Hewland MK9 Transaxle Wanted

[Fiatdude]

Anybody have one laying around or have a line where I can buy one?????

Thinking about swapping the 901 out of my Ghia for something a little beefer.

Thanks Harold

[4g63buggy]

I have a 091 301 103 6 rib trans with Hewland gears I will be selling. I just picked up my buggy last week for my new project. I plan to use a different engine/trans in it, so the VW engine/trans will be sold. I emailed Hewland to try to get some more info on the trans and I told them what I have. They said I most likely have the mk9 trans. I have driven in through all the gears and it feels great. That is the extent of my knowledge on it so far. The previous owner did use it with the stock 1600 engine to race with.

I can try to answer any and all questions if you have any. Also, if you were interested, I will be removing it, but it won't be very quick as I am moving soon. So, I can't have a nonrunning vehicle quite yet. I am in Atlanta, GA btw

thanks, Kyle

[Pablo2]

Hewland made tons of stock-style helical gears. I suspect that's what you have. Please tell us what you told Hewland that would make them believe you had an MK9 in your 091. It would be very unusual for someone running a dog-box to not know what he was running.

[4g63buggy]

My first email to Hewland was: This was before I actually picked up the buggy.

I recently a bought a VW dune buggy. It has a VW bus trans
with "Hewland gears". That is the extend of my knowledge of the trans
I have. I am trying to find out more information about it. I wonder
if you could help me learn what I may have. What does Hewland offer
for the VW bus transmissions etc. I can find out the exact VW trans
it is if you need.

Frist response was:

"It sounds as if you have a version of the Hewland MK9 gearbox, which is
based around a VW castings, See attached manual and assembly drawing.
Note there were various versions of this gearbox and the MK9 is the latest
version"

and a later response after I told him it was a 4 spd 091 etc and a few years built...

"If it isa 4 speed 3-5 years old then it would be a mk9 although it is
possible it has been built to an older spec as some of our agents will do to
suit historic vehicles. see attached 4 speed assembly drawing
Is there a number on the castiings normally this would be at the joint lines
of the castings."

So, that is where I am at so far. Excuse my lack of knowledge on it.
I wasn't told it was a dogbox, and I still used the clutch pedal when i drove it around.

[4g63buggy]

I got in touch with the previous 2nd owner of the buggy I just bought. I am the 4th. In his own words, "its a bus trans with heavy duty parts". So, I suspect some Hewland stock style helical gears are in place - like you mentioned Pablo2.

[Pablo2]

Yes, there was absolutely nothing in your letter to Hewland that suggested MK9. Why they would jump to a conclusion with less than a 10% possibility suggests they had a newbie answering internet queries that day. Hewland sold many thousands of 3.10 x 1.93 mainshafts in the US, usually paired with Arrow/Gem 3rd & 4th gears. Anyhow, a peek through the oil add hole will give you an immediate answer.

[Pablo2]

Harold, I used a Hewland on the street for about 6 months, so I'm familiar with it. Your avatar suggests drag racing. Neither the 901 nor the Hewland MK9 are good candidates for drag racing. 1st gear is weak in the 901, and too tall/brittle for drag racing in the MK9. MK9 is perfect for it's designed purpose, road course racing. My suggestion for drags or street would be a custom 091/002.

[Fiatdude]

My new endeavor is a ex-roadracer Karman Ghia (( http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic ... 3&t=139246 )) I am very aware of the weak 1st gear on the 901 and was thinking of something that could withstand a little more HP. The car was ran with a 2 liter at about 225HP and the engine I'm playing with should be in the high 300's. I have looked at a 091 trans but the car will see alot of street duty, I would like to have more than 4 gears. Almost bought a low priced 950 6-speed, but got there a hour too late to score it....

Was thinking the Hewland would be a viable option, but it seems they are few and far between

If anyone feels like giving me a early Christmas gift can I recommend this
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pts/3397799981.html
LOL

[ttriebler]

Why not a Subarugears turbo 5 speed with a type 4 adaptor plate and flywheel?

[Fiatdude]

At $6000 USD, they are a little out of my budget right now

[Piledriver]

If you can suffer with 4 speeds there's a couple new Mendys for sale on TOS that should hold up for <5K.

Probably not street freindly gearing though.

A G50 too much work to install?
Wally was able to shorten the bellhousing on his and hook up his 2.2L...

[ttriebler]

At $6000 USD, they are a little out of my budget right now

I see plenty of awesome V6 STI 5 speeds on ebay.com for $800
Add $2200 kit and some work and you have a trans for $3000 USD.
#justsayin

[Fiatdude]

How much HP will that unit handle???

[ttriebler]

V5 STi is factory rated to 280hp in a 3200 lb 4wd Subaru that puts a ton of shock loading on the driveline.
It will easily cope with 300+ in 2WD format and a lighter car.