Aircooled VW South Africa

Posted: **Mon Oct 24, 2011 8:58 am**

Is this the future of a/c conversions?

Manx Australia wrote:Ok so I recently finished my Manxter 2+2 which I decided to fit a 5 Speed Subaru Box from http://www.subarugears.com . I went this way as I was very keen on a subaru engine and by using the 5 speed I would gain around 55mm of ground clearance due to the CV flange position in relation to the input shaft.

So I did some research and spoke to Todd as well as some of the other guys who had used them. The only bad point was the amount of road noise the reverse cut R&P seemed to produce. Before I ordered I spoke to Todd about this and he said he had it sorted and it was no longer an issue. Based on that I placed and order and waited for my box to arrive.

Prior to arrival I was very impressed with teh customer service and level of knowledge Todd had. He was able to supply me with a setup box so I could begin the build while I waited for the R&P to arrive.

When my real box arrive it looked like brand new. The nose cone had been modified and was ready to install.

While I had it out I thought I would weigh it so I knew for future reference, it weighed 47kg

Sitting on the floor it looked a lot like a VW box, a more defined looking version but very similiar.

Another good point about the Subaru Transmission was that it had a speed sensor and neutral switch as well as the normal reverse switch the VW one had.

To fit it into my pan I made up a nose cone mount which bolts to the rear tunnel section under the shifter.

After fitting it to the Manxter I ran out of time to do any real test runs so the first real drive it got was a 1000km round trip to Fraser Island ... not a bad test really as I also towed a trailer there and back.

I am running a set of 930 SubaFlanges which worked very well.

So how did it go ... well there was no gearbox noise at all and the shift was nice and smooth, I flogged it as much as I could on the sand and it had no issues at all. Gearing was a little tall for my application with the trailer and 31" rear tyres but Todd said that would be the case with the 3.9 R&P. I will shortly be changing this to 4.11 or 4.44 which will fix this issue.

The hydraulic clutch was sweet and as a result of the drive I am confident in saying I will not be needing any of my rebuilt 091 Kombi Box's again.

The SubaruGears Conversion would be the 2nd best modification I have done after using a Subaru Engine Conversion.

Hopefully my experience will help anyone else out there looking for a great upgrade make what I think is the correct decision and go with a SubaruGears.com setup, you will not be dissapointed.

If you have any questions and want to see more pics just let me know.

Posted: **Mon Oct 24, 2011 9:09 am**

Hmmm very interesting

Thanks for the cool read Pine

Posted: **Mon Oct 24, 2011 10:31 am**

Very nice Pine but what was the $$$$ ?

Posted: **Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:24 am**

The cost for a completely refurbished reversed 5 speed transmission is from $4300 AUD outright Plus shipping.( Airfreight $550) http://www.subarugears.com/index_files/Page1716.htm

Posted: **Mon Oct 24, 2011 12:55 pm**

I think you can buy just the flipped crown and pinion for $1500 UD so it may be better to install your own. Mitchell

Posted: **Mon Oct 24, 2011 5:07 pm**

Bugger, have you ever tried this convert and if so, what were your findings?

Posted: **Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:45 am**

Hmmmm.... Interesting...
Wonder if it will work if one does a scooby conversion and fit this box on a beetle or kombi?..

Posted: **Fri Mar 02, 2012 2:28 pm**

slimnite wrote:Hmmmm.... Interesting...
Wonder if it will work if one does a scooby conversion and fit this box on a beetle or kombi?..

Yes and yes plenty of them done now . Strong box also one ran 13 second 1/4 mile here last weekend.
The Aussie guy who developed this has just done a deal with Jake Raby so these will be offered in the US.

Check this one
EJ25T Kombi with Subarugears 5 speed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxmJxmG- ... e=youtu.be

SO there is quite a bit of credibility for them now. and compared with say a G50 Porsche box they are lighter and dont require any cutting to get them in.
Mitchell

Posted: **Fri Mar 02, 2012 2:32 pm**

only one problem I can see....
in SA we mostly had swing axle bugs, not many of them were IRS (unlike other parts of the world).
That said, if you want to go this route, you will be in for a lot of work converting your bug from swing axle to IRS

Posted: **Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:33 pm**

Hloni wrote:Bugger, have you ever tried this convert and if so, what were your findings?

I had a look at this as my Buggy have the Porsche 944 IRS rear suspension fitted so This was a Option but then I need to go Subaru and I prefere the Rotary in the Buggy
But I will be able to fit the Reversed R&P that will not be a problem

Only problem is as Tony has pointed out in SA 99% of bugs was Swing axle so costs are expensive converting to IRS

But for the Microbus guys this is a option

Also not to sure what a 5speed Subaru 2nd hand box will go for in SA

Posted: **Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:51 pm**

A 5mt transmission cost about R3500 at the import motor places....a ej20t and box or a ej20t sti motor and box goes for about 12000 and 14-15000 respectively...thats why asked in the import regulations thread about bringing in a whol subi?for about 20-25000 you can get a full wr brought to durban...getting it from there is the info i'm after,but then gut it for everything you need,motor and trans,radiator,brakes ect,ect...and sell the rest to the subi guys like the wing and opanels seats ect. And make alot of your money back...

Check this...
[url] http://www.tradecarview.com/used_car/ja ... =1&cur=ZAR [url]

Posted: **Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:59 pm**

Your plan can work

Posted: **Fri Mar 02, 2012 9:03 pm**

I think so to just need to find out exactly how????cause i look at guys doing conversions and its the small thing that cost bucks like buying the radiator and management fuel pumps ect,ect,ect,ect....where with you a running car you do what i said above who knows you might come out almost square if you can swing the subi only parts at sa prices...

Posted: **Fri Mar 02, 2012 9:36 pm**

....or maybe if you find someone that has already done it for you???.....
http://durban.gumtree.co.za/c-Cars-Vehi ... Z356831332

Posted: **Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:18 pm**

...or...who knows how it works if you want to buy a car from botswana???....
http://botswanamotors.net/stock_details ... &pagespp=#

Must say it would break my hart to gut a nice car like this....o well....

Aircooled VW South Africa

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