Gearbox interchange

[elan+2]

Has anyone driven a plus 2 with a close ratio gearbox from an Elan roadster? What other 2000E box gear boxes would work in a plus 2 and what would be the difference in how it drives?

[gus]

all the semi close gearboxes are the same

+}2 never came with the 'close' ratio box

[jono]

I started a thread on this a while back - try a search

the general consensus was that a close ratio box works very well on a +2. I've been on the lookout for one for some time but they are rare and consequently hard to get a hold of and when they do turn up they fetch very strong money

A friend had a +2 130 with a c/r box and 3.54 diff. He reckons it worked brilliantly and 'made the car' and that the long first gear and tall final drive was not a problem in use once you got used to it.

It was never a standard fitment on +2 but I understand it could be had as an option back in the day.

It's something that intrigues me and I would like to try it one day if only they would only start re manufacturing a helical set.

Jon

[elan+2]

Thanks, that helps. I have been looking for a new gearbox and wanted to know what my options were with the various 2000e box's that would give a good feel/drive.

Are there any other gearbox options that are a direct fit with a "kit" without and mod's to the frame? Is the Quantum Mechanics box still available? I do not see it listed on their website any longer. Did it fit with no mods to the frame?

Does anyone know of a 2000e CR or Semi CR box for sale in the USA?

[gus]

Do you have no gearbox now?

guts are usually available to change one to another, there are two different types of internals that I do not believe are compatible.

[elan+2]

I have a later style box, but after pulling out the box for the second time for a issue that no one can find the fault I am ready to move on to a new box. I had my current box gone through last year as the second gear was a little slow with synchros. I had all bearings, shims, detents, springs and synchros replaced. everything else was in speck and tolerances. the box worked great nice and smooth but after 500 miles I could not downshift into second gear, it will upshift but no downshift into second. It would not grind but you could not engage the gear on downshift (like it was blocked off). I pulled the box and found slight wear on the second gear synchros and believed it was from not replacing the blocker bars. I ordered and replaced with new synchro and blocker bars from Kelvedon. everything else was rechecked and was in speck. I put the box in the car and it drove everything was great again nice and smooth up and down shift but at about 500 miles again it again will not downshift into second! I have had a number of very qualified people look at the box and no one can identify the issue or what to replace other than everything!

I just want to replace with a good working box either new or used and would like to know what my options are here in the USA. I have not been able to find a "good" used box yet and wanted to see what else would fit without mods to the frame.

Cheers

[CBUEB1771]

Is the Quantum Mechanics box still available? I do not see it listed on their website any longer. Did it fit with no mods to the frame?

I believe John Esposito at Quantum Mechanics finally had to give up. He ordered something like ten gearboxes from Alan Voights and after a couple of years of waiting John had probably only received two or three, leaving customers who had put deposits down pretty annoyed. I have one of them and it does not fit without modifications to the frame. I have not had time to install mine yet because more extensive modifications are required than shown in the Voights installation instructions. I would not recommend going this route. Kelvedon Motors in the UK had a bit on their website until recently about producing their own Ford T9 conversion but this too seems to have fallen by the wayside.

[jimj]

elan+2, if I were you I`d have your existing gearbox rebuilt by a specialist who offers a guarantee. It would probably be cheaper and you`d have a known quantity.
Jim

[gus]

Sounds like either bad parts[crappy synchros] or wrong parts[there are two sets of internals IIRC] Or maybe it is possible the synchro mounting face on 2nd gear is worn to an extent that it wears the synchro out quickly

gearboxes should not be rocket science. Find a new gearbox guy

[elan+2]

Any suggestions for a shop to have a look at it that will warranty their work? Somewhere in the southeast USA if possible.

[englishmaninwales]

It might be worth having a chat or email Phil at Road and RaceTransmissions here in the UK about your specific gearbox selection difficulties as there is not much he doesn't know about transmissions, especially Ford. I have always found him very helpful even if there isn't going to be a job in it for him! I can't see an email address at the moment but his UK land line number is 44 1959 525105 and mobile number is 44 7836 333882

Malcolm