TheSamba.com :: View topic - Transmission upgrade in 1970 bus, will a 72

Sat May 14, 2011 1:00 pm

To folks wanting a compact camper van that will keep up with Interstate traffic, my recommendation is to get a Eurovan with the Westy package, plain and simple.

What Steve Kent said about being able to shed heat at 70 plus MPH is very true regarding a VW Bus with a Type 1 motor. - Even with the improvements for the 1966 model year, the engine was still best suited for pushing an 1800 lb. Beetle in Northern Europe.

Yep, you can build a well balanced 1776cc or 1904cc, but the heads will still run hot when cruising above 70 mph for extended periods in the summer. Add a freeway flyer or 091 transmission and you cooling fan will be turning slower, too.

If you want to be able to 70 MPH all day in Bay Window Bus, get a 78 or 79 and be done with it.

Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:09 pm

First, thanks for all the good info many have shared. It was very un-classy of me to single out one of the posters, and I apologize for that. You can be the judge of what ever was said back. We all like VW's here so there is no need to to start battles.

I do 100% disagree with the notion that any old car, no matter what its original design was, should be limited to side roads and stay off the highway. It is a matter of time, money, and know-how to build (or customize) to what you want YOUR vehicle to be. Factors like longevity of the engine/trans, and the upgrades needed open a can of worms as to how it can or should be done (even if it is possible), but if you really enjoy working on cars you know you are only limited by your tools, time, and budget.

What I have found helpful from the info you all shared was that it is possible to use a later model tranny in the early bay bus, but however, the gearing for the late model tranny (78-79), would not work with any Type 1 motor that did not have significant upgrades. If you could pull it off, for the $ you would be better off just getting a later model bus, or retrofit the engine/trans if you are so inclined.

I have a 79 trans I can use for this project in the future but that is unlikely. As other posters have suggested I am planning to just use my stock tranny and put taller tires.

Since my bus is relatively rust free, I see no reason to hack in a later model T4 engine/trans for the sake of faster highway speed.

I hope to be back on the road by the summers end with more modest plans that what I had envisioned.

The best feedback to be shared was just take it easy and go slow, your in a bus anyway, enjoy the ride.

Thanks for the links, info, and insight.

Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:29 pm

grandpa pete wrote: todqsanford;the coupler in the bus was about a 32nd too small . at first i thought it was a bushing that had come off the old trans......really strange....the shop i deal with in tampa (total Performance)has been doing vw stuff for years and they haden,t ever heard of it either.

Hey Grandpa,
Sorry this is a bit late but I thought I might add something to your discussion about the coupler.

A couple months ago I had a customer with a 1968 convertible bug break the hockey stick.

When I replaced the hockey stick and reinstalled the transmission I went to connect the original shift coupler and found it wouldn't slide onto the shaft. This caused me to have to use some sand paper to try an remove some material. Finally, I was able to pretty much force the coupler on. So, my conclusion is that my local VW Parts House had sold me yet another CHEAP ASS CHINESE PIECE OF CRAP VW PART.

I've also had cheap couplers in the past that wouldn't fit without major modification.

Sat Jul 06, 2019 4:19 pm

I am late but to answer your question, but YES you can put a 72 -75 tranny in to replace your 70 one. I did it in my 71 when the tranny blew. I didn't do it for any reason but that's what I had available to me. it ran at lower rpms than the stock trans. I went cross country at 65 back and forth, cruised around the west with it. it sucked on hills. the ring gear is the difference in the trans. I now have a 68 with the stock trans. it definetly revs higher on the highway. doesn't like 65 , more like 55. but that's what I have . I also had a external oil cooler on my 71 and that kept the oil cool. I had it on the outside of the bus. I don't want to do that to my 68 because I just finshed a resto on it so ill keep it at 55. oh and its the same engine as before.

Sun Jul 07, 2019 10:59 am

Here's an 091 I installed into a 1968 bus

You do need a high HP engine though

Like this

Sun Jul 07, 2019 6:43 pm

that's a sweet bus!