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Contents:

• Introduction
• Specifications:
  • 5-Speed Transaxle Specs
  • 4-Speed Transaxle Specs
  • Automatic Transaxle Specs
• Speedometer Drive Gear Info
• Related Links

Introduction:

Here's some transmission information I've gleaned off the web concerning Volkswagen transaxles. There are two important numbers/codes to use to identify a Volkswagen transaxle. First is the Volkswagen part number. Amazingly, the "020" transaxle will have a Volkswagen p/n that starts with "020", for example the "FF" transaxle is p/n "020-300-044-X" and the FN is "020-300-044-NX".

020 Transaxle code location

The other code number to find is stamped into the bottom of the transaxle, circled in light blue in the image above. It is a 2 or 3 letter transaxle designation consists of the first 2 or 3 letters of the transaxle code. For example, my 020 transaxle is:

FN03033

This signifies its an "FN" transaxle, and a mfg. date of 03/03/(8)3 or Mar. 3, 1983, in the format of DDMMY (with the 10's digit of the year assumed to be 8 - as in 80).

• FYI: An 020 transaxle weighs about 75 lbs. dry.
• Note: If you find an mistakes, omissions or have more information to add, please let me know.

Notes:

• Factory codes marked with * may not have been sold in the US, but may appear on imported gearbox cores.
  • The US versions are denoted in BOLD type.
• 0.97 until 7/80, 0.91 from 7/80 on
• 0.76 until 7/80, 0.71 from 7/80 on
• Calculated MPH figure assumes a stock diameter tire and rim
• In the gear ratio data, I have both the raw gear rati itself and often followed by "/ x.xx" where the x.xx value is the overall gearing factoring in the final drive and gear ratios together, handy data for comparing trannys with different final drives
• Here is an on-line gear ratio/tire size/speedometer calculator
  • You can use this to determine engine revs for given speeds, etc.
• Gear oil (GL-4) fill quantity is 2 liters / 2.1 US quarts / 1.8 Imperial quarts
  • Fill by volume as the fill plug may be too low to allow a complete fill on transaxles mfg. prior to 1987

Notes:

• Calculated MPH figure assumes a stock diameter tire and rim
• In the gear ratio data, I have both the raw gear rati itself and often followed by "/ x.xx" where the x.xx value is the overall gearing factoring in the final drive and gear ratios together, handy data for comparing trannys with different final drives
• Here is an on-line gear ratio/tire size/speedometer calculator
  • You can use this to determine engine revs for given speeds, etc.
• Gear oil (GL-4) fill quantity is 1.5liters / 1.6 US quarts / 1.3 Imperial quarts

Automatic Transaxle (010) Specifications:

Notes:

• Final drive gear oil (GL-4 or 5) fill quantity is 0.75 liters / 25 US ounces / 1.3 Imperial pints

Speedometer Drive Gears:

There are 3 available speedometer drive gears available for the 020 transaxle. Since the speedo gear is driven off of an intermediate shaft in the transaxle, the actual gear needed will depend upon the final drive ratio of the transaxle.

Related Links:

Here are several other web pages with on-line tranny info:

• The 020 transaxle really benefits from an upgraded shift linkage
  • And a good GL4 gear oil
• Here is a handy 17mm hex socket adapter for your 3/8" drive ratchet to remove and install 020 drain and fill plugs
• Here is an on-line gear ratio/tire size/speedometer calculator
• The Scirocco.org gear ratio page
• JWs VWs tranny chart
• The VW Vortex Manual Transmission forum has some excellent techical information.
• German Transaxle does excellent 020 transaxle rebuilds
• And if 5 speeds isn't enough for you, how about 6?
  • VL Enterprises 6 Speed
    • Although I think VL Enterprises has since gone out of business, you may sitll find 6-speed conversions around