Renault gearbox upgrade

[kmaier]

Well, I was poking around the net and found the following info regarding the Renault gearbox and an approach at making it stronger. Has anyone else seen this yet?

www.bell-performance.co.uk/Gearbox%20Upgrade.htm

If it makes the box more reliable and able to handle more torque then I could be persauded to fit intercoolers to my V8.

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[ErnestM]

That's a very interesting article. Thanks for posting KM. Besides just intercoolers it could lead to further upgrades (possibly using the red/race ECU). I just wish there where a similar article about possibly fitting a sixth gear as that is what I think the Renault really lack...

ErnestM

[karmavore]

I believe that Michael's offers a similar solution though it's not listed on their site. Check with them too:

www.michaelsmotorsports.com/lotus_esprit.htm

Luke.

[kmaier]

Yes, a sixth gear would be nice, but really only useful for highway cruising, unless the entire box was re-ratio'd. I'm not that unhappy with only 5.... but having had one box go out, I'm not that optimistic that the second box will hold much better. I'm starting to think I have an alignment problem with the gearbox to engine, ie, the bellhousing may be warped or improperly machined.

I'm not a big fan of the Race ECM.... at least not for street use. I think putting on a real exhaust system (ie, all stainless, high-flow cats and muffler), intercoolers and the high-torque ECM should result in decent increase in power and be more consistent and more reliable overall.... and further narrow the list of contenders on the road ;-).

I sent email to Derek and will update with any info I receive. I should also look at Michael's MotorSports as well....

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[ErnestM]

Well...

I will let you know how the stainless Tubi is probably thirty days from now as I should have it fitted by then...

ErnestM

[kmaier]

Please do let me know how the Tubi works out. I've been looking at that as well. I still have an issue with the stock system from the turbos back as these pieces should be stainless and it would be nice to have higher-flow cats. Did you order the Tubi from Naples?

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[ErnestM]

kmaier said:

Please do let me know how the Tubi works out. I've been looking at that as well. I still have an issue with the stock system from the turbos back as these pieces should be stainless and it would be nice to have higher-flow cats. Did you order the Tubi from Naples? Regards, KM 2000 V8

In the process of ordering from Naples. They will be delivering to Dimmit as my carpet pieces have come in (some of it has gotten sun bleached - PO ) and Dimmit will be doing that so might as well let them mount the Tubi as well...

ErnestM

[rob.e]

kmaier said:

Yes, a sixth gear would be nice, but really only useful for highway cruising....

Kevin- if you want a higher ratio 5th gear, marcus now has these on his site.

http://freudhoefer.de/lotus/esprit/products/products.htm

rgds
Rob

[kmaier]

Hi Rob,

Yes, saw the higher 5th ratio gearset that Marcus offers. The V8 already has the 0.76:1 5th gear ratio (UN1-027) while the 4-cylinder cars have the 0.82:1 5th gear ratio (UN1-026). I do like the idea of replacing the input shaft sections with a one-piece shaft which is stronger however, it certainly can't hurt.

Regards, KM
2000 V8