???? WHAT VW TRANSAXLE SHOULD I USE ????

WHAT MOTOR ARE YOU RUNNING?

Here are a few GENERAL guidelines for VW, WEDDLE AND MENDEOLA Trans.

If you are going to put more than the 60 to 100 HP to a VW Trans they are modified with a Superdif and Weddle Gears.

Generally speaking the Type 1 BUG trans (swing or IRS) and the 3 rib (69-73) and 5 rib (74-75) trans or 002's are great for 4 cylinder motors up to 200 HP and the 6 rib (76-79) or 091 is great for 6 and small 8 cylinder motors up to 300 HP when modified. The 68 BUS trans was the first year of the 3 rib design and is not good for performance due a narrow case and early gearset design. It is easy to recognize because it has acorn nuts around the drive flanges.

Weddle offers a trans for up to 400 HP and our Mendeola trans go from 325 HP to 1000 HP depending on usage, tire and weight.

Q: What's a transaxle?

 It's a transmission with forward and reverse gears AS WELL AS a differential, all in one!

Q: What trans parts get modified when a VW trans is built for higher horsepower applications?

Ring and Pinion - It's very important to start with the correct Ring and Pinion ratio on your VW trans. VW and Weddle ring and pinions are available to fit your needs. While higher ratios are stronger using TOO high of a ring and pinion can be a mistake as can too low of a ring and pinion.

Differential - The stock VW trans diff houses 2 spider gears. That's OK for low horsepower but easy to blow the spider gears when you add more horsepower. When a diff is blown it usually ruins the side gears as well as the ring and pinion so now you have a pile of junk. A Superdif is added to the trans allowing it to house 4 spider gears dramatically increasing the diff strength. It's CHEAP insurance!

Mainshaft - This is 1st and 2nd gear. The are cut from ONE piece of steel. These gears are usually modified to allow for lower close ratio OR high road gears.

3rd and 4th Gears - These gears are usually modified to allow for lower close ratio OR high road gears.

Welded 3rd and 4th gears - Refers to our welding the syncro cone to the gear as they are only pressed on and will spin with more horsepower.

Q: Bug, Type 1 Trans OR Bus 002 and 091 trans?

BUG Trans use the same gearset as the 3 rib and 5 rib BUS trans so they can be built to handle about 160/200HP however they only have a 6" ring gear (the weak link). The BUS Trans is preferred because it has a 8" ring gear.
The BUG Trans can be used for mid engine applications by flipping the ring gear and the BUS Trans cannot. You can flip the COMPLETE BUS trans upside down for a mid engine configuration, we just need to make a few modifications for this application.

Q: 3 or 5 rib 002 BUS Trans?

MOST 3 rib trans use a 5.38 ring and pinion so it works well for motors generating up to about 160 HP, especially if you use a stock 1st and 2nd to save $$. The 5 rib trans has a 4.86 ring and pinion so it works well with up to about 200 HP. We can change the ring and pinion in any of these trans.

Q: 6 rib 091 BUS Trans?

The 6 Rib 091 Trans has the largest gearset of any VW trans and the 4:57 ring and pinion can handle up to about 300 HP. In addition the diff, case and overall design are stronger. This makes it ideal for many of the powerplants used today.

Q: WHAT TRANSAXLES DO WE OFFER FOR OVER 300 HP?

Mendeola 4E up to 325 HP
Mendeola 2D 4 speed up to 375 HP
All NEW!!! Weddle HV-1 H PATTTERN 4 speed up to 400 HP
Mendeola 2D 5 speed up to 375 HP
Mendeola S4 4 speed up to 600 HP
Mendeola S5 5 speed up to 600 HP
Mendeola S4D 4 speed up to 1000 HP

Q: WHY USE THESE TRANSAXLES?

The main reasons these transaxles are used are because of the narrow width allowing for longer axles = more travel, the availability of LOWER or HIGHER gear ratios, thanks to Weddle and the overall proven strength.

NNOT AFFORD THESE TRANS?

You have a few choices:

1 - Build your project with a stock or core trans and wait for it to break risking the ring and pinion..

2 - Select an engine that produces the HP you can afford a trans for. Start with the trans!

3 - Abandon the project and save the grief of having to sell it cheap when you can't afford to repair the trans.

YOU MAY BE THE LUCKY GUY THAT CAN PURCHASE A CORE TRANS, CHANGE THE OIL AND RUN IT FOR YEARS BUT I NEVER WAS! IF I HAD A DIME FOR EVERY GUY THAT TRIED THAT, WELL I COULD RETIRE!

MORE QUESTIONS?
CALL US ANYTIME at the shop 623-334-0126 or on our after hours cell at 602-670-0192 or click here to email us at: donsbusbox@cox.net