Get a six speed in it, it’ll transform your commute…. You know it makes sense
Morning George,

I couldn't agree more, the economy delivered from the 6-speed box can be awesome and have managed 80+mpg over a full (34l tank) countless times in the OEM A2 (MYP gearbox). Unfortunately this stunning A2 is of an earlier generation with the Mk20 ABS unit and as such provides the speed input to the instrument cluster via the gearbox.

Believe me I have already investigated the possibility of upgrading to the Mk60 ABS unit but that's not something I'll be entertaining. I have also been in touch with WOM Automotive and Stealth Racing to see what else is possible as ultimately I want a MYP fitted. There is no such output from any of the 6-speed gearboxes that can be mounted to the A2 engine, they all come from a later generation of vehicles to obtain the speed signal to the instrument cluster via the ABS sensors.

Vince at Stealth Racing said there is a way of utilising both the standard gearbox being removed and the donor MYP gearbox, he has done it once before which is actually documented elsewhere here on the Clubs pages. The process involves marrying parts from both gearboxes so can be done. In short, Vince said if I was to arrive with my standard gearbox still fitted and a serviceable MYP gearbox in the boot, I would be driving away after some 16 hours of labour with a 6-speed gearbox that provides the speed output as per the standard gearbox.

Another option is the Euro Tuning 6th gear modification but the price of it delivered, before any installation costs are counted is quite close to the 16 hours labour I mention above.

As much as I'm tempted to fund a 6th gear, I fully appreciate that this is financially not worth considering. The economical solution is probably going to be the installation of a JDD gearbox, the ratio of it's 5th gear is so closely matched to that of the 6th gear ratio in the MYP gearbox and its a lot easier on the wallet. I understand some members report the JDD gearbox takes some getting used to due to the perceived gaps in gearing but sure I could become accustomed to these differences after a few days.

I'd like too make this new commuter as economical as possible, which I believe to be settling for the JDD gearbox. I'l miss dropping into 6th though, which I find myself trying to do so so often.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Hi Tom, Vince actually did this mod to an MYP for me for a 51 plate car only to find out that it had the later ABS…. I send an old 5speed to him courtesy of @I.cowie plus the MYP and then the swop took just a couple of hours.
Unless you live and drive in a flat part of the country I think you’d be disappointed with a JDD. To me it feels more like a six speed with 5th missing. But then we have hills and corners up here. On flat motorways it would be ok. But only ok in my opinion.
On the Euro tuning 6th gear option, I’ve got one of these but I much prefer the gearchange on the MYP.
 
Hi George,

Vince actually did this mod to an MYP for me for a 51 plate car only to find out that it had the later ABS…. I send an old 5speed to him courtesy of @I.cowie plus the MYP and then the swop took just a couple of hours.
Thanks for the information, whilst on the phone to Vince; he stated 16 hours but this increased time is possibly due to including the removal of the standard gearbox, the modifications between the 2 boxes followed by the installation of the revised gearbox ready to drive away.
Unless you live and drive in a flat part of the country I think you’d be disappointed with a JDD. To me it feels more like a six speed with 5th missing.
This is brilliant advice and something I'll take into consideration when the time comes. May be a remap could assist in these gaps. It's not that flat where I live and commute. I do visit Moray a few times of year and know that route is far from being flat.

On the Euro tuning 6th gear option, I’ve got one of these but I much prefer the gearchange on the MYP.
Due to costs this option will not be considered, plus I also like the shorted throw pattern of the MYP gearbox.

Still thinking the JDD might be best option and settle for these gaps in gearing, its certainly better than £1500+ to have what I enjoy in Project OEM.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Tom, @Menno has previously provided this community with the 5 speed solution where a JDD is “too much” in terms of gearing the car up - fit a MZN!

It’s got to be the all-round best 5 speed option to longer gearing - it’d be interesting to hear your thoughts on such a conversion, coming as you do from a six speed car.
 
Tom, @Menno has previously provided this community with the 5 speed solution where a JDD is “too much” in terms of gearing the car up - fit a MZN!

