From: Mike Brooks <mjb@islandnet.com>

   Hi there fellow diesel owner. I am the fortunate owner of an 82 westy
   with only 80,000 miles - nice clean van. I do have a problem with the
   power and screaming engine noise on the highway. I do want to keep the
   originality of the covetted and rare collecters item. Is there a way of
   changing out the gear box to a five speed? I hear that the 4 wheel drive
   transmission fits. Also, someone suggested changing 4th to a lower gear
   ratio?? Thanks Mike Brooks Victoria BC

Yes, you can put in a 5sp. Two issues: 1/ They are hard to come by used
and very expensive new if you can even find one. You have to change
the rear part of the shift linkage.

Gear ratios: If you have the 5.89 final you can change to a 5.43.
With the standard 1.6 I would not do any dramatic changes. Not
enough torque. With a 1.6TD you can change 4th (and 3rd).
With a larger displacement engine (1.9lTD) you can consider
using the gas ratios.

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www.vwfans.com

/Martin
--
Martin Jagersand, PhD              email: jagersand@cs.jhu.edu
Research Scientist                 Phone: (410) 516-2014
CIPS, CS Dept.                     Fax:   (410) 516-6134
Johns Hopkins University           WWW:   www.cs.jhu.edu/~jager
Baltimore, MD 21218, USA