Vixen 5 speed gearbox conversion

[Adrian@]

Hi John,
There will be a BYOEPE (Bring Your Own Ear Plugs Event) long time friends/customers invites going out to have some fun with it next year...if you are in the UK, you will get to play in it. (it is a little wasted on my abilities). LOL
Adrian@

[missingbadly999]

I have had a look at the ratios, and there is a long 1st gear for the type 9 box which is good news. It seems the ratios would be as follows, mph @4000rpm in brackets:

Sierra Standard Sierra Type 9 long 1st Vixen Standard -Bullet
1st 3.65 (20) 2.98 (24) 2.97 (24)
2nd 1.97 1.97 (36) 2.01 (35)
3rd 1.37 1.37 (52) 1.39 (51)
4th 1 1 (71) 1 (71)
5th 0.82 or 0.87 0.82 (87)

3.63 Diff ratio

This makes the type 9 with long gear good news. With very similar gearing to standard but 87mph at 4000rpm.
Anyone have a sierra box out there?

[missingbadly999]

Formatting abyss... try this

[Sonus]

Some good (and some not so good) reading in this thread. My Vixen s1 has had its chassis modded to Tuscan spec with a Salisbury 4HU Powr-Lok diff. Unfotunatly DG used a standard 3.31:1 powr-lok diff making the gearing with a 0.8:1 fifth gear in my planned TVR T5 gearbox capable of something like 180mph in fifth at 6500rpm!

A 4:1 diff ratio would suit me a lot better, but it seems that the highest ratio available with Powr-Lok is 3.54:1? Any one know if it would be possible to change for a taller ratio?

Also does anyone have any info on how to readjust ramp angles etc. On the 4hu diff? Mine is stock jag and is not suited to the car at all.

Ideally I'd like to keep the 4HU, but I might need to look into a Sierra 7" or 7.5" diff?

[missingbadly999]

It works out at 159mph. Things arent so bad.

Mind you you will have lost the bodywork by then anyway.

[phillpot]

RCK974X said:

174BHP - My understanding is that a type 9 isn't really up to that sort of power

The later S series cars with 175bhp Cologne V6 and 5 speed type 9 don't have a reputation for "eating" gearbox's, guess it depends how you use (or abuse) it?
There are various improvements that can be made to these box's to improve oil flow, and return, to bearings etc.

I've read (on the internet so it must be true) that the box used in V6 cars has more "desirable" ratios but the first motion shaft doesn't match up to a four pot so needs to be sorted?

These guys, GBH Geartech know a thing or two about type 9's and can supply "long first kit or fully built box.

Think V6 ratios are 1-3.36
1.81
1.26
1.00
0.87


Does the gearstick pop back up in somewhere near the right place with this conversion?

Again, on the S series, TVR cut 'n shut the gearlever to bring it further forward, this article shows a better way round the problem (imho)

Edited by phillpot on Wednesday 26th November 16:48

[Sonus]

missingbadly999 said:

It works out at 159mph. Things arent so bad.

Mind you you will have lost the bodywork by then anyway.

With what tire size

I'm running 205/65/15 at the rear, but might change to 205/60/15 or even 195/60/15

Looks like pinion and ring gear from a Dana44 might be able to give me a higher than 3.54:1 diff ratio(?)

[Adrian@]

The later S series cars with 175bhp Cologne V6 and 5 speed type 9 don't have a reputation for "eating" gearbox's, guess it depends how you use (or abuse) it?

Mike can we please keep this at least related to the TVR ...the scimitar has a different bell housing to the TVR and so fancy alloy adapter plates are not required the current 3000 item is adaptable (every part to do the job in kit form is available for under £190.00 including a quickshift that allows the trim to stay exactly as it is too)...the 2.9 gear box is a more robust gearbox because it is modified to be more robust, BUT it has no speed cable drive so is as such useless...the 2.8 NEEDS to be modified (IMHO) to mimic the 2.9 or the front laygear bearing will fail (hence the history of failures and vibrating gear levers (and hence TVR's horrid rubber bush gear lever mod).
Adrian@

Note, that nearly ALL TVR's up until the T55 gearbox (2002) have/had modified gear levers.

That I understand GBH geartech will not stand by their gearbox IF you use a Type 9 quick-shift...so you either live with a huge cut-out in the console to accept the lever throw or not tell them (I suppose).

Edited by Adrian@ on Wednesday 26th November 17:31

[missingbadly999]

The speed was with 185/60/13's
With 205/65/15's its 186mph
205/60/15 180mph
195/60/15 177mph

You've lost the bodywork and your hair by now.

