Focus RS gearbox

[Cupman29]

Been thinking of other options to going down the o2m route if the jc5 box gives up at my desired power level of 300+bhp.

Came up with the mk1 Focus RS box. It comes with a diff already and is reasonably strong with having all the internals shot penned. I know it would need custom shafts, new mounts, hydraulic clutch, flywheel and bell housing flange but so does the o2m.

The question is, does anyone know if it would fit and the driveshaft coupling is in a suitable place and would not cause the shaft to foul on anything?

 

[Cupman29]

Chip-mk1

You're a ford man aren't you? Any thoughts on this box instead of an o2m?

 

[Korky]

Isn't that evo powered 205 running that ford gearbox? maybe have a look at that build thread if you can find it?

 

[Cupman29]

Isn't that evo powered 205 running that ford gearbox? maybe have a look at that build thread if you can find it?

I know of an evo powered fiesta but not a 205. I'll have a search.

 

[Dan@SJM]

Michael Woodford MST

He is your man.

 

[Cupman29]

@Michael Woodford MST

He is your man.

Cheers Dan!

Hopefully he can share some knowledge on this box before I make my mind up.

 

[Zippyobrien]

I know his isn't going to go down well in the Clio world

but having owned a focus rs.

Theres now way in hell is be removing a perfectly good zetec turbo that will run 400bhp on a un opened engine from a gear box
to bolt a Clio one to it.

The boxes are strong. So us the clutch. Ran 330 bhp for maaaaany trouble free miles on a std box and clutch.

 

[marinemackay2003]

what?

 

[Cupman29]

I know his isn't going to go down well in the Clio world

but having owned a focus rs.

Theres now way in hell is be removing a perfectly good zetec turbo that will run 400bhp on a un opened engine from a gear box
to bolt a Clio one to it.

The boxes are strong. So us the clutch. Ran 330 bhp for maaaaany trouble free miles on a std box and clutch.

Cant understand what your talking about mate. Lost

 

[Ph1 Tom]

Would the R26 NDO box be any easier?

 

[Zippyobrien]

The op wants to fit a focus rs gear box to a Clio engine then drop it into a Clio?

My point is,
why would you go to the trouble of fitting a Clio engine to it, when in my opinion and experiance the zetec turbo that comes fitted to the focus is a better engine to start with and far more capable of delivering more power.

So my advice would be to fit the engine and gear box, this will allow you to use a std clutch set up, leaving only the drive shafts to sort.


Make sense now ?

 

[Cupman29]

The op wants to fit a focus rs gear box to a Clio engine then drop it into a Clio?

My point is,
why would you go to the trouble of fitting a Clio engine to it, when in my opinion and experiance the zetec turbo that comes fitted to the focus is a better engine to start with and far more capable of delivering more power.

So my advice would be to fit the engine and gear box, this will allow you to use a std clutch set up, leaving only the drive shafts to sort.


Make sense now ?

Makes a lot more sense now. You sober up?? Lol

There would be a lot more to think about than just drive shaft such as mounts, wiring, manifolds, etc. it's an idea but a lot work.

Clutch is not an issue, just the flywheel would have to be custom.

 

[Cupman29]

Would the R26 NDO box be any easier?

In what way? Still going to need hydraulic clutch, new mounts, mounting flange, new shafts, etc.

Does it have an LSD?

 

[Ph1 Tom]

I thought you could use the standard gearbox mount? You won't need a custom flywheel.

Yes it does

 

[Cupman29]

I thought you could use the standard gearbox mount? You won't need a custom flywheel.

Yes it does

Is it any stronger than the JC5?

 

[Ph1 Tom]

Yes, quite a bit stronger.

 

[Chip-mk1]

Certainly a good option strength wise and not too dear considering it has an LSD as standard.

Mike is the man to ask, but he is on holiday in Ibiza at the moment and I dont tihnk he will be on CS, but he's still on the facebook group though so you could try there.

 

[Martin.]

Certainly a good option strength wise and not too dear considering it has an LSD as standard.

Mike is the man to ask, but he is on holiday in Ibiza at the moment and I dont tihnk he will be on CS, but he's still on the facebook group though so you could try there.

I think he'll be too busy drinking Grey Goose and Belvedere lol!

