IRS Bus 6-rib Transaxle

[Ken]

What do I need to be looking for?

I am looking for more low end torque. I have a stock 1600DP with a 2 barrel weber progressive. But my large diameter rear wheels has eaten up my low end. So if I was to start looking for a 6 rib bus transaxle to try out, what should I be looking for and asking before I hand over some money?

Or should I just spend the money on a rebuilt (for my setup) drop in type 1 replacement?

Thanks for any advise.

Ken

[Aquabuggy]

Ken, Too start you will need a bus to bug trans mount there are several different styles. I use the cheap one and it should be fine in your rail, the biggest difference is the shifter input shaft is a couple inches higher on the bus trans. Also a bus trans is a little wider then a type 1 about an 1 inch drive flange to flange so your current axles maybe a bit long in addition you'll need to run at the very least type 2 CV's on the trans side. the type 2 CV's are wider then type 1 and you will not be able to get the CV retaining clips on the axles unless you have the shoulder on the axle machined down or you could use VW Thing axles ( I may have a set )

(thinking) Oh yeah if you use a 3 or 5 rib your type 1 engine should bolt rite up (OK not sure about all the 5 ribs but the one I'm using in Chrissy's rail will bolt rite up) with a 6 rib trans you will need to ether swap to a 3 rib bell housing and input shaft or cut about 1/2 inch off the input shaft and run a bus 6 rib starter.

This sounds like a big pain, but it's really not all that bad, or you could always get David Crow to build ya a nice type 1 (I think he's in your neck of the woods and does great work)

[Ken]

Hi Chris, thanks or all the details.

Yeah, we talked about David Crow before. I guess I was hoping a 6 rib was more of a drop in replacement and a little cheaper then having a custom built. I see them come up on craigslist from time to time. I was thinking, just grab one and drop it in and see if I like the change.

I guess I should just live with what I have or call Crow and talk to him about a slightly custom. I guess I just needed reminding that was the best thing to do. Thanks.

[Aquabuggy]

I wasn't trying to discourage you, a 3, 5 or 6 rib would be a nice upgrade for Crazy Alice.

[Ken]

You didn't discourage me at all, you helped me understand the 6 rib is not a simple as I thought it might be. And you reminded me of our conversation about Crow.

When you say 3 and 5 are these bus transaxles also? What do these get me?

[Texasbuggys]

Chris is right on, any of them will make a difference. You motor runs great so that surely is not the area to improve, the tranny will wake her up and make the hills so much more exciting and less shifting for ya and I know your fit as a fiddle and sure don't need to over work your terminator legs! LOL You will really be glad ya made the swap.

[Aquabuggy]

When you say 3 and 5 are these bus transaxles also? What do these get me?

There all bus transaxles the 3 rib came in 68 to 74 buses and has the lowest gears 5.38 r&p, the 5 rib was in 75 buses and has 4.86 r&p and the 6 rib 76 to 79 and has 4.56

Stay away from the 68 trans it's a little different and hard to find parts for.
Also VW used 6 rib transaxles into the 80's and maybe early 90's but these have the shift input shaft on the side, so be sure ya check to see if it's a noise or side shift.

[Ken]

Thanks guys. Its nice to have this info in a place I can recall it, I guess I need to figure out what I have now, before doing anything. Porter told me once before, but I don't recall. He identified it by the differences in the two side plates, or something like that?

[Bryan Porter]

I told you once and I won't tell you again if you don't remember I cannot help you as I cannot remember myself.

[Ken]

I told you once and I won't tell you again if you don't remember I cannot help you as I cannot remember myself.

Your such an old dog Mr Porter... Will you tell me if I give you a treat... Would you tell Delia if she asked?

What was it about the side plates that told you what gearing (R&P) I most likely had, was it something about the bolt pattern?

[Aquabuggy]

Not really up on type 1 trans but I'm thinking single side plate is the later model and 3.88 r&p and the dual side plate earlier model is 4.12

But that could be all wrong. Mr.Porter ??

[Bryan Porter]

Your right one side cover on each side of trans 4.12 side cover only on one side 3.87

[Joe]

Ken
I may knok of a bus for sell not to much.