Ideally, I'd like to configure my GLF coupe for autocrossing and rallycrossing, but keep the car clean and innocuous enough to pass off for street driving, so I can sneak up on those riced-out Civics and still remain low-key.

 

I've driven manuals for the bulk of my time behind the wheel, and find most automatics lacking the capability for spirited driving. With this in mind, the 3-spd auto in the GLF has got to go!

 

In the last few weeks, I've found two good donor cars for a transmission swap. Both are early EA81 cars, one is 2WD and the other 4WD. My battle plan is to eventually go 4WD, but I'm wondering how suitable the early EA81 4WD tranny is for the rigors of autocross/rallycross. Is there a 4- or 5-speed tranny out there what would be more suitable for this project? I kinda suspect that a 4-spd D/R tranny is the wrong choice for this application.

 

Besides, I'd rather tow that whole donor car home and refit it for off-roading. It's the perfect year/color for my taste.

 

Thanks in advance for the input!

if you want to be able to use 4wd regularly, you'd be best off to find an ea82 rx or xt full-time 4wd 5 spd. They will fit to the engine, but the tranny mounts will be different. That will give you a 5spd, full-time 4wd, with a center diff lock to turn it into standard 4x4. Also there are dual range versions of this tranny which have a ~1.25 low range, which is ideal for rallyin around, or for faster launches a dr 4spd would be the easy job in almost every respect, but the 4wd is not as useful on the pavement, and you only get 4 gears. Theres also the 5spd dr out of an ea82, which will recquire crossmember modification, and have the same 4wd, but with 5 gears. That about sums it up for manuals. There are a few who have put full-time 4wd trannys in ea81's maybe they can speak up.