Gearbox swap

I

Ian Patmore

Well-Known Forum User
Just hyperthetical......and interested...
What would be involved in changing a gearbox to something different mated to say a L series engine? Apart from the obvious hybrid prop and gearbox mountings, what happens the bell housing end. How do you get round, say, if the dia. of the bell housing is different than a L series mated box and if the bolt pattern differs? What flywheel and cluch would you run...the L series one, or the donor box?

Cheers
Ian
 
Flywheel would be the L-series one, clutch would have to be some sort of Hybrid affair, plate diameter would have to match the flywheel but splines would have to match the new gearbox input shaft. Pressure plate could possibly still be an L-series type. Then fun and games with release bearing and fork.

To fit the new box to the old bellhousing could be very tricky, it's unlikely the new gearbox internals will fit in the old bellhousing body, tough to say without knowing more details.

If you haven't decided on an alterntive box yet then can I suggest you search hybridZ for the KA/240SX tranny swap. I've done this (yet to be fitted to the car, but it's really pretty straight forward. Used and S14a 200SX gearbox, mated to my old 5 speed bellhousing. Had to enlarge a couple of holes, had a local machine shop do that for £20, and it's all bolted back up. You'll need to change propshaft and do something with the rear mount bracket. Box is good for 300+bhp, can be rebuilt to cope with 400+bhp, or have OS Giken internals good for silly power (at silly price of course!)

Another alternative is a T5 gearbox from a Cosworth Sierra fitted to a 280ZXT T5 bellhousing. You'll be messing with a custom clutch (23spline input shaft) and rear mount, plus you'll need the bellhousing sourced from the USA. T5s are good for 300ish bhp, and can be rebuilt for lots more power. Note the Z31 Turbo T5 is no good as the input shaft is too long and it's impossible to get a suitable length replacement for, believe me I tried and tried before giving up and going with the 200SX box.

Cheers,
Rob
 
Quaife do a VERY nice sequential T5 that they could mate up to the bellhousing fo you ................ big bucks but a fantastic box (bit like hiring Paris Hilton I suspect)
 
Cheers Black bug.
I am not looking at the swap you mentioned...got a flicker of an idea of another box in mind, but wanted to know whats involved, let alone if its going to do the job.

Flogging a dead horse..
Ian
 
Ian, it is not a major job really. Might need a bit of machining to let the release bearing carrier fit onto the new front cover and then possible gearbox mount fabrication. Alternative is to fit new internals into 240 box. It can be done as my box proves though it is some work. Feel free to ask questions ben 07766547871
 
Cheers Ben ,
I may well take you up on your offer. I think I need to have a closer look at the box I am thinking of and get the tape measure out.

Cheers
Ian
 
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