New guy with a new guy type question

[John P]

I've seen many references to an inverted gear box used in GT40 construction. Is this required when using a RBT ZF, and why? Was the Pantera ZF installed inverted from the factory? TIA, John

 

[Ian K]

Oooh, this is going to be fun.

Believe it or not, the ZF was meant to be inverted. The Pantera actually
flips it the other way around. However, this particular ZF box (there are
a lot of ZF boxes, the one we talk about is technically 5DS25-1 or 5DS25-2)
was eventually mostly found in Panteras, hence they need to be flipped
for use in the GT40 (the BMW M1 uses it as well, in the same configuration
as the GT40). Now, I believe you might be able to use the ZF straight out
of a Pantera without the need for flipping it, but then you give up the lower
CG, lower engine, and I believe the halfshaft angles are better when flipped.
I could be wrong, but I believe the DeTomaso Mangusta also uses the ZF as
intended, not oriented as the Pantera.

Ian

 

My reading of the various ZF manuals I have obtained suggests the 5DS25-0 and 5DS25-1 do not need to be flipped while the 5DS25-2 does. Is this not correct?

 

[Ian K]

My reading of the various ZF manuals I have obtained suggests the 5DS25-0 and 5DS25-1 do not need to be flipped while the 5DS25-2 does. Is this not correct?

I believe that would be correct - the -0 was found in GT40s, the -1 in BMW M1s, and the
-2 was turned over for Panteras. I believe the Mangusta used the -1 as well.

Ian