Lexus IS200 gearbox ,power rating ,reliabilty

[sceptre511]

I want to fit a better ,stronger gearbox behind the XE engine in my car ,This got me thinking about the 6 speed Lexus gearbox ,but i can't fine out any info on power rating or ratio specs,the first gear on the Manta box i am using is a bit low and I was going to use a Omega box but the ratios aren't that great either.

I went on to a Lexus forum and some people complained that the box was clunky ,the one in my dads car ,2004-2005, is perfect (I'd probably drive it a bit harder than him tho ).

Ideas any one ?

[stevieturbo]

What is an XE engine ?

I wouldnt think the Lexus box is anything special. But what sort of power do you need it to handle, what ratios etc ?

[sceptre511]

2.0L Vauxhall red top. I only have 187bhp at the mo, but i do want to fit some thing that will have a bit of strengh in reserve for future upgrades.

I have just been on Ebay and seen BMW and Mazda MX5 boxes ,i'm sure the BMW box would be plenty strong enough .Making a Belhousing is not a problem ,but getting a drive to my cable driven speedo might be as i can't seem to find or make a good solution to it.

The ratios i have at the mo are 3.71:1 ,2.01:1 ,1.31:1 ,1:1 ,0.80:1 First is a bit low and it would be a bonus to have a extra gear for motorway driving.

[stevieturbo]

Speedo isnt a big deal. Abbot X make an adaptor, or choose a box with a cable speedo.

Given a relatviely low power level, I'd have thought there be plenty of boxes ?
Even a simple T5 would do.

A lot of BMW boxes have integral bellhousings which isnt handy plus they often have a 1:1 6th gear.

An old Supra W-series or R-154 turbo 4 speed will handle anything the Vauxhall engine will ever throw at it

[sceptre511]

Thanks for telling me about the abbot x device.Expensive ,but it would be great not to have to loose the look of my speedo guage , mileometer ,and trip counter.

Yes, i have a Supra r154 5 speed gearbox in the shed ,waiting to get fitted behind the Chevy V8 ( in another car )that likes to wear out t5 boxes ,just didn't want to use in on my daily driver .I'll probably never get hold of another too.

I just liked the idea of a modern 6 speed ,i thought they had 1:1 gearing on 4th still and 5th and 6th would both be overdriven,probably just go for a v6 Omega box for simplicity.

[stevieturbo]

The Toyota 6th and maybe 5th might be overdriven. But I know when I was searching for boxes years ago, most BMW listngs had a 1:1 6th, and they used very tall diffs.

A W series from a n/a Supra 5 speed might be the handiest, and should be available with a cable option.

Or if the Lexus one fits, up to you really.