fiestaturbo.com

[Dave k]

looking for advice on what gearbox to put in my frst to replace mullered one. need to kno what will fit, whats cheap etc. any help would be much appreciated thanx

[andyhardy]

Hi mate,

If you've mullered your standard FRST box then it may be worthwhile getting yourself an Escort RST gearbox to replace it.

You can find these secondhand in this site's parts for sale section, or other forums like http://www.passionford.com (managed to get hold of some Escort Cossie rims from there the other day!).

The Escort RST gearbox has longer ratios than the Fez box (0-60 done with first and second instead of first,second,third on FRST) and more importantly comes equipped with a LSD to aid traction when pulling away and around corners.

If you can't find any for sale on the forums then have a look at the specialist RS breakers in the back of either Fast Ford or Performance Ford. Some of these companies even offer warranties on their boxes - but if you do get one cheap without a warranty then I'd recommend you have it refurbished by a proper gearbox company.

If you've got around £650 to spend then I'd recommend you go for a http://www.gearboxman.co.uk stage 1 gearbox which is an Escort RST gearbox fully reconditioned with an uprated LSD.

If you've got a bag o'sand lying around then I'd recommend you go for a stage 2 gearbox which is the same as the stage 1 only with a Quaife ATB diff instead of the uprated Escort LSD (the Quaife jobby is the Daddy!).

Hope that helps mate,

Cheers,

Andy

[AdrianFRST]

Good advice! But...

The Escort RST gearbox has longer ratios than the Fez box (0-60 done with first and second instead of first,second,third on FRST)

Ratios are identical. ERST has 50 profile 15s though which may account for the 0-60 differences.

[andyhardy]

D'oh - was pretty sure it had longer ratios!

...gets his coat

[Mikee_RS]

bernie

[Dave k]

Thanks for the info guys anyone kno where i can get a box reconditioned ?

[Stoned]

Most garages can do that mate. Even my local mechanic knows how to fix a gearbox. You dont wanna throw money at a car you intend to sell

[MattL]

I got a recon box from a part factor near me, called Cafco, worked out at about £270 (with a bit of discount for my dad whose a mechanic and got and account with them)

[Codey]

How about a gearbox from an RS1800?. I'm sure its IB5 like the FRST box and does have longer ratios. 40mph in 1st, 60mph in 2nd etc etc.

[Stoned]

Doesnt the RS1800 use an altogether different type of gearbox?

FRST = BC box, RS1800 = IB5 afaik, I might be wrong

[andyhardy]

It will fit though - but you could probably get an Escort RST gearbox for similar money (with the LSD)?