Author Topic: Build Me A Tranny (Read 3164 times)

Rooodie · « **on:** November 28, 2003, 09:38:25 AM »

So my engine is getting closer to getting competed. I need to start thinking about a tranny to go with it. The engine is a 2275 going in my 62 swing axle bug. I plan on driving the car on the street with some trips to the track. I already have a Rhino Case. What other parts do I need to start gathering?
Thanks
Shane

Geoff · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2003, 10:53:54 AM »

If your going to have it as a daily driver...... How much highway driving will you do? With the cam and rocker combo you will be using i would say that you may want to limit the amount of HWY driving if you build a close box.
If you want all out acceleration with limited top speed cruising (since your building a killer motor built for some quick track times) I would tend to gear it like this. Either use a 4;12 ring and pinion (makes for great wheel stands) with a 9 tooth first and a 1;48 3rd ,1;21 4th. This is the same as i have in the oval and it is a killer combo! with the motor your building i'd say you would be running a 12.50-12.70 @ 107 mph maybe higher.

The other option would be a 3;88 ring & pinion (stronger than a 4;12 unless you order a \"O: type 4;12)with say a 1;56 3rd 1;21 or 1;31 4th (remember these combo's will limit Hwy speeds to aprox 55-60mph with a 26\" tall tire\"

A taller 4th could be added but you will loose the usable RPM from 3rd-4th at the track.

My .02$ worth, Tweds may have a few ideas also but the first combo above works great in my car as well as Mirko's 54.

Rooodie · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2003, 01:02:57 PM »

Not much highway driving, main driving will be the short skip across the border to work.

What other items will I need to make sure it holds up to some abuse?

Geoff · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2003, 01:58:46 PM »

Super diff,4 spider gears to match(should have them from your core trannys...depending on 10 tooth or 11 tooth diff) Chromoly pinion nut,Sway away axles,HD side cover, gasket set, syncro rings,3rd&4th gears, (steel shift forks taken from your core trans) lock nut kit and a HD cross shaft. That should do it, i may have missed something but that is close.

Oh yeah Happy Birthday tomorrow!

Bruce · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2003, 02:03:14 PM »

First thing I'd do is sell the rhino case. Although they look strong, all the extra re-inforcing ribs are in the wrong places. Note that they are above where the 4 gears are. A regular trans case will never break there. Note the extra ribs are not very big under the diff. That's where extra strength is needed since that's where they break in drag cars. Also, the rhino case uses the smaller weakest pinion bearing. And you are stuck with the early throw out bearing. If you go to the drag racing events you won't see anyone using a rhino case. You'll see stock cases gusseted.
I think you are better off getting a 71-73 IRS trans and converting it to swing. You get the larger pinion bearing, guided throw out bearing, and bigger clutch cross shaft. Then get a SSC core for the 9 tooth mainshaft and shifter parts. Buy late 002 gears from ERCO with the syncro hub already welded on. A chromoly pinion nut. A superdiff.
I recommend a 4.12. Its just a little bit better driving in town, and gets you out of the hole better. Go with Geoff's gears. Unless you think your trap speed will be higher, then you'd need a taller 4th.

AlanU · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2003, 06:31:20 PM »

If you already have a rhino case I'd think about gusseting it. I think Mike Lawless's rhino case is a non gusseted one right now-maybe he's lucky??. I was told that there is a modification to adapt the newer guided throwout/release bearing. I used the 10/15 spider gear combo which is the stronger stetup than the more common 11/17 spider gear combo. WHATEVER YOU DO make sure when you but the diff you must indicate what gears your going to use. There are different machining angles neccesary for either the 11/17 or 10/15. I used the wrong superdiff for my 10/15 and I fu!!ed up my diff and blewup my spiders this summer.

If you use a tranny case that Bruce suggested one of the most critical parts to buy is the chromoly pinion nut. Thats what will keep you pinion from moving as you launch hard. buying an aluminum HD sidecover is a nice bonus but according to Mike Herbert at rancho he doesn't think its that critical for most of our hotstreet beetles. The quality of alot of aftermarket side covers are shiat apparently. Who knows??? This is coming from a guy that builds alot of trannies for hipo application. His brothers Mark's 11s car \"shit box\" doesn't use them and this is a guy that gets these parts at cost. As I said nice bonus according to Mike H but not necessary or imperative.

Bruce · « **Reply #6 on:** November 29, 2003, 11:35:44 PM »

Alan,
Mike Lawless uses a Bus trans. He switched to the Bus 'box when he split his type 1 case apart. If it was a Rhino, there's another vote against the Rhino.

AlanU · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2003, 10:40:43 AM »

Bruce's anti-rhino movement is going gangbusters

Alot of people use Rhino cases because they're \"new\". I dont know if thats a really good reason to buy one. A good condition late swing with a tight pinion bore is an excellent foundation for a hotstreet close gear box tranny.

If your gonna use a rhino get it gusseted....period. Theres no structural benefits using a rhino. So its only smart to get it gusseted.

Bruce · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2003, 02:38:18 PM »

New??!?!? They've been around for 20 years!

Rooodie · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2003, 02:59:54 PM »

Anyone know locally where I can get the Rhino gusseted?

Tom H. · « **Reply #10 on:** November 30, 2003, 03:47:40 PM »

Quote

New??!?!? They've been around for 20 years!

\"New\" as in never used.

Geoff · « **Reply #11 on:** November 30, 2003, 07:41:49 PM »

Rhino cases have been used for years!!!!!! And i bet it's a lot stronger than my stock early trans case WITHOUT gussets. Steve Stanbridge raced his car for YEARS with a rhino case as have hundreds of others. Bruce makes good points but he is very opinionated :blush: True, a Rhino with gussets would be the best route for strength but i think a stock rhino would be fine in your case. Jim runs the rhino in his car and on my next trans this winter i will use my Rhino case.

Since you have it run it, if you want gussets we can have that done local.

Rooodie · « **Reply #12 on:** November 30, 2003, 07:58:26 PM »

I'm gonna run the Rhino, just needed some ideas on what to put in it

Island bugs · « **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2004, 11:19:46 PM »

Had a Rhino in my HEAVY street car for over 10 years. (Always drove it like an old granny-NOT!!!) finally chipping the ring gear, case is still good. Just rebuilt by TerryH. Wayne