How Bulletproof Is A Stadard Ke20 Gearbox?

[Doogs]

Hey all,

 

I have just been thinking for my upcoming build about gearbox options.

 

I will be doing some hillclimbs and running a warm 4k engine. Obviously

I will be putting the gearbox under some strain by doing this, but was wondering

how bulletproof a standard ke20 manual is, and if it will hold up to the task.

 

How strong are these boxes?

 

Do they have a rep for being prone to long-term damage?

 

I have considered a conversion to a k50 5-speed or a celica box, but again

don't know how good these are.

 

What are these like?

 

If the standard box is strong enough, does anyone know what kind of

price i would be looking at to get synchro fitted to 2nd ?

 

Thanks for your help,

 

Dougal

[Redwarf]

I ran a K40 box behind my very warm 3/4K for years and years. Good strong box, the only time I had issues was when rallying, 3rd gear didn't like being jumped (airborne style) and had a tendency to explode. For your application it will be more than adequate. Look for a 4.5 diff from somewhere, as that will do you favours in the hillclimbs.

[Doogs]

I ran a K40 box behind my very warm 3/4K for years and years. Good strong box, the only time I had issues was when rallying, 3rd gear didn't like being jumped (airborne style) and had a tendency to explode. For your application it will be more than adequate. Look for a 4.5 diff from somewhere, as that will do you favours in the hillclimbs.

 

Thanks,

 

I am also looking into an LSD conversion, without changing the housing.

Supposedly a joint in Melbourne called Tayell Automotive will do one for $250.

 

Do you think it is worth getting synchro fitted to 2nd ? Or do they already come with it?

Do you have much trouble with crunching gears?

 

Cheers

[irokin]

All of your forward gears should have syncros. If its crunching the syncros probably worn out. For $250 its probably a psuedo LSD. Not nearly as good as a true clutch pack LSD but...better than nothing? maybe?

[Doogs]

All of your forward gears should have syncros. If its crunching the syncros probably worn out. For $250 its probably a psuedo LSD. Not nearly as good as a true clutch pack LSD but...better than nothing? maybe?

 

Do you know what other options are available ?

 

I want to run an LSD, but have heard that changing over the housing, or whole

rear end can be a pain. :lolcry:

 

How much would a clutch pack version be worth ?

 

I would prefer to do a good job in the first place, than cut corners

and have to fix it all up later.

 

Thanks

[Taz_Rx]

There is no bolt in LSD for a corolla, until you get to ae86's, so get that out of your head.

 

The $250 one in Melbourne are just thick plates and springs that push on the splined spider gears. Very much a "poor man's LSD" but they sorta work.

 

If you want a proper clutch pack of torsen LSD then you have to change the whole diff, to something like a hilux and skyline diff.

[Doogs]

There is no bolt in LSD for a corolla, until you get to ae86's, so get that out of your head.

 

The $250 one in Melbourne are just thick plates and springs that push on the splined spider gears. Very much a "poor man's LSD" but they sorta work.

 

If you want a proper clutch pack of torsen LSD then you have to change the whole diff, to something like a hilux and skyline diff.

 

How much work would fitting a skyline or hilux diff be ?

 

and

 

What kind of $ are we looking at ?

 

As i said before, i want to do the job properly to save problems later.

 

How shite is the ''poor man's LSD'' ?

 

It sounds similar to what a few guys were trying to organise in another thread

a while back. I still don't know much about this $250 conversion, as i only found

out about it via the FAQ.

 

Supposedly the KP Starlets came out with an LSD, and these can be imported from the US

for around $880. They are meant to bolt straight in.

 

Does anyone have experience with these?

 

Cheers

[irokin]

Expect to pay $1200-1500 for a clutch pack LSD and then the housing, conversion and installation of the LSD center on top of that. Soo....maybe budget around $3k unless you can do the majority of the work yourself.

[Jono]

a mate of mine paid $2k for his diff setup, a route i'll be taking in the next year or so.

 

$2k got him:

 

a VN v8 borg warner diff cut down to suit ke20 with leaf spring mounts re welded on.

 

brand new LSD centre

 

brand new disc rotors

 

recond. calipers.

 

 

pretty much a no nonsense package, with all new stuff. but then again its sitting behind a fair bit more power than a warm 4k.

 

4agze with disco potato on 20psi anyone?

[Redwarf]

How much work would fitting a skyline or hilux diff be ?

 

and

 

What kind of $ are we looking at ?

 

As i said before, i want to do the job properly to save problems later.

 

How shite is the ''poor man's LSD'' ?

 

It sounds similar to what a few guys were trying to organise in another thread

a while back. I still don't know much about this $250 conversion, as i only found

out about it via the FAQ.

 

Supposedly the KP Starlets came out with an LSD, and these can be imported from the US

for around $880. They are meant to bolt straight in.

 

Does anyone have experience with these?

 

Cheers

 

You don't need a hi lux or skyline diff. Too much weight, particularly with a 4K. You'd be swatting a fly with an axe with one of those.

 

I don't rate the Tayell Phantom grip diffs. People buy them expecting them to be an LSD but they're not. Yes, they're better than an open diff, no they're not as good as an LSD or locker.

 

Yes there are LSD's to suit Jap 2x style diffs. I've had one. No you won't be able to get one locally. Don't know about O/S or The KP diffs.

 

If second is crunchy, just get another K40 box. There's a tree somewhere that produces thousands of them.

 

Build your 4K, put it the car, go racing. Get priorities happening from there. Suspension would be next on my list, then maybe drivetrain. I ran with an open diff for a few years and unless you want to be a fooly sic drifter, it wont hold you back that much.

Edited November 15, 2007 by Redwarf

[kangaroosa]

Thanks,

 

I am also looking into an LSD conversion, without changing the housing.

Supposedly a joint in Melbourne called Tayell Automotive will do one for $250.

 

 

Cheers

 

I have one in my KE30. I have never done a single wheel burnout since i've had it. No its not a true LSD, but it does its best to replicate one.

Its much more enjoyable than a Locker, and just a fraction of the price of a true LSD which would require a complete housing change $$. So its a happy median for someone on a budget.

Its already sold though (once it gets pulled out), when my R31 diff goes in.

Edited November 15, 2007 by irokin

[Doogs]

Cheers guys,

 

This helps me sort out where i will be going from now.

 

I will buy the car in the next few weeks, then be looking for a 4k and will

start building that up. (balancing, port + polish, bigger valves, cam, extractors etc)

 

Then i will look into diff, gear box and suspension.

 

Thanks again for all your help.

 

Also kangaroosa, i will pm you in a few weeks in regard to one of those boxes

(i expect the one that comes with the ke20 will be rooted)

[irokin]

The no peddling rule seems to have slipped a few peoples minds. Posts edited and deleted....