questions about 2.5kl mazda/probe engine convertion to 65bus

[new dave]

I am brand new to this. I have a '65 split window someone has put a beetle rear end in with cv's ect, Im going to try to put a 2.5L ford probe engine in. I have trans #091.301.100, wonder what 110kph will = in rpm?. Also wonder if anyone has done this and will share what problems I will encounter.

[petew]

I'd say just around 3200rpm depending on tyre size and such. I'd suggest selling the 091 box and picking up a 1303 box with the 3.88 ring and pinion. It'll will be almost as strong as the 091 and have MUCH better street and hwy ratios. If you blow it up, there are 17 zillion gears and diffs available and it will literally BOLT into the split. The 091 will fit, but it will take more work for almost no extra gain and the wrong ratios for such a torquey engine.

[new dave]

how can i identify a 1303? and is it swing or irs

[Buggin_74]

Hi Dave where abouts are you?

in the US all bugs after 1969 are IRS
you could use any of these but the 1303 boxes are from 73 onwards superbeetles and in the US all beetles after 73
they only have one side plate so are considered stronger because of this

thats the KL-ZE engine isnt it?
i know someone running one in his baja
he knows those engine backwards

[new dave]

thanks for the info, a 1303 shouldnt be hard to find .yes its kl-ze from 1994 probe .I have yet to figure out wiring and any help is greatly appreciated .I am near vancouver canada. will I have to drive carfull not to break a 1303 ?.would it be worth to re gear my 091 .my bus has been modfied before and all the floor metal is out right now making things easy to work on.

[Baja Wes]

Hi,

Check out my Baja conversion;
http://www.offroadvw.net/bajawes/linktoV6.htm

Make sure you check out the KL transplants page for all the crazy places those motors end up.

I think in a bus you'll have the small problem of the intake passing through the fuel tank.

I'd go the 2L bus tranny for sure. That's what I run. I have an aftermarket 4th gear set put in it to have a highway cruising gear.

Fyi, the US/Canadian probe motor is a KLDE/03 motor that only makes 165HP. The japanese version is the KLZE and it makes 200HP. There are a few differences. The probetalk forums have a massive amount of information.

[chazz79]

There are tons of gearing options for the 091 trans. The 6 rib is awfully expensive because of how sought after they are. Don't bother with a bug trans when you've already got the best trans vw ever built. Search around for 6-rib or 091 and you'll see that anyone suggesting 1303's are just wasting their time. Remember- they aren't going to be with you under your bus when you're replacing that shredded bug tranny. Those may work fine in a lightweight buggy or bug but not with the weight/horsepower you'll be moving here.

[new dave]

wondering what to do to conect up shift linkage to 091. also what length do the driveshafts need to be?

[petew]

choose your trans for ratios. we have guys running EJ20T with 200rwhp and a lot more torque than the V6 through stock 1303 trans. sure they ate 3rd gear eventually, but they lasted a long time before they did. a set of aftermarket gears and the trans was then turbo-proof again. they are almost as strong as a stock 2l. a 091 is great for offroad or towing, but the ratios are not so good for road unless you have very tall tyres. the single sideplate boxes are much better. it might need to be built up, but the 3.88r&p is the strongest beetle ring and pinion they made. anyhow, don't take my word for it, talk to a transbuilder. and btw if beetle boxes are so weak, how come all the drag guys use them? think about it.

[chazz79]

The low gearing is needed to overcome the inertia of a bus. It's a stronger case and larger ring and pinion for a reason. Show me a drag bus running 200hp+ carrying the front wheels to the 60' mark with a stock 1303. I've seen exactly that with a stock 091. You can opt for a taller 3rd and 4th gear to get the top speed/ rpm that you're looking for. I'm just running 100hp through a regeared 002 (3 rib) 4.26 final drive in fourth. I'll be able to cruise 70mph at 3300 rpm with a 27 inch tire. My combo will live forever. I'm thinking that we're building to different purposes but for longevity you'll need the stronger trans. Best of all you can run that trans as it sits with no fear of ruining it, then work out the bugs later.

A lot of folks are missing what the title says- Bus

Bugs and buggies are 1500-2000lbs
a bus is easily twice that.

[petew]

no respect Chaz, but is your bus a bay or a split? the weight difference between the two is quite a bit.

I found this too.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_g ... swagen_bus
2615lbs
Which is about what I thought it would be. Splits are quite lightly built.

Also, the mazda V6, like lots of modern motors is designed to pull a 2800pound car at around 2700rpm at 60mph.

anyway, as I said, don't just take my word for it. check out the probe's stock ratios and ask a trans builder about it.

[new dave]

Thanks for the input. I think I will see about re gearing the 091 trans I have. also seems I have a kl-de, power range is at slightly lower rpm. The gvw of the probe is 3000lb. Right now I have a CBR900R bike engine in, it would easily outrun a near stock aircooled 1600.I tried to upload pics but cant figure out how? Im still welding in rockers ,floor,and other holes,then comes Probe diasembly.

[Baja Wes]

you have a CBR900 engine in your 65 Bus?

[new dave]

Its temperary ,needed bus mobile and had unit sitting from a past project

[Baja Wes]

I'd like to see pics!