Mike,

         Thanks for the link, that is a *great* resource! I'll forego the
math for the moment, 'cause I took tomorrow off, and I have a strict "no
math" rule on the weekends. :-)

         This table does list some 5-speeds for the 1.9L gasoline
wasserboxer, but I guess they were never imported into the US market.

Tim

At 05:57 PM 7/17/2003 -0700, Michael Snow wrote:
>>I searched the archives for "5 speed" a while back, and mainly found
>>references implying that it was a mythical beast...
>>
>>So, my questions are for anyone with actual experience:
>>
>>Do these truly exist, are they an adaptable replacement for a 4-speed in an
>>'85 Westie?
>>
>>Does the fifth gear provide a better ratio for highway cruising, or is this
>>tranny to give better lo-range torque?
>
>5 speed transmissions really do exist, in 1983 diesel vans.  I have one
>in my '82 Westy.  It provides a little higher top speed and keeps the
>RPMs down on the highway for the 48HP diesel engine.  The gearing would
>be too low for a waterboxer.  Get our your calculator and do some
>figuring using the transmission info at
>
>http://volksweb.relitech.com/helmut/GEARBOX.HTM
>
>The USA market 5 speed for the 1983 diesels is the DX model.  Compare
>final drive ratios with the factory offerings for your engine.
>
>Mike Snow
>1982 Westfalia diesel