The 901 gearbox is easier to convert for Beetle installation, but in the end itīs mostly not the better choice. The gears ratios in the 901 are much shorter than of the 914. If you use a high revving type 1 engine (upto 7.000) then you can work with a 901. If you use f.e. a type 4 2.4 or 2.7, then I would never recommend a 901. With the 914 your car will go more than 25 km/h faster in the 5th, or you will go 100 km/h at 3.000 revvs with the 901 and 114 with the 914 (both with equal wheels).
Normally the old gearboxes have to be opened and revised anyway, so it makes no difference if you take a 901 or do additionally flip the diff in the 914. If you have to adjust dogteeth (with synchrorings and synchro sleeves) you have to take the gearbox into bits. Then you have to set the R&P anyway.
But if you take the 914, then prefer the usage of the tailshifter, as there are less parts that have to be exchanged by 901-parts (only the shift rod that comes out of the nose cone).
For more info, please send me an email:
info@bugat5speed.de, or contact Alex at
bugat5speed@yahoo.com.
Cheers Martin