So my car is grinding every time I try to shift into 2nd. I tried adjusting the shift cables with no luck so im thinking I may need a new transmission. I found that Performance Autowerks sells multi-stage built transmissions for the F35 and I was wondering if anyone on here has one and if so, how do they like it?

I know that ZZP has the F40 option and I am looking into that as well but I dont know where to find a suitable F40 besides maybe Ebay. Has anybody on here done this swap and if so, how do you like it?

I figure its best to build the trans as I am Terminator2 tuned @24 psi on E47 so I know that 3rd gear is eventually going to go boom lol


Thanks in advance

 

Talk to Powell

 

Pwerks or Powell.

They do them in house. Last I heard ZZP outsources. Harder to warranty anything that was outsourced.

 

^what he said. You can have others on Facebook do them but the warranty won't happen. I don't think ZZP even does f35's anymore.

 

Correct, ZZP doesn't build or repair F35s. We do have our F40 kit that is made in house.

Our warranty process isn't hard though. if a part is defective, we take it back and send you a new one. :-P

I can say, being 6 speed was one of the best decisions I made when i was a customer still.

 

Didn't the f40 kit go away?

 

The f40 is a nice transmission

 

Derrick can tell you for sure but I think they do them like 10 at a time. Probably so they don't get stuck with a bunch of parts of no one wants to buy them anymore. Would spend the money any day on 1 of these if these cars resale wasn't in the toilet. I hate our 1st gear like none other. It's terrible with 4.45 gears.

 

Its too bad the Saab F40 is hard to find....

 

I went on Powell's website and I couldn't find a built transmission option. I guess its best to just send him a PM?

 

Email Gloria or powell you can get the email from the powell page

 

Ok thanks I sent him an email.

 

No sir! Its right here: F40 6 Speed Conversion Kit - Transmission & Drivetrain

We have had it back in stock for some time.

We usually make a few at a time yes. I remember the 4.45 1st and 2nd. I hated them back. I actually hated 1-3rd.

 

Well damn.


There is an f40 trans on Facebook Cobalt SS Gang for $900 shipped right now...

 

I really looked at the 6 speed kit because I think it's the best setup. I don't even have a big turbo, and am boost ramped, and 1-3 on the 4.45 is a challenge from a dig.
I also saw that someone on eBay was trying to clear out some of the quaffe 6 speed gear sets for the f35. Still would have trouble with it being weak though. I will probably try some stickier r compound tires than my advan ad08r's are ( toyo888's) and if that doesn't help much I will throw a 4.05 in.

 

$2800 is not a great deal to me. You'll spend another $1,000 or so having it assembled. Plus, I do not think there are hard numbers on what those gears can hold power wise.

I wonder why they even made it?!?

 

The close ratio quaifes need to be installed by a professional. Theres machining involved. Ive done 2 or 3. Not worth having a regular trans guy do it unless hes knowledgable with a mill

 

F40 is a beast and its super easy to install a Quaife LSD yourself if you want. I would recommend ARP case bolts too because of the F40 case sandwich design. Add about 1400 on top of the cost of a used, low mileage trans if you install diff yourself.

I'm really anxious to build one of those F35 quaife 6 speed kits, fit with a brace you can't go wrong. 2800 is a bit steep but you get the entire gearset all brand new. The gears are much more of a strait cut design too with huge teeth and Quaife quality. Sad thing is, if the first batch would've sold a bunch, I'm sure we would have more decisions on specific ratios and possibly dog gears but I digress.
63nova, the quaife 6 speed conversion has the best 1st gear ratio on the market for the F35. Runs out even further than the F40 depending on the gear ratio used. I don't understand why you wouldn't want to save your pennies for this work of art.



The only thing I don't like about it is the ratios are indeed really really close after 2nd gear I believe. But this is another reason it's a better design because Quaife achieved similar top speed(compared to f35) but with 6 gears so each gear endures less load relatively.

 

The quaifes are works of art. The f40 is a hundred times easier to service then to service over an f35.


Your not just paying 2500 for a gear set either. Your basically paying for some new case pieces as well and forks and what not. It all comes as a price

 

I'm not knocking the quaffe 6 speed at all and would love to run it. Problem is pwerks wants $5,700 for a stage 1 install on it, with you furnishing the core. Clutch and flywheel plus odds and ends if you are doing the install yourself, you will have about as much into the setup as most cobalts are worth to sell. It's a great setup, but unproven for how much abuse it can take. $6000 isn't worth it to me on a car that's not worth much more than that. Verses their stage 1 package on a regular f35 package being $2,700. Shame it's that's much more expensive or I would have one.
Thanks for all the recalls gm.

 

Absolutely. But for some who race often, the value of the car means absolutely nothing. Reliability and performance become priority regardless of cost. We don't have many of these type of people in our community which is why these high dollar builds have limited results to prove it's worth. From a pure speculation perspective, I can see a braced quaife 6sp converted F35 holding around 500btq reliably if built correctly. In the end, your right. 6k is hard to justify for what most people do with the deltas.

 

Stance is the new thing. Who cares about performance.

Its funny. From entering the performance scene many years ago in the muscle car world i went to the sport compact scene. Kids are more concerned about making 500whp then putting good brakes on or foxing their lca bushings and worn engine mounts and what not. Its a complete joke. The srt4 owners are some of the worst.

From doing tons of quaife close ratio 5 speed transmissions in the srts i know they will take 450-500 ft lbs. Half of the battle is making sure your axles are in alignment, your engine/trans mounts, suspension bushings, shocks, having a good driver, good clutch setup and all that is key to your trans survivng. When you hit the limit there you require things like bracing and what not.

Eventually ill be doing a quaife 6 speed. Its a good road race setup without a doubt. Starting my own business here in the near future and i plan to service these cars but along with making new parts for other platforms and fabrication.

 

You are correct, I'm old and years ago we cared nothing about being low or dyno's. Hell we even used air shocks so we could run 325 tires and not cut them down on the rear fenders. ( I need some on the rear of my cobalt right now). Everything was chassis and drivetrain. I have looked at the ratios and love 1-3 in the 6 speed. If I didn't have a nova begging me to finish it I would be more inclined to get a 6 speed.
You and I have messaged about 400hp being a sweet spot on these cars and I believe that. Putting down 400 without spinning can put the hurt on a lot of more expensive cars, and can help the drivetrain live longer.

 

Agreed. Please do a 6 speed swap and then talk me into it with your results. My luck I would do it and an old lady would hit me and total out the car.
I keep trying to tell myself that the 406 powered, turbo 400, strange 9" with 410 gears car is my race car. I need to quit toying with the cobalt and finish it.

 

We are working in a chassis for your 2nd gen nova