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Post by qqelectriccar on Dec 24, 2010 23:50:23 GMT -5
Howdy
I'm new to old vw's in general and Bradleys as well. As far as I know, most of the transmissions in these cars were from vw bugs can are made to handle around 30hp, correct?
Heres the curveball, I have a 1981 GTE which, to the best of my knowledge, was built by Bradely themselves. So how do I know where they got the transmissions and how much it can handle?
Ive seen pictures showing different amounts of ribs on the top of the transmission but mine doesnt seem to match anything ive seen. Ill try and post a picture but you know, its pretty well in there
Thanks!
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Post by jspbtown on Dec 25, 2010 0:51:46 GMT -5
I guess the question is: Why do you want to know. Its either a swing axle or a IRS set up. Most likely an IRS. It can handle 100hp or so if you take it easy.
If your planning on trying something crazy then open the wallet.
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Eric A
Full Member
It's an obsession not an investment!
Posts: 223
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Post by Eric A on Dec 26, 2010 10:29:53 GMT -5
If it is an IRS it will have boots on both ends of the axles and will have several Allen screws holding them on to the trans. If it is a straight axle it will not have screws at the trans. If it does not have a backup light switch it is an early model if it does it is newer but I am not sure what year that changed. I think it was late '60's
Eric A
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Post by mrbigh on Dec 28, 2010 17:57:01 GMT -5
In this picture you can see a '74 IRS. It's a called "Free Flier" because it has a 3.88 gear ratio but it can't be determined by any shape, only by the manufacturer's serial number. If I'm not wrong, it's a 4 rib that I will install in my Bradley electric conversion. With it you can see also the electric motor already attached for testing.  |
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Post by mwilson on Dec 28, 2010 21:03:44 GMT -5
Wow! That is one sweet set up, MrBigh!
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Post by mj on Dec 29, 2010 23:11:17 GMT -5
That's very pretty, MrBigh.
FWIW, to the OP my engine put out just shy of 200HP with a Rancho VW transmission without any problems.
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Post by qqelectriccar on Dec 30, 2010 17:18:14 GMT -5
mj: I really have no idea what a rancho VW transmission is, but I sure hope I have one!
mrbigh: do you have any idea how much power that motor can make? I dont know much about how to rate an electric motor, but the one that came in the GTE is way bigger and I may have one for sale in the near future!
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geddes66
Junior Member
Now I am an instructor at the RTS-M, Camp Roberts CA. Teaching new Army mechanics.
Posts: 87
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Post by geddes66 on Jan 2, 2011 21:01:19 GMT -5
For alot of things VW, www.shoptalkforums.com is a great resource. Lurk there for awhile and you will learn more than you need to know, or can afford to put into practice. They have a special trans-axle forum with lots of pix. |
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Post by thehag71 on Jan 3, 2011 5:42:17 GMT -5
Rancho is an aftermarket supplier of vw transmissions. Unless you are spending lots of money on your motor to make more displacement and horsepower, the stock vw trans should be sufficient. If you do a lot of highway driving, you may want to invest in an aftermarket 5 speed tranny ( usually nicknamed a freeway flier.) As I have never had my bradley gt on the road I cannot tell you from personal experience if the five speed is worth the money. I am only going on what I have learned from other peoples experiences and what I have read in vw magazines over the last 15 years or so.
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Post by jspbtown on Jan 3, 2011 9:45:43 GMT -5
A freeway flier is not a 5 speed tranny. It has a different final gear to lower your RPMs at highway speed. It does not have an additional gear....juts a different one.
5 speed conversions are (or at least were) available from Berg..but they are very costly.
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Post by thehag71 on Jan 4, 2011 4:27:02 GMT -5
to jspbtown: Thanks for clearing that up. I knew that, but just didn't remember it correctly.
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