Brand new custom Syncro transaxle

[Pcforno]

Awesome gears. Can’t wait !!

[danfromsyr]

with every great piece of innovation and attention on these, I feel I'll need to save a bit more $$ to afford one..

but there are many other makes of vehicles out there with $5k+ transmissions..
if you love it, show it how much..
_________________

[gears]

My primary reason for seeing that these various improved Syncro components become available is that I want an ultra-strong trans for my own two Syncros. The business part of it was just a natural progression, as I personally know other guys willing to pay more for the best available parts. The fact that OE parts are becoming scarce while Syncro Vanagon prices are on the rise make these improvements "good timing" (for a change ;^)

Cost? Nothing compared to the skyrocketing prices in the Porsche transaxle market (where 5K might buy you a rebuildable core). That, and the fact that the Syncro trans is so unique, help me keep things in perspective.
_________________
aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[gears]

Our latest batch of inventory includes a few reduced helix and straight-cut versions of 4th gear, which should eliminate the "orbiting" issue kindly researched and explained by Howesight (in another thread). I'll be installing straight-cut 4ths in my own two transaxles, just as soon as our mainshafts arrive in April. These are strictly meant for SVX and similar conversion vans, in which horsepower is well over double the original design, and which see extreme uphill loading.

Gears shown are: Standard - Reduced Helix - Straight-Cut

In Porsche world, we continue to sell lots of straight-cut synchronized gears to guys with insane Turbo engined GT3 cars. They report a reasonable noise level, which initially surprised us. We had of course taken extra care in selecting more "streetable" tooth profile and pressure angle to help with noise, so were gratified with the results: gears that lasted quite a bit longer in overpowered street/track cars, without sounding like a Hewland transaxle.

We consider these Vanagon gears "experimental" at this stage .. but based on past experience in Porsche world, they should be quite successful.
_________________
aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[MarkWard]

A quiet running straight cut gear would great. I intend to move
forward with my TDI syncro project this spring. I will be refreshing the transaxle as part of the conversion. I will be watching this thread. Thanks for
the commitment. Mark
_________________
☮️

[Sodo]

NOTE: Here's a thread where Howesight explains his theory. I think he floated the idea earlier (in another thread) but I couldn't find it. Another discussion of the "4th gear cocking" and erosion of the mainshaft bearing thrust surface in this thread.

[Howesight]

That is great news for the embattled Syncro transaxle, Pablo. I am watching for availability of your last bits to have my transaxle rebuilt with all these quality parts, pressure lubrication and cooling. Mrs. Howesight will be very pleased after the rebuild since I am always on her case not to exceed 72 mph, my arbitrary "do not exceed" speed. Of course, for passing, we exceed that without a worry, but for long runs on cruise control, it's 72 mph.

Frankly, for occasions when we just have to get some miles behind us, I can live with the high fuel consumption of 80 or 85 mph and I am looking forward to being able to do that.

Many thanks for the commitment and follow-through.
_________________
'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[gears]

The GT3R & GT3RS track cars are indeed factory dedicated track cars, but various street models including the GT3 are often heavily modded by their owners for various types of outlaw racing (Texas Mile etc).

I don't think 2.5 conversions need anything other than standard helical gears. SVX and TDI are another story. TDI guys in particular overly lug in 4th gear, which IMO exacerbates the orbiting issue. Perhaps the reduced helix gear will prove to be a sufficient compromise for all .. only time will tell.

I'm hoping to perform comparative noise testing in a controlled environment, using German Transaxle's transaxle dynometer. My own SVX Westy will have straight-cut 4th regardless, as I really push that van hard uphill.
_________________
aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[elizer]

Gears,

Please give me your address so I can have my tax returns sent directly to you.

Thank you,
Eli

[hans j]

If you could also measure the noise inside the vehicle with some off the shelf app so the rest of us know where we compare, that would be great. I know in my TDI, interior noise is much louder anyway due to the engine. I might not hear a straight cut gear at all at freeway speeds.
_________________
1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

[gears]

Thanks for that input, Hans .. TDI is a prime candidate for reduced helix or straight-cut.
_________________
aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[gears]

The prototype billet housings are almost there ..

_________________
aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[jimf909]

Wow. It looks shiny. It also looks like the outcome of years of work and learning. Well done.
_________________
- Jim

[gears]

NOT my handiwork .. I'm just the input guy. That's the standard version, applicable to 2WD and stock nose cone.
_________________
aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[MarkWard]

Beautiful machining. Thanks for the update. The longer I put off my syncro project, the more transaxle options seem to appear. That's good news. mark
_________________
☮️

[pedrokrusher]

[bstein]

Soooo nice looking.
_________________
1987 Syncro Wolfsburg Weekender | Triple Knob | SAH 1.8T

[Pcforno]

I think I just wet myself

[Syncro Jael]

[MsTaboo]

I'm still waiting for a Tom Hanks type millionaire to step up and initiate an all new Syncro transaxle.

Gears; looking really great! What's the main advantage of the billet compared to the all new aluminum housings?
_________________
Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

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