• From: City of Roses
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 788

Re: Auto vs Regular stick shift

Hiya Pete,

URLs coming up:

Interstate Used Parts...................www.interststeusedparts.com
Way Out Salvage........................www.wayoutsalvage.com

Pete, I'd be glad to let you know when I find a deal on an AutoStick tranny.  Trouble is that I'm in Oregon.  Shipping something as heavy as a transaxle and components all the way to Florida would be a deal killer for sure.

Mike

1970 AS Bug

Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck
  • From: NW Ohio
  • Registered: 2005-09-13
  • Posts: 170

Re: Auto vs Regular stick shift

wow looks like i opened up a real can of worms

Peace, Love, and VWs
71/72 Super Beetle sedan
Restoration in progress

71_superman's Website

  • Registered: 2007-03-18
  • Posts: 1

Re: Auto vs Regular stick shift

I am not sure if this discussion is still open: Autostick vs. Manual trans. But I would like to say that I really like having an Autostick, It is different, not many people have them. I have never seen one at a bugshow.  I am currently working on a '69 that I have had for years, it is a blast to drive, and it works well.

  • From: City of Roses
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 788

Re: Auto vs Regular stick shift

Hiya 1ra,

Good to have you aboard!

There are a lot of folks here who can help you with your 69.  You should definitely take advantage of the knowledge and experience wandering around this forum.

And if you have any AutoStick specific questions you might want to point your browser at www.vwar.org   That's the Volkswagen Automatic Register, a website which focuses on the AutoStick.

Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck
  • Registered: 2007-03-27
  • Posts: 2,422

Re: Auto vs Regular stick shift

Ok I drive Wall's too the Wall's in So Cal . My car's are manual 4 speed's and I float the gear's between 3rd and fourth almost every up shift and most of my down shift's !
  But then Im a Proffessional Driver ! Point is ? Gear in Vw's are easily floated and it save's on the Clutch and Clutch assembly !
  From my stand point , I just dont see much advantage too an Auto Stick ! The manual's almost shift like an Auto stick ?? In fact there one of the easiest tranny's Ive ever floated the gear's in .
   Especially on my Dual Carb'ed motor that runns 950 RPM at an Idle , with the 009 Dizzy . Almost fall's intoo gear on it's own !
                                                                            Sean

  • Registered: 2008-12-08
  • Posts: 3

Re: Auto vs Regular stick shift

First Bug
68 Automatic StickShift
Just bought it last week was driving home and lost power .... before I could get it to side of freeway it was dead
once off to the side I opened the engine compartment and on the tin separating the top half of the engine from the bottom was a chunk of Magnesium slightly bigger then a Half dollar so I need a new long block or case?
I am a newb to VW ownership but even with this sad state of events I love my bug... it bit me
Anyway I got the AS because I need to drive with my left foot.
it is a rust bucket and i will probably be pouring a lot of money I wont get back but I plan on owning this (1st bug) forever so it will be money well spent
I was wondering if replacing this engine with a much larger engine was possible due to the single port and carb configuration it needs for the AS or does it?
sum it up
Q1 how big of an engine can I go while keeping the AS tranny?

Q2 (2376?)

  • From: City of Roses
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 788

Re: Auto vs Regular stick shift

Hiya Auto,

The general consensus of opinion is that the AutoStick clutch assembly is good for up to (about) 90 horsepower.  That statement comes with other factors to consider.

The clutch for an AutoStick is relatively small.  However the buffering it receives from the torque converter allows it to take an amazing amount of load and give an equally (if not more so) amount of service.  It's not uncommon to pull a clutch disc from an AutoStick with well over 100,000 miles and find that it has much more service life.  Try that with a manual!  Driven normally, a larger engine should have no adverse effect on the AutoStick.

However, most any well thought out and well put together performance engine is going to give you some "plumbing" problems.  None of this sort of problem is a deal breaker, but they do need consideration.  For example, the AS control valve is dependent on a dual vacuum signal which comes from the stock carburetor and the stock intake manifold.  A performance engine will likely ditch both these companents so that leaves the question of where you will find those vacuum signals.  This is not a difficult problem to solve IF you know how the AutoStick components work.

To that end, I'd suggest that you replace your stock engine with another stock engine and get use the resulting time to get to know your AutoStick.  You may find that the AutoStick suits your needs or you may find that a Type 3 with its fully automatic may be more suitable.  Also use that time to gain the knowledge you'll need to do a successful engine upgrade.  And who knows, you just might wind up liking the stock engine and its performance.  In any event, just don't rush into a bigger engine.  There are lots of details and potential costs to consider.

You may want to check in over at www.vwar.org for more AutoStick related information.

Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck
  • Registered: 2008-12-08
  • Posts: 3

Re: Auto vs Regular stick shift

Wow thanx alot for the informative response Bookwus
I Have lived in Vancouver/Portland area for about 6 years so know your neck of the woods pretty well

Relearning SoCal and the growth just 6 years has done to it.

Anyway I did plan on learning my Air-cooled engine inside and out I like the fact that its so small and fairly simple (easy) to wrench on as opposed to the tight work limitations on space and wrenchability of the new cars...
point in case I had a 97 Camero ( loved that car handled like a dream) anyway I decided I would install splitfire sparkplugs witch were all the rage back in the late nineties....
long story short I had to jack up the engine off the engine mount to get to the plugs on one side of the engine,
what used to take 15 min.'s
start to finish took me bout 2 hours I was not impressed


... now its time to learn air-coolers /grin
I have been eyeballing the 3000cc's
oh to achieve the 8 second 1/4mi. then let em scoff at AutoSticks
I will figure out what those vacuum hoses go to!
lol
and I will run my bug on Hydroxy!

  • From: City of Roses
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 788

Re: Auto vs Regular stick shift

Hiya Auto,

AutoStick68BugBitten wrote:

... now its time to learn air-coolers /grin  I have been eyeballing the 3000cc's
oh to achieve the 8 second 1/4mi. then let em scoff at AutoSticks
I will figure out what those vacuum hoses go to!
lol
and I will run my bug on Hydroxy!

Lotsa luck with that...................you'll need it!

Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck
  • Registered: 2009-02-07
  • Posts: 1

Re: Auto vs Regular stick shift

I just towed home a 72 super beetle. Got it running (really rough been sitting for 2 yrs.), then died on me after 3 trips around the drive. Auto trans did ok at first, then grinds when I try to put it in gear, then hardly moves...Could it be the trans works off vacuum, and motor not running at full potential won't kick it into gear... Any books of the auto trans? or information? I guess I had better start with a tune up!

Jay

  • From: City of Roses
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 788

Re: Auto vs Regular stick shift

Hiya jay,

Welcome to Volkswebbin'!

What you are experiencing with reviving your AutoStick is not at all uncommon.  Cars that have sat idle for a period of time usually do have problems to iron out.  With your AS you'll need to take a close look at your vacuum system.  Shifting in an AutoStick is actually an electrical function with a vacuum assist.  That you have shifted is indicating that the electrical portion of the shift equation is, at the very least, functioning right now.  That means your grinding problem is most likely to be found in the vacuum system. 

Check your 12mm vacuum hoses (intake manifold to control valve, control valve to vacuum reservoir tank, control valve to clutch servo) and their connections for leaks.  Also make sure that this vacuum hosing is wire reinforced.  POs have often replaced the correct wire reinforced hosing with similar looking hose that will collapse under a vacuum.  The other spot to check is the rubber diaphragm located inside the clutch servo.

More details on procedures and further diagnosis at www.auto-stick.com

Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck
  • Registered: 2007-03-27
  • Posts: 2,422

