Hi Flo.

The stock diesel tranny is geared pretty low. Obviously done so for
the grossly underpowered 1.6 NA. The WBX or air cooled trannys have
higher gearing. One could keep the original DX tranny, but for highway
speeds, the engine would be revving too high.

Neil.

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia -
"Jaco"  (Bustorius)

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil

Please send fav Vanagon/Westfalia links to me at:
musomuso1963@hotmail.com

On 9/18/07, Florian Speier <groups.florian@gmail.com> wrote:
> Scott,
>
> I really appreciate all your advice. There is not much money for me in the
> job. Its more just doing it for a friend. You are right that it is always
> risky to do a job that is doomed to fail or at least not produce smiling
> owners for years to come. Maybe you are right that I should just do a 1.9n/a
> swap for him. I would greatly appreciate if you could outline the cost for
> me.
> Also, why is a tranny upgrade really needed? Does the 1.9 turn slower than
> the 1.6? What about 10% bigger tires instead?
> Where do I get a 1.9 engine from..... which cars were they in?
>
> thanks a lot.
> Flo
>