G50 V's Getrag

Author
Discussion

Doz

Original Poster:

72 posts

272 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all
Hi

I need to make a decision for the box of my GTR - either G50 or Getrag 6 speed. Can you guys give me some advice?

Doz

james

1,362 posts

298 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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The Getrag is a lot more expensive than the G50. That seems to govern a lot of people's choice. The Getrag will allow you to have a gear shift in the conventional place (between the seats), but you may have trouble with the cable change. I know several people who have had trouble with cable changes, as they've needed to be adjusted a lot, and have been quite sloppy (although I would guess that Porsche managed to sort that out reasonably well before fitting it to their cars).

The other question is. Why do you think you need a 6 speed box? Unless you've gone for an engine with quite a narrow power band, there's no point. It just means you'll be changing gear a lot more frequently.

Unless you want a 6 speed gearbox for the pub of course

James

afortier

8 posts

273 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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I hope the porsche getrag 6 is better then the getrag 6 for the toyota supra or mitsubishi 3000gt vr-4. i went through 3 trannys on my vr-4 before I sold it in 1 year. The are commonly known as "getrash". Their lack of available parts was no help either.

mkoch1

486 posts

273 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all
are you saying that I can't have a center shifter with a g50 box. I ordered the linkage for the center shift and planed on going with a g50. I definitly want the center shift, should I cancel the linkage order.

mark

ultimapaul

3,949 posts

278 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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Mkoch1 - I may be wrong, but, I think cars in the states have to go for the centre shift and Getrag 'box. You can have the G50 with left hand cill change but I've heard that Americans absolutely refuse to change gear with their left hand?

Edited to add that the G50 can't have a centre shift due to the linkage routing.

>> Edited by ultimapaul on Friday 25th October 19:36

bigmack

553 posts

274 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all
I don't know how the cable shifter works with the G50 box, but I run the gear linkage rods with center shift on my G50 and it works very well.
Cheers!
-Mack


mkoch1 said: are you saying that I can't have a center shifter with a g50 box. I ordered the linkage for the center shift and planed on going with a g50. I definitly want the center shift, should I cancel the linkage order.

mark


ultimapaul

3,949 posts

278 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all
James - Porsche had a huge advantage in that on the 996 the gearbox is at the front of the engine. So the whole linkage is far, far shorter.

james

1,362 posts

298 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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Of course. I forgot. They have the engine hanging out over the back to give them that "special" weight distribution )

davefiddes

846 posts

274 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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If you have a current Ultima build manual CD then you can have a look at how the centre gear change for the G50 works in section 297 just after the routing of all the pipes and things. It takes some pretty fierce turns so I doubt it is as nice a shift as the side change. It's a shame that the LHD version doesn't have the option for the side change. Not only should it give the car a fairly crisp shift compared with a centre linkage or cable but I like the way it unclutters the middle of a fairly cramped cockpit. Sadly this also means there are fewer excuses when you try to "accidentally" change gear with your passengers knee...darn.

351cobra

12 posts

272 months

Saturday 26th October 2002
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Shift with your left hand what???? No No No you cant shift that way? It goes against gods will. Its one thing to have the steering wheel on the wrong side (I could get used to that) and also drive on the wrong side or the road (a bit harder but still manageable) but shifting with your left hand hold the phone.....God bless the queen but lets figure out this technical bit before us chaps across the pond start eating fish and chips and become soccer houligans. There has to be a better way.

blackmonday

554 posts

292 months

Saturday 26th October 2002
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The factory told me that the G50 is becoming harder to get. Is this true?

ultimaandy

1,225 posts

278 months

Saturday 26th October 2002
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The six speed in the can-am demonstrators is one of the best I have used in any car, it's cable driven and is fantastic.

I'm sure these cars used the Getrac box.

I have heard from Porsche owners that the 6speed Porsche box isn't up to scratch and not as good as the 5 speeds.

I used a 4 speed race box with modified diff, it suits my engine perfectly (big displacement with torque and power everywere) its gear for well over 200mph (Most Ultimas top out at 180Mph due to gearing), it was a bastard to fit and get working.
I recon a 5 speed modified in the same way would be excellent, and give a silly top speed.

Go see a few cars, go for a drive, play with the gearchange to see if you like it, then decide.




Steve_D

13,798 posts

272 months

Saturday 26th October 2002
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I was at the factory on the 18th.
Blackmonday. Ted told me that there is no problem getting the G50 boxes. (Something to do with Porsche drivers crashing a lot! also Porsche repair costs are high so insurance writeoff is more common)
Ultimaandy. The Can-Am demo has the centre cable shift and Getrac box. Sitting in the factory, cold, and without the engine running it felt very smooth and positive.
Steve

Steve_D

13,798 posts

272 months

Saturday 26th October 2002
quotequote all
Just found the components list on my build CD. It lists
GEAR LINKAGE
Right hand G50 rod linkage
Left hand G50 rod linkage
Centre G50 rod linkage
Centre Getrag cable linkage

It would seem you can have a centre shift G50.
Steve

USCANAM

514 posts

273 months

Sunday 27th October 2002
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but I've heard that Americans absolutely refuse to change gear with their left hand?


I hope you're wrong because I have left cill shifting on my CanAm, or maybe it's because I'm still a Canadian I don't mind shifting with my left hand. The only real problem will be that I've gotten used to holding my cell phone in my left hand.
On the serious side, after having a short demo ride in the LHD demo,because the seats are so close together, every time the driver shifted gears his elbow kept banging me even though I was hunched up. That's the main reason I opted for the left hand shift, and also at one time I owned a RHD XK140.
Cheers!!

Doz

Original Poster:

72 posts

272 months

Monday 28th October 2002
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Having never driven an Ultima it is hard to decide. I felt the cable drive in the demo made the shift less knotchy, but the comments about vagueness concern me. I am going for the 550/535 America Speed and I like most pondered why I would want 6 gears with that level of torque. However, Ted told me that final drive is taller so better for autobahn work. But at £4.2k it is more expensive and also there is a 3:1 ratio of owners still favouring the G50 - albeit they are becoming harder to find. Perhaps another trip to the factory is required!

Stig

11,823 posts

298 months

Monday 28th October 2002
quotequote all
I know where you can get a G50/00 2 J (ie. '88 box with shorter ratio's but WITH LSD - from the Clubsport) for 1500 quid all in. It's complete save for the clutch and seems to be in good nick (I've seen it).

Let me know if you want more details.

ultimaandy

1,225 posts

278 months

Monday 28th October 2002
quotequote all
From what I have heard the final drive of the six speed is no different to a 5 speed!

If you want 200+mph you will either need 7000rpm or more or to change the ratios, the latter will give the better cruising that you mention.

I have both and get 91mph @ 3000rpm in top gear.

PS. if you are going for an American Speed engine I can recomend upgrading their standard package to a solid cam with all the gubins, I did this on their 500bhp 383 and it gives a higher Rpm ceiling (7000rpm on mine) with better drivability down low. Its not really any noisier either!

ultimaandy

1,225 posts

278 months

Monday 28th October 2002
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Doz

were are you based? I'm sure if you are near enough to a few owners you can go and check out the options.

Doz

Original Poster:

72 posts

272 months

Monday 28th October 2002
quotequote all
Andy, thanks for your suggestion. I came along with Paul to the Kent meeting and saw your new motor there. I will not be ordering the engine until end-Nov, so I still have a little time. What's your thoughts on going dry-sump?

Anyway, mine doesn't come until mid-Nov or until the garage is finished - which-ever is sooner (!) - so I will then be asking for much more of your advice (if you don't mind!!!)

Cheers

Doz