Which Transmission do you think is the best way to go?

[Natewin]

Hi all, hope I can get some responses to help me out with my conversion.
I'm putting a TD into my 81 Cabrio. I have a few transmissions to choose from at the moment.

Code ----- Final --- 1st ---- 2nd ---- 3rd ---- 4th ---- 5th
(FN) ------ 3.89 --- 3.45 --- 1.94 --- 1.29 --- 0.91 --- 0.71
(7A) ------ 3.94 --- 3.45 --- 1.94 --- 1.29 --- 0.91 --- 0.71
(ACH) ----- 3.94 --- 3.45 --- 1.94 --- 1.37 --- 1.03 --- 0.89

Currently the Cabrio has the FN in it, shifting/well.
The 7A is acutally attached to the TD motor
I don't think I want to go with the ACH, but I do have it available.

There isn't too much of a difference in speed between the FN and 7A, about .7mph at 2500rpm.
I don't think that 3.89 vs 3.94 final will have much of an affect on acceleration. Is this correct?
Keep in mind that I do about 50miles round trip a few times a week to get to a worksite.

So what is your opinion on the easier swap?
Would it be easier to just pull the gas motor from the Cabrio and put in the TD off the 7A?
Or would it be easier to pull the entire motor/tranny from the Cabrio and put the entire 7A/TD assembly into the car?
I've done engine/tranny swaps on my CJ-7 a few times, but havne't done a FWD car before.

Nate

[bscutt]

I have a 7A in my '80, it's great except the larger backup light switch has reliability problems. I have an FF in my '82, very close to the FN. Also great and uses the smaller backup light switch that works forever.

[bscutt]

I swapped both with the engine in the car, not too bad, find a transmission jack if you can.

[v8volvo]

FF/FN is about as good as you'll get, and is in most Rabbits so it works well. I think the only one with a significant advantage over it is the 6G or something like that. But none will have enough difference to really affect top speed or MPG.

[Guest]

how much hp and torque are you going to be making cause i have a 88 cabriolet with 2.0 aba conversion prob making 140hp and 130 ft torque,


i had a 4k (tranny code)
3.94 3.45 2.12 1.44 1.13 0.89
3.94 with a .71 5th it was great for highway driving .. could keep up nice on the road without 4000rpm on the hightway... it works great in my cabby.. but a lill down on power in 5th passing and such... and a huge gap from 4th to 5th



for a diesel i would prob choose this
(ACH) ----- 3.94 --- 3.45 --- 1.94 --- 1.37 --- 1.03 --- 0.89
with a .75 5th gear
i had both a .75 and a .71 5ths in mine.. with the 3.94 final drive.. .
i wanted more gas mileage so i went with the .71 but i have alill more power being gas...

just my 2 cents... prob not worth much

[Golf/Jetta]

i thought the ACH had .75 for the 5th gear¿
http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/VW_020_t ... sion.shtml