4K vs. 2Y, not much difference?

[roccit_53 at scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca (C Boyko)]

On 10:15 pm 11/01/06 Ron Pieper <rapieper@yahoo.com> wrote:
> --- Rick Kellner <rfkellner@snet.net> wrote:
> >  Finally, thanks for the tip on the 3.89 not being as robust as the
> >  3.94, that really makes it a non starter for the 2.0l.  And, yes,
> >  the context I was using the '8v 020 box' is not correct, just
> >  thinking most A1s in my head.
>
> OK Rick, you have found that I am in the minority in recommending a
> 3.67 for your setup!  The 4k IS fun, no doubt - certainly worth a
> try.  Even if you don't like it, it'll be an easy box to sell off.
>
> Now, as far as the 3.89 vs. 3.94 - consider it a non-issue.
> Technically, a 3.89 would be weaker, but those weren't weak spots for
> these gearboxes anyway.  Unless you are using an LSD, it won't be an
> issue, and even then I doubt it.
>
> FWIW, weak spots are the ring gear rivets and 2nd gear, which I have
> seen with the teeth horribly stripped, causing great damage
> elsewhere.  This is with seriously built engines, LSDs, big fat
> sticky rubber, and high rev clutch dumps.  For example, I don't think
> Cathy has grenaded one of hers and she drags a lot, I believe.
>
> BTW, this winter, I really really do hope to rid myself of some of my
> extra stuff, and I pledge to build a few gearboxes to do that.
>
> HTH
>
> Ron
>
The 16V is the real 1/4 mile warrior, Denny drives it, not me, I'd say
about 20 races a season. He uses slicks and leaves the light hard, which
wreaks more havoc than street tires, and remember that the track has enough
glue on it that some days your shoes stick. So nothing gets released due to
loss of traction. He's toasted a lot of clutches (2 Sachs, one Centreforce
dual friction, and the Bully seems to be holding so far), but the gearboxes
seem to hold up fine. The first few years, we were using the stock AGB with
300 000 kms on it, and it got rebuilt mainly because I wanted an LSD.
OTOH, I asked The Mad Bastard for clutch advice, and he never replaces a
clutch, because he grenades trannies. So flat out abusiveness can have you
changing them. And I've seen a lot of them blown up on the track. (Hondas
break axles, VeeDubs spew gear oil) Klaus just goes on street tires, and I
don't really leave the light that hard, my goal is consistency and I've got
that down pretty well if the car runs well. He's slower anyway, (low 16s),
so I'm not expecting any gearbox agony there.

So as far as trannies go? Back to the original question? Seems like there
are preferences for a few final drives, I guess you're back where you
started. Or you can pick either of your options knowing that someone likes
it.  :)

Cathy