Non-OE Transmission Swap

[Sterling]

Looking into the possibility of running a different transmission in the Scorpion SCCA Race car. The Lancia stuff is rare and expensive. Yes, it does exists.

Close ratio, dog engagement, diffenent final drive ratios trannys are more pletiful for some other makes.

I know this is a big deal, axles, adapter, flywheel, clutch shift linkage, etc. But, I'm game.

The K series Honda tranny looked promising but I've ruled it out because of the cost of custom gears and dogs, $10,000

Now I'm looking at VW trannys.

So, anyone have any experience or advice on these or on a different tranny ?


Thanks,
Sterling

[Will]

I assume you've ruled out the Colotti gearset? I heard they had some reliability problems, ands AFAIK they are only available through STD.

-Will

[Otto-valvole-per-tutte]

Here's your Colotti stuff:

http://www.colotti.it/TED/lanciaD.htm

Not cheap though ...

8O

[SubGothius]

I have to wonder if an Alfa 164 tranny would work, or could be made to work -- I've read that they were actually derived from the Lancia Beta unit. Just a thought.

[Will]

Tye, I'm not certain but I interpreted the post as looking for a racing gearset (straight gears), rather than durability. AFAIK the 164 would not be suitable in this respect, while the durability of the stock unit is pretty good, possibly exceptional (when was the last time somebody dropped a Beta box on the track?)


The 164 (at least the one I have) has longer output shafts with larger CV flanges, so you are looking at custom axles, etc. as well. If this is the case, there is enough work involved that it is probably easier to go to a north-south arrangement and use a Porche/VW, Renault, or Hewland box.

A Mark 5 has about a zillion available gearsets, is a true "racing" box, and I seroiusly doubt you could blow one up with a Lancia twin cam (Hey, they use them in 240HP Cosworth Atlantics that shift at 10K)

Then you just need a driver with short legs. A rotary and Porsche box will fit in an X-1/9, but judging from the wheelbase on an 037, I think the firewall will need to bump up a few inches to fit a stock TC and sidewinder box. Could be fun, but not if your first race is in a month!

[Sterling]

Thanks for the input,

Your right the stock boxes are pretty strong. Although I am sitting here looking at a bad one right now. But, I have other good ones.

This is not a street apllication. A race box is just much different.

Having 5 gears available while on track is much different than only 3. A 2500 RPM drop between 2nd and 3rd is a big deal if you are running with a narrow bower band.

So, that's why I ask.

I don't want to get beat by MGBs, Spitfires, 914's and Miatas. Just doesn't feel right or look good.

Any input is appreciated.

Sterling

[Fingers]

Colotti in Inglese

http://www.colotti.it/Engl/lanciaE.htm

[lanciahf]

This is easy not that I could actually do it.

VW VR6 Engine and tranny. Great compact motor with ties to Lancia's old V4 motors. Since the orginal scorpian engine bay was designed to hold a v6 a VR6 should be no problem. Gearbox Ratios should be plentiful. I'm pretty sure this has been done before.

[Sterling]

Yes,
the VW 02A / 02J transmissions look promising.

This is a picture of a Complete Close Ratio 6-Speed Race transmission - Golf, Jetta, N Beetle 2.0 liter 1.8T MK4

http://www.eurospecsport.com/db/images/4.jpg


Sterling