<VV> 5-speed transmission

[Charles Sadek]

If I may, the T5 NWC (Non World Class) conversion Kent speaks of, seems to
work well, now that several folks have contributed to correcting
deficiencies which arose upon use of the original conversion. Anyone
interested in this topic should peruse the long thread on the Corvair Center
Forum where just about everything one could ask is addressed.

If someone wants to do this now, replacing the transmission portion with a
T5 WC (World Class),it probably could be successful. This would also allow
the retention of the suspension-mounting stock differential. Remember, on a
LM Corvair, the rear axles serve as a lateral control arms.

Regarding the Subaru 5 spd transaxle, like the Porsche transaxles, the case
does not have mounting points for the suspension pickups. This means a
cradle must be built, lateral control arms constructed for use with it. The
cradle must attach to the Uni-body "frame rails"  and to that cradle or
support, lateral control arms go to the outer axle hubs, trailing arms if
used, etc. In the stock LM Corvair, the front of the transmission is the
front drivetrain assy mount. I haven't looked into it, but I don't think the
Subie case is constructed to bear the drivetrain forces.  Furthermore, as
Cliff points out, axles must be fabricated to fit the transaxle (inner end)
and the outer end of either a U-Joint affair to fit the stock axle stub or a
more modern CV stub axle.

The shift linkage is probably the most straightforward affair. I haven't
looked into whether the shift pattern in the car should be reversed or not
(Subaru transaxle is facing backwards compared to the Subaru stock
location).

If I missed something, someone will chime in.

Chuck S

-----Original Message-----
From: On Behalf Of Cliff Tibbitts via VirtualVairs
Subject: <VV> 5-speed transmission

Okay, as I mentioned earlier, I was not around when the original T-5 came
out.  I was at the performance workshop when someone gave a presentation on
the "fixes" for the original T-5.

Kent can correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall that there are only
a handful of these in existence and no one is willing to part with them.
This means if someone truly wants to go to the effort of modifying another
transaxle, as Matt has done, then they should go ahead and try it.  We will
never know for sure.  We can all throw our hat into the ring when it's just
talk and speculation.  I doubt if anyone is going to go to the bother of
testing a bunch of different ratios.  I know of at least one other attempt
at fitting a Subaru transaxle but I think that one withered on the vine.

The immediate problem I see with Matt's solution is the half shafts.  If
you can get past that, then I would think that would probably be the
quickest route to a functional 5 speed.  Personally, I don't see myself
doing it but someone could and report back with the findings.

As I've said repeatedly, I don't think the RPMs will be the limiting
factor.  I believe our engines work the best at about 2400-2600 RPM
anyway.  At least mine does.  So before I would go to the time and effort
of installing a 5 speed, I would instead opt for a 3.27 rear end which will
lower my RPMs by about 300 at 70MPH.

Cliff Tibbitts
cliff at tibweb.com
 _______________________________________________
This message was sent by the VirtualVairs mailing list, all copyrights are
the property
of the writer, please attribute properly. For help,
mailto:vv-help at corvair.org
This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America,
http://www.corvair.org/
Post messages to: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
Change your options: http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/options/virtualvairs
Archives: http://www.vv.corvair.org/archive.htm
 _______________________________________________


-- 
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus