GTA Re-gearing - 4.86 to 5.43R&P, taller 3rd and 4th with pics

[Syncronoid]

After going to 28" tires, this re-gearing was long overdue. I had planned to have Ken do this last summer, but had to postpone for various reasons. Going with the 5.43 R&P, 1.18 3rd, .82 4th and billet aluminum gear carrier; all provided by Paul Guard from Guard Transmission. Picking up today.....

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'90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L

[Syncro Jael]

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1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)

[ledogboy]

How has the 5.43 setup treated you?
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1986 Westy Weekender
Now a full camper
1.8t Syncro conversion
Some people call him Maurice...

[Syncronoid]

Wonderfully! The sound of the GT gears is a joy.

[ledogboy]

[Syncronoid]

Yessir.

[flomulgator]

syncronoid,
My overpowered syncro trans is going in for a rebuild and I'm debating between the straight cut or helical profile for GT gears. How is the sound with the straight cut sound level and "quality"? Have you ever recorded it?
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She's built like a steakhouse, but she handles like a bistro!

[Syncronoid]

It's a beautiful metallic "whirl". Not too loud, just enough to enjoy, particularly revving through 2nd/3rd gears with the windows open down a narrow street w/buildings on both sides. Know what I mean?

[MarkWard]

I have a 4th straight cut gear set from GTA. The sound is enough that someone unfamiliar with mechanical things will notice it at lower speeds when selected. At highway speeds, the sound blends in with the other associated ambient noises a vanagon has at speed.

Personally, I think a straight cut 3rd might be a bit much if you do a lot of surface street driving. You just don't have the ambient noise to drown it out in city driving. I'm not sure 3rd gear set has the same drawbacks that 4th does. No reason not to use the straight cut 3rd, just saying. I spend a lot of time in 3rd gear.

The sound is reassuring that something good could be going on. I'll likely tear down the trans again at 50,000 miles for comparison to the build with Weddles gear set. My Weddle helical 4th gear was making way more noise on its way out of service than the straight cut 4th. Great part. Almost too nice to install where you can't see it. It needs to be sitting out on a desk.

[flomulgator]

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like maybe a straight-cut 4th is the way to go if it barely uniquely noticeable at freeway speeds. Eliminating lateral force on 4th in particular will provide significant benefit in reduced mainshaft bearing wear.
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She's built like a steakhouse, but she handles like a bistro!