5 speed gearbox

[VRSS]

ok i've heard mixed opinions about the 5 speed gearboxes that came out in early commodores.
some people say they're ok
most say they're really weak..
how weak are they really? can they take much abuse?
any info appreciated, cheers

[Smitty]

the 5 speeders...???
only ever good behind the 4 cylinder
or maybe the 2.8 6cylinder...just
nothing bigger though

[1vngal]

I've heard that too, I've know a few of those boxes to snap linkages regualrly just from normal driving. Maybe thats one of the weak points?

A lot of people do change them over to supra/celica gearboxes, due to the fact it's a stronger box.

[VRSS]

hmmm.. okay then.
well ill see how it goes. if it does turn out to be really weak i can get my hands on an aussie 4 speed for next to nothing
thanks

[1vngal]

Yeah, the 4 speed seem to be that bit stronger....

[gd81]

Depends My early 5 speed is still holding upto a mild efi202, that is used for club motor sport.
Might be i drive it right for the box.

[vkberlina]

I had a rebuilt M76 in my VK temporarily with my Hot 202, The first time I didnt get out of the end of my street.
What is weak in them is the circlips that retain the gears on the main shaft. Also the width/thickness of the gears esp 1st & 2nd. My boxed destroyed 1st and second pulling the gears past the circlips destroying the gears & syncros.
Second time around I had a main shaft machined to take larger circlips. After about a week the gearbox exibited early signs of the same problem. I stripped it down to find markings against the circlips & excessing movement of 1st & second.
I put new circlips in and sold the box to someone putting it into a carbie 202 stocker.

What breaks these boxes is torque & load in 1st & second gears. Also loading 5th gear up isnt good for them either.
If its a good car I would recommend a T5 conversion, the V6 T5s & Ford 6cyl T5 boxes are getting pretty cheap now, and work very nicely using a cable driven clutch. The are also Celica 5 speeds & Supra 5 speeds to consider also, but my personal preference is the T5. If you dint mine a 1:1 top gear ratio you can't go past an Aussie 4 speed, 6cyl M20s go pretty cheap now and are very easy to rebuild with new bearings etc.

cheers
Scott

[synoptica]

What mods are needed for the T5 though?

Bellhousing, crossmember... what about clutch and flywheel? Or being BW would it take the same as the MC6 and M76?

edit: oh and tailshaft too?

[VRSS]

the 5 speed is behind a carby 202... will it take much abuse? or will it give up pertty quick..

[spice weasel (BAM)]

I had a carby 202 with a 5 speed in my vk before i bought my vx. I was very unhappy as i had to have it rebuilt twice in twelve months. Mine was stock except for extractors and exhaust.

From my experience i would warn you off the five speed box. just not strong enough to handle the power.

[VRSS]

mm if it gives up ill just get a 4 speed chucked in

[haloeight]

the 5 speed is OK under normal conditions as long as its serviced at the recommended intervals. should handle the efi OK as long as you dont drive like a speed demon.

[JD]

my motto: drive it till it dies!

[VRSS]

yeah thats all well and good but it has to stay alive untill my good car is off defect, so i cant thrash it

[vkberlina]

T5 will require an adapter bell housing, a speedo cable to screw onto the electronic sender mount, cross member.

I have info on the T5 on my site, try HDT for the gearbox cross member unless you want to make one up & try CRS or Dellos for the adapter bellhousing.

cheers
Scott

[synoptica]

Any idea on the tailshaft and clutch? I'm seriously considering a Celica, Supra or preferrably, T5 conversion on the VK...

[vkberlina]

Tail shaft is pretty easy just depends on the diff your running.

You can bolt up a VN-VR V6 or V8 front shaft to a VK salisbury end, but if your running a borgwarner diff I would suggest cutting down a VN-VR shaft. Have a look at my site for info.
Basically the later models run larger Unis nearly the size as the salisbury but with larger bearing caps. Changing the whole shaft will enable you to use the same unis front and rear and make modifying the shaft easier.

cheers
Scott

[phat_com]

my mate bryce said that fifth gear is weak and that if i get one and want to do 100k's then i am better off staying in forth. He said that there is a only a bolt holding the fifth gear in or something. i kinda wasn't listing because he had just spend 45 minutes telling me how to put a vn motor in a vk, so was a bit bored lol

[vkhawkey]

the 5 speed borgwarner in my vk is a heap of shit. very difficult to get it in 2nd gear.

[vkhawkey]

id definately be lookin for a celica or supra conversion. much cheaper than the T5

[DANNY8]

My VH has done 270,000k's and my 5 spd is holding up alright. I have a 173 (2.85) and it regularly gets thrashed. I do a fair few skids and so far I've blown 2 salisbury 8 bolts (now have a borgy in it).....but the trans still goes good!

Mines a M76 (well thats wat it says on the complience plate) and it seems to be doing a good job consdering the hard time I give it.

[Wrayza]

I think like everything you can get shit ones and freak ones. A mate of mine runs an M76 behind a 202 EFI turbo, estimated 200rwkw at the moment, no tune or dyno. Its been holding up really well, but incase it dies he has a Supra box tucked away waiting.

Clutch slips aswell, Centreforce II.

[melstar1980]

Ive had my 5 speed for years upon years and had not one issue with it.. i actually miss driving it