It’s got to be the all-round best 5 speed option to longer gearing - it’d be interesting to hear your thoughts on such a conversion, coming as you do from a six speed car.
Morning David,

Thanks you for jumping in. I’ll be honest here, I totally forgot about the MZN thread by @Menno, thank you again for bringing this to my attention. Something else to consider. Where the MZN family lack in the taller ratios, they certainly make up for in the pricing and availability.

Point taken mate and will do some enquiries.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Having driven many A2s with different gearboxes, I’d choose the MZN ‘box if limited to 5 gears.
It’s a halfway house between the standard gearbox and the JDD gearbox; longer enough to reduce noise and fuel consumption, but not so long that it’s a hassle to drive.
The JDD ‘box is, to my mind, a bit too long.
I picked up an MZN ‘box for £140 with only 50,000 miles on the clock. It was fitted into my sister’s A2 when the clutch was changed, so was a very cheap upgrade.
It’s brilliant. Anna would never go back.
The gears aren’t so long that it becomes somewhat laborious when driving in urban environments, but equally the car no longer cries out for a 6th gear when motorway cruising.

Does the MZN have the speedo output though?
Anna’s car is a 2004 Colour Storm, so I never investigated whether the MZN ‘box has the speedo drive (or the provision for one).

My suspicion is that the speedo drive is not fitted to the MZN ‘box, but that the mounting point for the speedo drive is present and simply blanked off.

Cheers,

Tom
 
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Does the MZN have the speedo output though?
Morning Ian,

That is an answer I’m yet to find out. I’ll conduct some research this evening if no one is able to let us know by then.

Due to the age of the vehicles these come fitted to then at a guess I’d say they don’t. But research will confirm.

It may well turn out that if I don’t want to fully open the wallet then the JDD might be the most economical option unless the MZN does indeed have the speed output.

I’ll pick this up later on as only just added the MZN to the mix of options.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Having driven many A2s with different gearboxes, I’d choose the MZN ‘box if limited to 5 gears.
It’s a halfway house between the standard gearbox and the JDD gearbox; longer enough to reduce noise and fuel consumption, but not so long that it’s a hassle to drive.
The JDD ‘box is, to my mind, a bit too long.
I picked up an MZN ‘box for £140 with only 50,000 miles on the clock. It was fitted into my sister’s A2 when the clutch was changed, so was a very cheap upgrade.
It’s brilliant. Anna would never go back.
The gears aren’t so long that it becomes somewhat laborious when driving in urban environments, but equally the car no longer cries out for a 6th gear when motorway cruising.


Anna’s car is a 2004 Colour Storm, so I never investigated whether the MZN ‘box has the speedo drive (or the provision for one).

My suspicion is that the speedo drive is not fitted to the MZN ‘box, but that the mounting point for the speedo drive is present and simply blanked off.

Cheers,

Tom
There you go Tom @2work - seems like a hearty recommendation and worth investigating re: the speedo take-off
 
Perhaps you could try a JDD before you decide? If you’re coming up to Moray drop in for a cuppa when you have a minute. A remap would be essential with either option USA I’m sure you know. As above the MNZ might be a better option than a JDD. Have you looked at the post by @Robin_Cox which lists all the boxes and ratios?
 
Perhaps you could try a JDD before you decide? If you’re coming up to Moray drop in for a cuppa when you have a minute. A remap would be essential with either option USA I’m sure you know. As above the MNZ might be a better option than a JDD. Have you looked at the post by @Robin_Cox which lists all the boxes and ratios?
Afternoon George,

I’ve slowly read through the MZN thread by @Menno but not progressed further just yet. Another busy day here at 2Work Towers. I’ll have a read through Robin’s thread this evening as the ratios are important to me. If I’m going to do a gearbox swap then it’s got to be have the best mpg possible without the costs spiralling.

More than happy to drop in for a brew and a chat when next heading to Moray, thank you for the kind offer; which I’ll take you up on in the future Sir.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
What would be the cost difference be between an MYP and a 5 speed Tom? Is it that you would do the 5speed yourself but the 6speed needs Vince to do the speedo drive conversion?
 
