TheSamba.com :: View topic - Transmission for 400 hp track day/everyday bug.

Fri Jan 18, 2013 1:16 pm

Hey guys, my everyday bug is a 1300S with a 2276 190-200hp engine.
I use it summer, winter, long camping trips and some time track day racing and uphill racing. But now the 200 hp doesn't cut it anymore and I'm planning my next engine.

My next engine will be a 2.6L type 4 with around 400 hp and 500 nm.
Not going into details about the engine now but the question for now is:

Until now I have been using the original transmission with out much problems, but I am now looking for a new transmission that can handle 400 hp and I want to keep almost the same gear ratio as the 1300S.
I will not go drag racing and/or running drag slicks tires.
But it has to handle semi slick street tires and go road racing.
I am also thinking about running a lsd of some sort..

On a side note, I am also wondering about what clutch system I should use since I am using my car all the time and already think the stage 1 is to heavy..

So what do you say guys?
Who should build my transmission?
What parts do I have to use?
What axles do I need?
Any good clutch systems?
And whats the cost?

Fri Jan 18, 2013 2:45 pm

Get a Mendola.

Fri Jan 18, 2013 2:50 pm

Glenn wrote: Get a Mendola.

Hoping for something under 3000$ ?

Fri Jan 18, 2013 2:58 pm

for 400 horsepower, and wanting it to be reliable for street and track days....I would think Glenn is correct. You could try a strengthened bus trans,Not sure if you could keep your budget or not...and I dont have experience with how they hold up.

Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:06 pm

If you have the money to build a TIV that has a serious 400 HP then you need to find the money to buy a Mendola transaxle that will handle it. No Type I transaxle will last long and you'll be $3500 or more into a Bus transaxle that can handle it. For another $1000 you can get a Mendeloa gearbox that will handle 600 HP. Spend the money once on a Mendeloa and be done with it. After you buy your 2nd or 3rd $3000 gearbox you will wish you did.

You should ask Kennedy about a P/P but I'll guess you need at least a stage II.

Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:17 pm

A Mendola puts the starter on top, unless they came out with a sedan version. The firewall usually has to be modified.

Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:30 pm

Im not sure how the roads are in Norway, but if you really plan on driving this through the winter with 400 HP, you will have your hands full.

Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:35 pm

Dalland..

Just copy some of the boxes we have in Norway.. Then throw some more money at it.. ;)

Send me a PM at the norwegian site and I'll give you some of the pointers I got

Erlend

Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:45 pm

NJ John - Mendeola has a bellhousing with the starter in the normal position. We have one with the Subaru bellhousing. I think the quoted prices are a little low. 4 speed is @ $5000, 5 speed with LSD is @ $10,000 They can make a 4 or 5 speed with 3.88 ring & pinon. They also have .7 4th or 5th gear. Many chassis changes are also required to fit. Tom

Fri Jan 18, 2013 4:22 pm

Hmmm, think you are right bug66, maybe the Americans are not the guys to ask.. :D

But there must be some Americans with experience of driving high power bugs on the street that can answer... :)

Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:19 pm

:lol: how many times can we spell Mendeola wrong in the same thread?

A built 091 should handle your needs, and keep it "VW", but it'll blow your 3K budget right out. More like double that for a "Mendi" :wink:

Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:25 pm

kadub wrote: :lol: how many times can we spell Mendeola wrong in the same thread?

A built 091 should handle your needs, and keep it "VW", but it'll blow your 3K budget right out. More like double that for a "Mendi" :wink:

How much is a mendeola in the states?

Pluss another 1000$ in shipping and multiply with 1,25 (norwegian sales tax)

Still want to buy a mendeola?

Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:41 pm

A flipped R/P subaru box is also a possibility: http://www.subarugears.com
LSD's readily available for subaru boxes. Though you'll want an aftermarket gearset for that power level and it's unclear on their site if that is included in some of their full-build pricing options, you'd have to ask. Pricing probably somewhere between the two others.

Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:51 pm

jhoefer wrote: A flipped R/P subaru box is also a possibility: http://www.subarugears.com
LSD's readily available for subaru boxes. Though you'll want an aftermarket gearset for that power level and it's unclear on their site if that is included in some of their full-build pricing options, you'd have to ask.

He has a swingaxle car. But hey, maybe he wants to convert to the other side..

Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:04 pm

If you dont plan on doing 6,000 rpm launches with slicks, a built 091 bus box will be just fine. Do plan on spending over 3,000. My box alone was well over 5k, mainly because I went with weddle 4.13 r&p.
If you want to stay swing, just do a folts conversion. Might be hard living overseas to get a folts setup.

Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:04 pm

bug66 wrote: jhoefer wrote: A flipped R/P subaru box is also a possibility: http://www.subarugears.com
LSD's readily available for subaru boxes. Though you'll want an aftermarket gearset for that power level and it's unclear on their site if that is included in some of their full-build pricing options, you'd have to ask.

He has a swingaxle car. But hey, maybe he wants to convert to the other side..

Doesn't the mendeola swing-axle conversion require a spool? And like nick just said the stronger late bus boxes are irs without extra parts. I'm kind of making some assumptions here...

Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:25 pm

jhoefer wrote: A flipped R/P subaru box is also a possibility: http://www.subarugears.com
LSD's readily available for subaru boxes. Though you'll want an aftermarket gearset for that power level and it's unclear on their site if that is included in some of their full-build pricing options, you'd have to ask. Pricing probably somewhere between the two others.
This requires a special ring and pinoin, and that little tidbit is quite expensive. Making the Mendeola look better all the time.

Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:57 pm

flyboat wrote: jhoefer wrote: A flipped R/P subaru box is also a possibility: http://www.subarugears.com
LSD's readily available for subaru boxes. Though you'll want an aftermarket gearset for that power level and it's unclear on their site if that is included in some of their full-build pricing options, you'd have to ask. Pricing probably somewhere between the two others.
This requires a special ring and pinoin, and that little tidbit is quite expensive. Making the Mendeola look better all the time.

I didn't say it was cheap. But it is 5-speed.

I don't know price-wise but an upgraded porsche 915 box might work. Don't know enough about the limits/required mods on that one. Stock is good to about 300hp.

Fri Jan 18, 2013 10:14 pm

Nother Mendi vote, if you're looking for savings you're in the wrong hobby. If you have 400 on tap, you will quickly appreciate the diff in that box. Dana 60, I believe.

Sat Jan 19, 2013 12:47 am

FWIW, I hope to be making right around 400whp with my T1 this coming spring. I'm running a built T1 box on the street. If you aren't launching it then you really shouldn't have many issues keeping it together, assuming it is well built. 3k will get you a stout T1 with a spool and decent swing axles. Add 8-900 for an LSD. You might look into going with the Porsche G50 gear box. That has been proven to handle lots more than 500whp in a VW. Again, you'll have to swap to IRS, but why wouldn't you at this point anyway, it is definitely superior to swing in your application.