mk1 Lotus Cortina rep

[wole0911]

Im not sure if this is the right forum as i couldnt find a classic Ford heading anywhere...but ive recently bought a Lotus Twincam engine fully rebuilt and was going to drop it into my early Caterham but have decided to have a go at a mk1 Cortina and creating a 64-65 look Lotus Cortina... ive been offered a 1965 Delux 1200cc and wondered if i should go for a 2000E box {will it fit} or rebuild the box thats in the car..thanx

[e600]

Hi I dOne similar a few years ago and fitted a Sierra 5 speed. In the process of doing another but fitted a cosworth with a t 5

[wole0911]

to be honest im not much of a mechanic so was looking for the easy"st route ..is it a more simple solution to fit a type 9 box than 2000E one...if you wouldnt mind PM me i could do with some advice before i go and buy all the wrong gear...lol
thanx Mark

[P.Nott]

Both boxes have the same bell housing pattern as the original 4 speed, so will fit straight on to a twin cam. I suspect with the Type 9, you would need to cut another hole for the gear leaver further back in the transmission tunnel. Easy enough to do though.

[wole0911]

Thanx for posts ...ive just managed to buy a 2000E box in good nick to bolt onto Lotus twin cam engine , does anybody know if i will have to shorten/ lenghten the prop shaft and if i will need to change final drive ratios in the diff...Thanx

[P.Nott]

You won't necessarily need to change the final drive ratio, unless you want to of course. The 2000E box has the same 1:1 top gear as the standard Cortina box, the main difference being the ratio spread. The 2000E is a close ratio box that is stronger than the standard box. From memory, and it was a long time ago, I believe the 1200 Cortina had a 4.125 : 1 diff ratio, while the Lotus used 3.9.
The 1200 diff ratio would give better acceleration but lower top speed and busier engine revs at cruising. I remember in my own Mk 1 Lotus back in '67, I changed to the 4.125 diff on purpose to improve acceleration.
I can't recall for sure if the prop shaft length changes due to the 2000E box, but I don't think it does. It was a very popular upgrade back in the day and I don't recall anybody having to alter the propshaft length as a result, but like I say, it was a veeeeery long time ago!
There are companies around who can do it if necessary though. I've used a company called 'The Propshaft Clinic' before with good results.

Edited by P.Nott on Sunday 10th May 08:53

Edited by P.Nott on Sunday 10th May 09:42

[wole0911]

Thanx P.Nott that was very helpfull ...im just grabbing the stuff as i see it coming up for sale hoping im going to use it when i come to do the conversion end of the summer..
Also found Tom at Deville Lotus Cortina has been more than helpfull when chating about the conversion