fiestaturbo.com

[heeman10]

I had been hoping the diff had merely seized internally, with two or more plates stuck together. It seems it is much much more serious, and the damage is not a result of being towed with no oil. Another problem is that the box appears to be totally standard, and not adapted for bigger power in any way at all. I was sold the box as a CTS stage 1 box, "known to be good and in full working order", off a guy on PassionFord. I will be speaking to him tonight. The only thing this box is any good for is an exchange unit if that.

Gearbox stripped (being done by a local guy). Note the fragments of metal on the right hand side:



And this is where those fragments have come from. About three or four of the planet gears on the diff have exploded for some reason. Thankfully no damage to any other parts of the box.



I now face a number of dilemmas. I need to get back a large chunk of what I paid for the box from the seller. It would seem pointless to get a diff sent up from CTS, and get the box reassembled as I need to be able to use all the power the engine's giving me, and the standard box simply won't stand up to that. Even with an uprated diff I'll run the risk of damaging it under power, and so I really need a new Stage 1 gearbox at the least, with the ideal being a Stage 2. Because of the cost of the Stage 2, I think I'll be forced to go Stage 1, which CTS say is just about on its limit with 215bhp or so. 2 weeks seems to be the fastest they can build a Stage 1 up for me though Bye bye RS day, Le Mans and a load of other summer fun, and lots of money.....

[ianFRST]

ins@[ERRR] used standard boxes on his 200+ engine, dunno if they were standard frst, or erst boxes. they lasted a few k miles

id wack a standard box on it 2 get it running again mate

[heeman10]

I don't have any boxes lying around. The diesel box would've been a good bet, but that went to Andy.B. It needs to have a box that's good enough for the job so it can be live mapped...no point in putting Stu out in a car that's going to chew it's gearbox the first time he floors it. Just waiting for a call back from CTS to see what they can do for me. It's a 400 pound hike to have the Quaife ATB, something I'm just not willing to shell out for when the Stage 1 is over 550 itself

[beaker]

sux0r (as they say)

[heeman10]

The money cleared today btw Neil, I'll try to get them off in the post today

[Andy.B]

There is another diesel box in my garage doing nothing off the TDI engine it is a good box and will get you about yours for £20 mate just gotta get post van to collect it from me.

[heeman10]

Ah that would be a big help actually Andy! I can't complain for 20 quid. Any chance of it being here for Saturday? I'm sure postage will cost you a bit dude, but I guess we can sort that after. I will take that off you address on its way!!

[CarismaDave]

told you thse things aren't cheap m8

If I were 'you' I 'would' have taken the box to CTS to start with...only he'll be able to tell you what, if anything, has been done to it. Anyway he can usually tell from the markings whether he's done it or not.

Make no bones about the fact Bernie's boxes are ten times better than anyone elses....some people on PF with way over 200hp have not been able to break a Stage 1 box let alone anything else. Remember the standard diff in a stage 1 is Tuned by him so is better than standard. Just as an example....the Stage 2+ box may be expensive but it's great and you'll never need to replace it unless you are going STUPID power. If a gear does go then he'll fix it for not a lot compared to buying even a standard stage 1.

Problem is that people see gearboxes as 'just an expense' but they're just as vital as every other part of your expensive engine! Sometimes it's just better to get the credit card out and bite the bullet...otherwise you 'may' spend the same blowing up other inferior 'Stage [n]' boxes. Just my advice for what it's worth...although I know it's not much consolation at the moment!

Dave

PS Take the guy off PF to small claims if you have it in writing the box he sold you was a CTS box. If he doesn't recompense you that is!

[heeman10]

I just dug out the PM's from the seller, and he says it's a rebuilt, uprated box from SCS (Harvey Gibbs), not CTS! My mistake there! He said he had a receipt for over a grand for it somewhere, but that box had not had a 1000 pound rebuild on it. He seemed like a really decent guy, and said the box was in his 212bhp Escort, and a 165bhp car before that with no probs I can only think it was us towing it dry that did it, but the gearbox builder dude was certain it had nothing to do with being dry.

I know what you mean about boxes being vital though Dave, it's definitely one thing overlook with "big power" (ie considerably more than standard) builds, along with clutch, management, intercoolers, brakes etc etc. I think a Stage 1 will be ok, as I don't launch all the time, it just needs to put up with being driven hard through the gears really. The Stage 1 does use their own LSD, so I'll specify how much slip it will give. I don't want it much tighter than the Ford diff otherwise it'll be a bit of a monkey on the tight corners up here. There goes another 600 squids...this thing had better scare the poo outta me!!

