A couple of Questions

[verba1]

Could someone help please ..Do 2005 built 3R's have the M400 gearbox linkage with a narrower tunnel and the same steering geometry ?.

Thanks.

[JLSELAN]

Interesting question.
Yes on the steering geometry since that change was made to all M12s and carried over to the M400s when they started production.
But I don't think the chassis/gear shift changes showed up on M12s until the very end of their production run.

[Dave2P]

JLSELAN said:

I don't think the chassis/gear shift changes showed up on M12s until the very end of their production run.

Interesting. Mine's a mid-2004 3R and (I believe) has the M400 style gear linkage... but there are used screw holes on the driver side frame where it appears the original M12 cable was once fitted and subsequently removed.

I'd assumed up to now that mine might have been one of the first with the M400 linkage and that it was switched in the factory before delivery, but from what you say maybe the original owner had it upgraded after? Anyone know if the factory offered it as an upgrade for M12 owners at the time?

Loving the way these cars left the factory - every one slightly different it seems sometimes!

[Blu3R]

Mine had it upgraded at the factory. Its a December 03.

[verba1]

Thanks guys .

I just need some more clarfication . If a late build 3R has the M400 gearbox / linkage does it have a narrower tunnel and how can you check this ?

So are all 2005 3R's with the better turnng circle too ?

Thanks for your help

[JLSELAN]

Yes -- and, BTW, the M12 GTO 3R gearbox is identical to the M400 gearbox.

[Mattt]

Is there a resource somewhere with all this information? All the guides/FAQs I've seen aren't particularly detailed.

[wessexrfc]

JLSELAN said:

Yes -- and, BTW, the M12 GTO 3R gearbox is identical to the M400 gearbox.

I thought this was the case, but my Noble garage told me they upgraded the gearbox on the M400 ????

[JLSELAN]

Maybe they were confused by the diff -- LSD is standard on M400/optional on 3R.

[Blu3R]

JLSELAN said:

LSD is standard on M400/optional on 3R.

Optional on early 3Rs but standard if the car was supplied with 6 speed from new.

[Mattt]

Can you get a 5 speed 3R then?

[Lakelord]

Mattt said:

Can you get a 5 speed 3R then?

Yes. Essentially the early 3R's were GT03's with a bit of extra padding inside and new lights at the front... all mechanicals the same.

[Mattt]

What would be an early? 2003?

All the ones I've seen (04 mainly) seem to be 6 speed.

[Blu3R]

Yes early cars were 5 speed like Lakelord said. My car is a December 53 and the original bill of sale has it down as a 6 speeder even though HPI seem to think its got 1 less gear

I *think* all 03 cars came with 5 speed and some time during 2003 they started fitting the 6 speed (with quaife ATB) to all subsequent models so therefore all 03s are 5 speed; majority of 53 are 6 speed and all 04 on & M400 are 6 speed.

Unless a car was specifically spec'd differently from new, because the 6 speed was an option from end of 2002.

Don't know whether the ATB was ever a factory option for 5 speed owners though

[Mattt]

Thanks

The GTO-3 even with the 6 speed box only had LSD as an option right?

Do you know what proportion of the cars had the TDS? I don't intend to track the car, but seems handy to have just in case, and come resale.

[Lakelord]

Mattt said:

Thanks

The GTO-3 even with the 6 speed box only had LSD as an option right?

Do you know what proportion of the cars had the TDS? I don't intend to track the car, but seems handy to have just in case, and come resale.

To my knowledge, the TDS is an option on both the GT03 and 3R so you can't assume that it would have one if you had a 6 spd box.
You can have them fitted aftermarket but it's not an easy job as you have to 'lift' the engine or have the chassis modified.