3tgte in ta22 celica - W55 / W58 gearbox conversion

[ta22-3tgte]

Hi guys, I know this topic has been covered before. Especially W55 into a ta22 celica with 3tgte. So this may start to sound like a classifieds/wanted to buy post more than antyhing else.

Rundown: Car currently has the standard T50 bolted up to the 3tgte, and original tailshaft and diff. Engine has haltech e6gm, t28 turbo, 3" exhaust, front mount cooler and is putting out over 150kw (approx dont have final dyno sheet) at rear wheels. Gearbox is obviously old, had no work done to it, made a loud popping sound in 3rd gear flat to the floor (at max boost which is 10psi at the moment), followed by a horrid crunch and a grinding noise. Car now stalls when you attempt to lift the clutch in any gear.

I'm on the Gold Coast in Queensland, and have rang around a half dozen or so places chasing up a W55, or even a replacement T50 without any luck. I'm especially desperate, as this is my only set of wheels at the moment and I was using it as a daily driver to get to and from work.

Does anyone have ANY suggestions at all to help get me back on the road as quickly as possible? Will a fully rebuilt T50 get me out of trouble? Or am I better off trying to find a W55 and doing a conversion? Are there any other gearbox conversions for this engine and chassis that are easy/reliable to do? W58? R154? All ideas will be considered. I'm more concerned about time and whether its relatively easily doable than I am about saving money at this point.

Everyones 2 cents is appreciated.

[Norbie]

Don't waste your time with another T50, it will only break again at that power level. Buy any W5x box (doesn't have to be a W55), then get a bellhousing to suit. T series bellhousings are hard to come by but you can use a G series bellhousing instead and you shouldn't have any problem finding one around here. You'll need to modify your tailshaft but believe me it's money well spent - the W5x boxes are a great deal stronger than the T50 and have a nicer shift to boot.

[jfallen]

there was a chap giving away a W58, check the freebies section, might still be avaliable

Jordan

[ta22-3tgte]

I think the W58 gearbox is already taken, I tried to call the guy but his reception was no good and I'm still waiting for a response. I noticed theres a W55 for sale in the classifieds section, I'm waiting for a response from that guy too. With any luck I'll be able to get one of these. I'll put up a post when I've done the conversion, showing the old box (the damage hehe), and how to put the new W55 into the TA22 with pics and any tips etc.

[FASTFOO]

You can use a RA23 tailshaft with no mods and the TA22 has the centre bearing bolt hols allready there (you may have to clean 25years of crap out of them)

MATT.

[kugzs]

mate with the w5X into the 22, you can use an auto ta22 tailshaft. Also, an auto ta22 gearbox crossmember will not fit without some brackets/mods.

[LeeRoy]

I think the W58 gearbox is already taken, I tried to call the guy but his reception was no good and I'm still waiting for a response. I noticed theres a W55 for sale in the classifieds section, I'm waiting for a response from that guy too. With any luck I'll be able to get one of these. I'll put up a post when I've done the conversion, showing the old box (the damage hehe), and how to put the new W55 into the TA22 with pics and any tips etc.

mate with the w5X into the 22, you can use an auto ta22 tailshaft. Also, an auto ta22 gearbox crossmember will not fit without some brackets/mods.

Check my members rides thread in my sig. I have got a w58 behind my 3t using a g series bellhousing. Theres some pics of crossmember but i dont have a tailshaft as of yet. I will end up with a custom one.

- LeeRoy

[ta22-3tgte]

I've managed to source a fully rebuilt W55 that was conveniently advertised in the classifieds on this forum.

I've almost finished removing the broken t50 gearbox (pics to follow ), and theres a few points that I'd like to clarify. An ra23 tailshaft, and a ta22 auto tailshaft are in fact identical?

As for the crossmember, I'll have a look at leeroy's one and see if that explains things. Whats the easiest option for this, get one made up? Or will an ra23/ta22 auto mount work?

Also any pointers about whether the shifter position needs changing, and if so, where to get the bits from. Any other things I might've left out, like speedo cable?

*edit* You always forget the most important thing after you've made the post I've heard the 1G bellhousing will get me out of trouble here. This next question may seem either really n00b or DUH!! Can I re-use the bellhousing thats on the T50 gearbox? Since its exploded and of no use anymore, hehe.

[Norbie]

No, T-series bellhousings are not compatible with W-series boxes.

[rob1]

and the input shaft end of an auto ta22 or ra23 tail shaft will fit a w5x box. don't know whether they are same length though. pretty sure speedo drive will fit. xmember will have to be fabricated. (easy though)

[ta22-3tgte]

I've been trying to hunt down a T series bellhousing for a W55 box, without too much success for the moment. When people say that these are rare, they're not joking right? Someone doesn't just have one laying around perhaps?

Ok, I know the 1G bellhousing will do it, but I've been told the clutch is on the wrong side. Wouldn't this be a problem with a T28 turbo roasting the crap out of anything thats on the other side?

Failing that, I could post the bolt pattern to Castlemaine Rod Shop, and the guy told me they may have one laying around, or I could possibly get one made up.

And this is before I've even sourced a new tailshaft (ta22 auto or ra23), and get a custom made gearbox mount.

*edit* I'm off now to get an engine crane from supercheap auto.. You can sorta get the boxes out easy enough without one.. but getting them back in again, I think its a lot easier to lower the motor off its mounts .. A gearbox cradle would be nice too, instead of a brick and plank of wood on top of a trolley jack

[o_man_ra23]

RA40 tailshaft is identical to RA23 (dont know about TA22 auto)

RA23 g/box xmember wont help you, they dont fit TA22 in any way shape or form.

You should be able to modify the 1G bellhousing to suit the clutch.

Dropping and raising gearboxes is ok if you have 2 trolley jacks.

Cheers, Owen

[Norbie]

Dropping and raising gearboxes is ok if you have 2 trolley jacks.

Yeah, I recently installed a V160 solo with the help of 2 trolley jacks. This is much heavier than any of the gearboxes discussed so far, and I'm pretty sure the box weighs more than I do, so don't be such a girl!

[ta22-3tgte]

Okay, I hope I can revive this thread because its not done with completely yet. The W55 gearbox has arrived, but I'm having trouble finding a 1G bellhousing. I found one attached to a W58 gearbox that I can buy for $450, but he won't seperate it.

If anyone has a spare one or knows the location of one, would be much appreciated. I'm just going to attempt to bolt the new box up, jam the old mount under there and a block of wood or something to hold it, then take it into a local gearbox place to get them to fabricate a mount for it.

[o_man_ra23]

Take it to a sheet metal fabrication place and get them to do it... be better than a gearbox place.

As for the bellhousing, why dont you stick a wanted ad in the classified section, and also talk to places that sell gearboxes that have been converted to fit bogan mobiles... as they are sure to have some bellhousings leftover which ppl dont need on their commonwhores.

Cheers, Owen