Transmission Gearing

[heffy]

New member here!
I have a light weight two seater with 2L motor. (PUMA) I have a type one swing axle.

The gearing is tough because at non highway speeds I am either over revving or dogging the car on neighborhood streets.

Does anyone have any ideas, suggestions or advise for looking for a better driving alternative?

THX

[VDub63 ( Steven )]

welcome to our site plaese introduce yourself on the introduction page.

[ghiastein]

Exactly what do you mean by over revving? They do produce a tranmission called a "Freeway Flyer" which does have a higher geared ring and pinion. A VW engine likes to run at high rpm 3000 to 4000 rpm. The reason for this is cooling.

higher rpm = more cooling air

With my stock Bus at 65 mph my engine runs at 3,700 rpm

I don't really know about Puma's but someone here does and he will soon chime in.

Your 2.0 liter is it a stock type 4 engine or a modified type 1?

[clintonddk]

VWs have funny gearing, third and forth are like overdrive gears. Most people with high performance engine change out third and forth gears for gearing. I really like a 158 third and a 121 forth with a 412 ring gear and a 25 or 26 inch tall tire. This makes driving around town a dream, third gear will drive around at 35 to 45 mph at close to 3000 to 4000rpm and forth gear will like 45 to 55 at close to 3500 to 4000rpm. This just makes highway driving a bear since your maximum speed will be 55 to 60 mph at 4000rpms makes long trips unbearable. Most people choice to go with a 148 third and a 109 forth or spend the big money on a Berg 5 speed. The Berg 5 speed will put your stock forth gear into fifth gears place.

[81pumagtc]

Heffy:

Good to see you made it here!

He's from California and has a Puma like mine. He had a nice 20something motor built with a new case, etc.

Powerband does not match the gearbox...and his middle gears seem short. It's a type one, and his car should run about 1600 pounds. Puma reinforced the body a little on the later cars.

Dave

[heffy]

Clinton and Dave Thanks for the help. Also excuse ignorance I signed in on the intro.

I have 24 in Wheels
The trans is geared
Pinion 4.12
1rst 3.78
2nd 2.06
3rd 1.26
4th .85

Hope this helps. Does anyone know what gear ratio options are available? I primarily use the car on the freeway top end is needed for survivability. As Dave said middle gears seem short. What are the sugestions?

[clintonddk]

Your gearing seams to be very tall or what I would call long. First and second gear are stock super beetle gearing. I am not sure on third but forth is real tall. Stock would be a .89. The easiest thing to do would be to try some taller tires to lengthen out your gears some. What kind of highway speeds are you tyring to drive? A .85 forth with a 24 inch tire would put you at 61mph at 3000rpms and 82 at 4000rpms. Here where I like to get my gears from. www.weddleindustries.com/

[MadMike]

Welcome Heffy,Stock swing with 4:12 R&P,I have a Kit car with 26" rear tires and gearing is awesome for around here,freeway 70mph @ 3k,and my oil temps stay anywhere from 190-220 on 80 degree days,Like Clinton said,try a taller tire ;D

[heffy]

Thanks everyone. I am going to test out indicated speeds / RPM's. I may have a non stock type transmission. What I have found in this car it would not surprise me at all to find I have a weird setup inside the case. When Randy worked on the car we counted the Ring/Pinion and made assumptions from there. Lets see what I find out. I appreciate the weddle industries info adds another piece to the puzzle.
Since I am definately puzzled!