914 gearbox with bug@5speed parts

[pnikas]

Hello everybody . I am looking for some advise on converting my bug to 5 speed using a 914 gearbox.
I am going to order parts from bug@5speed .
The nosecone is obviously essential when using a 914 box.
The item I am concerned about is the front mount.
It seems overpriced considering it has the same prise as the nose cone but is so much simpler.
Have you guys used their nosecone and built custom front mounts? Should I consider it? or should I swallow the cost and purchase everything ?

[DORIGTT]

I purchased the nosecone AND mounts just to simplify the install.

Alex - US importer / distributor has been super awesome to work with with tech and my myriad of useless questions. I'm not sure if he's on Shoptalk, but he is on Germanlook.net

PM me for his number if you're interested.

[Clatter]

My setup is a 915 in a type 3,
But the IRS brackets can be used in the same way on a beetle.

I elected to use the Bug@5-speed 'traverse', but instead eliminated the angled spacers,
And just modified the trailing-arm pivot brackets to pick up the traverse mounts.

I don't regret buying the traverse. it looks good polished.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewt ... ed#7024886

[ps2375]

I'm in the process of doing the same swap, 901 into my Bug. Really glad I bought the pieces from Bug@5-speed, the nose cone, front and rear mounts, the piece for the bouden tube and the shifter. The only cutting is at the rear for the shifter access to the tunnel (made a nice cover to seal that) and at the shifter to allow the use of their shifter (able to make that reverse-able in wanted). Just waiting on a friend to adapt the VW shift rod to the Porsche coupler. The of course get my motor together and installed, but I have all winter for that.
Very glad I bought the pieces, cause it really cut down on the amount of fabrication needed to make this swap fairly easy. And with a slightly taller 5th gear installed in it, it should cruise nicely on the open road and still have a perfect gear for every corner in the mountains.

LMK if anyone wants some pics posted.

[Piledriver]

Pictures are always welcome.

[ps2375]

First up are the major pieces for mounting and their nose cone to delete the speedo connection to make room so as to not need to clearance with a hammer.





And then their shifter which allows the use of a VW shift rod w/ or w/o the VW shift coupler. I chose to by a new one to modify and use a Porsche coupler.
It wasn't cheap, but way easier than adapting something else. And this shfter is replacing an original Hurst shifter.




Had to cut a hole at the rear for access, as the Porsche tranny shift rod is at the bottom of the nose cone. I did make a cover to enclose and seal the tunnel.





Then the hole where the shifter mounts. A whole lot more goes into the tunnel than what VW had in there.







And the knob with the shift pattern


I made the cuts at both ends reverse-able if I ever want to go back to stock VW. Not sure if I ever will.

[ps2375]

Still awaiting the shift rod to connect the front to the rear, I had a friend with a lathe make the piece that will connect the VW rod to the Porsche coupler. Pics of that when I get it and install it.

[H2OSB]

I like your shifter mount. I've seen others just add a shoulder for the shifter to sit on. Yours is way better.

I hope you have a boot/gaiter. Totally just my personal opinion. I have a BugTech shifter and grew to dislike looking at the "workings" of the shifter even though it's supposed to be a feature. I'm the one who talked BT into creating the boot they now sell...and bought one.

Cool conversion. You'll have to report how you feel about the dog leg 1st gear.

H2OSB

[ps2375]

I like your shifter mount. I've seen others just add a shoulder for the shifter to sit on. Yours is way better.

Thanks, I didn't want to take away from the stiffness of the tunnel, even a little bit.

You'll have to post the link for the boot/gaiter you speak of, I may want one eventually.

Hopefully the dogleg 1st gear is easy to get used to. I'll like the ratio of 1st though, it is taller than the VW 1st and 5th was the same as the VW 4th, a truly close ratio box. I had a friend install a slightly taller 5th gear in it to knock a few hundred rpm off the cruising rpm to make longer trips easier. It should be a ton of fun in the local mountains though. A gear for every corner!

[H2OSB]

Man, I have no clue how to post pics on here

[ps2375]

Man, I have no clue how to post pics on here

It easy if you have them hosted somewhere first. I use Imgur.com

[ps2375]

Here's a few more, The one inside the tunnel really shows the diff in height of the shift rod, I guess the VW one has a slight bow in it to clear the parking brake and heater controls to get to the input of the VW trans, and the new one practically lays it on the tunnel floor. I actually had to "move" the tube for the heater controls up to get the rod under it.



And these show how the front mount use the box for the IRS pivot mount to bolt to.

[ps2375]

I did learn one thing to pass on, put the shifter in the middle of the tunnel, I biased mine towards the driver. I had to put a slight "S" curve in the shift rod to keep it from binding in the bushing. As of right now, it shifts fairly well. Next thing is to get the motor assembled and installed, but I have all winter for that.

[Bruce.m]

I don’t t think you can use those hex headed bolts inside the bellhousing. I suspect the flywheel will hit them. I think you’ll need to use countersunk hardware instead (which you probably know but just in case)

[Piledriver]

T1/bus trans have a little recessed area for those nuts, bolts, countersunk is a very good plan.... can also be partially threaded and locktited in to work like studs.Grade 8 or 12 flathead bolts exist at least.

The good news is 901 trans bellhousing is deeper so you can use a 228mm flywheel/clutch if you need the extra grab.
(I have only tested on 914/901s ) The forged factory 914 215mm flywhjeels has been converted to 228mm in a dual disk version. (Wally) and you could likely do same with any 200mm ACVW flywheel given a friendly machinist that likes Pizza and beer.