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Subject:Re: transmission for I4 conversion--will a DK fit?
From:Don Hanson
Date:Sat, 22 Mar 2014 22:07:49 -0700

On your specific question, someone else will answer hopefully...but I
have a comment on the diesel 5-sp(?)..I have that tranny in my I-4 and I
don't find the revs are high.  I run stock tires and wheels and my cruising
speed of 65 mph is 3500rpms...not very high when the ABA inline I have
redlines at over 5000 and the power actually comes on at about
2800-3000rpms.  I do have an aftermarket mild cam a 260 from
Autotech..helps with the high rev power..
   Maybe someone changed the internals in my transmission or
something....or maybe your motor is mounted or balanced in a manner that
amplifies the vibrations as it spins....I find mine quite pleasant to
drive....
   I think, if indeed you have the 5-speeds and you change to 4,  you will
greatly miss the ratios available to keep your motor in it's power
band...There is a large jump between 4th and 3rd in a 4sp....

  Sorry for the un-asked for comments, but you might  find some of them
interesting.  I, too used a lot of information from Frank's site and some
specific answers he posted for my "revision" from a 1.8liter to a 2.0/1/8
hybrid......  Good luck with it..

On Sat, Mar 22, 2014 at 9:35 PM, Sam Payne <bungeegull@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Hello to the list again, it has been a few years.
>     I'm looking for some information about the fit of an aircooled vanagon
> transmission (code DK) into my I4, 51% conversion. I currently have a
> diesel vanagon transmission in there (code DZ), and an audi 80 engine (code
> 3A), supported by the earlier version diesel engine bars. All done with the
> support of this list, particularly Frank Grunthaner. Thanks to all of you!
>      My van is an '86, and originally had a 2.1 wbx engine.
>      I ran into some stress-inducing fitting problems originally: I tried
> to keep the MV code WBX transmission because it's what I had, but would
> have had to cut the engine mounts off the bars and re-weld them in a
> different place to get it to fit. I chose to use the Diesel transmission,
> which did fit, but then I had to buy what I was told was a diesel linkage,
> and then modify it. It has worked fine for 3-4 years now, and I do like the
> power boost it gives.
>     In any case, I'm about to drive across country with kids and want to
> try a DK aircooled transmission, because the high revs with the diesel
> transmission at highway speeds make us a little crazy. I don't love the
> gear ratios in the DK, or the return to sluggish performance I will see,
> but it seems worth a shot. Will it fit in there without more modification?
> Anyone know?
>        Thanks in advance, Sam Payne
>