I’ll chip in here as we have 3 tdi 75s, all 3 now mapped, 2 have AMF engines and one BHC.
The first one ‘ORC’ runs the standard gearbox, so nothing to report on that, the second is my SE that I had big problems with noise and vibration which resulted in me changing wheel bearings, gearbox and a tyre ( I did a thread on this one) it’s still ongoing, but the gearbox swap was a win! The gearbox I fitted was an MZN from a fabia, and in this car it’s really good. The ratios I think are really nicely spaced, and 5th gives nice cruising and power to accelerate in 5th. 70mph it sits around 2200rpm. Unless you live with lots of hills I’d say it’s perfect.
The 3rd car, ‘Chad’ ( which was the spares or repair purchase) 😱 now has the MYP box which I fitted at Christmas, yes it’s a nice box, it’s got a shorter shift on the stick etc. But to me it’s basically the same as ’ORC’ to drive but with the added surprise of 6th gear. 6th is great, it’s a very tall gear, it’s good on the flat, and good at 70mph plus, but if you’re doing 65 and you hit a hill on the motorway and you want to accelerate, it won’t.
The MZN gearbox on the other hand, at 65 you are just at the bottom end of the turbo coming in, and it’ll still pull nicely without sounding too busy.
I’m commuting to wales weekly doing around 400 a week and have been using all 3 cars, my favourite? For gimmick and boast factor, I’d say MYP, but for the money and drivability, I’d go MZN .
If you find yourself in the Trowbridge area, you are welcome to take the both for a spin
 
What would be the cost difference be between an MYP and a 5 speed Tom? Is it that you would do the 5speed yourself but the 6speed needs Vince to do the speedo drive conversion?
Hello George,

Whilst I’m still within the investigation stages of a gearbox upgrade I’ve not fully put the math together.

Off the top of my head though:

Gearbox options
£250 can get you a MYP gearbox if you’re willing to wait and pounce on such an opportunity
£200 should get a JDD gearbox
£150 should get a MZN gearbox
£1250 Euro Tuning 6th gear parts

Installation
£1250 would see a MYP, or parts there if, mated to my original standard gearbox
Not sure on the costs involved installing an alternative 5-speed but know someone who can assist.

As much as I’d like to have 6th, the rough calculations above see it as a very expensive idea which I should walk away from; not that price has got in the way of a venture in the past of course.

Right now, for economy and cabin noise the JDD is on top but that could quickly be over taken by the MZN once I’ve conducted further research regards speed output to the instrument cluster, something I’ll hopefully get to later this evening.

It’s interesting that you already have a modified 6-speed gearbox with the speed drive output that turned out to be unnecessary.

I’ll let you know when I’m next heading to Moray.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Afternoon Drew,

Thank you for your contribution.

The gearbox I fitted was an MZN from a fabia, and in this car it’s really good
To save further research, can you confirm this A2 has the Mk60 or Mk20 ABS unit or can you remember if the MZN gearbox has the speed drive output.

If you find yourself in the Trowbridge area, you are welcome to take the both for a spin
This is very kind of you. Trowbridge is a location I certainly intend to visit in the coming months. It’s where PDK was located before it came into my possession, plus work can see me passing that way from time to time.

I’ll certainly be in touch when such an opportunity presents itself.

Thanks again.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Hello George,

Whilst I’m still within the investigation stages of a gearbox upgrade I’ve not fully put the math together.

Off the top of my head though:

Gearbox options
£250 can get you a MYP gearbox if you’re willing to wait and pounce on such an opportunity
£200 should get a JDD gearbox
£150 should get a MZN gearbox
£1250 Euro Tuning 6th gear parts

Installation
£1250 would see a MYP, or parts there if, mated to my original standard gearbox
Not sure on the costs involved installing an alternative 5-speed but know someone who can assist.

As much as I’d like to have 6th, the rough calculations above see it as a very expensive idea which I should walk away from; not that price has got in the way of a venture in the past of course.

Right now, for economy and cabin noise the JDD is on top but that could quickly be over taken by the MZN once I’ve conducted further research regards speed output to the instrument cluster, something I’ll hopefully get to later this evening.

It’s interesting that you already have a modified 6-speed gearbox with the speed drive output that turned out to be unnecessary.

I’ll let you know when I’m next heading to Moray.

Kind regards,

Tom
From memory I think Vince did the speedo take off conversIon and the gearbox swap for around £600
 
Hello George,

Whilst I’m still within the investigation stages of a gearbox upgrade I’ve not fully put the math together.

Off the top of my head though:

Gearbox options
£250 can get you a MYP gearbox if you’re willing to wait and pounce on such an opportunity
£200 should get a JDD gearbox
£150 should get a MZN gearbox
£1250 Euro Tuning 6th gear parts

Installation
£1250 would see a MYP, or parts there if, mated to my original standard gearbox
Not sure on the costs involved installing an alternative 5-speed but know someone who can assist.

As much as I’d like to have 6th, the rough calculations above see it as a very expensive idea which I should walk away from; not that price has got in the way of a venture in the past of course.

Right now, for economy and cabin noise the JDD is on top but that could quickly be over taken by the MZN once I’ve conducted further research regards speed output to the instrument cluster, something I’ll hopefully get to later this evening.

It’s interesting that you already have a modified 6-speed gearbox with the speed drive output that turned out to be unnecessary.

I’ll let you know when I’m next heading to Moray.

Kind regards,

Tom
I’ll chip in here as we have 3 tdi 75s, all 3 now mapped, 2 have AMF engines and one BHC.
The first one ‘ORC’ runs the standard gearbox, so nothing to report on that, the second is my SE that I had big problems with noise and vibration which resulted in me changing wheel bearings, gearbox and a tyre ( I did a thread on this one) it’s still ongoing, but the gearbox swap was a win! The gearbox I fitted was an MZN from a fabia, and in this car it’s really good. The ratios I think are really nicely spaced, and 5th gives nice cruising and power to accelerate in 5th. 70mph it sits around 2200rpm. Unless you live with lots of hills I’d say it’s perfect.
The 3rd car, ‘Chad’ ( which was the spares or repair purchase) 😱 now has the MYP box which I fitted at Christmas, yes it’s a nice box, it’s got a shorter shift on the stick etc. But to me it’s basically the same as ’ORC’ to drive but with the added surprise of 6th gear. 6th is great, it’s a very tall gear, it’s good on the flat, and good at 70mph plus, but if you’re doing 65 and you hit a hill on the motorway and you want to accelerate, it won’t.
The MZN gearbox on the other hand, at 65 you are just at the bottom end of the turbo coming in, and it’ll still pull nicely without sounding too busy.
I’m commuting to wales weekly doing around 400 a week and have been using all 3 cars, my favourite? For gimmick and boast factor, I’d say MYP, but for the money and drivability, I’d go MZN .
If you find yourself in the Trowbridge area, you are welcome to take the both for a spin
It’s great that you can compare the MYP and MZN, I totally agree with you on 6th in the MYP on a mapped 75, it’s best at 70mph plus when it will tackle most hills. Great for long drives
 
It’s interesting that you already have a modified 6-speed gearbox with the speed drive output that turned out to be unnecessary.
Just for clarification: it was assumed that this MYP gearbox was going to be installed in a car with the MK20 ABS unit, hence the work on the gearbox was done. However, the car actually had an MK60 ABS unit, hence why the installation of the speedo drive turned out to be unnecessary.

Cheers,

Tom
 
Just for clarification: it was assumed that this MYP gearbox was going to be installed in a car with the MK20 ABS unit, hence the work on the gearbox was done. However, the car actually had an MK60 ABS unit, hence why the installation of the speedo drive turned out to be unnecessary.

Cheers,

Tom
That’s right, the assumption was that as it was a 51 plate that it would be an early ABS but it was probably around the time that they changed. Vince said it took minimal time to swop the the speedo drive so it was no big deal. If anyone goes this way with an early box the most economical way is to send an old style box and the MYP or whatever and he’ll fit that in between other jobs, then the car is on the (expensive) ramp for the least time.
 
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