Like so many others, I’ve been bothered by the Audi 016 type 5N box – it’s ratios are just not optimal for the GT w/small block application. After too much reading about new 5th gears, the impossible to find type 3U, etc, I’ve had enough and decided to do the right thing. I’m announcing that I am engaged with GTA (German Transaxle in Portland, Oregon they are independent rebuilders of transaxles for Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche vehicles) to build a proper new 3.17 final drive for the type 5N box.
I will be funding the development of the prototype box. The new ring and pinion will be made using a Klingelnberg gear cutting machine (yes, that is the correct spelling). For those of you interested in learning more about this machine’s capabilities see more at www.klingelnberg.com. This will be an all new custom R&P with the pinion shaft and gear machined from a single piece and a separate ring gear. These new R&P’s are purpose built for this application, this is not some jumble of assorted parts from other transaxles. With the new final drive, the ultimate ratios and speeds will be as follows (assume 26.23 tire diameter and rpm range 2500-6000rpm):
1 - 3.60x3.17 = 11.412 (0 – 41 mph)
2 - 2.13x3.17 = 6.7521 (29-69 mph)
3 - 1.36x3.17 = 4.3112 (43-109 mph)
4 - 0.97x3.17 = 3.0749 (63-152 mph)
5 - 0.73x3.17 = 2.3141 (84-202 mph)
The prototype will be machined over the next 6-10 weeks, and the transaxle rebuild will occur immediately thereafter. Target completion of the transaxle will be Jul-05 or Aug-05. Testing in a driveable GT40 replica is to occur immediately thereafter (see more on this later in this post).
With GTA’s experience and the capabilities of gear producer, I have every reason to believe this will be a success. Production of additional R/P’s will occur once orders are received by GTA.
So, now for the production pricing; GTA will offer three separate package deals:
1. $3995 USD - User supplies “rebuildable 016 type 5N core”, GTA performs complete rebuild (bearings, synchros, etc), machines case and installs new 3.17 R&P, including Quaife LSD
2. $2695 USD User supplies “rebuildable 016 type 5N core”, GTA performs complete rebuild (bearings, synchros, etc), machines case and installs new 3.17 R&P
3. $ Labor and Materials - User supplies “already rebuilt 016 type 5N core”, GTA machines case and installs new 3.17 R&P, with or without Quaife (GTA would have to confirm condition of transaxle before any firm numbers could be quoted to customer)
Note: GTA will NOT sell the R&P stand-alone, this is not a do-it-yourself proposition. Please do not ask me to buy just the R&P, this is the final decision of GTA.
These prices are in affect assuming we can generate (10) orders for production units. Without (10) orders, production will not commence. I believe you will not find another transaxle that offers these ratios for anywhere close to this price. For comparison, the stand-alone 5th gear that was offered by RF used to be $1850 AUS, but this was only the 5th gear. The bottom line with my solution is that better ratios will make for improved overall driveability and it will keep engine rpms at a more appropriate level at all road speeds.
So there you have it.
Now, since my car will not be available from RF until late 2005, I’m looking for another car owner that can participate in my development program to “test drive” the prototype unit. I will coordinate with you as required to get the box from GTA to you, etc. I need someone with a running car available for testing in the Jul-05 or Aut-05 time frame. Originally I had hoped to enlist Hersh to participate, but he has other priorities that will preclude his ability to participate. Finding the right person with the right car is paramount, since I suspect most people will not want to plunk down the money for an order until they know the results of a driver test.
So for now, I need input to the following two items:
1. Please PM me if you’re interested in being the ‘test-driver’ of the prototype box
2. Please indicate to me either PM or on this thread your level of interest in getting one of the production units – PLEASE specify: Definitely, Strong Maybe, Maybe, Unlikely
Regards,
Mitch D
I will be funding the development of the prototype box. The new ring and pinion will be made using a Klingelnberg gear cutting machine (yes, that is the correct spelling). For those of you interested in learning more about this machine’s capabilities see more at www.klingelnberg.com. This will be an all new custom R&P with the pinion shaft and gear machined from a single piece and a separate ring gear. These new R&P’s are purpose built for this application, this is not some jumble of assorted parts from other transaxles. With the new final drive, the ultimate ratios and speeds will be as follows (assume 26.23 tire diameter and rpm range 2500-6000rpm):
1 - 3.60x3.17 = 11.412 (0 – 41 mph)
2 - 2.13x3.17 = 6.7521 (29-69 mph)
3 - 1.36x3.17 = 4.3112 (43-109 mph)
4 - 0.97x3.17 = 3.0749 (63-152 mph)
5 - 0.73x3.17 = 2.3141 (84-202 mph)
The prototype will be machined over the next 6-10 weeks, and the transaxle rebuild will occur immediately thereafter. Target completion of the transaxle will be Jul-05 or Aug-05. Testing in a driveable GT40 replica is to occur immediately thereafter (see more on this later in this post).
With GTA’s experience and the capabilities of gear producer, I have every reason to believe this will be a success. Production of additional R/P’s will occur once orders are received by GTA.
So, now for the production pricing; GTA will offer three separate package deals:
1. $3995 USD - User supplies “rebuildable 016 type 5N core”, GTA performs complete rebuild (bearings, synchros, etc), machines case and installs new 3.17 R&P, including Quaife LSD
2. $2695 USD User supplies “rebuildable 016 type 5N core”, GTA performs complete rebuild (bearings, synchros, etc), machines case and installs new 3.17 R&P
3. $ Labor and Materials - User supplies “already rebuilt 016 type 5N core”, GTA machines case and installs new 3.17 R&P, with or without Quaife (GTA would have to confirm condition of transaxle before any firm numbers could be quoted to customer)
Note: GTA will NOT sell the R&P stand-alone, this is not a do-it-yourself proposition. Please do not ask me to buy just the R&P, this is the final decision of GTA.
These prices are in affect assuming we can generate (10) orders for production units. Without (10) orders, production will not commence. I believe you will not find another transaxle that offers these ratios for anywhere close to this price. For comparison, the stand-alone 5th gear that was offered by RF used to be $1850 AUS, but this was only the 5th gear. The bottom line with my solution is that better ratios will make for improved overall driveability and it will keep engine rpms at a more appropriate level at all road speeds.
So there you have it.
Now, since my car will not be available from RF until late 2005, I’m looking for another car owner that can participate in my development program to “test drive” the prototype unit. I will coordinate with you as required to get the box from GTA to you, etc. I need someone with a running car available for testing in the Jul-05 or Aut-05 time frame. Originally I had hoped to enlist Hersh to participate, but he has other priorities that will preclude his ability to participate. Finding the right person with the right car is paramount, since I suspect most people will not want to plunk down the money for an order until they know the results of a driver test.
So for now, I need input to the following two items:
1. Please PM me if you’re interested in being the ‘test-driver’ of the prototype box
2. Please indicate to me either PM or on this thread your level of interest in getting one of the production units – PLEASE specify: Definitely, Strong Maybe, Maybe, Unlikely
Regards,
Mitch D