[CarismaDave]

Well mate I'm checking for you but as far as I know (though I could be wrong) SCS don't build gearboxes! Unless someone else built it on their behalf.

Yes they're often overlooked but I look at it like this....if it blows and I buy another one then I've basically spent the amount of the S2+! If you buy that and it goes badly then yuou know you need something serious I've got something in mind that's not an MTX but that's secret for now!

If it's anything like mine (I was shaking with all the adrenaline when I got back for about an hour!) you will easily be able to scare yourself! My boost is going up soon

Dave

[beaker]

The money cleared today btw Neil, I'll try to get them off in the post today

Superb, might be on for the weekend then

[Andy.B]

Ill see what i can do looks like it will be collected tomorrow morning. So could be with you on Sat

[turboboss]

i`ve been through so many gearboxes one recond rs box lasted me three days bloody layshaft bearing ,i brought one of bernies stage two boxes could of settled for a stage one but when he mentioned about the weaknesses of the standard diff i decided against it, all i can so what a difference the quaife atb makes my traction has been improved and the car alot more stable whilst cornering the amount of abuse i give and it still ran sweet for two years then two months ago i smashed box using my nitrous i broke fifth gear so i had the gears shot peened and polished which would be the stage two+ sunny use to run the same box in his fiesta 450+bhp with no problems but might be going the mtx75 route jano of oddkiddcreations is in the process of making the shafts and mounts so fitting to the mk3 shell will be a doddle but this time with a plate diff 3.4 final drive

[CarismaDave]

couldn't agree more. I'v looked at the MTX-75 though I have another plan aswell. Still if that fails then we'll have to see!

Dave

PS James....Harvey probably does get someone to do the boxes. Not sure who though or to what extent they're modded!

Dave

[StreetDragster]

Not good James Gutted for you.
Suppose this isnt going to help but i would certainly recommend going ATb if you can, it transforms the drive of the car both in accelration, decelaration and cornering, shocking really.

However, as i know all too well, moneys moneys, and if you can't afford it, then you can't afford it and thats the end of that. Hope you get a replacement box fitted soon so you can feel the booooooooooooooooost

Thanks

Matt

[heeman10]

beaker - Fraid I've got caught up in this gearbox thing today. The brakes are parcelled and ready to go, but it'll be tomorrow when I make it into town now I'm afraid Sorry dude.

Andy.B - That would be nice! I've learned not to get my hopes up though Appreciate it

turboboss - My eyes are all funny after reading that. Use those keys next to the right hand shift button man! A Stage 2+ should certainly be able to handle mucho power, sounds as though you've had every conceivable variation on the theme of the RST gearbox!!

Dave - They certainly do sound like fun, I can't wait to see how it feels. I'll perhaps have a word with SCS about the boxes they deal with, try and clarify what's what.

Matt - I have heard a lot of things about the ATB from those who use it, and I guess you'll only ever know just how good it is by driving one with and one without. The Stage 1 I was looking at includes CTS's own LSD which betters Ford's diff, so it wouldn't be a bad diff. You're making it tempting to get the Quaife now....bloody decisions I've heard the ATB helps smooth out lift-off actually. Thanks for the input, you're making this a tricky decision to make!

[CarismaDave]

ATB ATB ATB ATB ATB

You wont regret it.

Dave

[heeman10]

I'll regret it when I have 400 quid less to spend on petrol over summer! I WOULD regret, not WILL....must...keep....the decision...open...nnngh! Going to speak to Bernie about it a bit later, which will no doubt be an expensive call!!! Stoppit! What's so great about the ATB compared to the standard LSD box then Dave? Sell it to me. I presume you've driven with both? Any idea what times yours is putting down at 230bhp or whatever it is at the mo?

[andyhardy]

ATB ATB ATB ATB ATB

You wont regret it.

Dave

So Dave - you've got the same gearbox as me then!

I seem to remember you saying you were getting something slightly more special than what I had - sounds like you've got exactly the same box as me anyway!

I think it would now be called a stage 2 + but it was just the stage 2 back when I got mine

Sorry to hear about your problems James - I'd get a CTS 'box if you can stretch to it mate, use the Diesel box in the meantime, Stu should be able to map with that anyway

Cheers,

Andy

[pornstar!]

CTS WITH ATB

[heeman10]

The Stage 2+ differs only in that the gears are all shot-peened I think Andy, so yours is still a Stage 2 methinks. No point in the "plus" box unless you're really packing some horsies in

I want to hear what's so good about the ATB compared to the Ford diff, and why it's worth double what the Stage 1 box is worth.

[andyhardy]

The Stage 2+ differs only in that the gears are all shot-peened I think Andy, so yours is still a Stage 2 methinks. No point in the "plus" box unless you're really packing some horsies in

I want to hear what's so good about the ATB compared to the Ford diff, and why it's worth double what the Stage 1 box is worth.

I paid £1020 for mine delivered - I'm pretty sure it was shot-peened internals too. It took ages for them to build it for me (over 2 months in fact). Well worth it though - it's lovely

Cheers,

Andy

[CarismaDave]

Andy/James: I've got a stage 2+ i.e. everything but with shot-peened internals....i.e. stress-relieved by around 30%. It was always a Stage 2+ he just never had it on the internet list!It's about £1300...and has the long ratios good for 180mph! i.e My acceleration is agressive but tempered due to the long gears i.e. 80 in 2nd!

The Quaife ATB is just so different to a normal Ford job...which seemed to adversely affect the handling. If I'm a t w a t I can still spin the wheels but it's a lot harder and thus you can better traction. They're also indestructible as far as I/Bernie are concerned and you'll never have the issue you've got with this one!

I've got 230 at the moment and that's what I'd say is perfect driving power for the road....more is going to be scary as I'm not talking 230 'normal' hp I'm talking 230hp with so much torque it tears your head off and leaves it in the rear seats whilst your body is moving forward without it! 230 'feels' like 300 in a car like a 911. I've been in other conversions (non FF/Area Six) and they just cannot compare to the massive torque that you have ALL the time!

[heeman10]

Holy gayness Batman, I can't be spending that on a gearbox I forgot the 850 pound exchange price needed VAT on top The Stage 1 will be fine, I'll just pump up the diff a bit to reign in that wheelspin. I'd rather have the extra 500 quid to give me freedom to go to all the shows I want to, and generally pay for petrol! The total's spiralled upwards enough for my liking, time to tie it down I'm afraid. A diff can always be added at a later date anyway....perhaps if/when I get some forged pistons and maybe swap my 1.8 bottom end for a 2.0.

[CarismaDave]

No Andy, sounds like you've got a Stage 2 mate....doesn't have shot-peened internals. Same as IanFRST and others £800 and something + VAT.

Dave

[heeman10]

Voila bictches!

[CarismaDave]

fair enough mate....I know how it all adds up...I've just had my final bill...which is for just cr@p to be honest...and it still came to >£600!

Still, worth EVERY penny...and I'm sooo glad I personally didn't build this one!

See you around m8

Dave

[CarismaDave]

Yeeeeesss....

and what are those + VAT!!!!

Stage 2 £993 + Posting

Stage 2+ £1287 + Posting



Dave

[TomRS1800]

Well mate I'm checking for you but as far as I know (though I could be wrong) SCS don't build gearboxes! Unless someone else built it on their behalf.

Yes they're often overlooked but I look at it like this....if it blows and I buy another one then I've basically spent the amount of the S2+! If you buy that and it goes badly then yuou know you need something serious I've got something in mind that's not an MTX but that's secret for now!

If it's anything like mine (I was shaking with all the adrenaline when I got back for about an hour!) you will easily be able to scare yourself! My boost is going up soon

Dave

And I know the guy who does build boxes for Harvery and co!


PM me dude and I shall let thee know who it is

[CarismaDave]

Tom, I'm personally not that bothered....it's James who was after the Gen

Ta matey

Dave

[Paul R]

My stage 2 was the nuts on my old ZT took everything I gave it and was still smooth as the day I sold it

The ATB is deffinatly worth the consideration, please bear in mind that after my ZT was run in I took it to the pod running a massive 6psi and I managed to break the standard LSD and drove home one wheel drive
Was worth it for the 13.4

I'm s**t it over the box in my new Fiesta as its standard at the moment. need to sort something out with the Focus RS MXT75 I have sitting in my garage

[heeman10]

I don't think it makes much difference now anyway, CTS will no doubt be building me a box ASAP, just waiting for a call back Cheers all the same Tom, will let you know if things get nasty with the guy I bought the box off and need a name or two!

[TomRS1800]

No probs James

Sorry Dave was ment for James

There goes me and my quoting skills again

[CarismaDave]

Bernie will never do you over either.....he's such a nice chap. If it's his fault, or if not he'll still help out. No complaints at all and would go back again and again He phoned me up and we spoke for about half an hour about an issue I am having with mine....going through each issue step by step to try and diagnose the problem. How many people would do that without saying ' yeah mate, bring it back and we'll fix it'....charging yuo another god knows how much for something that didn't need fixing in the first place!

Dave

[heeman10]

What's up with yours then? He does seem sound, and I go along with reputations as strong as his