Tansmissions-Powertrains

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I want a 3-speed manual with a direct drive top gear- fewer gear meshes, fewer spinning parts, less friction. I skip shift most of the time anyway, combined with short-shifting and the engine doesn't have to cope with much of an rpm spread.

Doesn't sound unreasonable at all, but I'd rather get an overdrive 4-speed...

[Frank Lee]

Part of the point is to avoid overdrive, which from a power transmitting POV isn't as good as a direct drive with a suitably tall final drive.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Indeed

[freebeard]

Old Mechanic -- I always filter everything through the prism of would it work in an old Beetle. What I would like is an older [non-hypoid] Type I transaxle with a hydraulic clutch:

And a replacement nose cone that replaces the shift rods with an hydraulic actuated, microprocessor controlled mechanism.

Paddle shifter built into the stock horn ring.

What are the odds?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Paddle-shifters in a Beetle (or any other rear-engined Volkswagen) would be nice.

[freebeard]

I like that the install would be total stealth—just a missing shift lever.

I saw a Karmann Ghia coupe at the NW Bug Run that had a mid-engine installation, and a pneumatic shifter that ran off 2ea 1500psi air tanks. He only had to refill "about once a month."