TVR 3000M gearbox

[xknono]

Hello,
Do you know if I can fit on my TVR 3000M (1978) a Ford Sierra Cosworth T5 gearbox ?
I have seen that we can change the fan on the fan motor to increas the cooling, do you know were i can found it?
Thank you for your help.
Arnaud

[GAjon]

Yes the T5 can be fitted to a 3ltr Essex.
You will need a bellhousing, either a flotech cast alloy unit (if they are still going) or I think there is a transit van bell housing that will match, or a drilled adapter plate.
A different clutch lever arm, again a Ford ex transit van part.
You may have to shorten the prop shaft.
You also have to modify the gear lever to match the tapped stub on the T5 box, I cut and welded a plate onto my old gearstick.
A mounting bracket is also required which again has to be fabricated, there are various arangements about, but do bear in mind it's this bracket that actually holds and prevents the box and engine from moving forwards and backwards when driving, so it has to be right.
I think Adrian Venn may do a complete kit?

John

Edited by GAjon on Monday 20th August 16:47

[xknono]

Thank you for your reply.
In fact, I am still looking for a simple solution & I love gearbox with OV.
So I wonder if it isn't to had to fit a 1975 SE5a Reliant Scimitar OV gearbox;
Thank you for you reply.
XKNONO

[Adrian@]

The OD gearbox M Series TVR's cars have a different chassis.
Adrian@

[Adrian@]

A.G. said:

I put a T5 in mine and got my bell housing from Ric Wood Racing. Also needs a longer prop, not shorter. The gearstick sits slightly further forward from standard and that's with a crank in the lever which sits under the tunnel.

Edited by A.G. on Wednesday 29th August 22:24

My thoughts are that you are running a T55 if you using a longer prop. (the postion of the gear lever in relation to the end of the gearbox/ speedo drive method/ and propshaft output size, and it is a shorter box).
Adrian@

Edited by Adrian@ on Wednesday 29th August 22:43

[Adrian@]

I think that the later cars were even T60 units, the position of the gear lever in the extension housing rearmost is the T5, middle the T55 and futher forward is the T60 (I think!) the best unit is the T5 (2wd sierra Cosworth) as this has the correct speedo drive to suit the standard M speedo, then using the Tuscan racer quickshift lever puts the gearlever in the perfect postion once you have added a rubber suspension bush to stop the vibration of the box getting to your hands....I am talking road car conversions.
Adrian@
I will bow to better knowledge on the specs of these boxes...

I do an exchange bell housing kit to suit the T5 as John mentions ...also a type 9 conversion for the standard car, although I understand that the racing box builders and pushing 280 BHP through them!!!!

Edited by Adrian@ on Thursday 30th August 09:04

[xknono]

Thank a lot for all this info. So I will now look for a T5 or T9 gearbox.
XKNONO

[Adrian@]

xknono said:

Thank a lot for all this info. So I will now look for a T5 or T9 gearbox.
XKNONO

The Type 9 gearbox (this never quoted as the T9) needed is the later 2.9 version with a modified input shaft but with a speedo drive rather than the transponder fitting.... The 2.9 bearing is bigger (which is the weakest point of the box), the input shaft then matches the std 4 speed so that you can use all the same clutch parts and you need to drive the mechanical speedo, when a quick shift conversion is done the internal trim requires no changes.
Adrian@

[heightswitch]

Adrian@ said:

xknono said:

Thank a lot for all this info. So I will now look for a T5 or T9 gearbox.
XKNONO

The Type 9 gearbox (this never quoted as the T9) needed is the later 2.9 version with a modified input shaft but with a speedo drive rather than the transponder fitting.... The 2.9 bearing is bigger (which is the weakest point of the box), the input shaft then matches the std 4 speed so that you can use all the same clutch parts and you need to drive the mechanical speedo, when a quick shift conversion is done the internal trim requires no changes.
Adrian@

BGH Geartech do a clubman spec box nicknamed the long 2.8 to give you closer ratios and a longer first gear. It is pretty good value at about £1000. Other option of course is a late Granada 2.9 based box. they are getting a bit thin on the ground these days though but still much cheaper than a T5 if your car isn't running Adrian type HP

Ironically the longer shaft of the 5 speed which was a modded 4 speed caused problems. I once stripped a broken box down and the shaft had snapped between the 4th and 5th cog

Neil.

PS Adrian. Did my address come through?

Edited by heightswitch on Thursday 30th August 10:11

[longone]

Perhaps my T5 experiences will help. I looked around for a used T5 for a while and came to the conclusion that new was better value and bought one from Elite Transmissions 01782280136. They swopped the fifth gear ratio from 0.63 to 0.8 and machined the input shaft to fit a European Ford spigot bearing all in the price.
If you go on the Tremec (they bought Borg Warner some years ago)website you'll find most of the different box applications listed and the relevent fitting dimensions. The one usually referred to in this country as the Cosworth T5 is the same internally as that fitted to Griffs through to T350s etc. It is a lower torque capacity box than the Mustang version I bought and has its gear lever position delibrately the same as a 4 speed or Type9, ie. too far back for the M. Later on TVR had there own tail section cast to move the lever forward. The Mustang version has its gear lever position just over two inches further forward. This happened to work well for me as my car uses a Duratech i4 and together with the Mustang box put the lever exactly where it had been in the 2500M I had started with - which felt perfect. If you want Elite can source a short tail section for a T5 and then the lever can go much further forward.
A final bit of advice for what it's worth, be careful buying a used T5. Most have been thrashed and rebuilds are expensive. I didn't trust the refurbishers I spoke to and decided to invest in something I knew would last my life and could be sold if necessary with its paperwork.

[Electron]

My TVR runs a WC (World Class) T5 from a 302 Mustang. They have roller bearings and are much tougher than a European Sierra Cosworth T5.

My gearlever is in the right place for a 302 - not sure where it would end up on an Essex.

The full rebuild for mine this year was 300 UK pounds so I would either by a good brand new one or buy one that needs refurbishment and get it done by a reputable engineering company yourself with a warranty.

With the $ at 2:1 if you visit the states it is possible to bring one back without a bellhousing as hand luggage :-)

I would definately go the World Class route as there is a plentiful supply in the US.