2g trans in a 1g

[bottledbird68]

Well, my 91 TSI has been down for a couple months now. I managed to get my hands on a 5 speed from a 98 GSX. I didn't get the t-case with it though. I didn't think it was a problem as I currently have a 23 spline case. However, over the weekend I was talking to a guy who warned me that the gear ratios on the 98 and 99's were different and I would need the matching t-case for my tranny? I thought they were all the same? Anybody know for sure before I put it all together? I really don't want to lose another tranny over a preventable mistake....

 

[wortdog]

I'm pretty sure you'll need a 97-99 transfer case. I could be wrong on this though. The 95-96 trannies are the best bolt in for 91-94 23-spline cars with the exception of the shift cables.

 

[bottledbird68]

So if I get a 97-99 t-case I should be all set? Does anybody know (or can point me to a link) for sure?

 

[TRBOTSI]

a 2G tranny won't bolt into a 1G, regardless of ratios

 

[bottledbird68]

Originally posted by TRBOTSI
a 2G tranny won't bolt into a 1G, regardless of ratios

That goes against anything I have ever heard, please explain further?

 

[TRBOTSI]

I'm almost positive the mounts are different.

 

[bottledbird68]

It all looks pretty much the same. Besides, a little custom fabrication doesn't scare me at all

 

[TRBOTSI]

you know the 3-4 gearset is weaker right...IMHO you'd be better off with another 91 tranny. Even if you can get the tranny to work you still have a weaker tranny than what you started with. The 91 trannies are often the best out of the whole lot...And the 97-99 trannies do have different gear ratios.

 

[bottledbird68]

And the 97-99 trannies do have different gear ratios.

Where can I find that info??? I've been looking and coming up short.

 

[wortdog]

Info on swapping a 2G trans into a 1G:
http://www.dsm.org/archives/1999/03/19990324.txt/7.html

Why is the 91 tranny better? Many of them are still 22-spline transmissions, and the later 91 tranny doesn't shift that much better than the 90.

Also, the VFAQ for DSM Tranny gear ratios lists the 1G and 2G has having different transfer case ratios:
http://www.vfaq.com/mods/Trannies.html

 

[bottledbird68]

Ahh, thank you. I missed the t-case ratios in that chart last time I looked. So I assume the secondary gear is internal to the tranny? (I don't know my tranny internals all that well on these) Then they make up for the difference in the t-case? In short my question is as long as I get the matching 98 t-case I'll be all set? I already have the tranny and it's going in regardless, I'm not about to buy another one. I just want to make sure everything goes smoothly....

 

[wortdog]

Yeah, It should work fine if you get the correct year transfer case for the tranny since the rear end ratios are the same. Someone else may know, but I'm not sure about things like the 1G driveshaft yoke and the axles working in the 97-99 trannies. Of course, both of those things are easily changed if they don't work.

 

[GRNDSM]

First if all, you CAN put a 95-96 tranny in 1Gs as that link suggested.

However 97-99 drivetrain has all different gear ratios! In order to use it, you will also a matching transfer case AND (I am 95% sure) a matching rear end. I am not sure if you can put 2G pumpkin in a 1G…

So I am not sure it this would be a good idea… My friend bought a '97 tranny for his '95 car because it was $500 cheaper from the dealer, he regreted doing this after getting matching transfer case and rear end...

>Also, the VFAQ for DSM Tranny gear ratios lists the 1G and 2G has having different >transfer case ratios:
>http://www.vfaq.com/mods/Trannies.html

I found several errors in this VFAQ. Here are a few that I know to be a fact:
1. 1G 5sp and Auto transfer case ratios are different
2. 2G 5sp and Auto transfer case ratios are different.
3. 95-96 and 97-99 ratios are different

So there are 4 different 2G transfer cases:
95-96 5sp
95-96 Auto
97-99 5sp
97-99 Auto.
VFAQ would have you believe that there are only two of them…


Leon
RR

 

[anumeric]

i asked roadrace if i could fit a 1g tranny in my 2g...they said the axels were different...goodluck...btw anyone know where i can get a 2g fwd turbo tranny around 500? jdm???

 

[GRNDSM]

Anumeric,

Please do not confuse this any more than it already is!

FWD trannys are DIFFERENT!!! 90-92 used the same axles as AWD. But in 93 they went to larger axles.

Plus, it is practically impossible to install ANY 1G tranny in a 2G!!! 2G's have only one engine mount and 3 mounts on a tranny. 1G's have 3 engine mounts and only one tranny mount. So there aren't enough mounting points on a 1G tranny to fit in a 2G.

Leon
RR

 

[wortdog]

Thanks for clearing that up, I had a sneaky idea that was the case. I know very little about the 2Gs.

 

[bottledbird68]

Leon, thank you very much. That was the informed answer I was looking for.