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Thu Sep 13, 2018 6:12 am

so for my subibug build im looking at transmission options for a reasonable price. fab work is not a concern. Will the pro street transmissions handle 250+ hp. Will the 914 or 901 5 speed transmissions take the abuse. i have read the topics about babying the 1st and second gears but i really don't want to baby the 1st few gears. thanks

Thu Sep 13, 2018 6:49 am

I would call them. But the short answer is if you aren't dropping the clutch and doing drag race start like you stole it all day long it will last. If I were to do it all over again (Over 250 HP) I would go for the 6 Rib bus trans or move up to the Mendiola.

Thu Sep 13, 2018 7:05 am

I dont have the most experience on transaxles, but i would say that rancho prostreet transaxle is far not enough for +250hp engine. Especially with hard driving style.

I would say that you need either dragrace style built type 1 transaxle with all weddle gears and heavy duty casing, or type 2 6-rib, or Porsche 915.

Porsche 901 is not known to be very strong transaxle, atleast the first gear is not so strong.

I chose berg bus 5-speed with all weddle type 1 gears from rancho for my 2789cc engine.

If i would be you, i would forget all type 1 transaxles, because its small ring and pinion.

Best bet for strong 5-speed trans is either 091 with berg 5-speed kit, Subaru, Porsche 915 or G50.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=504197

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=721145

http://www.subarugears.com/

https://www.bugat5speed.de/en/beetle-co/transmissions/conversion-parts-porsche-transmission-915

Thu Sep 13, 2018 7:30 am

Bite the bullet and get the subarugears transmission!you wont have to worry about breaking it.it will take 250 hp no problem.

Thu Sep 13, 2018 7:48 am

Why do most, not all, but most vw people want to skimp on the transaxle?

Thu Sep 13, 2018 7:51 am

Quote: Why do most, not all, but most vw people want to skimp on the transaxle?

They want a direct bolt in.

Thu Sep 13, 2018 7:58 am

theKbStockpiler wrote: Quote: Why do most, not all, but most vw people want to skimp on the transaxle?

They want a direct bolt in.

A type 1 transaxle wont bolt into a t-1? Am I missing something? My 67 is still swing, direct bolt in, makes 240 plus HP, runs 12.20's. It bolts right in.

Thu Sep 13, 2018 8:02 am

Ya. The context of this thread is to use something other than a type 1 so I was referring to a 6 rib ,sub ,berg or porsche 915.

Thu Sep 13, 2018 8:46 am

Rancho "pro-street" is a t-1

Thu Sep 13, 2018 9:09 am

Reasonable price = cheap

If you want something to handle what you are going to throw at it then it won't be cheap.

Thu Sep 13, 2018 9:59 am

Forget about the fancy "Pro Street" names they use in the fancy magazine ads. VW never gave a transaxle a name. What kills transaxles isn't the HP of the engine it is dumping the clutch for drag race starts and smokey burnouts, wheel hop, and having too much clutch. A "Pro Street" can handle the 250 HP for a street driven car if you avoid the 4 things I listed. For more spirited driving you need to spend $2,000-$3500 on a type I gearbox that will handle the HP and driving abuse.

Call rancho and tell them what you want to do but be prepared to pay them. mcmscott can also build a gearbox.

If it were my project I'd put in a 091 Bus gearbox.

Thu Sep 13, 2018 10:01 am

6 rib with all the best parts?? Mine has most of that if not all. The diff alone is 1300. I dont know what I spent, have not seen the final bill. I needed everything even a core. I'm sure it is around 6k, Folts would of done a 2d for 6500.. that would stick out 2 more inches and the starter is clocked at 12oclock so would of had to modify firewall. THe good parts add up quick. My engine has 210hp and could be 260hp with head work. with gun drilled 300m axles and cv's add another 1500.00

Thu Sep 13, 2018 10:26 am

Chickensoup wrote: Will the pro street transmissions handle 250+ hp.

Yer transaxle will not live long if yer giving it full throttle in 2nd while gettin' air off of a jump . . . are ya gonna be doing that?

Or . . . are you more likely to be doing doughnuts in the parking lots?

Are ya going drag racing?

It's more a matter of learning the proper method for operating the vehicle.

Whatever transaxle you use will probably work just fine until YOU (yes, you . . . not the 250HP) do something to destroy it!

Thu Sep 13, 2018 11:04 am

In his first post he talks about a subibug so I assume it means subaru power. The subaru transmission is stronger than most these modified transmission in its stock form. you can have a racing 1-4 with a nice cruise 5th.side step the clutch,drag race starts,donuts in parking lot,full throttle in second all you like it will take it.

Thu Sep 13, 2018 12:42 pm

gprudenciop wrote: . . . I assume it means subaru power.
Horsepower is a quantity . . . Thus, 250hp from a Subaru engine is the same quantity as 250hp from a Volkswagen! :P
OP already knows all about http://www.subarugears.com/ . . . https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=706507&highlight=
In his first post, he is asking specifically about Porsche and VW transaxles, so I am assuming he is NOT asking about Subaru transmissions!! :roll:

Thu Sep 13, 2018 1:56 pm

This is great image to show that a 5 speed 094 will not fit.
Did the forks have to be notched or anything?

Thu Sep 13, 2018 2:24 pm

So it seems like these 6 rib bus transmissions hold up pretty well. Is this true? I know next to nothing about buses but where can I find one that will take the power that I need it too reliably.

Thu Sep 13, 2018 2:38 pm

Or would it be cheaper to buy a subaru gears kit? It looks like it around 2700 dollars for the kit, the mounts, and the nose piece.

Thu Sep 13, 2018 3:06 pm

just be nice-ish to it you can go a ways on a T-1.

No big clutch dumps, fix any wheel hop issues, have a clutch that can slip just the right amount (no 4 pucks, etc)

do your best to support it well, and have fun, just not too fun.

if you wanna zing the thing to 7k and side step the clutch, it aint gonna last long.

Thu Sep 13, 2018 4:46 pm

Chickensoup wrote: Or would it be cheaper to buy a subaru gears kit? It looks like it around 2700 dollars for the kit, the mounts, and the nose piece.
Cheap is not the correct way to go about this.I brought up the subaru transmission becouse it will bolt up to your engine with no adapter plate needed.they run the stock transmission on wrx and sti at 400hp before they think of changing them to something stronger.this is in a car that is 1400 pounds heavier than the bug and run in all wheel drive. Like mcmscott said, don't skimp on the trans or you will be rebuilding an already expensive box again.whatever you choose porsche,vw,mendeola,subaru,chevy build it right the first time. cry once!!