Golf 2 5-speed gearbox: 1.3L, 40kW engine?

Hello,

I know this isn't really a diesel topic, as the vehicle is a gasoline-powered car.
I have also already used the search function and reviewed the long lists that are provided here. Unfortunately, I cannot find this vehicle there.
Therefore, the question is whether there are any resourceful mechanics here who know which 5-speed gearbox can be installed in a 90s Golf II with a 1.3L engine (40kW, catalytic converter).
Currently, a 4-speed gearbox is installed, likely an AKW. The bearings in this gearbox are defective (a common problem with this type). Now, considering fuel consumption, I would like to install a 5-speed gearbox instead of repairing the existing one. VW informed me that the engine is supposed to be an NZ. This engine was probably rarely used in the Polo. Basically, it's completely different from the typical 1.6 and 1.8 engines that are usually found in the Golf II, which are rear-mounted. The 1.3 engine is front-mounted and not compatible with the 1.6 gearboxes. The VW representative told me that there probably wasn't a 5-speed gearbox available for this vehicle?
I somehow can't imagine that there wasn't a 5-speed gearbox available for a catalytic converter-equipped vehicle in 1990. So, if anyone knows which 5-speed gearbox is compatible with this Golf and this engine, I would really appreciate it if they could tell me the gearbox identification code, as well as any experience they have with installing it.

Fortunately, there is the AFN engine with a 5-speed transmission...

Best regards, and thank you in advance...

Okay, first of all, I can confirm with 100% certainty that the NZ engine was also available in the Polo and in the Golf 2 with a 5-speed transmission. I even thought that the 5-speed was standard with the NZ engine, but I could definitely be mistaken. Have you actually checked yourself to see if it's really an NZ engine? If it is, it should be a fuel-injected engine with an L-Jetronic system. Or just check the service booklet or the engine block.
Unfortunately, I can't tell you anything more about the GKB from NZ.

Dirk.

Yes, I can also confirm that there was a 5-speed gearbox available for the engine. I'm not sure which one specifically, but at a junkyard, you usually have enough options to choose from...

Thank you for the good news that it seems possible to install a 5-speed gearbox. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to figure out exactly which gearbox codes (GKB) are needed, possibly 8N, but I don't know for sure. If anyone knows the gearbox codes of compatible 5-speed gearboxes, I would be very grateful for any information.

Hi,
8N is the five-speed gearbox from the 1.3L engine. The four-speed gearbox is the AKW.

Best regards, Rudi.

Great!

Thank you very much.

Why all the effort?

I have a New Zealand (NZ) engine with a Digifant fuel injection system in my Polo, and it's running in 4th gear!

The vehicle is fuel-efficient (6.5 liters) and looks great for a 55 horsepower engine!

I think you can't drive faster in 5th gear, but you just have to shift more often!

Regards,

Manuel.