Author Topic: Gearbox options  (Read 2530 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline chrisbeck

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Joined: Oct 2018
  • Location: Amersham, UK
  • Posts: 39
Gearbox options
« on: Monday,November 19, 2018, 08:43:45 AM »
I'm about to start restoring (in the UK) a 1973 Federal TC Special that currently has a 4-Speed 'box. It will be built on a new Spyder chassis so I've got the option to upgrade to a newer 5-Speed 'box.
Can anyone direct me to a composite list of the various Renault gearbox type numbers and the Renault models they came from so I can start my search? There is a lot of information in the knowledge base on here but I need some help to home in on what I want.
Thanks, Chris

Offline BDA

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Jul 2012
  • Location: North Carolina
  • Posts: 9,998
Re: Gearbox options
« Reply #1 on: Monday,November 19, 2018, 09:55:00 AM »
The usual replacement is an NG3 but I have heard of people using other NG series boxes. Our own jbcollier has a 395. JB feels that the 1st in too low and the gap between 1st and 2nd is too wide in the NG3 and I have no trouble believing it could be better. I have an NG3 and it doesn't bother me, but my motor (BDA) was built by the late Dave Bean and compared to his best 1600cc TC, it has a bit less torque till you get to 6000 rpm so that may be a contributory factor. Another factor is that I may not be sensitive or skilled enough to appreciate the difference.

I know that Spyder supports the NG3 and that would be a reason to go with one. You might check with them to see what other boxes they support. Richard at Banks would be another person to talk to about this (call him as he doesn't do email). He sells NG3s that are set up for the Europa. There are some modifications needed to do this (explained here: http://www.greytower.com/jon/lotus/europa/gearbox/gearbox.html) in case you're interested in doing it yourself. NG3s went out of worldwide production in the early '90s (in South Africa) so parts are still available. The 365 that came with the 5 speed TCs, utilized custom parts so parts (especially the 5th gear) so some of those parts are either rare or unavailable.

Hopefully somebody who has more knowledge and knowledge about other options will chime in.
« Last Edit: Monday,November 19, 2018, 05:07:23 PM by BDA »

Offline jbcollier

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Nov 2013
  • Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • Posts: 5,978
Re: Gearbox options
« Reply #2 on: Monday,November 19, 2018, 12:21:47 PM »
Send me a PM with your email and I will send you an excel file with all the Renault gearbox options.  It has the gear ratios, final drives and a speed in gear function.

Offline Grumblebuns

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Aug 2012
  • Location: San Diego area
  • Posts: 1,531
Re: Gearbox options
« Reply #3 on: Monday,November 19, 2018, 04:20:45 PM »
 Here is another site for reference, as the author claims, accuracy is not guaranteed.

http://www.syer.net/donor_cars.htm

Offline StephenH

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Joined: May 2013
  • Location: Melbourne, Australia
  • Posts: 251
Re: Gearbox options
« Reply #4 on: Monday,November 19, 2018, 05:48:33 PM »
JB feels that the 1st in too low and the gap between 1st and 2nd is too wide in the NG3 and I have no trouble believing it could be better.

Yes, my own experience is that the 1-2 gap for the NG3 is wide as first is pretty short.
No the bonus side, you won't stall getting away from the line.
Stephen
54/1690 1969 S2

Offline jbcollier

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Nov 2013
  • Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • Posts: 5,978
Re: Gearbox options
« Reply #5 on: Monday,November 19, 2018, 09:08:59 PM »
I went with an early 395 (3.4x first) and fit an 0.86 fifth out of a later 395.  The gap between third and fourth is a bit wide but I'm otherwise very happy.

Offline SwiftDB4

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Joined: Jun 2016
  • Location: WA
  • Posts: 346
Re: Gearbox options
« Reply #6 on: Friday,November 23, 2018, 08:43:16 AM »
As noted the 1st gear on the NG3 is extremely low. I just start in 2nd and effectively it's a 4 speed.

Offline RoddyMac

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Joined: Nov 2013
  • Location: Vancouver, BC
  • Posts: 544
Re: Gearbox options
« Reply #7 on: Friday,November 23, 2018, 08:56:03 AM »
With the Zetec/NG3 combo in mine, 3rd gear works just fine for starting  :P


Offline jbcollier

  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Nov 2013
  • Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • Posts: 5,978
Re: Gearbox options
« Reply #8 on: Friday,November 23, 2018, 09:16:52 AM »
A different final drive would be wonderful.  There are 3.4s out there for the NG series but no idea how easy they are to find.

Offline rgh

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Joined: Oct 2018
  • Location: Australia
  • Posts: 2
Re: Gearbox options
« Reply #9 on: Saturday,November 24, 2018, 04:07:24 PM »
The NG9 has a lower final drive of 3.45:1 as opposed to 3.78:1 in the NG3: http://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/renault-forum/107620-1990-r21-5-speed-gear-ratios.html