[phillpot]

Adrian@ said:

Mike can we please keep this at least related to the TVR ...the scimitar has a different bell housing to the TVR

Am I being told off?

My link to the Scimitar article was regarding the extension housing modification (which may or may not be required) but is interesting anyway, not the guys very neat and well engineered bell housing adapter plate.

[Adrian@]

Keeping you on track....How is MY T5 conversion in YOUR Taimar.
I edited my post on you comments on the gear lever ...Note, that ALL TVR's up until the T55 gearbox (2002) have/had modified gear levers.
Adrian@

[phillpot]

Adrian@ said:

BUT it has no speed cable drive so is as such useless...

Can the electronic speedo thingy as used on the S Series cars not be replaced with a drive gear, as pictured further down the Scimitar article?

What a lot I'm learning last few days!


The T5 is fine, very pleased with my hydraulic conversion (lighter operation than cable) just not getting too many opportunities to use it recently, last decent run out was to the Pre 80's and a couple of trips to Shelsley Breakfast club.

Hoping to finally get around to getting those big bore manifolds put together over the Winter then get it "set up" nicely, seems a little hesitant at times doesn't feel to me like it has the legendary Essex "bags of torque"

Hoping a better exhaust system will help.

Edited by phillpot on Wednesday 26th November 17:47

[missingbadly999]

Is this the same thread or have I missed something?

[Adrian@]

missingbadly999 said:

Is this the same thread or have I missed something?

It is the same thread AND relevant as MIXING up your type 9 can lead you to having no speedo drive, and an expensive GPS non OE speedo.
along with relevance to the gear lever mods that the 5 speed conversion need, a piece of bar and a weld or two OR an expensive ba***rdisation of a gearbox.
Adrian@

Edited by Adrian@ on Wednesday 26th November 17:49

[bluezeeland]

I've got a type 9 with the 'long' first, albeit coupled to an Essex and 3.54 diff (in an M...) Can highly recommend it, fast of the line and 'cruising' well............

[Sonus]

missingbadly999 said:

It works out at 159mph. Things arent so bad.

Mind you you will have lost the bodywork by then anyway.

With what tire size

I'm running 205/65/15 at the rear, but might change to 205/60/15 or even 195/60/15

Looks like pinion and ring gear from a Dana44 might be able to give me a higher than 3.54:1 diff ratio(?)

[phillpot]

missingbadly999 said:

Is this the same thread or have I missed something?

Sorry, I'm going now before I clog your thread up any more, I could reply to Adrians "expensive"... no parts required, don't come much cheaper than that and "bast###isation.... matter of opinion, but I won't


Good luck with your conversion, hope you find the end result to be worth the effort (I think you will)

[Dollyman1850]

Sonus said:

Some good (and some not so good) reading in this thread. My Vixen s1 has had its chassis modded to Tuscan spec with a Salisbury 4HU Powr-Lok diff. Unfotunatly DG used a standard 3.31:1 powr-lok diff making the gearing with a 0.8:1 fifth gear in my planned TVR T5 gearbox capable of something like 180mph in fifth at 6500rpm!

A 4:1 diff ratio would suit me a lot better, but it seems that the highest ratio available with Powr-Lok is 3.54:1? Any one know if it would be possible to change for a taller ratio?

Also does anyone have any info on how to readjust ramp angles etc. On the 4hu diff? Mine is stock jag and is not suited to the car at all.

Ideally I'd like to keep the 4HU, but I might need to look into a Sierra 7" or 7.5" diff?

Rebuilding a 4HU with altered ramp angles and new bearings and clutch packs can work out expensive.
Quaiff ATB option may work out a nicer more useable road car diff??
N.

[Dollyman1850]

phillpot said:

Am I being told off?

My link to the Scimitar article was regarding the extension housing modification (which may or may not be required) but is interesting anyway, not the guys very neat and well engineered bell housing adapter plate.

Is prideaux posting as Adrian@ now
N.

[Adrian@]

Dollyman1850 said:

Is prideaux posting as Adrian@ now
N.

I wonder what I will do....re-engineer the gear box OR...
http://s169.photobucket.com/user/neilgriff400/medi...
Adrian@
Mike may feel like he's been told off all he likes...far from it...he does what he does for all the right reasons...but as I have most likely done more 5 speeds conversions to TVR's than anyone..AND the thread is a very relevant, to my VIXEN...

Edited by Adrian@ on Wednesday 26th November 18:35