What Trans would you use?
 

I am looking at a'65 Beetle , and if I get it , I will be going with a type IV engine . The question I have is what trans would work best and be easiest to install . I would really like to have a 5-speed , but if that would be too much work , then a 4 speed bus trans might be the way to go . Also don't want to spend a large sum of money to get this!

Have Rancho build a transaxle with the gearing you will need and match the guts to the power you intend to put thru it.

doing a porsche 901 5spd is a pretty good adventure.
I have pics and info's if you need some quick knowledge.
(mine is hooked to an sti engine, but it's just an adapter kit difference).
Ballpark on the transmission itself (depending on location) is $700-1500 USD.

good luck with the decision.

I went the Rancho route a couple times: a fully built race unit and a pro street freeway flier. Can't go wrong with them but you'll pay for the quality.

What Trans would you use?
 

Hi JMD I would like to see your info on the 901 box if you have time to post :)

trans
 

Graham,
Surely. I've got a 69' Alu-case 5spd unit (this has a smooth round bellhousing, without the flatspots on the bottom). There is a bit of a story that goes along with my build but I will spare you the nitty-bits.
I had the entire thing rebuilt from top to bottom with the longest gearing possible by a porsche race shop that specializes in racing the older aircooled cars (you can see one of the more serious racers in my photos of the trans when it was first opened here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/3931035...7619575747670/ You will also see why I fully rebuilt it.)

In order to run this trans with the setup I have put together I needed to source the smaller output shafts to support the Porsche 944T Axles and trailing arm setup. This includes 944T Late Wide Arms, Spring Plates, Torsion Bars and possibly Sway Bars. This tweak required turning the the splines on the output flanges about 1.4 mil. to fit the trans properly. I've also had to design a solution to mount the trans into the traditional bug trans cradle and tie it into the engine. This did push the engine back a pinch. Here are images of the specifics.

Trans:http://www.flickr.com/photos/3931035...7619575747670/
Flanges:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3931035...7619575747670/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3931035...7619575747670/
Brackets: http://www.flickr.com/photos/3931035...7619575747670/
Shifter: http://www.flickr.com/photos/3931035...7619575747670/
Shift Rod: http://www.flickr.com/photos/3931035...7619575747670/
Shift Coupler:
[Before Rebuild]> http://www.flickr.com/photos/3931035...7619575747670/
[After Rebuild ]> http://www.flickr.com/photos/3931035...7619575747670/
Axles: http://www.flickr.com/photos/3931035...7619575747670/
Adapter Kit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/3931035...7619575747670/

I can go into more detail for any part of this process if anyone has questions.
There are a few steps left before my final install (i will document these and share them as well mostly dealing with adjustable shift shaft, and final front mount design for the transmission) at which point I will do a full write up of my experience from start to finish for anyone else interested in this.

hope this is informative and thank you to anyone that has helped me source this information and put my build together...

oh, and I should also mention that this trans can put up with about 225-265 HP (with billet intermediate plate upwards of 300HP) but you cannot drag launch this transmission...it just wont deal with it...

I will use for type 1 irs, singleside cover version 75-> with the strongest oem case. It will have quaife for T2 flanges, HD sidecover, 3.78 first, 002 bus coarseteeth 3rd and 4th gears, stock ratios all, with 3.88 r&p. And berg intermediate mount.

Have been e-mailing back and forth with Alex at Bug@5speed about the Porsche transmissions . He has sent me some great material . This is the way I would like to go . From all this , my plan is now to see if I can track down a trashed 914 and steal its trans and engine . I think a matched set would make for less problems when it comes to the install . This all depends on me buying the 65 . I am looking at it next weekend (its about 3 hours away from my home - will look at it , decide , then if it passes , I will most likely drive it home a week later with my wife following me in our truck with a tow cable in case) .