joff-turbo-nova
10-02-10, 01:03 PM
Hi all,
As you may be aware I now have a 53 plate Meriva with a 1.8 16v engine , which is the Z18XE engine (cambelt driven with a F17CR gearbox on the older style gear linkage i.e not cable operated).
The gearing on the F17CR gearbox seems stupid when it comes to motorway driving - its revving around 3800 rpm at 70 mph (the nova with a F28 ticks over at about 2700 rpm at 70 !) . Its really doing the wifes head in and it feels like its revving its head off when you get anywhere near motorway speeds!
Anyway - I was thinking that given as I don't do standard what are the options on changing over the gearbox to something a bit more sensible that will give lower revs at 70 mph.
With the Merivas, very much like the Corsa C's the engine and gear box sits on an engine bed and this will need to be removed before I can extract the gearbox, so its not a straightforward job so was thinking that if I have to whip the gearbox out I might as well get something nice in there.
Being a fan of the six speed boxes since putting one on my C20XE back in 1998 I was thinking that maybe an F28 maybe an option - especially as I have a good spare one sitting under my bench gathering dust or if this won't fit maybe a variation of the M32 box?
Have found this on ebay but unsure whether it will fit as its from a 1.9 cdti vectra - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2005-VAUXHALL-VECTRA-1-9-CDTI-SIX-SPEED- . IGEARBOX_W0QQitemZ180463819432QQcmdZViewItemQQptZU K_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2a047b5a a8
I know that the M32 from a Corsa D VXR fits but these seem to be fetching mega bucks at the moment. ALso the F28 has a mechanical linkage (which is how the meriva is at the moment) and the M32 are cable driven (which means that I will need to change the gearstick and put in the cables on the meriva).
Third option is the boring one of getting a 5 speed box from a diesel astra which has a different final drive which may help a bit.
Comments , thoughts and suggestions gratefully accepted.
Cheers
Joff
As you may be aware I now have a 53 plate Meriva with a 1.8 16v engine , which is the Z18XE engine (cambelt driven with a F17CR gearbox on the older style gear linkage i.e not cable operated).
The gearing on the F17CR gearbox seems stupid when it comes to motorway driving - its revving around 3800 rpm at 70 mph (the nova with a F28 ticks over at about 2700 rpm at 70 !) . Its really doing the wifes head in and it feels like its revving its head off when you get anywhere near motorway speeds!
Anyway - I was thinking that given as I don't do standard what are the options on changing over the gearbox to something a bit more sensible that will give lower revs at 70 mph.
With the Merivas, very much like the Corsa C's the engine and gear box sits on an engine bed and this will need to be removed before I can extract the gearbox, so its not a straightforward job so was thinking that if I have to whip the gearbox out I might as well get something nice in there.
Being a fan of the six speed boxes since putting one on my C20XE back in 1998 I was thinking that maybe an F28 maybe an option - especially as I have a good spare one sitting under my bench gathering dust or if this won't fit maybe a variation of the M32 box?
Have found this on ebay but unsure whether it will fit as its from a 1.9 cdti vectra - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2005-VAUXHALL-VECTRA-1-9-CDTI-SIX-SPEED- . IGEARBOX_W0QQitemZ180463819432QQcmdZViewItemQQptZU K_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2a047b5a a8
I know that the M32 from a Corsa D VXR fits but these seem to be fetching mega bucks at the moment. ALso the F28 has a mechanical linkage (which is how the meriva is at the moment) and the M32 are cable driven (which means that I will need to change the gearstick and put in the cables on the meriva).
Third option is the boring one of getting a 5 speed box from a diesel astra which has a different final drive which may help a bit.
Comments , thoughts and suggestions gratefully accepted.
Cheers
Joff