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Zetec 1800 blacktop to rx8 5 speed gearbox
Aaronzeteclocost - 3/10/15 at 12:54 PM

Hiya, new to this but need to ask a question
I have 1800 zetec engine and trying to put rx8 gearbox to it but it won't go
The gearbox shaft that goes through the clutch is a bigger diameter the what the clutch is on the zetec.
I know I need an adaptor plate but I don't know if I need to change the clutch or flywheel or both? Can you guys please give me some advice?
Thanks a lot


coozer - 3/10/15 at 01:38 PM

You just need a plate that fits the gearbox and is the same diameter as the the ford cover. Good luck!


Aaronzeteclocost - 3/10/15 at 01:48 PM

Yes but the shaft on gearbox won't fit in the clutch plate


big_wasa - 3/10/15 at 04:11 PM

1.8 zetec's did not all have the Mtx75 gearbox. This is the one with the 1" 23 spline clutch plate like the rx8. So you are looking for a Mondeo 220mm clutch plate.

If the engine came from an early car like a mk5 escort or an orion it would be a type Bc box. Later escorts and Foci would be the type IB5. These have a 20mm x 17 spline input shaft.

Hope this helps


Aaronzeteclocost - 3/10/15 at 04:42 PM

Yeah it was out of a focus, so all I need is a different clutch centre , from early Mondaeo ? Thanks for replys


big_wasa - 3/10/15 at 04:58 PM

Or the heavier 2.0 flywheel as all the 2.0 where 240mm 23x1"

I think the only 220mm 23x1" clutch you will find is a mk1 Mondeo.


Aaronzeteclocost - 3/10/15 at 05:09 PM

Ok, would a pinto clutch not do?


big_wasa - 3/10/15 at 05:17 PM

I can't tell you if the rwd plate will fit the fwd cover. It's standard to have the zetec flywheel drilled for the complete pinto clutch and cover but I can't tell you how that will work with the rx8 thrust beering.


Aaronzeteclocost - 3/10/15 at 05:30 PM

Ok I'm at a bit of a loss, I was also thinking about a complete rx8 clutch fitted on the standard zetec flywheel, then thrust bearing and release arm should in theory not need to be altered?


cliftyhanger - 3/10/15 at 05:49 PM

That may depend on the comparative position of the clutch bearing to the cover fingers and the engine backplate.....

(i keep thinking about the 6 speed box as an alternative to my T9, with a longer ratio diff so first is not so redundant, gears 2-4 maybe 5 being very usable, and the 5th still giving a relaxed motorway cruise. Still, other more pressing things to deal with first!)


big_wasa - 3/10/15 at 07:21 PM

I missed the boat on the cheap rx8 6 speed boxes. There has been nothing local and sub £150 in ages. Add the cost of the conversion and odds and sods and your not a million miles away from an uprated T9.

The bloke to talk to is the guy that makes the kit unless you bought one of the copy plates


Aaronzeteclocost - 3/10/15 at 07:30 PM

Have spoke to Paul at p9cyo and he reckons just a clutch disc from a rx8 will work ok. Any thoughts?


coozer - 3/10/15 at 07:49 PM

I've got a Toyota w57 lying in the garage but for the life off me could not find a way to mount it to a zetec.

Well, apart from dellows in Oz but I ain't won the lottery yet!


coozer - 3/10/15 at 07:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by cliftyhanger
That may depend on the comparative position of the clutch bearing to the cover fingers and the engine backplate.....

(i keep thinking about the 6 speed box as an alternative to my T9, with a longer ratio diff so first is not so redundant, gears 2-4 maybe 5 being very usable, and the 5th still giving a relaxed motorway cruise. Still, other more pressing things to deal with first!)


The six speeder is tons of kg heavier than the 5 cog box and not worth the extra cog as the final drive is the same...

As said a close ratio type 9 is around £750 and sounds like a lot of money but as a standard swap in just probably as cheapo as trying to mount things that don't fit out of the box.

Just wish I'd spent £750 on a box than 2k on injection.... Hindsight...


Aaronzeteclocost - 3/10/15 at 08:12 PM

Also, has anyone used rx8 hubs? The front ones look nice and easy to make wishbones for. But the rears look a bit more difficult but quite doable


big_wasa - 3/10/15 at 08:35 PM

There is a guy on the Haynes using mk3 mx5 uprights. I think they are similar to the rx8 bits.


Aaronzeteclocost - 3/10/15 at 09:04 PM

Yeah they don't look to bad.
That's it I'm gunna buy a rx8 clutch disk on Monday and see if it will work.


coozer - 3/10/15 at 09:14 PM

Post some pics of the RX front uprights..


Aaronzeteclocost - 3/10/15 at 10:04 PM

Will do if I can figure it out


J90rdn - 6/12/15 at 11:33 PM

Did the RX8 clutch fit? I picked up a 6 speed RX8 gearbox this afternoon so also going down this route.


Aaron2015locost - 7/12/15 at 01:13 AM

No I brought a mondeo mk 1 clutch and all fitted up well with a home made adapted plate


J90rdn - 7/12/15 at 01:19 AM

Interested in seeing pics if you have them? What have you fitted it into? What starter did you use? Assume the type 9, and if so did you cover up the RX8 starter hole on the other side? Also, how did the hydrolic clutch work out? Thanks


Aaron2015locost - 7/12/15 at 10:49 AM

hiya, its mated to a 1800 zetwc blacktop,
its the original ford starter motor in the originalplac on the engine with just a little bit of the bellhousing ground away.
not put the slave on the clutch but all seems ok.
clutch is still half price aswell at eurocar parts I believe
will upload some pics as soon I I know how


J90rdn - 7/12/15 at 10:55 AM

So many questions I have - lol

You will have to use an external photo hosting site - I use photo bucket, then just paste a link to the photo in your post.

So are you using a cable clutch then? I'm planning on using hydraulic. Are you covering up the holes in the RX8 bell housing to stop crap getting in there?

What car are you fitting it into?


J90rdn - 7/12/15 at 10:59 AM

Alternatively email me the pics and I can host for you.


Aaron2015locost - 7/12/15 at 11:08 AM

yes I will be using hydraulic
will be putting a blanking plate on rx8 starter hole
will also be covering up the tiny holes around the starter with nice tidy black silican,
what engine are you using?
mine is all a build in progress so not had it going proper.
I was after a 6 speed to start with but was reading a lot about how the 1st gear is pretty much redundant


J90rdn - 7/12/15 at 11:20 AM

Will be a crate engine 2l blacktop. Not ordered yet as wanted to see how the gearbox was going to pan out.

I was thinking either JB weld some aluminium strips over the bell housing holes, or use some self tappers. I have the slave cylinder from the RX8 so plan on buying something like a Wilwood master cylinder attached to the back of the clutch pedal - all early days thinking so far.

Assuming standard sierra 1.8cvh starter motor attached to the adapter plate will work fine - little but of shaving of the bell housing as you say.