Gearbox types

[FFMan]

Me again - just bought a Griff 500 with what i think is the early rover gearbox (reverse upper left).

Am i going to hit problems in time (sounds ok at the moment). Is the other/later gearbox better/stronger/smoother etc.

Can I (if it comes to it) retro-fit the later gearbox and if so what mods are required ?

thanks

[shpub]

Retro fitting is expensive and will be for a lot of Rover box rebuilds.

[Pum]

I'm not sure if Steve is saying that the retro-fitting a T5 is expensive because of the cost of mods and other necessary parts, or simply because the box would be expensive. I can imagine that you may at least have to change the propshaft. Anyway this place in the USA does after-market T5 boxes that don't look too bad for price:
www.gforcetransmissions.com/tran_gt-5.asp

However, I've heard that not all T5 boxes are the same. I'd be interested to know the difference, if any, between T5 boxes fitted to TVRs, Cossies, and Camaros/Firebirds, if anyone knows.

[shpub]

LT77 rebuild is around £350. S/H TVR T5 box is around £500. Add to that propshaft, bellhousing, remote linkage, modified speedo drive and speedo, modified gearbox mounts etc and the cost can easily get to £1500+. That's roughly 4 LT77 rebuilds. Many LT77 boxes have reached 100,000+ mileages so it isn't really economic on that basis.

Edited by shpub on Tuesday 26th September 06:57

[sprevett]

shpub said:

LT77 rebuild is around £350. S/H TVR T5 box is around £500. Add to that propshaft, bellhousing, remote linkage, modified speedo drive and speedo, modified gearbox mounts etc and the cost can easily get to £1500+. That's roughly 4 LT77 rebuilds. Many LT77 boxes have reached 100,000+ mileages so it isn't really economic on that basis.

Edited by shpub on Tuesday 26th September 06:57

I am also a member of the LT77 supporters club - they are good when they're set up well and very robust....but my recent rebuild cost £695 and the same again for removal/refitting so not much change out of £1500 too

[SI 4.3]

I need my LT77 gearbox rebuilt for my 4.3 i have been told that TVR used a box standard LT77 rover unit,anyone know different??

[shpub]

Yes it is a late spec Range/Land Rover box with bigger i.e stronger bearings compared to the SD1 boxes. An ordinary early SD1 box will fit but is not ideal and may not last.

Edited by shpub on Wednesday 27th September 06:50

[SI 4.3]

Thanks for confirming Steve, I have one more question could a gearbox recon company rebuild my gearbox using Rover SDI bearings unbeknown to me. Just don't want to be tucked up.
Thanks Simon.

[raw-sewedge]

Early Box is an LT77S, has the Leyland, flying arsehole cast into it . Suffix on the serial number should be around a H.

Recon box cost me £350 with 12 months warranty. I fitted it and it took a day to fit, so allow a day's labour if anyone else is doing it. Make sure it's got the right spec oil and make sure it's quality oil. Also change the oil regularly, there is a lot of heat transfered to the box from the engine and exhaust which will break the oil down faster.

Edited by raw-sewedge on Wednesday 27th September 20:29

[tuscanx1]

City Transmissions just did mine in Coventry. £345 standard charge but mine was near totalled so had to have some extra bits, Total bill £445. They came highly recommended and were very knowledgeable with a good set up. Speak to Andy on 02476 458180

[tuscanx1]

City Transmissions just did mine in Coventry. £345 standard charge but mine was near totalled so had to have some extra bits, Total bill £445. They came highly recommended and were very knowledgeable with a good set up. Speak to Andy on 02476 458180

[shpub]

SI 4.3 said:

Thanks for confirming Steve, I have one more question could a gearbox recon company rebuild my gearbox using Rover SDI bearings unbeknown to me. Just don't want to be tucked up.
Thanks Simon.

No as they would fall out - smaller size. Just don't exchange it.

[Aaron C. Reskew]

tuscanx1 said:

City Transmissions just did mine in Coventry. £345 standard charge but mine was near totalled so had to have some extra bits, Total bill £445. They came highly recommended and were very knowledgeable with a good set up. Speak to Andy on 02476 458180

Did the company used to be called Coventry Transmissions? If so then they come highly recommended as i had a diff done a while ago.

[red griff 500]

In response to FFMAN original question - don't worry about it mate. Many of us have had our LT77 box'd Griff 500's for years with no trouble - if the worst happens, then it'll cost ya as above, but that can also happen with the T5 box as well! So sleep easy and enjoy yer Griff.

[FFMan]

thanks all.

Seems the LT77 is ok, and if it isn't well its not a fortune to fix. Now I know why I bought a TVR - mechanical simplicity