Air-cooled to water-cooled transmission swap

[Theo886]

I'm in the process of overhauling my 83' air-cooled van, I'm doing a Bostig conversion and adding the water cooling components. My transmission is also in need of a rebuild, as well as a R&P ratio change, also adding a peloquin while I'm at it. So I'm considering swapping it out for a rebuilt water-cooled transmission. May be a wise move as air-cooled trans parts are becoming scarce. My shifter is also very sloppy, I haven't had a chance to diagnose the issue yet, but couldn't hurt to replace it with better designed water-cooled shifter either way.

I've sourced a complete water-cooled shifter system and I'm planning on getting the go westy adapter bracket, which I'm assuming allows for the slightly longer water-cooled transmission - http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=&id=23718

Does anyone have experience or can point me towards resources on this swap? I've had trouble finding any. It seems somewhat straight forward, but I'm worried that I may be missing something. Thanks.

[crazyvwvanman]

That GW bracket isn't what you need at all. You need the stock wbx tranny nose mount bracket.

That GW bracket is for mounting a wbx tranny in an aircooled van while keeping the aircooled engine in the stock aircooled position. The Bostig kit mounts the engine at the wbx engine position and so you need the wbx tranny position to match.

Mark

[Alan Brase]

[hdenter]

What kind of Ring and Pinion change are you looking for? The 4.57 that you should have would be more desirable than the 4.86 you would find in a WBX trans. Unless you plan to modify the WBX trans to 4.57 or even lower....

Hans
_________________
'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

[Theo886]

Aha that makes a lot of sense, thanks Mark, I knew I had something wrong.

And yes I'm getting a WBX shifter/linkage as well.

Hans- It's my understanding that the Zetec engine is best suited for the stock gearing with 4.86. I can always go taller with larger tires if I feel like I need to later.

Theo

[Alan Brase]

4.86 is not very much different than 4.57, just a bit buzzier. Higher ratios might be available. They certainly are for 094's. 4.57 and 4.14 I think. But who needs or wants a 5 speed, anyway?
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[danfromsyr]

you'll need to change/modify the shift rod linkages too. as each trans has it's input in a different location. AC2.0l then 1.6TD then 1.8gas I4 then 1.8T

I've run a variety of engines on an aircooled transmission though not a Zetec.

but it's been fine and I wouldn't go thru any/all that trouble.
_________________