Gearbox Choice, I Have A Dillema!

[jacobs53 0]

Hi, i have a dilemma! I have brought a 1.9 8 valve engine from a 309gti, now it was supplied with a Be1 1.9 box, and i have a be1 gearchange in the 205 anyway.

 

I also have a recon, 1.6 Be3 box which is converted for use on the be1 mechanisms. But.... should i use the 1.9 box or 1.6?

 

I know people have said the 1.6 is good as its shorter ratio but it does it do the engine any justice?

 

so what would you do?

 

cheers lee

[Rob_the_Sparky 9]

In my experience of driving a 1.9 8v with both boxes I'd have the 1.6 box if it were coupled with an LSD to stop it spinning the wheels. Otherwise I'd stick with a 1.9, not much point in lower ratios if all you do is spin the wheels!

 

Rob

[pug_life 0]

1.6 ratios are stupidly short.

daily drive is ok cos u stick it in 5th and drive. track use its too short in my opinion as your revving the tits off in 5th at bout 100.

 

depends what you use car for but i think 1.9 is better for motorway milers and a subtle daily drive. 1.6 if you like the back of the seat acceleration drive

[petert 587]

1.6 ratios are stupidly short.

 

interesting, I find the 1.9L ratios stupidly long!

 

The best compromise is the 1.9L ratios with the 3.94:1 diff, as fitted to most GTi's here in Australia. We're use to that level, and find the later models with the 3.62:1 diff somewhat pedestrian, despite the long open roads.

Edited December 15, 2005 by petert

[pug_life 0]

yeh which is why i'd use an mi16 box to get a good mixture.

[jacobs53 0]

I think the car will be used for mainly A and B road driving, hardly no motorway....

 

Il try the 1.6 box as at least this is a recon box and it will definitly work. And if i find its stupidly short ratio il move to the 1.9 box....

 

Just out of intrest, I know the be1 box is lift up-reverse, but i was trying to locate all the gears the other day by hand, could only find 4 of them... I should be able to locate 5 shouldn't i?

 

cheers lee

[petert 587]

I don't understand why people think the 1.6L box, when coupled to a 1.9L, is over revving at 100km/h? It's only a few hundred revs more for goodness sake, not a 1000! You'd probably find the fuel economy is no different. The in-gear accel'n of the 1.6L box is lot more rewarding. I use an Mi16 diff with the 1.9L ratios in my track car. That combination does err on the short side, but is still fine for around town.

[C_W 3 1 Cars]

I'd stick with a 1.9 gearbox on a standard 1.9 8v

 

but a 1.6 final drive (or whole 1.6 gearbox) is more suited to the Mi16 engine.

[Rob_the_Sparky 9]

1.6 is easier in traffic due to the short 1st, the 1.9 high 1st can be a pain in the bum and you can use 5th at 30mph on a 1.6, which can be handy for the lazy driver! Having said that I hated the 1.6's first gear as it ran out early and was prone to wheel spin so you couldn't use the gearing advantage when trying to drive properly, hence the LSD comment. I've not tried a 1.6 on the track though but on the road the lower top gear never really bothered me.

 

Rob

[RobMGti 0]

Ive got a 1.6 box on a modified 1.9. Doesnt bother me at all. Though i would agree with Rob above in saying that first spings up far far more easily than my old 1.9 box.

 

Rob

[veloce200 3]

i think it depend on whether you've done other mods to the engine. the 1.9 box is perfect for a std engine or any mods except cam, the long second can be really helpful as well. I'm planning on a 1.6 final drive (you can buy these for around £100 new so if the box is in good nick it's much easier swap. as i think the ratios are the same otherwise? although not checked just heard this was the case.

 

i'm going to be running a kent race cam so the engine will pull 8000rpm instead of 6500 so this will effectively mean the 1.6 box is a much better option as the engine will be more cammy and will benefit from shorter gearing, reckon with std cam though I would stick with the 1.9 box, the engine is so flexibile compared to a 1.6 you can still go like a rocket changing up at 4-5k - I reckon the box never feels too long on the road, only the track.

 

I don't understand why people think the 1.6L box, when coupled to a 1.9L, is over revving at 100km/h? It's only a few hundred revs more for goodness sake, not a 1000! You'd probably find the fuel economy is no different. The in-gear accel'n of the 1.6L box is lot more rewarding. I use an Mi16 diff with the 1.9L ratios in my track car. That combination does err on the short side, but is still fine for around town.

 

i think we were all thinking of 100 mph ! We do drive fast over here Peter and we've not progressed to metric signs yet ! At 100 mph the 1.6 is buzzing away quite quickly.

[S33GAV 0]

1.6 box will give you lots of . So easy choice really, as that's why you buy a 205.

 

The 1.9 Box makes the 205 a little less exciting imo.

[sorrentoaddict 1]

on a 1.9 8-v 205 I'd always use the 1.9 gearbox, preferably with 185/55-14 tyres to shorten the overall long "final-drive" ratio.

 

Alternatively, if you are emotionally attached to the 15" wheelrims/tyres, the only sensible option is to use the 405 GR's 3,96 : 1 Final Drive on the otherwise std. 1.9 GTI gearbox. The std. 1.9 GTI FD is way too long, unless of course you have modified the 8-valver so good that its transient response is "brutal" and then suddenly the original FD ratio "becomes" very useful - the car literally "jumps" forward and "eats the road" in big steps.

 

For a 16v engine the 1.6 box or similar gears/FD combination is the best.

 

cheers

 

alex

[jonD6B 0]

Hi, I drive a 1.9 205 and the synchro has gone between 2nd and 3rd so I picked up an MI16 box. The car is on 15's with a standard engine but only going to be on a track. Fuel consumption and motorway miles aren't an issue but after reading the above opinions I'm a bit confused as to whether I should fit it or not. Some more opinions on my situation would also be very appreciated, thanks.

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

Personally I wouldn't fit an Mi16 box to a 1.9 GTi, it will be shorter in the lower gears than using a 1.6 GTi gearbox.

 

Stick with the 1.9 GTi gearbox, best all round as the 1.9 isn't a rev happy engine.

 

Graham.

[jonD6B 0]

That sounds like good advice, cheers. Any ideas how much will a synchro repair will cost me?

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

Any ideas how much will a synchro repair will cost me?

Speak to Miles (our resident gearbox guru) or look for a secondhand one.

 

Graham.

[Deano1.6 0]

Has any one thought about using a citreon BX diesel gearbox? A mate of mine that used to rally a 1.9 used one and says its the best for the ratios.

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

Has any one thought about using a citreon BX diesel gearbox? A mate of mine that used to rally a 1.9 used one and says its the best for the ratios.

If it has the same ratios as the 205/309 diesel gearbox than for a rally car it might be OK, it has a really long 4th gear (almost as long as standard 5th) but for a road car I doubt it'd be that much fun or be that quick in use. My current gearbox is halfway between the two & I think thats to long for a road & trackday car.

 

Graham.