Discussion
the cheapest way is (i think) using the clubman kit that uses the std 1st and reverse (so your not buying as many gears) - ratio wise this is a far better kit (than the normal 'st' ratios) for a road car if your wanting to use a sensible final drive - the first gear is so tall on the normal straight cut set that its not really happy on anything taller than a 3.6 (obviously wheel choice and acceptable amount of clutch slip will make some differance, but a clubman kit will happily run a 3.1, where as a st set would require mega revs and slip to get it rolling - not ideal in a road car!
unless you know what your looking for, you should probably avoid second hand boxes as they are normally only ever sold for one reason!, or if your looking at new make sure the seller is able to tell you whose kit is fitted and what other bits have been replaced - also if its new from a trader you should get an acceptable warrenty.
ive seen a good few 'ebay bargain' type boxes that where utter hounds - nothing more than scrap in some cases
bearing in mind that the 'right' bits to build a box to a decent standard could easily cost 5-600 pounds, and there should be at least £200 pounds in labour if the box has been built right (taking into account the stripping of the core box, cleaning and checking, dry building and checking, re stripping final cleaning and final building) you should be carefull of buying anything for the 5-600 range if you want it to be right.
when i did gearboxes, i would always quote for 24 hours labour - if i did it quicker, i passed the saving on to the customer, if i went over, well, thats my fault - i did, however offer a 100% gaurantee that the box would be right - ive never had to get one back to fix yet!, be it a full seasons racing, or running under a 180bhp turbo hill climber.
(im not hoping for gearbox work with this post, ive no interest in doing them for 'retail' customers as they always moan im too expensive!!!)
unless you know what your looking for, you should probably avoid second hand boxes as they are normally only ever sold for one reason!, or if your looking at new make sure the seller is able to tell you whose kit is fitted and what other bits have been replaced - also if its new from a trader you should get an acceptable warrenty.
ive seen a good few 'ebay bargain' type boxes that where utter hounds - nothing more than scrap in some cases
bearing in mind that the 'right' bits to build a box to a decent standard could easily cost 5-600 pounds, and there should be at least £200 pounds in labour if the box has been built right (taking into account the stripping of the core box, cleaning and checking, dry building and checking, re stripping final cleaning and final building) you should be carefull of buying anything for the 5-600 range if you want it to be right.
when i did gearboxes, i would always quote for 24 hours labour - if i did it quicker, i passed the saving on to the customer, if i went over, well, thats my fault - i did, however offer a 100% gaurantee that the box would be right - ive never had to get one back to fix yet!, be it a full seasons racing, or running under a 180bhp turbo hill climber.
(im not hoping for gearbox work with this post, ive no interest in doing them for 'retail' customers as they always moan im too expensive!!!)
Edited by guru_1071 on Tuesday 17th January 19:38
I have seen a few of second hand boxes on eBay and you just know why they're being sold. I'd only buy a second hand one if re-con or had some kind of guarantee for failure.
This clubman kit, is it just the gears? I know you can buy them but me or anyone I know wouldn't dream of attempting and like you said labour costs are £££
This clubman kit, is it just the gears? I know you can buy them but me or anyone I know wouldn't dream of attempting and like you said labour costs are £££
Send me an email and I can send details/photos.
I cannot tell You the manufacturer, but maybe You can see from the pics (I dont know what to look for). The box is built into a rodchange case, it comes without final drive, but does have a central oil pickup. NO wear at all as far as I see.
It came with and engine which was also in perfect shape. Soo I think I can accept that it only did 1 race at all (built for a Se7en racecar).
Postage would be about 100 pounds.
I cannot tell You the manufacturer, but maybe You can see from the pics (I dont know what to look for). The box is built into a rodchange case, it comes without final drive, but does have a central oil pickup. NO wear at all as far as I see.
It came with and engine which was also in perfect shape. Soo I think I can accept that it only did 1 race at all (built for a Se7en racecar).
Postage would be about 100 pounds.
You might want to get in touch with John Guess ("Guessworks" on here). Mini gearbox man based in Rugby. Never done any work for me, so I can't comment on his work, but well known in Mini circles locally. Seems to be a good guy. I believe he does/did engines and gearboxes for Rutland Mini, if that means anything.
Johns an real nice good chap you you could try Jim Brindle - http://www.racemotorsport.co.uk/
Say Duncan sent you.
Say Duncan sent you.
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