How much extra fuel are we using (and extra wear are we causing to engine components), when we're spinning along at high speeds fully loaded and wishing we could get the revs lower?
Is it a good idea to assume that VW got the gear ratios right?
Is it foolish to consider a higher top gear?
(Should I drive more slowly? What if I can't?)
It's been suggested that I "contact Long Enterprises California speak to Dee Dee Long he has supplied several longer gears to uk customers if you buy one get him to send it as a gift then you will not be liable for import duty and VAT."
(I haven't even found any contact details for that firm yet, but doubtless thesamba.com would help).
Your thoughts?
Higher top gear?
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Noomo
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Higher top gear?
It's not a duck, it's a propaganda at
http://picasaweb.google.com/SumDoood" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://sumdoood.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
so say Tom Soya, Captain Greenheart, Noomo and Sum Doood. Membership No 531.
http://picasaweb.google.com/SumDoood" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://sumdoood.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
so say Tom Soya, Captain Greenheart, Noomo and Sum Doood. Membership No 531.
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Noomo
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Thanks, Matt. So I shouldn't give up (yet)?I'm sure a multi million pound multinational wouldnt get it wrong.... mcdonalds
It's not a duck, it's a propaganda at
http://picasaweb.google.com/SumDoood" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://sumdoood.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
so say Tom Soya, Captain Greenheart, Noomo and Sum Doood. Membership No 531.
http://picasaweb.google.com/SumDoood" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://sumdoood.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
so say Tom Soya, Captain Greenheart, Noomo and Sum Doood. Membership No 531.
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Diamond Hell
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I have a longer Long Enterprises heavy duty 3rd and 4th in my Syncro 'box. They whine a bit, but should be able to take a nastier, more powerful engine pushing them around. 
Long Enterprises are very good to deal with (patient and helpful) and I have a spreadsheet full of useful information for dealing with them if you feel the need to take your recently rebuilt gearbox out and get it messed with......
Further information here, Miles: http://www.longenterprises.com/
Long Enterprises are very good to deal with (patient and helpful) and I have a spreadsheet full of useful information for dealing with them if you feel the need to take your recently rebuilt gearbox out and get it messed with......
Further information here, Miles: http://www.longenterprises.com/
Diamond Hell
Still Syncro, just much fasterer
Still Syncro, just much fasterer
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Noomo
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Well, Dave'd be the man to do it.
At thesamba.com they seem to be politely telling me not to be so silly with my little engine, but they don't realise what a feisty little beastie it is.
At thesamba.com they seem to be politely telling me not to be so silly with my little engine, but they don't realise what a feisty little beastie it is.
It's not a duck, it's a propaganda at
http://picasaweb.google.com/SumDoood" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://sumdoood.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
so say Tom Soya, Captain Greenheart, Noomo and Sum Doood. Membership No 531.
http://picasaweb.google.com/SumDoood" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://sumdoood.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
so say Tom Soya, Captain Greenheart, Noomo and Sum Doood. Membership No 531.
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sixsprings
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noomo, you could fit bigger tyres to the back, and have, say, 10% higher in all gears. this may not be the ideal soultion, but cheaper than having gearboxes (or gear parts) shipped from the usa and fitted, just to realise that vw were right all along.
see http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html
too play around with what increase you'd like to try,
are you on 185/80x14 at the moment?
then 195/80x15 would be a 6.29% increase in gearing
if you left the fronts stock, then the speedo would remain true
of course, you may find yourself having to change down for even less of a gradual slope than you already do
good luck
see http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html
too play around with what increase you'd like to try,
are you on 185/80x14 at the moment?
then 195/80x15 would be a 6.29% increase in gearing
if you left the fronts stock, then the speedo would remain true
of course, you may find yourself having to change down for even less of a gradual slope than you already do
good luck
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Noomo
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noomo, you could fit bigger tyres to the back, and have, say, 10% higher in all gears. this may not be the ideal soultion, but cheaper than having gearboxes (or gear parts) shipped from the usa and fitted, just to realise that vw were right all along. see http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html
Hey, that's good, isn't it.
too play around with what increase you'd like to try,
are you on 185/80x14 at the moment?
Dunno, it's cold and dark, but they're slightly wide alloys.
then 195/80x15 would be a 6.29% increase in gearing
if you left the fronts stock, then the speedo would remain true
Good.
of course, you may find yourself having to change down for even less of a gradual slope than you already do
What're ya sayin', man?
We had our 3H gearbox swapped for another 3H but both wifey and I are convinced that top isn't quite as high as it was.
Was there ever an option for a higher ratio in 5th with a 3H?[/i]
Hey, that's good, isn't it.
too play around with what increase you'd like to try,
are you on 185/80x14 at the moment?
Dunno, it's cold and dark, but they're slightly wide alloys.
then 195/80x15 would be a 6.29% increase in gearing
if you left the fronts stock, then the speedo would remain true
Good.
of course, you may find yourself having to change down for even less of a gradual slope than you already do
What're ya sayin', man?
We had our 3H gearbox swapped for another 3H but both wifey and I are convinced that top isn't quite as high as it was.
Was there ever an option for a higher ratio in 5th with a 3H?[/i]
It's not a duck, it's a propaganda at
http://picasaweb.google.com/SumDoood" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://sumdoood.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
so say Tom Soya, Captain Greenheart, Noomo and Sum Doood. Membership No 531.
http://picasaweb.google.com/SumDoood" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://sumdoood.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
so say Tom Soya, Captain Greenheart, Noomo and Sum Doood. Membership No 531.
Was there ever an option for a higher ratio in 5th with a 3H?[/i]
Boxes didn't have options, they just fitted a different box. In your case that would be a 7D (fitted to '83 44KW petrols; 59 BHP) which has the same diff and ratios except top, which is a .78, 5% higher than your .82
Strange that, as a less powerful engine with a higher top, but it may have been fitted to lighter vans (usually panel vans had higher diffs or gears)
Anyway, whatever you're thinking, I wouldn't go much more than 5% in one go, as was said above, you might be surprised to find how often speed drops off on a gentle but long climb, or into wind, making you contemplate 3rd gear, which in itself would be quite a big hop away with a .78 top, meaning lots of revs unless you settle for substantially lower speed.
Work it out carefully, and try some tyres to see how you get on... there's also some resources for this in the syncro website... but don't trust tyre TRC calculators for much more than a relative comparison, not absolute figures.
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1.9TD Syncro Doka / Syncro Kastenwagen / 16" Kombi Camper
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clash460
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Hi Noomo
ran a 2.1 panel syncro(petrol) for a couple of weeks with a 5speed box with a higher final gearing(0.77 final instead of standard 0.85) , and cruised 8-10mph higher speed
I have gone down the long enterprise route, so will see how it goes in the next couple of weeks
as DH may have hinted at, the gearbox route may be the correct way if you are thinking of installing a more powerful engine in the future
you pays your money, you take your chance
ran a 2.1 panel syncro(petrol) for a couple of weeks with a 5speed box with a higher final gearing(0.77 final instead of standard 0.85) , and cruised 8-10mph higher speed
I have gone down the long enterprise route, so will see how it goes in the next couple of weeks
as DH may have hinted at, the gearbox route may be the correct way if you are thinking of installing a more powerful engine in the future
you pays your money, you take your chance