Finally got to take my ZFR upgraded package to the (road) track last Saturday. Had a complete blast with the new power and the upgraded suspension (see sig) but the fun only lasted for about 12 laps. That's when my 3rd gear went out. I was able to drive the car ~60 miles to the performance shop where she sits now. Mechanic sent me this picture this morning. Don't know what the internal damage is but judging by the hole it's significant.

I'll probably park her for the winter and put in either a Powell 4.45 or an FMSR F40 II 6-speed in spring. Any recommendations on one of the other given my setup and tracking habits are very welcome

 

The ZFR just need to be nicknamed that "transmission replacement imminent" upgrade

 

Yeah I've read that on here many times but I guess I didn't take it serious enough ;-)

 

I don't understand how people blow up so many transmissions with the zfr then people make more power with other turbos and don't have problems

 

It isnt the power that kills them, it is the torque and the way it is delivered.

 

The ZFR spools so quickly, that's how you get infinity wheel-torques


Thank god I didn't put a ZFR on a delta like I originally wanted to... and put it on a kappa because the stock clutch and tranny can withstand more power than the ZFR on pump gas

 

I think my tranny would have been fine for street driving, but going around a track at full boost for about 70% of the time is just the ultimate shake-down of what the next weak link is...

 

dammnn man that sucks.

Powell is limited on his trannys due to the gear manf. or sumthing like that ... you better jump on it quick if your going powell route ... if not FMSR has a big Black friday event coming up

 

Welcome to the not so exclusive club my man! Lol

I just replaced mine about a month or so ago as well. 435/412 ultimately did mine in.

 

My buddy has his let go on the K04...looked the exact same with it broken.

 

I did stupid **** with mine like 3rd gear heaters on a regular basis. 2 years without motor or transmission problems, but the transmission was getting loud before I traded it in. lol

 

Get the zzp f40, since they are the ones who made it. but the zfr works REALLY well with the 4.45.

 

i'm just gonna go ahead and sub...

i'm in for more info about powells trans

 

Any warning signs, or did you just shift and have it break?

 

Thanks :-\ What did you replace yours with?

Yeah I'm really a huge Powell fan but on the other hand 6 speeds would be so sweet... Decisions decisions...

Pretty much. The only indication that something was up was seeing the RPMs go to 7,000 without any traction... didn't notice any loud noise or drama at all, thing just gave...

 

Why would having a 6 speed be sweet? More shifting sucks. If you wanna be quick a 5 speed with a close GR would get you there faster. It'll also just out perform in general. Cruising and long hauls with the 6 speed would be nice but that's the only thing good about it.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using CobaltSS

 

By that logic a 1 speed would be best.

 

actually in road racing its pretty much a two or three gear trans.
the case breaks in the bellhousing because the broken gear teeth get trapped in the bearing pocket.
The 4.45 drops the overall ratio so the vehicle speed is less per gear, so you move up gears. Thats better.
I can do close ratio 2.3.4 but it costs even more money. The 4.45 gears are no longer made, proprietary tooling and there are some more pinions available but no crown gears.

I am looking at making something but its not cheap. I have three 4.45 ratio's left. One is spoken for. One new one is going in a new transmission. Not yet sold. The last one is going in a rebuilt core I just got from Mongorat.

After that its fingers crossed that my gear maker can do it. That depends on the tool maker. Proprietary helical pitch etc means no tool maker will sell GM tools to anyone other than GM, so to reverse engineer it is going to take time and money.

New trans are 4000 plus, but only 3.82 or 4.05.

Come to think of it, I bet we can photocopy it....

thats all I know at the moment.

 

Hopefully you can get it done John! When the time comes I think a 6 speed is out of the budget so another (hopefully cheaper) option would be nice.

 

Love my 4.45

3rd and 4th are lights out.

 

I just sent you an email john.

 

thanks^^^ got it. Raver's car is a beast, and the short gears make it....beastly dahling....lol. Its not like anything you have driven. The pedestrians run for cover when you back off the gas, coz u have to back off so soon, as you are doing 5 x the speed limit after a few nanoseconds, and Raver has some funky blow off thing..kapoww!!

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but for holding more power, isn't the F40 the better choice? Heavier duty trans. larger components, plus it's a 2-axis design.

The 4.45 is just a bandaid/temp fix to help prevent load/flexing on the 3-axis design, and getting you out of the gear faster, more or less?

 

not sure what you are talking of here. THe F35 has two shafts. I see them every day. Afaik the F40 has three shafts.
4.45 is quicker its a shorter overall gear. It suits road racing and stands up very well.

The F40 is a good choice for sure, but for road racing I am not so sure. ZZP have a perfected 6 speed f40 install, its very well done.

4.45 does the job if you are racing, and is less money. The supply of gears however is an issue.

As for torque capacity, f 35/f40, Iam not sure; I will have to check the sources and post on up.

 

its the boatload of torque at the bottom of third that puts too much stress on it.