gearbox swap

I am considering a purchase of a 1983 1.6 petrol Mk1 Cabrio. It is fitted with a 4 speed box. Will there be a benefit in changing the box from 4 to 5 speed? If it would be beneficial I would need to whole kit from box to lever. As it is a Mk 1 would it be right to use a Mk1 box or can any 5 speed golf box be fitted. I am aware of the different flanges 90mm and 100 mm.
Where can I get one?
The seats are bad so I will need a set of seats. Will seats from any other golf fit a 1983 Mk1 Cabrio?
Do these early cabrios have a history of running hot? Apart from obvious things like checking for leaks and changing the cap is it a good idea to change the radiator. Is there a bigger one form a different golf that would work?
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If the current transmission has 90mm axles, you will have 2 options open to you if the new one has 100mm axles.

You will have to change the seals and cups over from the old transmission to the new one (probably more cost effective and less time consuming as you can do it off the car with both transmissions on the ground.) and use the old axles.

Or you will have to change the Spindles over from a 100mm cabriolet, as the 90mm axles will work in a 100 mm spindle but not the other way around.

I have a 93 Auto that I changed the cups over as the new transmission I placed in had 90mm axles and they have held up just fine at 85-95mph.

you will also need the shifters and relay shafts as they are different as well and will direct fit the 4spd.


Radiators are a pain, but if you get one from a a/c equipped car you will have a bigger core.  Just be sure that you match the t-stat to the radiator fans switch.

Make sure that the Radiator cards are inplace as they assist greatly with the cooling and airflow on your car.

Any seat from a mk1 is a direct fit, so you can look at sciroccos, golfs, jetta and cabriolets up to 93.  Covers can be bought from a place in Germany that hold up well and look great, they are also reasonably priced.

thank you. I have been offered a used 5 speed box for £250. Is this a reasonable price? Because these are a few years old do they need stripped and rebuilt to make sure they are good?

All the info you ever wanted to know about the 5 speed gearbox.
Welcome to BrokeVW.com

The only benefit from fitting a 5 speed box is you have 5 gears to chose from, most of the time the final ratio is usually the same, eg 60 mph = 3000 rpm unless you fit a 4 + E gearbox which is a 4T code gearbox then it's a lot bigger 5th gear (E is economy gear) but you will find on a motorway up a hill you may need to drop to 4th to get up the hill.
All depends on what you intent to use the car for, motorway cruiser or back road fun….

I changed my 4 speed gearbox to a 5 speed in my Mk1 Scirocco for a close ratio Gti gearbox and you will need most of the gear linkage and the gearbox mount on the side as they differ from the 4 speed.

There maybe a guide on what parts you need on this site?

I did mine years ago so can't remember what I changed etc.

It's worth changing the flange seals and input seal while the gearbox is off the car and of course new gearbox is a must.

All the info in the link above.

£250 seems a little pricy but all depends on mileage etc and make sure there is no 1st to 2nd gear crunch as that's a common problem, if it does crunch the I would not pay any more than £40 as it's expensve to strip the gearbox box down and refurb it and really needs an specialised person to do that sort of job.

Found out the gearbox code and check details on the broke VW site, there is also different reversing light switches but you can get around that problem and all explanded on the site above.

The 020 gearboxes are fairly bomb proof as long as the gearbox oil is changed regular and not thrashed through the gears all the time, especially when cold, mine lasted 270,000 miles before it started to get noisy but it was still working when I changed it a couple of years ago.

FYI 020 5 speed gearboxes fitted to lots of VWs, Mk2 golf, and some mk3 golfs.

This one out of a Mk2 golf which may fit?

£40…. but they don't tell you the code and any history etc… lots appear on eBay etc but you may need to find one local.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volkswagen-VW-Mk2-Golf-5-Speed-1-6-Gearbox-020-90MM-Driveshaft-Cable-Clutch/142830161794?hash=item2141574f82:g:o08AAOSwjXNa9sYV

another one for £40….

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-020-GEARBOX-MK2-MK3-GOLF/183256283258?hash=item2aaaecf87a:g:D3IAAOSwC~1bE~JvIt will be finding the linkage etc which may proof tricky…..