 

[Chip-mk1]

I think he'll be too busy drinking Grey Goose and Belvedere lol!

Lol, he was on briefly earlier so you should get a reply but probably not as good a one as when he isnt out of his tree, LOL

 

[neil a]

The mtx is a good strong box , I would look at the 6 speed getrag box fitted to st170's it's a 6 speed and a bit shorter than the mtx. Diffs are cheap and easy to fit to both boxes.
I should have a spare Clio box next month and Sitech always has mtx and getrag boxes lying so I can get photos of the two boxes next to each other.
Im sure on the mtx you get both front and rear mounted starter options.

 

[tom172cup]

never driven an RS ford so cant comment on the "feel" the vag box isnt as nice to use as the renault but its not bad. how come you dont go with the tried and tested route. you can pick up all the bits bar shafts for under 400 notes

 

[Cupman29]

never driven an RS ford so cant comment on the "feel" the vag box isnt as nice to use as the renault but its not bad. how come you dont go with the tried and tested route. you can pick up all the bits bar shafts for under 400 notes

What do you get for £400? Flywheel, mounts, box, hydraulics lsd and gear linkage?

The RS box will have the diff and box for about £450. The rest I don't know but seems a good box for the intended purpose. As long as it would work with similar mods to the o2m.

 

[Cupman29]

The mtx is a good strong box , I would look at the 6 speed getrag box fitted to st170's it's a 6 speed and a bit shorter than the mtx. Diffs are cheap and easy to fit to both boxes.
I should have a spare Clio box next month and Sitech always has mtx and getrag boxes lying so I can get photos of the two boxes next to each other.
Im sure on the mtx you get both front and rear mounted starter options.

Photos of the boxes together would be very helpful Neil. Would give me an idea of layout and dimensions.

 

[Zippyobrien]

Ratios are crap in the vag box to.
My ibiza cupra had a 02j I think, would do 112 in third ??

St170 box is shared with the Mini Cooper s also. Very cheap to pick up.

 

[Chip-mk1]

Mind you. If you are putting the box in then rather than dicking around with making an adaptor plate why not just run a focus rs engine too?

 

[Cupman29]

Mind you. If you are putting the box in then rather than dicking around with making an adaptor plate why not just run a focus rs engine too?

Why not run a vag engine with an o2m box? Same bother different jockey and one comes with a diff already installed.

 

[Chip-mk1]

Why not run a vag engine with an o2m box? Same bother different jockey and one comes with a diff already installed.

I agree, hence when upgrading my mk1 to use a honda box with an LSD I am using the honda engine too.

Its actually easier to make engine mounts than a gearbox mounting plate so to me makes no sense at all to be trying to make another box fit the F4R when you can just fit a far better engine intstead that doesnt have the terrible lifter arrangement etc.

 

[Zippyobrien]

My exact argument earlyer.

Focus rs zetec is bullet proof sub 400bhp. Easy to mount aswell.

 

[Chip-mk1]

My exact argument earlyer.

Focus rs zetec is bullet proof sub 400bhp. Easy to mount aswell.

And yet you were planning a honda swap into an escort at one point IIRC? lol

 

[Zippyobrien]

I was indeed chip.

Mainly due to buyying a whole b18 engined honda for £200.

As as age increased so did my income. Promptly moved the escort on ( luke lav had it and we chucked a rwd volvo set up in it ) and bought a focus rs to be a weekend toy whilst I had my trophy. Ended up using the rs as a daily and f**ked the trophy of.

Time for me to buy a house so back to a shed 172. Love it actually lol. Funny how things go in circles.

 

[Chip-mk1]

Ha ha. Fair enough mate.
172 is such an awesome all rounder for a grand.

 

[matthewstearn]

How well do you think a Zetec Turbo would fit? I only ask because the turbo sits at the front. It would be a great combo!

 

[Zippyobrien]

I payyed 500 for a 52 plate 172.

Chucked my 15" oz wheels, pure motor sport front set up, rear arb and some Billstiens I treated it to and I love it. Average 33mpg aswell.


Zetec tec turbo is pretty compact but the mtx75 box is quite big. They mount in a very similar way to the Clio engine. I recon it would go having seen zetec turbos and boxs in the front of a ka.