| Author |  Topic  |
andydeans3
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
2016 Posts |  Posted - 30 Jan 2020 : 10:26:47  
| Daft question, that I probably already know the answer to, but has anyone ever heard of someone fitting a different gearbox to a 96?
If such a thing was possible, it's understood that you'd lose the freewheel, and probably the column gear change.
I have a vague recollection of reading something, somewhere (might have been in South America) about someone modifying a VW Beetle box to fit.
There was a 96 for sale recently on Ebay with a complete Alfa Rome engine and gearbox assembly fitted, but I'm talking about mating another box to the V4 engine.
1978 LHD SAAB 96
1978 MGB Roadster
2008 LHD "Classic" Renault Twingo
1991 Nissan Figaro |
Edited by - andydeans3 on 30 Jan 2020 10:37:05 |
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melle
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
3833 Posts | Posted - 30 Jan 2020 : 13:38:09
| They used a VW Gol gearbox that's probably not available around here. The limiting factor is the fact that the 95/96 is FWD and the gearbox must be very short, or the engine will sit too far forward. Convert your car to RWD and all of a sudden there's plenty of choice (e.g. Ford Type 9). I've considered this for my 95, potentially in combination with a V6. Too much work for too little available time at the moment I'm afraid...
Why do you want a different gearbox? If it's motorway RPM, a custom crown wheel and pinion may be an easier answer.
www.saabv4.com |  |
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andydeans3
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
2016 Posts | Posted - 30 Jan 2020 : 14:59:20
| Melle
No you misunderstand why I'm asking. I have no intention of trying to fit a different gearbox.
Just morbid curiosity. I just have a vague memory of reading about someone fitting some sort of modified VW box.
I am aware that Sonetts (or some Sonetts), had a different final drive ratio, which reduces RPM at any given speed.
I can see that Malbrad has a final drive kit for a thousand quid, but that's a lot of dosh!
I'll just suffer 4000 revs at 70 mph!
The MGB is almost exactly the same, 4000 revs at 70, but then CLICK, in comes the overdrive, and we drop down to 3500 revs!
Andy
1978 LHD SAAB 96
1978 MGB Roadster
2008 LHD "Classic" Renault Twingo
1991 Nissan Figaro | |
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Dirtbiker
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
1061 Posts | Posted - 30 Jan 2020 : 15:04:03
| I have thought about this a little. There are options and the Alfa one I hadn’t thought of till recently, see for sale thread - link from Simon to Gol in there too.
I think VW Beetle is a good option (can run either direction) or Audi but maybe too big. Subaru can easily work 2wd but again maybe too big...
Renault do one too that is popular I think for mid engine conversions.
I have also thought about Rwd. The biggest problem I can see is that we have a very narrow flat floor. I think it would be hard to find space for a transmission tunnel. You could perhaps cant the engine and box over so the driveline is offset. Or maybe a Fwd Porsche layout with a transaxle the back.
All just ideas. I doubt I’ll ever find time to try any but would make an interesting project.
Cheers |
Edited by - Dirtbiker on 30 Jan 2020 15:06:16 | |
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melle
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
3833 Posts | Posted - 30 Jan 2020 : 16:05:24
| I confess, I have several Ford RWD boxes on my shelves because they "may come handy one day". Doubt that day will ever come though. I don't think creating a trans tunnel would be too much of an issue and it has been done before iirc. However, the original seats may no longer fit and the hand brake lever will need relocating.
The original Saab box has an incredibly short bellhousing (hence the flat clutch assy, flimsy release fork and protruding slave) that also houses the drive shafts. The box's total length is minimal as well. Any other FWD box probably either has the drive shafts sitting too far rearwards, or the box is too long to fit without modifying the bulkhead, or, most likely, both. Choice is further limited by the fact that most "vintage" cars had longitudinal engines and gearboxes, but were RWD, and most modern cars are FWD but have transverse engines and gearboxes, which are no use with our V4s.
www.saabv4.com | |
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Wheelspin
V4 Beginner
Denmark
99 Posts | Posted - 30 Jan 2020 : 18:12:18
| You might be thinking about a Hewland gearbox which is a racing gearbox based on a VW Beetle gearbox. They were used in formula Ford as far as I know. There are some threads here on the subject, like this one:
http://www.saab-v4.co.uk/speedball/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4080
Conclusion is that it's not suitable for road use since it's straight cut gears and no synchros.
