Gearbox bits renewal??

[dunova]

I've got to fit a new f13 box, is there anything i should do to the box before fitting it? Is there anything that'd be good to renew, e.g washers, bearings?

The other thing is that should i fit a new clutch? I don't think mine's in great condition so it would be a good idea, but which clutch? I'm hoping to get around 135-140bhp from the engine when the works done, so would a new standard clutch be good enough to cope with this power?

Does anyone know a good place on the net to get a new clutch (possibly performance) for a good price?

Thanks

[Adam Moran]

I used to run 140bhp ish on my 1.6 T40's and i used a Helix Organic clutch, it was fantasic, highly recomend it.

You can forget the standerd clutch mate, min you would need would be a EBC sports clutch or alike.

Ad

[dunova]

Cheers mate, how much did the helix clutch set you back? Budget's abit tight at the moment :(

[Nick]

Mike oxford runs 140bhp on his OE clutch.

I'd definetly replace the clutch release bearing (would come iwht new clutch) and the Mainshaft bearings for the box.

[Nick]

othwesie, you get a humming/grating noise when you push the clutch in (if the bearing is old)

and if the Mainshaft bearings are old, you get a Whirring/humming noise when the car is not in gear, clutch up.

So if both have gone, whenever your stationary the gearbox area makes a racket.

[dunova]

OE clutch?

Are the main bearings easy to replace?

[Nick]

OE is ssame as standard.

i think i'm right when i mean Mainshaft bearings.

There is a Place near me called EK's, don't know if they're a countrywide company ? but i just pop into there and they can get hold of pretty much any engine parts (bearings, Seals, gaskets) And they are spot on price and know what you need.

[Nick]

try going to a garage, or a transmission specialist and ask a price for a Quick once over and rebuild. Shouldn't cost much.

Definetly worth it, I put 2 shafted boxes in mine and it's really annoying hearing it whine all the time. So if i was doing it again i'd definetly get it checked over, or rebuilt before hand

i'd personally not attempt to strip and rebuild the transmisson, but someone might beable to give you a Easy guide !

[dunova]

Okay cheers Nick i'll check it out. So you think a new standard clutch would be capable of 140bhp (not sure what my torque figures will be like). Because a performance clutch is a lot of money that i don't have lol.

I found these, which look like they'd do they job and they're affordable!

http://www.techniclutch.com/acatalog/Nova.html

The stage 1 and the stage 1 with 'heavy duty cover' look pretty decent.

I'll have a look around for a gearbox place as i don't think i'd be capable of doing anything to it. Are the mainshaft bearings something you can do yourself?

[Nick]

I'd just take it to a transmission specialist, they strip gearboxes all day, so it can hardly cost anything to get it done. Don't bother getting a full rebuild.

the standard clutch is pushing it for 140bhp, but it would work.

i'd get an EBC sports clutch, they are about ?80 i think, which isn't bad.

i'm doing a 1.6 on 40's and i think that's all i'm going to do to start of with.

[dunova]

?80 is very reasonable, where can i get one though? I've been scouring the next and not been able to find ebc clutch's-only brakes. Maybe i'll try motorworld/motorman or something.

I've seen another f13 gearbox for quite a reasonable price, i might get that one aswell so i've got a spare (just incase there's something wrong with the one i've got). If not, i'll just sell it back on.

[Nick]

motormania deal with Ferado Clutches.

ferado make brake pads, stair treads, basicall anything to do with grip

They are Kinda standardish, ?45 for the whole kit i think (when i got mine) made from reconditioned parts in places (alot of stuff is) not perfomancy tho.

I'm sure the EBC clutch kits i saw today started from ?63.99, i'l have a look next time i'm in (this week sometime) and give you a price, they have a website and mail order.

[dunova]

Okay cheers mate, i'll prob go for a ebc one. Just been on the motormania site;

"ebc
Coming Soon!
We plan to add products in this category soon, so please keep coming back!"

:lol: I'll try calling them or something. I've had Ferodo brake pads before and they were very good, but for the clutch i think i'll stick with ebc.

Thanks for the info mate, very helpfull. Had to laugh abit when i read the reply by 'Lax Power' :lol:

[Nick]

the place is www.rsmmotorsport.co.uk

The website says nothing, but i'm sure the EBC ones are half decent quality, and they're not a fortune.

yes lol, i told him i wasn't happy paying ?300 for carbs with the wrong Inlet manifold, not the right jets and without trumpets. After seeing only camera phone quality pictures.

but i had no reply for him after that, and he doesn't even have my email adress lmao !

[Philsutton]

my brothers use a helix organic clutch on their 135+ 1.6 8v corsa, it works fine. The standard clutch wont last long at all

[Aragorn]

std clutch (assuming its a decent one, sachs or LUK) will be fine

i wouldnt bother with these "sport clutches" like EBC and black diamond and the like as ive heard lots of rumors that they are shite

a STD sachs or LUK clutch for a 1.6 would handle 140bhp just fine, remember your not making THAT much more torque over std, maybe only 120lbft or so

and if it does die then u only spent a little on it and can upgrade to a better unit in the future

[Gunzi]

Helix Organic Clutches are ?152.21 for cover assembly + ?91 for the plate from Demon Tweeks. I'm not sure if you can replace only the plate or whether you must replace the whole thing?

gunzi

[dunova]

I think i might just give a new standard clutch a go like Aragorn said. If it's not too happy with it i'll have to get an upgraded one, but to be honest i don't think i'll be driving it hard enough day to day to warrant such an exspensive clutch.

I've managed to get another f13 gearbox now. It's come off a gsi and only covered 64,000 miles so i'm hoping it should all be working nicely and not have any probs. Only prob is now, i've got 2 :? I suppose a spare's always usefull, or i could sell it.

[Stuart]

the bearings are pretty hard wearing (provided you have appropriate oil levels) as they are permanently immersed in oil etc

the only things that "tend" to fail are the bualk rings from 1st to 2nd and maybe 3rd to 4th as sometimes you make arather keen changes and they might get caught.

that can be saved for another guide at another time.

[dunova]

Cambridge, are these bulk rings difficult to change? What will happen if they do break?

I thought because it's only covered 64k (and mine had covered 120k) it should be good for quite a lot more miles lol. Will the gearbox feel 'tighter' if i put new bulk rings in?

[Stuart]

they arent hard to change, jsut they take a long time (about 16 hours) to do if youve not done it before.

to be fair it was only CP's gearbox that weve found them broken in and he gives taht a lot of stick when driving, so it was understandable. not even dan has broken one yet!!!!

it will just make the shift from 1st to 2nd a bit notchy thats all. but dont go assuming thats the problem

[dunova]

16 hours :o

Might give that a miss lol

Don't think i'll be driving mine hard enough to break one myself and don't think (hope) the g/box i'm getting should be sound.

Thanks for the info