Mendiola vs. Fortin

[Preez]

Which is prefered? Mendiola? Fortin?

We have a Class 10 Honda powered Jimco with a Mendiola squential 5spd. We're having some issuse with the tranny.

I was wondering, is there alot of problems with this particular model or do we just have bad luck?

Please feel free to give me your opinions.

[cogbox]

what problems have you been having? mendeola makes a good box, they just need a little massaging if it is to be used in a race car. the trans was made to be used in a sand car. hope this helps:)

[stuckthrottle]

A Honda powered Jimco with a Mendeola S5 just won the 2007 SCORE Class 10championship.
A Mendeola S5D, which shares components with S4/S5 also just clinched the Best in the Desert Class 1500 Championship.
What problems have you been having with your transaxle, we are here to help, feel free to give us a call at shop @ 619.710.8800 or call our tech line @ 619.938.1453 or PM me.

[NIKAL]

Mendeola gear box's won the Score points in class 10 with Yee and class 12 with Noe this year. I like the Mendeola, and the fact that's its close to half the price of Fortin's boxs and the cost to service is a lot less.

[dhardesty]

Mendeola does make a good box, HOWEVER, Fortin has a better winning record in class 10. In fact Yees have won more races with Fortin transmissions than Menedola.

My experience with Fortin is flawless. We haven't had a single issue with any Fortin Product in 3 years of racing class 10.

Top to bottom the Fortin Products are made of better material, designed better, and perform better. I suggest talking to Doug at Fortin racing. You can't find a more knowledgable group of people than the Fortin Clan.

[SIK Perf]

The issues that Preez had with his 5 speed sequential was a broken shift fork for the 2nd and 3rd shift drum(not sure if my nomenclature is correct) after about 20 race miles(Terrible Cup III). We took it out again last week for testing in Barstow and had a similar issue after about 90 miles. Not sure what broke this time yet, but both times the car was being down shifted without a clutch. Maybe that is what the problem is. We were under the assumption that you could shift that trans without a clutch. And it does shift very nicely advancing up thru the gears, but maybe a clutch and throttle bump are required for down shifting.

Any input from you guys with knowledge of a sequential would be greatly appreciated.

[cogbox]

i would alway say use a clutch when down shifting. it gives a moment for the trans to catch up to the motor speed. when you broke the shift fork was it the part around the shift drum, or was it the part around the slider. we have had a few that the slider was sticking as it slid on its hub. i don't know if you are servicing this gearbox yourself, but if you are i would check that out. hope this helps drop a line if you have any questions :)

[tedmales]

The issues that Preez had with his 5 speed sequential was a broken shift fork for the 2nd and 3rd shift drum(not sure if my nomenclature is correct) after about 20 race miles(Terrible Cup III). We took it out again last week for testing in Barstow and had a similar issue after about 90 miles. Not sure what broke this time yet, but both times the car was being down shifted without a clutch. Maybe that is what the problem is. We were under the assumption that you could shift that trans without a clutch. And it does shift very nicely advancing up thru the gears, but maybe a clutch and throttle bump are required for down shifting.

Any input from you guys with knowledge of a sequential would be greatly appreciated.

This might be a dumb question, but why would you not use the clutch to shift?

[cogbox]

you don't "have" to use a clutch when up shifting. that is why the trans has 8 shift dogs on the gears and sliders. it allows the trans to be shifted at speed. but i suggest that the trans be clutched when it is down shifted. it allows the dogs time to lock in before the force of the motor hits them. i am sure some people do not agree with what i say but that is what has worked for us:D let me know if this answers your questions.

[HotRod82]

I am surprised no one has mentioned the fact that it is all up to the driver....not the trans. I have seen gearsets (and cogs) with 500 miles on them that are completely junk, and I have seen gearsets out of identical applications with literally thousands of miles on them that barely show any wear at all. The difference?? it's all about the driver.

[cogbox]

True....... :d Very True. Well Said If Its The Driver

[mexracer10]

what problems have you been having? mendeola makes a good box, they just need a little massaging if it is to be used in a race car. the trans was made to be used in a sand car. hope this helps:)

I actually thought it was the opposite. the mendies are not sand trannys and are ment for racing. There are more than a few people who have supper high powered sand cars with the a small mendi tranny, even the s4 and s5 have their limits. Most race trannys are made for people who know how to drive them..... I herd through the grape vien that the hd tranny met its match with Mr. R.M........... and in other cars the tranny has performed flawlessly season after season. I think application and driver have alot more to do with longevity of a tranny than the design/materials.... To a certian extent.

[SIK Perf]

Thanks for the input guys. Stuck throttle sent me some good info. After thinking about my streetbike days, we will be using the clutch and a throttle blip to downshift.