Well, I bought the book, read through the forums, decided what I want to build, and now my head is about ready to explode! 
I'm looking to build a middy with a Rover V8 and while I've prety much figured out the design of the chassis, I still can't seem to
find what gearbox would be best to use (assuming I use the standard 3.9l V8). And once the gearbox is decided, what would be the best way to link
everything up (engine, gearbox, gear change mechanism)?
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Cheers in advance!
Welcome to the forum, check this out
Cheers
Fred WB
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=27337
Welcome to the mad house.
I had the same query a while back and someone helpfully posted a link for me.
I'll try to find it and post it tonight when the boss aint watching ;O)
May be wrong but I think lotus used a renault trans in the esprit so may be worth a dig.
I thought that the renault 25 transaxle was the best option..
But there are some very nice quaife transaxles if you have the cash to spare...
Look here.
http://www.spagweb.com/v8mini/v8fools/index.htm
There are several FWD V8 Minis and those assemblies could just be moved back.
the audi box seems to following on as the box of choice for the mild powered V8 (ie up to 400bhp).....
you should also consider the audi V8 due as these can be picked up for around £1k and produce more power than the rover V8.... also may fit up to the
audi box easier
The Audi unit is ideal. I happen to be able to supply 2 of them... Might keep one for myself tho'...
Regarding those Audi V8's -- I understood (from my research on using the engine) the standard Audi box can not cope with the torque of the V8
when not used with the four-wheel drive system.
I've got that information from this article. Note that this article is
about the 01E transmission, used up to about '91 I believe.
Now if somebody could please prove me wrong, I know what will be powering my build....
thanks for all the replies everyone - that's cleared things up a bit, now I just need to trawl the local scrappys until I find what I'm
looking for!
Having said that, are there any companies that supply complete engine and transaxles ready to 'stick in' - because having looked at
Fred's flywheel I'm thinking I may be getting out of my depth here?
Hmm, my brain still hurts...
I don't know the numbers for the audi boxs but there are ones that can take 400bhp.
My belief is that these are modern boxs (up to 5yrs old). There are std model audi that produce over 400bhp as std through twin turbos and latelly the
V8's.
I have a couple of friends that are using Audi boxs in their mid engined 400+bhp cars (bmw V12 and audi V8) so I'll ask them what the score
is.
That article isn't entirelly correct in all its detail and assumptions regarding Porsche boxs. I'm using a Porsche box as it's
realistically the only box that can take 500+ reliably IMO.. but not all of the porsche range are suitable (G50 is safest proven bet).
From what I understand BHP is not the problem, it is the torque that will kill the box... The four wheel drive system splits of half the torque in the Audis. The save bet is always the G50, it can handle amazing loads. If you could check with your friends, please! The Audi boxes are plentiful and cheap...
The BMW V12 produces more torque than BHP (its one of my major concerns and the main drive for me spending money to get mine to rev at the expense of
low down power.
)
so if can cope with 400bhp on a V12 an american V8 will be no roblem....
I'll ask the question when I next speak to them.
Me personnely I'm sticking with the porsche route, especially as I have the ideal box and have already sorted the adapter etc...... and I know
the audi will never cope with my twin turbo V12.
The G50 is a very wise choice for that V12. Looks amazing, chassis is looking good to.
Curious how you are going to control your BMW V12, the stock BMW systems are notoriously difficult to tinker with -- especially with the drive-by-wire
system. I'm keeping an eye on your build Andy, very interesting!
Hey all,
the torque at a certain inputshaft speed vs traction on the ground rips the teeth.
that's it!
if all is at standstill and you dumpclutch, or instruct enourmous amounts of energy via the clutch towards the gearbox, and the wheels can't
move, that amount of energy is looking for a way out. thus the box dies, or the other weakest link in the drive train, luckily for us it's most
of the time the traction from the tyres, but if that;s very good./...... well goodby gearbox!
grtz thomas
quote:
Originally posted by Garbrand
The G50 is a very wise choice for that V12. Looks amazing, chassis is looking good to.
Curious how you are going to control your BMW V12, the stock BMW systems are notoriously difficult to tinker with -- especially with the drive-by-wire system. I'm keeping an eye on your build Andy, very interesting!
Or get a renault UN1 gearbox, and the Upgrade first motion shaft from Bell performance. they're very very strong indeed, and keep up well above
500HP and V8 troque caracteristics.
that would be way cheaper than any porshe box, let alone getting the clutch kit which goes with a G50,
I will get one off these set-ups for my next toy v8 project, in a turner LMP
grtz thomas
Hi Andy
Had a look at your archive, looks like a very nice car you have coming together there.
Just curious, do you still have the Ultima, and if not, why have you decided to replace it with this project?
Cheers
Fred WB
The Ultima was awsome, but I want more.... you have to remember the Ultima chassis is a 20yr old design now and I also want a real GT car ie one thats
easy to get in and you don't get out smelling of petrol after every journey.
Also windows etc would be nice.
Basically I want a Porsche GT or Zonda.... only faster and for less than Ultima money.
Sorry for the thread hijack.
Hi Thomas - did you get my U2U?
You want to wake up, smell the coffee and realise that reality sucks mate. Throwing money at something isn't what it's about, look at the
title. I think it's getting too easy to lose the basic idea of Locost builders. I admit nobody's going to do it for £250 any more but you
are talking 10's of thousands of pounds.
[Edited on 6/10/05 by Peteff]
quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
I think it's getting too easy to lose the basic idea of Locost builders. I admit nobody's going to do it for £250 any more but you are talking 10's of thousands of pounds.
quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
You want to wake up, smell the coffee and realise that reality sucks mate. Throwing money at something isn't what it's about, look at the title. I think it's getting too easy to lose the basic idea of Locost builders. I admit nobody's going to do it for £250 any more but you are talking 10's of thousands of pounds.
[Edited on 6/10/05 by Peteff]
I think you should specify that you want a Porsche GT or Zonda replacement or lookalike for less than Ultima money. Sorry if it sounded insulting. I hope you have every success with whatever you end up building and hope it fulfils your wishes.
OK so overreaction alert on my part
To be fair I do realise that my GT project is pushing the locost boundaries which is why I've not started a thread about it despite the thread
hijacks.
To clear it up, its a concept I am aiming for and wont be a replica of anything.
Oh did I mention I bought the BMW V12 for £10.51? 