ZF versus G50 G50/52 transaxles

[brammo]

Hey folks - A new customer that is having us build him a car has apparently had great success with the ZF transaxles in Pantera's and other cars, and wants to know why we couldn't use this gearbox in his Ultima. Apparently the new Salleen has one, as well as couple of the GT40 clones out there.

I have no experience with the ZF and wondering if anyone has, and can shed some light on this for me. I realize it is not the factory spec, and I plan on discouraging its use, but "the customer is always right" until I can show otherwise.

According to Kennedy Engineered Products they have an adapter plate for the traditional SBC block and apparently it uses a Chevy style clutch and bellhousing which would be interesting from the clutch options standpoint.

Thanks - Craig

>>> Edited by brammo on Saturday 10th May 00:11

[ultimapaul]

If the overall dimensions are all ok, a gear change mech can be fabricated and the drive shafts will be at tolerable angles then it should work.

What will the cost be if all the above work out?

Will the chassis need mods?

How heavy is the unit?

How easy are spares to come by?

Why be different?

Paul

[ultimaandy]

Alternativelly offer what I have, a ZF diff in the Porsche box.

[brammo]

ultimapaul said: If the overall dimensions are all ok, a gear change mech can be fabricated and the drive shafts will be at tolerable angles then it should work.

What will the cost be if all the above work out?

Will the chassis need mods?

How heavy is the unit?

How easy are spares to come by?

Why be different?

Paul

Paul,

I am exploring that information for my client as we speak, but first glance it is close to the same weight as the G50/52 we just put in, and I believe is as long as a short nose G50. Mounting seems to be no problem, but dont have the axle angle issues yet, waiting for specs.

Spares are easy. Custom gears readily available.

8,800 us New plus bellhousing and clutch.

All that said, I totally agree with you in terms of "why be different" Not sure there is an answer there, I need to ask my client, but knowing him, "why not" is often the response. The only good thing I can see is the transaxle would not be inverted so oil fill and oiling matters are well at hand.

The thing I am pretty sure of from looking at it is a change of drive shaft lengths.

I will have the fit answers this week when the cad drawings arrive and will post my findings if people are interested.

I am not so sure I want this to be feasable

Craig

[james]

As far as I'm aware, the main reason for not using a ZF box is cost. Not that it's prohibitavely expensive, but it's just that the G50 is readily available, cheap, and it does the job very well.

My only experience of this is from a friend who was building a GT40 replica, who decided not to go for a ZF for this reason. There may be other issues relating to the Ultima.

[GTRCLIVE]

Am still a Member of the GT40 club, and have three friends with this Box (originality being the key here), two on the road and one still in the build process. The box can be bought new now as an American company has the rights to produce it, I think it's called a RBT. Basicaly they Garentee the box upto 400Lbs Torque, but as we know if it's good for 600Lbs+ as long as your not doing Le Mans 24 Race.
Main advantage is that the Ratios where Designed for American V8's, not a 3.2Litre Flat Six. This box was designed, Built, and fitted to OUR V8's, so in principle should be better. Just not that Cheap...

[doc_fudge]

I would have thought that a wider range of gear sets is available for the G50.

Any thoughts of this GTRCLIVE (seeing as youve had some experience with them!)

Has anyone had any experience with the 6 speed Getrag boxes? Any pro/cons vs the G50? (Except maybe price!!)

Andy

>> Edited by doc_fudge on Monday 12th May 11:49

[GTRCLIVE]

Can get contact numbers for the above gear Ratio sets, but yet again are not cheap. Yet the Gear ratios in a Standard Pantera would be better than a Turbo G50. As to weather you can get more ratios for a G50, very possible, but that does not mean they are suitable. You can get allot of higher diff ratios but we need to have lower, and as far as I know 3.44 is the lowest, same goes with the gear sets.
If you want I have a Gear ratio Data sheet for Excel, just input all the ratios, diff, tyre sizes, etc, and it tells you all the info you will ever need.
Speeds in gear at different shift points,
Rpm drop between gears,

If someone could host this Spread Sheet I will email them, so you can all download it. ???