Project 1.8T Rabbit

[Paul]

Well I haven't been on here in months. After sitting on a computer all day at work, it's one of the last things I want to do at night. But I do need to try to keep in touch with everyone. Warm weather is just around the corner and we will all be out driving with the windows down very soon. I did some work this past weekend and actually snapped a few pictures while in the process. I purchased a trans a few months back that had a LSD and taller ratio 5th gear which has been sitting on the garage floor since I purchased it. I went over Nates to install it in my car and when I picked up the trans there was a nice puddle of oil underneath it. Well that sucks, guess we have to pull it apart and reseal it because clearly someone didn't do it right the first time. Well after starting to dismantle this trans last week it got even better. There was a bolt that someone stripped out and proceeded to drill out and tap to fit a standard sized bolt in. Ok, that's not terrible but it's not right. So now I'm really not thrilled about this trans. Oh, it gets better...went to take out the bolt that holds 5th gear to the main shaft and it had been crossthreaded to it broke off when I turned it. Upon inspecting the case I found a very small crack in it, which was most likely causing the leak. Just great, is there anything good left in this trans. Well luckily being the VW junkie that I am, I happened to have another stock O2A transmission sitting on the garage floor. So I was able to canibalize parts from my extra trans to make one badass and correctly assembled transmission. We even use VW sealant to reseal the case. I'm just relieved that it did have the Peloquin limited slip differential in it along with the TDI 5th gear (counted the teeth to verify). This was my first experience tearing apart a VW transmission and it really wasn't that bad. Should have this installed in a few weeks I hope. It will be a whole new experience driving the car. I'll def take some pictures and write about it when I swap it out. I plan on doing some other hybrid tricks when I install it.

Here is the trans torn down with the LSD and gear stacks installed:


This is the stock trans torn down to the same stage, see the difference of the stock open diff vs. the Peloquin?


My friend Stuart has a super badass garage with a parts washer among many other goodies:


It really was a messy job so I wasn't able to take many pictures. I'll get some more this weekend if I head out that way. The case looks awesome, I cleaned up it really nice. Probably going to paint it satin black before I install it. Cheers!