Transaxle options ?

[Pharaoh XJ]

Hi guys,

a buddy is building a class 1 style buggy for rally raid here in Cairo, we have a rolling chassis but still need to decide on the powertrain.

Our list include:
A mild LS1 400hp

& we are looking for a 5 speed sequential transaxle, we will be running 35s and the target weight is 3400 lbs.

We need something that will hold up to the abuse caused by the thick sand & the steep climbs of the dunes.


What do you guys think

Mendeola S5, S5D, HD5
Albins AGB 5 SEQ,
Fortin FRS5 ?

other options include SADEV & XTRAC European manufactures

I need your help guys

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[partybarge_pilot]

Star transaxles from Australia. 6 speed with a converter. full sized dog shifted reverse that can be switched into with shutting down the motor. Billet case with a very narrow flange to flange measurement. Very compact.........

[redmist]

Star transaxles from Australia. 6 speed with a converter. full sized dog shifted reverse that can be switched into with shutting down the motor. Billet case with a very narrow flange to flange measurement. Very compact.........

Is this the box that Wayne Bannan has had issues developing for the last few years? Still running a stock Hewland gearset isn't it?

Remain tried, tested, and true. You simply can't beat an Albins... (other than price!) I've been bashing the shyte out of my small 10 inch for the last three seasons. 610 wheel HP, huge torque from the Cosworth twin turbo, short course and endurance racing.
My only minor issue is the torsen doesn't like to be fought against. In short course I'm constantly on the cutting brake. It forces the worm drives in the torsen to slam against the housing. In three seasons I've had to machine the torsen housing endplates once.

[NIKAL]

Star transaxles from Australia. 6 speed with a converter. full sized dog shifted reverse that can be switched into with shutting down the motor. Billet case with a very narrow flange to flange measurement. Very compact.........

Chenowth is building two new Millenium/DR2 style chassis that will be going to Australia. I'm not 100%, but believe the transaxle going in those two cars will be a Star gear box.

[shifter]

Is the car going to be mid engine or rear engine? Do you want a clutch or torque coverter? How many speeds? 2wd or 4wd?

pat W

[partybarge_pilot]

Is this the box that Wayne Bannan has had issues developing for the last few years? Still running a stock Hewland gearset isn't it?

Remain tried, tested, and true. You simply can't beat an Albins... (other than price!) I've been bashing the shyte out of my small 10 inch for the last three seasons. 610 wheel HP, huge torque from the Cosworth twin turbo, short course and endurance racing.
My only minor issue is the torsen doesn't like to be fought against. In short course I'm constantly on the cutting brake. It forces the worm drives in the torsen to slam against the housing. In three seasons I've had to machine the torsen housing endplates once.

Wayne has had the issues solved for a while.

Like most of the down under cars, yours is probably way light compared to a state side car. If you ever manage to get traction things will get ugly. I was having this same conversation with Daniel Powell at the 1000. His car is running over 600HP on 35's with 930's. That would last about 10 miles in San Felipe.......... But it would be an impressive 10 miles!

The star tans has been run state side in a medium weight 1 car with very good results.

[redmist]

Wayne has had the issues solved for a while.

Like most of the down under cars, yours is probably way light compared to a state side car. If you ever manage to get traction things will get ugly. I was having this same conversation with Daniel Powell at the 1000. His car is running over 600HP on 35's with 930's. That would last about 10 miles in San Felipe.......... But it would be an impressive 10 miles!
.

Brian, I've heard of that fantastically good looking, amazingly intelligent, NewZealander. Small correction, his Jimco runs 934's, and is only 609 hp at the wheels (approx 710 flywheel). He apparently met with a Porter 1 car crew (in the 1000) running the 12 inch Albins without a torque converter that had no issues with the trans in the last two seasons. I understand Daniel to be more scared of breaking the poor little punished 10 car chassis in half rather than doing the trans in the B1K.

Other than Daniel's Jimco there is a considerably heavier 2000 series JImco 2 seater in NZ that blew the CWP out the side of the Fortin trans, replaced with an Albins that has since been very reliable.

Wayne's car is slightly heavier than Daniel's, the Millenium is about 200hp down on the Jimco, the Millenium a torque converter. The Chenowth also isn't punished by short course action. Not that your desert cars are similarly punished.

[partybarge_pilot]

Brian, I've heard of that fantastically good looking, amazingly intelligent, NewZealander.

Must be all that skipping rope........

[Pharaoh XJ]

We are planning on running it rear engine, a mild LS , & 35s, in fairly light 1 car 3400#

I know that an albins is the best choice but we dont need something overkill we want cost effective reliability.

Also what do you recommend a clutch or a TC knowing that there will be a lot of stopping for check points in the dunes & a lot of reverse ?

I ve seen Armin schwarz running a Hybrid clutch/TC setup !

[shifter]

We have a 5 speed h-pattern syncro box with a syncro reverse with a 12 bolt ring and pinion, Clutch style. Or you can go exotic with our new billet transverse semi-automatic 6 speed with a torque converter.

pat W