LocostUSA.com

Maybe not.

My research into the minivans says that '84 to '96 V6's had a 5 speed option but the sales of auto's were so high %'wise that they dropped the manual around '96.

Again, talking about %'s, you would find that the spoken of gearbox problems would be in the 0.05% area in my experience in warranty area for some public members to consider it a "huge" problem - if they really had huge problems then they would not have been the huge sales success that the Chrysler Minivans - Dodge Caravan etc. were for 25 years and still going strong.

Secondly, we are generally talking about using the box in a vehicle that would be 1/3 to 1/2 the weight and thats going to releive a lot of stress on the box.

3rdly, all the ones that I have looked at were transverse boxes, quite wide to the left side and the sump lower than the engine (I have only seen Mitsubishi V6's though).

Here is a photo of 1999 Chrysler LHS with the 3.5 liter V6.



I was basing my information on what wikipedia says and from a couple different people that I know that used to own one of the types of cars under the 42LE heading http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultradrive
Every car, even cars with 25 year runs, has downfalls. Maybe I just happen to hear a couple bad transmission stories. Either way, its an automatic and would be pretty low on my wish list.

I think there is an automatic transverse transaxle in the 5.3L grand prix and also in the v-8 impala. Dont know if they can be paddle shifted.
Phil

It's funny you mention paddle shifting and those transaxle because, at least in the pontiac grand prix GXP, they came with them. I've driven my buddy's and paddle shifting just four gears is boring, engine note on the other hand was very nice.

I am basing my info on what I saw 2 days ago. In the yard I was in they have 2 4cyl's one with a manual box, 2 Mitsu 3.0's autos and now they have a 3.3 with manual box. All are Gen 11 shape and all are transverse but I see your later picture is longitudal.

All I was trying to say was that all of the longitudinal mounted transaxles from chrysler/dodge/etc I've seen in researching were automatic and I 'heard' that they had some problems. No disrepect. Thats not to say that they didnt make an excellent 727 or any good manual longitudinal rwd transmission or fwd manual tranaxle. But I havent looked into any of those, not for a locost at least.

The 6 speed 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP (3.9L manual) transverse transaxle, called the "F40" bolts up to the Cadillac Northstar 1994-1999 with the exception of 1 bolt, but that is easily handled with a small fabricated bracket.

It is rated by the factory for 295 ft-lbs of torque in a 3500 lb car.

I am using one in my Northstar powered Toyota MR2

They can be obtained brand new (without axles) for about $450-550 on eBay due to GM selling out thier 2006 surplus stock. GM changed the trans in 2007, so they surplussed the 2006 version.

I paid $400-450 with shipping. I paid $750 for new G6 axles, (left right, and intermediate shaft) and shift cables.

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CBulen
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http://www.MV8R.com Project MV8R: a Northstar V8 in a 1990-1999 Toyota MR2
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there is, 4t65eHD. identical to the trans hooked the '97+ 3800 SCs The can be built to handle north of 600hp.

Edit to add: The V8 4t64e-hd is a little different than the 3800 version, with the starter mounted on the trans instead of the engine, as is the case with the six.

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'86 Pontiac Fiero
'98 Jeep Cherokee
'92 Buick LeSabre

I dont know whether you want a manual or an automatic if you want a standard you shouldnt keep reading this. One thing i would look at is some of the GM transaxles. My daily driver is a FWD V8 with a 4T80-E and im sure you cuold find an adapter plate for the 4T60-E. The 4T60-E would be a very easy transaxle to get ahold of and they are pretty easy to rebuild and you could even go with a 4T65HD-E which is stronger that the 60 but not quite as strong as the 80.
If you are going for light weight the 4T80-E is not the way to go but if you just want a really strong reliable tranny its the way to go. -Nick

The 4T65E-HD trans can be built to be as strong as the 4T80. That said, with the new 6-speed autos coming out, the only reason to use a manual transmission anymore is the ~100lbs weight savings over an auto.

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'86 Pontiac Fiero
'98 Jeep Cherokee
'92 Buick LeSabre

How about the ZFQ gearbox, basically a redeveloped version of the old GT40 ZF box, with modern internals, same footprint, Ford and Chevy bellhousings, I think even Porsche now.

http://www.gt40s.com/forum/vendor-manuf ... saxle.html

Tell Chris I sent you,

Cheers

Joe T

JoeT
Good to see you making the rounds and dishing out good info....

Any idea of the price of that ZFQ gearbox?

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I'll keep an eye out for you!

To err is human...
I am more human than most.

It used to be advertised at £6500.00 I know it was in a car that did well at road america and hes shipped a few units to the US..

I have a G50 52 with LSD under the bench for my middy project.

I also have one the Audi 01E units, thats for my nephew if he ever pulls his finger out and gets on with his Lambo replica. We had a few brand new ones and I sold the rest.
http://silicon.fastnet.co.uk/specialist-car/php/showobject.php?caller=objectlist&cid=115&pid=394&sp=3&cup=1

Good information, Thanks Joe T


Audi 01E units
http://www.elektro.com/audi/01e/

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I'll keep an eye out for you!

To err is human...
I am more human than most.

I must admit I like the Audi 01E box, its a lot lighter the the G50 and runs in its original orientation, no flipping or reversing. Some have pushed it to 350bhp with no mods, the 01X is another option.

Here a link to a useful site that gives the model number of the gearboxes against the cars they were fitted in. Its hard work but useful in determining what was fitted where.

http://www.dieselschrauber.de/audi_zuord.html