In a message dated 1/17/02 10:08:13 AM Eastern Standard Time, FrankGRUN
writes:

<< Just facts, >>
 Frank..I TOTALLY agree..however ..drop the calculator and grab your 17 mm.
I've done this several times and it works FINE!!!!
Top speed stay the same (about 72-73 on a REALLY good day) where the
origianal tranny runs out fo RPM (governer) the gas tranny runs out of
"oomph"...HOWEVER ont he long down grades in the Rockys, I was able to see
75+ indicted without big oily chunks of motor coming though the matress..
Also (the biggest +) is that , yes, you will drop in to 3rd SOONER..BUT you
will be able to run quite calmly at 50+ in that gear.. On the old gearbox
38-41 mph was all wrung out ..too "low" for 3rd and to HIGH for 4th..when
it's run moslty emptly it really is geared 'wrong"..the 5 speed is the real
answer..
I have modified breadloaf gear trains to fit the vanagon case and that's a
good compromise..
I mean, I don't CARE, ya know..Just passing on the expirence of having done
exactly what someone is thinking about and was PLEASEd with the results..
If soemone HAS a gas gearbox and the time I'm saying TRY it..the pinion is
sooooo much stonger too...