On the others side of the spectrum I read some long time ago on a forum about an American SAAB dealer who built a SAAB 96 for his wife with a Subaru engine and automatic gearbox. Unfortunately I can't find anything about it anymore. It was said to be working as her daily driver.
Regardless og which non-SAAB gearbox you try to use, I think it will be necessary to take a chunk out of the firewall to make i fit.
Regards, Mads | |
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andydeans3
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
2016 Posts | Posted - 30 Jan 2020 : 20:33:47
| Thanks for all your inputs guys.
I do like the sound of a 96, with an auto-box!
The Nissan Figaro that my wife has, has an auto-box, and my sons Suzuzki Swift has an auto box, so I'm sort of getting used to auto boxes, and they're very nice.
Andy
1978 LHD SAAB 96
1978 MGB Roadster
2008 LHD "Classic" Renault Twingo
1991 Nissan Figaro | |
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melle
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
3833 Posts | Posted - 30 Jan 2020 : 21:12:05
| A chap I know built a 96 with a 99 engine and auto box that went very nicely.
www.saabv4.com | |
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RhysN
V4 Fanatic
United Kingdom
411 Posts | Posted - 31 Jan 2020 : 08:29:46
| | I keep wondering about 2wd Subaru, old now! | |
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green96v4
V4 Mad
Canada
738 Posts | Posted - 31 Jan 2020 : 12:32:46
| I am aware that Sonetts (or some Sonetts), had a different final drive ratio, which reduces RPM at any given speed.
I can see that Malbrad has a final drive kit for a thousand quid, but that's a lot of dosh!
I'll just suffer 4000 revs at 70 mph!
The MGB is almost exactly the same, 4000 revs at 70, but then CLICK, in comes the overdrive, and we drop down to 3500 revs!
-----
I purchased a 9:42 C&P from a Sonett from Graham Cullen for my rebuild (not before a well known Saab expert on this side of the pond tried to sabotage the deal I might add, another story.....)
I'll see (now I have a rev counter) what RPM's it does at 70mph, although I don't generally get mine up to those dizzy speeds, 80kph is the speed limit on Canadian country roads and the highways here are like Pod Racing in Star Wars! | |
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melle
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
3833 Posts | Posted - 31 Jan 2020 : 12:41:22
| £1k for a C&P + labour will be (much) cheaper than using an alternative gearbox if you have to outsource the work.
www.saabv4.com | |
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Wonky door
V4 Beginner
United Kingdom
96 Posts | Posted - 31 Jan 2020 : 17:44:34
| | Hi Andy,I found an article on the Internet once with a v4 with a rear wheel drive and I think a five speed gearbox. I was wandering so not sure where it was and I’m not good at links etc. I remember the gearbox housing and tunnel seemed to take up quite a lot of space. I’ll have a wander to see if I can find it again. | |
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green96v4
V4 Mad
Canada
738 Posts | Posted - 01 Feb 2020 : 10:33:55
| | if you wanted to stay original and just want a higher ratio C&P you might want to try some of the collectors on this side of the pond, lots of Sonetts sat around rotting away - Peter Carson in Oregon has quite a few and seems to trade a fair bit and Matthew Garrett had a tone of parts for sale (Melle and I both have rev counters from him) | |
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green96v4
V4 Mad
Canada
738 Posts | |
andydeans3
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
2016 Posts | Posted - 01 Feb 2020 : 15:23:15
| Matt
If you've got the Sonett diff fitted, I'd certainly be interested to know what speed your engine is turning at, at 112 kph (70mph).
If you don't want to go that fast, what revs at 96 kph, (60 mph).
I now have a spare box that will get refurbished in the medium to long term......If I could find a Sonett diff, with the better final drive ration, I'd consider having it fitted.
Next question, how do I identify it? How many teeth on drive and driven compared with the standard set up.
Andy
1978 LHD SAAB 96
1978 MGB Roadster
2008 LHD "Classic" Renault Twingo
1991 Nissan Figaro |
Edited by - andydeans3 on 01 Feb 2020 15:24:42 | |
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melle
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
3833 Posts | Posted - 01 Feb 2020 : 18:02:12
| If I'm not mistaken all the 96 info is in section 0 of the factory workshop manual, and the Sonett info in the Sonett supplement. Both can be downloaded from my website.
www.saabv4.com | |
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| Topic | |
Gearbox from different car?
