New Gearbox Fitted

[Mouse_GTI]

Finally got my car with the reconditioned box fitted. It feels strong, no noises what so ever when accelerating or decelerating in gear. Only weird thing is that for 4th and 5th the revs are totally different. Now is this either the gear ratios or the gear linkage?

The box was advertised as a Polo GTI box and the garage confirmed this on the phone. At lunchtime today the box had been fitted but the garage said they were having trouble with the linkages, and obviously they had sorted this by the time I picked up the car tonight.

In 5th I'm doing around 2700rpm at 70 when before I did around 3200rpm. The new 4th seems much closer to my old 5th gear and does around 3500rpm at 70. Before I could drive in 5th at 40 doing 1800rpm, now I need to be doing around 55 or any less and it will labour the engine. These low revs could benefit fuel economy but at the same time mean I have to change down lower. It still pulls well going up in max revs through 1st and 2nd.

Thoughts?

[leescreen123]

could possibly be the gearbox from a 1.6 mk4 golf? as that has the same sort of ratios you've described.

[tegwin]

Its not the first time I have heard of garages fitting the wrong ratio box to the car...

Having said that... the standard polo box is geared far to low.... first gear is almost pointless!

[Tim_GTi]

Wrong box for sure mate. I'd say probably from a diesel 6n2? Someone had this problem before. It can't have anything to do with the linkage.

[alexperkins]

If it is the wrong box, if could have severe consequences,as the GTI have a differential with EDL (electronic differential lock) which helps traction in the wheels. If its the wrong box, it wont have this facility, and the car wont perform normally.

[Mouse_GTI]

Bugger. What do I do now then as the gearbox place is in Kent! The car isn't as fast in 4th or 5th once you put your foot down because of the ratios

[alexperkins]

Call them up and discuss it - they will have to pay for the error in full, for the fuel to get there, for sorting it out, and compensating for the mix up! If not just threaten to get trading standards involved

[Mouse_GTI]

My mum called them whilst I was at work. They offered to rebuild my old box at no extra cost but I would have to pay for it to be sent up and fitted again. They will check the ratios of my original box. Apparently all the boxes for the GTI are built to a ratio of 3.59 or something and should do 3000rpm at around 70?

What does everyone else get out of interest?

[Tim_GTi]

not sure about 70mph but at 4000rpm im doing about 83.

you shouldnt really have to pay for anything extra really mate.

this may help

gear ratios:

GTi 'Box:

1st - 3.46
2nd - 2.12
3rd - 1.44
4th - 1.09
5th - 0.89
Final Drive - 3.60

1.9 SDi 'Box:

1st - 3.46
2nd - 1.96
3rd - 1.18
4th - 0.85
5th - 0.71
Final Drive - 3.30

1.4 TDi 'Box:

1st - 3.30
2nd - 1.94
3rd - 1.31
4th - 0.97
5th - 0.76
Final Drive - 3.16

[Mouse_GTI]

83 at 4000rpm is about what I used to get too. It's annoying because there is hardly any pull in 4th and 5th with your foot flat down

[dave-g]

sounds like it is different box for sure mate, the bloke who's looking at mine rang me cos my 5th gear was buggered asked if he could put a different ratio in from a diesel box!! lucky i had a spare box so robbed the gear lol

[Mouse_GTI]

The guy is gonna phone me back when he checks my old box.

And to top it all off, the auto electricans who replaced my wiper stalk and checked my alarm on Saturday said my alarm is fecked and I'd be the same price getting a new one as fixing it.

So the last few weeks...

Gearbox £590
Fitting & Courtesy Car £325
Wiper Stalk Replacement and check of alarm system wiring £160
Price of new alarm including fitting £250

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Total £1325

[alexperkins]

Is it an aftermarket alarm you have?

[thedees1]

Hey Mouse, good to here that you got your box sorted,

Still missing my polo, im driving a wee corsa b just now 1.2 16v my dad bought me it for crimbo, i know its pants but its gets me from a to b, i got it looknig as shiney as my polo used to be spent about 5 hours detailing to the max

[6N2 GTI 00]

Gearbox £590
Fitting & Courtesy Car £325
Wiper Stalk Replacement and check of alarm system wiring £160
Price of new alarm including fitting £250

---------
Total £1325

Thats disgraceful! you spend all that hard earned money and they fit the wrong box!

Hope it gets sorted soon mate and you get some money back!

They should come to you, replace the box with a genuine Gti box and then give you some money back for their mistake!