains the differences between most of the common VW trannies in an off road application.

transmissions for Dummies

With that said I've seen stock swing boxes take a pounding on the drag strip with a 2165cc engine.
It did break but it took a bit.

On the other hand I've also had guys break an 091 six rib with a single port.

It's just dumb luck in most cases.

The waterboxer vanagon tranny is all the rage now.
Have a customer with a 2500cc engine beating on one for 4 seasons now.
Even in reverse.
Takes a special shift linkage to make it work though.

Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:44 pm

Thanks for the link and the info. By the way I called Pacific Customs Unltd. and they said that the Pro Street Tranny would work for about $680 and give good highway speed.

Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:11 pm

Do not believe Pacific customs. They do not warranty the trans. call the builder for PC it is KCR. he will flat out tell you a t1 trans is for stock power. it may have HD side and super diff but the internal shafts and gears are still stock power. Maybe ok for a non turbo for a while but not a turbo car. Don't buy it from them go to the builder and he will give you a warranty and it will cost less.

Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:14 pm

Builder.... as in who, KCR?

Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:20 pm

Yes . KCR trans. He builds for PC and Moore parts. I got one from them, it broke under 200 miles non turbo. I took it back and they said go to KCR he built it. I did . He told me a pro street is built for stock power. you can beef it up but the weakest points will still brake sooner or later. If you buy the ultra t1 with weddle gears it may last .. I don't thin so. I have on. 1800$ I have a 2.0l turbo. 250 hp You can get what you like I just don't want to see you toss you money away.

Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:22 pm

Thanks for the advice, I'll check out KCR

Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:12 pm

Much of this depends on how you drive..

I've known guys to break a 68 trans with a 25 hp engine.

tranny is only a part of the equation.. much of it is how you mount it.. reinforce it.. clutch and skills.