[MRDANGERUS]

DWINDLING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS

These Cars Only Have Manual Transmissions - Three-Pedal Club - Road & Track

 

[MRDANGERUS]

Here is a good alternative with plenty of ratios to choose:

Griffin Gearboxes Inc.

https://griffingearboxes.com/Mid-Engine_Transaxles.php
.
500-675 lbs ft torque

 

[91MR2]

That looks expensive...

 

[MidLifeZ]

That looks expensive...

5 speeds start at $8,900 so yeah...

 

[Beerman]

Has anyone actually fitted an audi transaxle to an 4 cylinder Esprit?

The old audi 016 (Audi 5000) transaxle is a good and relatively strong transaxle. It has been used behind small block fords quite reliably in GT40 replicas (typically 350-400 hp/tq). I have installed limited slips in these boxes, changed the ratios, added strengthening plates, and various other tips and tricks for added durability, but the basic unmodified 016 is a good strong box for a four cylinder turbo Esprit.

The C35 citroen box in my '88 Esprit is making some noise - sounds like cwp whine. I would be interested in fitting an 016 transaxle instead of rebuilding the C35. Anybody know if an 016 has been fitted before? Have an adapter plate drawing?

Thanks

 

[dsvitesse1]

Has anyone actually fitted an audi transaxle to an 4 cylinder Esprit?

The old audi 016 (Audi 5000) transaxle is a good and relatively strong transaxle. It has been used behind small block fords quite reliably in GT40 replicas (typically 350-400 hp/tq). I have installed limited slips in these boxes, changed the ratios, added strengthening plates, and various other tips and tricks for added durability, but the basic unmodified 016 is a good strong box for a four cylinder turbo Esprit.

The C35 citroen box in my '88 Esprit is making some noise - sounds like cwp whine. I would be interested in fitting an 016 transaxle instead of rebuilding the C35. Anybody know if an 016 has been fitted before? Have an adapter plate drawing?

Thanks

Hi, imho rebuilding the C 35 tranny with cyro treated ring and pinion, plus optional Quaife ATB is more cost effective and way easier than putting in an Audi transaxle.

Combination with cyro cwp and Quaife makes the box pretty strong and lasting.

cheers,

Harry Martens

 

[Beerman]

a few pics of the audi 016 here for ref.

The LSD from a 944 turbo bolts right in, and there are lots of different ratios available for the 016. A quaife lsd is also available for it.

 

[Beerman]

Hi, imho rebuilding the C 35 tranny with cyro treated ring and pinion, plus optional Quaife ATB is more cost effective and way easier than putting in an Audi transaxle.

Combination with cyro cwp and Quaife makes the box pretty strong and lasting.

cheers,

Harry Martens

No, it's not more cost effective.

 

[dsvitesse1]

No, it's not more cost effective.

Ok.

 

[MRDANGERUS]

Has anyone actually fitted an audi transaxle to an 4 cylinder Esprit?

Thanks

The 01E or 0A3 were mated behind the V8's from the factory. The 01X and 012 were all 4 cylinder gas and diesel and 6 cyl gas only, the 6 cyl diesels got 01E's for the most part.

Perhaps they can answer your questions:

Driveline and Gearboxes, Advanced Automotion

 

[Beerman]

Ok.

Hi, I don't mean to be curt/short in my answer. Here's some of the data.....

1. 016 transaxle can be had for typically $200-300 bucks from auto parts recyclers.
2. fab work I will do myself, will use a cable operated gear change, these are typcally $200-300 bucks, GT40s folks use lots of these and there's always a few available with the right brackets for an 016.
3. adapter plate - this takes some work, but the 016 side is easily available, just not sure about the Lotus 4cyl side. Also, what's the clutch pack, etc. Some research necessary here.
4. engine mounts, not difficult, adapt the audi mountings.

Additional work I will have to do myself because I have an '88 with the inboard brakes....folks with '89+ cars don't need to mess with that. Wish I had an 89+ car.

Net, it's not a lot of cost if one can do some basic fab work. And, in the end, an 016 with a LSD from a 944 turbo is a very solid transaxle.

Just my $.02. Of course, results may vary......

 

[MRDANGERUS]

Perhaps, Kennedy Eng can help with the adapter plate.

Kennedy Engineered Products

 

[esprit888]

Race Energy, as well as several others, do a side drive based on the C6 - corvette six speed and its rated at over 1,000hp. Could be a clearance problem with the width at the drive axles though.

Transaxle Solutions at PRI - Hot Rod Magazine Blog

 

[Beerman]

Perhaps, Kennedy Eng can help with the adapter plate.

Kennedy Engineered Products

Thank you....yup, have used their adapter plates before and they are very good quality.

 

[MRDANGERUS]

After putting together a cost/feasibility study, IMHO, the UN1-26 with Holloway upgrade gives the best bang/buck ratio (no chassis revisions!).

 

[MidLifeZ]

After putting together a cost/feasibility study, IMHO, the UN1-26 with Holloway upgrade gives the best bang/buck ratio (no chassis revisions!).

and that price for total kit being?

Modifications required?

 

[irox]

I paid 4k for my holloway. Assuming you have nothing "broken", seals, gaskets are extra cost, and of course labor.

No mods required

 

[irox]

Here's a decent tranny thread, with some holloway mention

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f164/how-many-v8-owners-have-broken-transmission-221617/

 

[MRDANGERUS]

This development may open up some (new?) transaxle possibilities!

You Guys, Mid Engined Vette Is Happening, For Real Doh!

 

[MidLifeZ]

just me or looks like concept of one of the Esprits a year or so ago