Re: Auto vs Regular stick shift

Ok under the Heading of >> Everything you need to know about the Auto Stick Bugg !!!
  By Sean ! LMAO
  First off I float my Manual transmission's in about 80 % of my shifting ! Right Height Tire's with Proper RPM Idle with the right gear ratio !
  Cant float Gear's ?? Then it's simple your not a Proffessional Driver ! Well that and somebody has to pay you to float gear's !! Then you Qaulify provided you dont blow Chunk's Over eatin Truck Stop Road Kill Supper's ??
  Would I build a A/S Bugg ??
  Yeah as a novelty with the intention's of never Rodding the Car , only an OEM Restoration , should the A/S be saved !
  Would I build a A/S Bugg again ?
  Hell yeah been my experience that A/S Car's are extremely low mileage vehicle's ! Generally speakin most A/S car's are cleaner less Cancer , Best V.W. ride I ever had in regard's to just that Like New ! Tight no squeakin smooth cruiser ! Was a Converted Auto Stick I built !
  Hey your gonna need to change the trans ax out anyhow too the 3;88 Ring and Pinion ! As well as beef the Clutch tube up and Cut an access too the Pedal assembly on Passenger side to run a Kennedy Pressure plate anyhow !
  So to deem this conversion as to much work ?? Is just kinda silly ! Provided you intend too Rodd the car !
  As to the Unique- ness of the Auto stick ? As a Novelty there cool ! Even worked well when Maintained ? But I stress that it limit's the Car to a Pict Carb and a stock motor ! Hot Rodder's need not apply !
                              Sean

  • From: City of Roses
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 788

Re: Auto vs Regular stick shift

Hiya Sean,

Sean's wrote:

........... But I stress that it limit's the Car to a Pict Carb and a stock motor ! Hot Rodder's need not apply !......

Hmmmm.........first off it needs to be clear that the AutoStick is (and was designed as) a daily driver.  And it does not lend itself as easily to performance upgrades on the engine.  But Sean, that is not the same as saying that such upgrades are not possible. 

It has been the experience of most AutoStick inclined folks that the drivetrain (and really here we are talking about the clutch and torque coverter combination) can handle up to about 90 horses.  Remember that VW did overengineer many of their components; this was true of the AS transmission.  Those 90 horses will allow you to upgrade that engine into dual carbs and a freer flowing exhaust as well as making enlargements to crank and bore.

The key to this added horsepower is that the torque converter will buffer the smaller clutch assembly.

But your basic premise, "Hot Rodders need not apply" is true.  Still the torque converter/clutch assembly will allow for improvements in engine performance.

Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck
  • Registered: 2007-03-27
  • Posts: 2,422

Re: Auto vs Regular stick shift

Yeah interesting ? I was under the Impression Pretty much stock OEM set up's But 90 Horses ??
  I could live with 90 ?
  I forget tho ? Did we drill the Pict carb above or below the throttle plate to modify the Standard Carb to an Auto stick ?
  As to a Motor ?? I got one cheap ! Sellin a refurbished used motor I got about 780 Mile's on !
  Been cruisin it in my Baja stock 1600cc D.P with used o41 Head's 7.5 on the CCR ! It's a Dog but it runn's good so far !
  Like to get 2000 Mile's on it before I lett her Go as there's no gaurantee's except you get to drive it before you buy it , and it's runn 2000 mile's In my Car !
  1000 Buck's Turn Key !! Make any Bugg Runn today ! LMAO
  90 Horse's ?? Duly Noted but at what cost ? Along with what sufferage to the reliability ? Glad you pointed it out tho ?
  But  At 80+ horse's Kennedy stage 1 is reccomended ! So ?
                                                                      Sean

  • From: City of Roses
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 788

Re: Auto vs Regular stick shift

Hiya Sean,

Sean's wrote:

.......Did we drill the Pict carb above or below the throttle plate to modify the Standard Carb to an Auto stick ?

The PICT carbs need to be drilled so as to access the vacuum from above the throttle plate. 
And as for carburetion on the AS, you can go either way.  You could rejet a 34PICT3 to run on top of anything up to a 1776.  Or you can go with duals on an AutoStick also.  If using duals you will need to find a way to tap into a correct vacuum signal for the control valve.  And how you go about doing that will depend on the kind of dual carbs you choose to use.

....But  At 80+ horse's Kennedy stage 1 is reccomended ! So ?

Yep, that's a good idea.  But in an AutoStick you live and die by the torque converter.  And that torque converter is what transfers power from the engine into the clutch assembly.  Because it acts as a buffer it softens the impact on the clutch and that allows the clutch to handle the increase in horsepower.  Just as a side note, this buffering action by the torque converter is so effective that, in a stock application, the clutch disc will often last well past 100,000 miles.  I have pulled clutch assemblies at that point and found 70% wear left.  Try that with a manual!

Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck