Transaxle choices (again)
Discussion
I'm at the stage where I really need to make up my mind about which transaxle to use - I have a 6 speed G50/20 without an LSD, but I've been not sure it's a great match for the LS7, and whilst I'd like to have some long gears for cruising on the road I think it will be a little busy on the track.
I've looked at the various options for building up a stronger G50 from CMS/Renegade/etc and I can't help but feel that it's a lot of money to spend on making a box do things that were never intended for it.
I've been looking at the Albins AGB10 as a possible alternative - it comes in various options, but I'm looking at a 5 speed sequential unit with an LSx bell housing and a torque bias LSD. It works out within a thousand pounds or so of a well specced G50, but is built to take a lot more punishment and has the added benefit of local support.
But the additional strength comes with a weight penalty - the dry weight of the box is 86kg.
There have been a few negative comments about the additional weight of the G96 box adversely affecting the handling - I'm guessing the AGB10 is heavier again than the G96, so I'm interested to see if what the thoughts are from the group.
I've looked at the various options for building up a stronger G50 from CMS/Renegade/etc and I can't help but feel that it's a lot of money to spend on making a box do things that were never intended for it.
I've been looking at the Albins AGB10 as a possible alternative - it comes in various options, but I'm looking at a 5 speed sequential unit with an LSx bell housing and a torque bias LSD. It works out within a thousand pounds or so of a well specced G50, but is built to take a lot more punishment and has the added benefit of local support.
But the additional strength comes with a weight penalty - the dry weight of the box is 86kg.
There have been a few negative comments about the additional weight of the G96 box adversely affecting the handling - I'm guessing the AGB10 is heavier again than the G96, so I'm interested to see if what the thoughts are from the group.
Miraz, if you already have the G50/20, then i would be inclined to give it a go first and then work out what you want after its on the road. if the weight is an alleged issue you are concerned about add some ballast at the back of the car and take it for a drive to confirm how it affect the Polar moment of the car.
The "Evade" car that was at the Melbourne Motor Show last year had the Albins box in it. you might be able to contact the guy that built it via the Ozclubies forum. I have also seen these boxes for sale on some of the Offroad racing sites where sand rails and the like are advertised.
Ryan in Melbourne.
The "Evade" car that was at the Melbourne Motor Show last year had the Albins box in it. you might be able to contact the guy that built it via the Ozclubies forum. I have also seen these boxes for sale on some of the Offroad racing sites where sand rails and the like are advertised.
Ryan in Melbourne.
Ryan - not sure it's worth doing that, as the choice of gearbox affects a number of other things - shift mechanism and position, and hence seat positions that will be inelegant to alter later.
Also the the current box has just been rebuilt, so if I'm going to sell it then I'd prefer to do it in a known good state.
Crafty...Jeff is on my list of calls
Also the the current box has just been rebuilt, so if I'm going to sell it then I'd prefer to do it in a known good state.
Crafty...Jeff is on my list of calls
how does the dry weight of the box compare once you factor in the other bits that are needed to convert the G50, ie any shift mechanism, Adaptor plate, porsche flywheel
i was under the impression from the email that i had with Albins that you can order it with a bell housing to suit the LS engine. add in a lighter flywheel and clutch set up, and the removal of any extra brackets that are nessesary for the shift mechanism or trans coolers...
must be close weight wise.
i was under the impression from the email that i had with Albins that you can order it with a bell housing to suit the LS engine. add in a lighter flywheel and clutch set up, and the removal of any extra brackets that are nessesary for the shift mechanism or trans coolers...
must be close weight wise.
SIR About three weeks ago somebody posted info on Gearfox a company that builds a 6 speed sequentail box. I looked at the web site and it looks to be a very substancail box take a look and please advise what you think. Sooner or later someone will get this sequentail thing done at the right price and quality to make it an acceptable leap from a G50. lEE
I did recently recieve a Mendeola transaxle for test fitment to the Ultima (and FFR GTM.)
The chassis tube over the trans will need to be modified slightly for clearance, otherwise fits nicely. The thing i like about it, is it uses a standard chevy clutch/flywheel and does not need an adaptor plate. The clutch being larger than the Porsche units is sure to take more torque without a heavy pedal effort. I will offer these trans once they become available.
Thanks
Jeff S
The chassis tube over the trans will need to be modified slightly for clearance, otherwise fits nicely. The thing i like about it, is it uses a standard chevy clutch/flywheel and does not need an adaptor plate. The clutch being larger than the Porsche units is sure to take more torque without a heavy pedal effort. I will offer these trans once they become available.
Thanks
Jeff S
Edited by jschwartz on Friday 26th September 03:42
hi jeff i have been mailing Mendeola transaxles in the usa and by the spec s they where giving me it looked like there box would need be turned up side down to run in the chassis of the ultima. is this the case as you have had one to try. i was also thinking of running with the vw bellhousing because have moded the ultima adaptor plate already, so i can use a std spec flywheel with std sbc starter and twin plate clutch on the g50. but the price looks right for what your getting with mendeola transaxle. thanks jeremy
I know the application isn't exactly the same however I'm the NZ Champion in offroad racing running a mid engined 350z twin turbo charged Jimco buggy. 520hp at the wheels.
You'll find the Mendeola, Fortin, Albins transaxles are used and punished widely in offroad racing throughout the world. The Fortin, which I run, is a conglomoration of patches that make the box barely handle 500hp offroad (about 800ish on road). The Mendeola is best described as a Chinese knock off box. Its all there, but its not the best quality. The Albins is beautifully machined, torsen diff, very strong, does have some issues with dogs (but I'd rather wear dogs than gears) and you can get them sinchro. The Albins is, a very large and heavy box built for punishment.
All the boxes you can flip the crownwheel, but I dont know if you can lower the COG by inverting them (I suspect they will not operate inverted) The Fortin, at least, has a oil pickup and return designed for being flywheel high.
Plusses and minuses to all these offroad boxes. I'm dumping my Fortin and going Albins. I've torn the shyte out of my crownwheel and am regularly damaging dogs on gears.
You'll find the Mendeola, Fortin, Albins transaxles are used and punished widely in offroad racing throughout the world. The Fortin, which I run, is a conglomoration of patches that make the box barely handle 500hp offroad (about 800ish on road). The Mendeola is best described as a Chinese knock off box. Its all there, but its not the best quality. The Albins is beautifully machined, torsen diff, very strong, does have some issues with dogs (but I'd rather wear dogs than gears) and you can get them sinchro. The Albins is, a very large and heavy box built for punishment.
All the boxes you can flip the crownwheel, but I dont know if you can lower the COG by inverting them (I suspect they will not operate inverted) The Fortin, at least, has a oil pickup and return designed for being flywheel high.
Plusses and minuses to all these offroad boxes. I'm dumping my Fortin and going Albins. I've torn the shyte out of my crownwheel and am regularly damaging dogs on gears.
Hi Guys
The best purpose built transmission is the ZFQ it is 65Kg, replaces the ZF DS25/2 is rated at 50% higher, 600Bhp and 550ftlbs of torque. It is manufactured by RT Quaife with ATB differential as standard equipment exclusively for GT Transmissions Ltd.
The ZFQ has just finished 1st in class at the Kyalami, and East London endurance races in a new SPF GT40.
Cost is £6495 from GT Transmissions Ltd contact me on melchrismelia@aol.com.
ZFQ Bellhousing is designed to fit small block Ford and also LS Chevy.
Read more here
http://www.gt40s.com/forum/vendor-manufacturer-ann...
Regards
Chris Melia.
The best purpose built transmission is the ZFQ it is 65Kg, replaces the ZF DS25/2 is rated at 50% higher, 600Bhp and 550ftlbs of torque. It is manufactured by RT Quaife with ATB differential as standard equipment exclusively for GT Transmissions Ltd.
The ZFQ has just finished 1st in class at the Kyalami, and East London endurance races in a new SPF GT40.
Cost is £6495 from GT Transmissions Ltd contact me on melchrismelia@aol.com.
ZFQ Bellhousing is designed to fit small block Ford and also LS Chevy.
Read more here
http://www.gt40s.com/forum/vendor-manufacturer-ann...
Regards
Chris Melia.
Chris Melia said:
Hi Guys
The best purpose built transmission is the ZFQ it is 65Kg, replaces the ZF DS25/2 is rated at 50% higher, 600Bhp and 550ftlbs of torque. It is manufactured by RT Quaife with ATB differential as standard equipment exclusively for GT Transmissions Ltd.
The ZFQ has just finished 1st in class at the Kyalami, and East London endurance races in a new SPF GT40.
Cost is £6495 from GT Transmissions Ltd contact me on melchrismelia@aol.com.
ZFQ Bellhousing is designed to fit small block Ford and also LS Chevy.
Read more here
http://www.gt40s.com/forum/vendor-manufacturer-ann...
Regards
Chris Melia.
Ouch - that is transmission porn!!!The best purpose built transmission is the ZFQ it is 65Kg, replaces the ZF DS25/2 is rated at 50% higher, 600Bhp and 550ftlbs of torque. It is manufactured by RT Quaife with ATB differential as standard equipment exclusively for GT Transmissions Ltd.
The ZFQ has just finished 1st in class at the Kyalami, and East London endurance races in a new SPF GT40.
Cost is £6495 from GT Transmissions Ltd contact me on melchrismelia@aol.com.
ZFQ Bellhousing is designed to fit small block Ford and also LS Chevy.
Read more here
http://www.gt40s.com/forum/vendor-manufacturer-ann...
Regards
Chris Melia.
Go on then, how mucho?
Chris Melia said:
Hi Luck P
(Transmission porn) that's a good one.
I guess you got too excited to read the post, as the price is stated there.
Now calm down and spread the word, there is a new tranny on the block to take on all comers.
regards
Chris.
GT Transmissions
ZFQ suppliers.
Whoops soz, yes I'm more a pics than words kinds guy. £7k seems good value(Transmission porn) that's a good one.
I guess you got too excited to read the post, as the price is stated there.
Now calm down and spread the word, there is a new tranny on the block to take on all comers.
regards
Chris.
GT Transmissions
ZFQ suppliers.
Hi Darren
we have the ZFQ bolted into several types of cars including a new F5000 prototype, several of these cars have previously had the Porsche G 50 units installed. We have also had the ZFQ mated to the LS7 chevy motor, just had to change the flywheel and starter.
GT transmissions would be happy to come and do a feasibility study on the Ultima LS7 / ZFQ powertrain combination. We work with an experienced chassis fabrication company, (Southern GT) in southampton that has already installed 3 ZFQ transmissions into GT40s, so I don't see a problem installing a ZFQ into an Ultima. It would be in our interest to help complete the first Ultima installation to enable us to develop this as a serious upgrade option.
See a 550Bhp Ford + ZFQ in a GT40 at Sebring Usa.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hcq-MV9yX_8
regards
Chris.
we have the ZFQ bolted into several types of cars including a new F5000 prototype, several of these cars have previously had the Porsche G 50 units installed. We have also had the ZFQ mated to the LS7 chevy motor, just had to change the flywheel and starter.
GT transmissions would be happy to come and do a feasibility study on the Ultima LS7 / ZFQ powertrain combination. We work with an experienced chassis fabrication company, (Southern GT) in southampton that has already installed 3 ZFQ transmissions into GT40s, so I don't see a problem installing a ZFQ into an Ultima. It would be in our interest to help complete the first Ultima installation to enable us to develop this as a serious upgrade option.
See a 550Bhp Ford + ZFQ in a GT40 at Sebring Usa.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hcq-MV9yX_8
regards
Chris.
Edited by Chris Melia on Friday 5th December 22:43
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