4 to 5 speed

Hi Fellas (and ladies, I'm sure),

I've recently bought an x-reg Mk1 Cabrio. Fantastic car but one problem; it has a four-speed 'box and I'd like to fit a five. I've had a bit of advice on this but nothing conclusive.

As far as I understand it, it's not as straight forward as swapping it round. Any ideas?

not 100% sure on the actual gearbox but you will need to change the gear linkage (deffo the bit that looks like a d…can't remember exactly what it's called) as the 5-speed is taller

I'm sure someone's done the 4 to 5 speed change before so you should get a fairly quick repsonse

im no mechanic but have changed a few four to five speed, only problem i have found is 5th gear (always had to perform magic to engage 5th :mrgreen: ), is this cos i am using 4 speed selector (at the end of rod)?? or because i need to alter it?? i have always been able to get fifth but it has not been a smooth change, when i changed a gearbox from five to five it was spot on.  any help would be great as i have one outside with annoying fifth (started life as a 4 speed still got original selector) does the unit that bolts into the car make any difference (box where stick is)?
cheers,
paul

There is a selector arm on the end of the gear shift rod shaped like a "d" - the five speed ones are longer and I suspect that will sort your 5th gear selection problem

Yeah, I heard that you also need to change the gear selector along with the box itself. I guess it stand to reason; the selector for a four speed is no doubt set up for that kind of box and wouldn't necessarily translate directly to a five.

Unfortunately, I've not actually had a definitive answer on this. When I do, I'll fill you all in.

As I said on a previous post, I work for Kelsey Publishing and we publish Car Mechanics magazine. I'll put this question to Peter Simpson the editor (one of those guys who knows pretty much everything) and see what he says. If not, I guess the answer is simply to give it a go and see how it works out.

ahhh that will be it as i have never bothered with that, cheers mate

On this subject ,

Anyone know what box is required to upgrade an 1100 to 5 speed? I am pretty sure from memory that the GTI box doesnt fit as the bellhousings are different.

Again from memory (been a while since I had a mk1, and suddenly find myself with 2   ) I think a Mk4 Polo/Lupo gearbox fits..

anyone shed any lights :dontknow:

I think Bert is the Man to show some light on this matter as i belive he has changed a 4 speed to a 5 speed.

Cheers 8)

Ye man i am the man
Right,changing the box is easy,i put a 1997 box into an 83,i changed the linkages under the bonnet,still felt wrong,no 5th gear,the actual selector in the car is different,and the shape of the rod that runs up the car is different,to fix it temporary till tomo320 (parts store) brings me the 5 speed selector i got the angle grinder and give myself more movement  be grinding the moving part under the car bt 5mm
Tops,now got 5 speed  8)
Cheers Bert