small nut daily drivers input needed...

[germanlove]

So I need to replace a tranny in a 61' project bus. I havent driven a small nut before. I really want to get it on the road and need to decide if I should stick with a small nut or find something else. I plan on running a stock 1600 in it. i would like to make it more than a weekend driver. So here are some questions;

what is top end speed on a stock small nut?

has anyone converted theirs to a FF? if so, do you like it?

any suggestions for mods, gearing, etc?

If I go big nut, should it be kept stock or ff?

if i restore the bus will the big nut kill the value?

thanks in advance!

[VolksFire]

my 60 panel is small nut (all stock gearing) with a 1600dp. top speed is 60mph and its screaming. if you are looking to keep the bus all stock and correct, I would suggest you stay with small nut. If youre gonna drive long distances, I would suggest the big nut. I had never driven a small nut either. If i had known before I had it rebuilt, I wouldve gone with a big nut. I'm not sure how the FF setup works on a small nut.

My 63 sc is big nut (stock gearing) with 1600sp. I cruise 60-65 comfortably. can get it to 70 if i want.

My 67 kombi is big nut with FF but still has the stock 1.26 RGBs, and 1776 engine. I cruise 70 easily, can get it up faster but havent yet cuz i had to pull the engine for head replacement.
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Jahnai Pearson - VW Restoration Technician
60 Double Door Panel
63 Double Cab
63 Single Cab
67 SO42 Westfalia
73 Thing
76 Kombi
82 Westfalia Deluxe
82 Quantum Coupe
85 Quantum Sedan
85 Quantum Syncro Wagon
96 Golf GL

[Ollie W]

My daily driver is a small nut tranny with a 1600 sp. I cruise the highway between 50-55 mph. I've had my truck for 6 years now. I just learn to add 15% to the estimated time mapquest suggests it'll take to get somewhere.

[Eric&Barb]

We used to do 55 MPH @ 3,800 RPM with stock small nut 1960-63 gearing.

Went to FF late RGB transaxle doing 60 MPH @ 3,000 RPM.

Before with stock transaxle was getting 18-19 MPG, and had cooling problems. With same big bore 40 HP engine went to 27 MPG, and most of the cooling problems went away.

Plus the brakes on the large nut RGBs are 20% bigger, so better stopping.

If you or anyone else wants to Pmail us, will be happy to send back our "Modified Tranny History".
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[mastajusty]

My 58 has the stock trans and a 1600 single port with dual webbers. 55mph all day long, up hill, down hill, with a load, with just me, head wind, tail wind... As long as your cool with 55 it's a great setup!!! When you hit the back roads it's a total dream to drive.

I don't know much about ff setups but I've found if you want a bus to drive and not worry about messing with bits all the time, stock(ish) is the way to go

[candyman]

[deepseeman]

sounds like you get know where fast with a small nut. Im kinda in the same boat. Im pulling out a bad IRS on my 61 D/C and trying to decide which way to go small (original) or big. Im running the same motor too. maybe a small freeway flyer with later rgb? does that even go together?
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in the barn:

61' Double Cab-restored driver
91 SYNCRO

[AlteWagen]

Stock small nut trans in my 63 has

4.12 r&p
.82 4th

If I cruise at 50mph I get 29 mpg. The faster I go the less I get

Current engine

1699cc
dual icts
1 3/8 header

I just picked up a rebuilt big nut with 4.12, hopfully I will pick up a few mph/mpg.

[germanlove]

I appreciate everybodies input so far. I am still undecided. I know I cant afford to build a ff in any variation at the moment. i have heard equal from both sides about small and big. i am kinda leaning toward the big nut so far. its only a d/c. they dont fetch big dollars restored and the increased braking would help under a load. i dont think it will kill the resale value with that upgrade. i am a purist, but seeing that this is a commercial to be driven daily, i think some upgrades are called for.

[mr white]

Germanlove,
Rock the stock small nut. I run a full synchro in my 58 15 all day,no issues. Just make sure your grease seals are good and oil levels are good. You should have no issues,just keep in mind,it wont be fast like a beetle.

[AlteWagen]

[Eric&Barb]

[Ollie W]

[Clara]

[deepseeman]

I agree with your big nut theory. I dont think it will kill the value, it will give you the extra mph's for freeway driving. if you were running a bigger motor, then I would consider a ff.
_________________
in the barn:

61' Double Cab-restored driver
91 SYNCRO

[Eric&Barb]

On the freeway we are getting 22-23 MPG @ 60 MPH with slightly larger rear tires than the 205/75R15 on the front. Engine has CW crank, 1641cc slip ins, 7.1 CR, H-30 Brazilian carb with cable choke.

Before FF transaxle was running big bore 40 HP engine. MPG was in the 18-19 range @ 55 MPH & 3,800 RPM. When we dropped to 47 MPH @ 3,000 RPM went to 27 MPG. Got the FF and MPG went down to 25 MPG doing 58 MPH @ 3,000 RPM.

Clara, sure wish you still had that engine for autopsy!! Best guess is it had pretty high CR and was running pretty lean...
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Clara]