Mk1 4 Spd

[jleahy_10]

My car is unfortunatly sporting a four speed, and i was wondering if anyone here has heard of/or done a swap for a five speed mk1 or other box. Is it likely to fit easily? What would i need to do it? And most of all, would it be worth it?

[Oneofthegreats]

They bolt straight up providing the gearbox has 90mm output shafts. The only mod is to the shifter linkages. They have to be extended & straightned out. Other than that it's very straight forward.

Talk to loon about a box $500+ ?

[el_foolio]

i was considering swapping to 5spd when i did my conversion, but it took me a full day alone to get the 4spd off the original engine, and on to the knew one. I guess when its been on there for 30 years it gets pretty comfortable! All i can say is i certainly wouldnt want to do the conversion while the engine was still in the car! I had my engines on a hoist and it was still hell.

[posscakes]

4 speeds are dud

yeah i got a diesel passat with a 4 speed its great around town but on the open road its crap revs way too hard gets real hot. love to change to a five but don't know where to start.

[h100vw]

I am pretty sure the 4speed and 5 speed 1600 GTIs had the same ratio for top gear so there was nothing to gain in th ecruising dept just better acceleration.

I think that there is a gearbox mount that is different too.

Gavin

[Gas]

Yeah its easy... the mk2 5 speed box fits straight in. you may need a new bracket for the top mount but loon can hook you up with that he has done it many times before.

A few months ago i put in another 5spd in my golf cos the other one had it, and it wasnt so hard to change it witht he engine still in, i did it by myself. Took me half a day to a day to do.

For $500 its well worth it, you get more punch and better economy. Contact loon

[syncro]

I am pretty sure the 4speed and 5 speed 1600 GTIs had the same ratio for top gear so there was nothing to gain in th ecruising dept just better acceleration.

That's if it is a GTI box.

I think that there is a gearbox mount that is different too.

Gavin

I think that is if you use a Golf 2 box.

It is better to use the 5 speed plate for the bottom of the gearstick or you may have trouble with reverse.

[Golf Loon]

Your Gearbox is a non GTI 4 speed and will be screaming its head off and ready to come through the bonnet on the freeway. 5 Speed GTI Box has closer 1,2 and 3 ratios and a nice 5th for cruising. Will make your car go heaps faster and have better fuel economy.

All 5 speeds need a different mount, but you can modify your 4 speed one if you are handy with a welder.

I have a nice 5 speed GTI box here for $450 if you are interested, plus $50 for a mount.

[syncro]

I should have said 1600 GTI. 1st is the same in the 4 and 5 speed and 4th is the same as 5th in the 5 speed. I doubt if you would get any of those boxes now.

[roccodingo]

You can still get them Phill, have 1 coming next container, and i have Sam's sitting here when he works out what to do with it..

I prefer to go with the O2J and change to cable shift these days tho..

[syncro]

I thought they'd be getting a bit rare nowadays. All of the 5 speed boxes I've seen are out of Golf 2s.

I tried to get a glove box lid for a '79-'80 GTI in England about 8 years ago and I couldn't get one.

[silverMK1]

i bought a mk1 with mk2 gti engine and box.. it is double the fun (and power) and that 5th gear is soo good on the highways about 2400 rpm doing 100 km/h

do it if u can well worth it.

[jleahy_10]

I have to honest, and admit, with the mechanical side of cars, i am clueless. But i do have a 3rd year mechanic for holden who lives accross the road form me, is this a job he would be likely to be able to help me with or will i have to get it done at a trans place.

Secondly, am i going to have to take the engine out, or will it be easier to take the engine out.

Thirdly, me with a welder is a scary thought, so i would need a new mount yeah??

Finally, it will be a couple of months before i do this, as i have spend my hard earned on other devices on the beast.

[gldgti]

I should have said 1600 GTI. 1st is the same in the 4 and 5 speed and 4th is the same as 5th in the 5 speed. I doubt if you would get any of those boxes now.

mollins has one in his 5 door 1800, and it is truely a hoot!

[gldgti]

you will need a new mount - loon can supply you with one.

its easy to do the conversion in the car, and easy out. 2 guys can do it in half a day if you know what your doing, and you oughta be able to fluff through it in a whole day with a good manual and the right tools and some help.