The varmint's gone n done it this time!!!

**colster3** · 04-04-2007, 05:23 PM

Hi All,

I have been researching info on this site for some time but never posted. (hence the joined date...

I have finally bitten the bullet and bought an AE71 for the princely sum of $500

Apart from needing one guard and a small crush on the left-hand rear quarter, the body is excellent! (Colour is a bit pukey but that will change).

It is currently fitted with a 4A engine and auto trans. I have lined up a 4AG for gratis and thought it would be a simple job to buy a T50 and slip the new motor and gearbox straight in but it seems that T50s are fairly thin on the ground

This car will be registered (for a while) to use in super sprints and hillclimbs with my 17yo daughter (down boys!!!).

I have enough info on brakes, rear end and suspension but the problem is what gearbox combination will work best.

I have read the threads on the merits or lack thereof of using a Dellow belhousing to W5* and appear to have missed out on the reardrive new zealand bellhousing group buy.

I did think about approaching the guys at PRB (here in Sydaney) and was considering a conversion to Sierra type 9 gearbox which appears to be what a lot of the clubbies use, could even see my way to some sort of conversion to an MX5 or RX7 box as they are pretty close ratio.

Well folks, I am open to suggestions!!

Apologies if this has been done before but I did go back a few pages to see if this subject has been done to death...

Awaiting any ideas

**colster3** · 04-04-2007, 05:52 PM

found a thread in the conversion pages to another forum "RollaClub"??? Never heard of them but there seems to be lots o' stuff... Thanks to those who had a read!!

**Cuzzo** · 04-04-2007, 07:01 PM

Wow you have done some good research. well done. not often people sign up and search.

If your not going turboed or supercharged 4age then the t50 will handle it. The are getting a bit old these days so i guess a rebuild could be on the cards. But you can put one behind a standard 4age any day of the week. Hell i had one behind 150kw atw and it only let go when giving it a hiding.

**rob1** · 04-04-2007, 08:00 PM

Yeah good work as cuzzo said. Rollaclub has some good info on it if you can wade through the sh!t. I have heard some bad stories about the dellow "W" to "A" series bellhousings as well. A t50 will be up to the job behind a naturally aspirated 4age if you treat it with respect.

**Jasper** · 04-04-2007, 08:07 PM

I have been disappointed with the quality of some of Dellow's products in the past, namely a poorly made 1UZ flywheel.

Two questions: What's with the thread title, and do you have a photo of aforesaid daughter?

**-GT-** · 04-04-2007, 09:47 PM

I would like to 2nd two things;
a) props to the effort and patience searching, &
b)picsorban on the daughter

The T50 really is your best bet. Simplicity and cost with fitting makes it far and away the best choice for an NA 4A in an AE71, even if it means patience is required while searching. As said, with sympathy, plenty of people are running a respectable amount of grunt through T50s with no issues. Gearbox life is very much dependant on driving style. Saying that, a w5x is overkill until your trying to put a lot of FI grunt to the ground. I know a few people who are onto their 4th and 5th T50 because they're cheaper and bolt straight in, and they reckon it's cheaper and easier than going through the conversion hassles.

Sounds like you've got yourself a nice example there, what else have you got planned for it?

Edit: Wait, 3 things;
c) the thread title - i don't get it

**colster3** · 04-04-2007, 10:14 PM

Thanks guys, no pics of the girl (she is my daughter after all!!!) I currently look after the only Elfin clubman racing in NSW. It has a 20V and T50 combo (Escort diff though and the 4.4 grrrrowls). We have had Ivan Albins re-do 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears (around $2k!!!).

The big thing to probably the patience to find the right box. Anybody know of one??

Other things planned, rip out the interior (shame cos it's in good condition, put in a basic cage, seat and harness. (possibly a second seat to keep the rulemakers happy). It has the salisbury type rear, not sure what ratio it has yet (or what is available) but the plan is to get a 4.3 lsd (whether it is a Toyota or CIG locker lol). I have a lathe and mill at my disposal so plan to save money by building my own adjustable front andrear spring seats. Upgrade to nolathane bushes, adjustable sway bars as well. Have built some for the Elfin out of 4130 and they work great.

As I have to get another pedal box, (to convert from auto) I plan to look at whether I can change the pivots and modify the box to something similar to what the twincam Escorts have with three master cylinders and an adjustable balance bar. Failing that, a PBR 1" master cylinder and an adjustable rear bias valve between the seats...

The objective is to finish by Christmas and get some track time in the NSW Supersprint Series next year with a view to U2lt Improved Production the following year.

Don't plan to do much with the engine (quad throttle bodies, aftm ecu, new exhaust and maybe some mild cams...

I have always believed in carrying as much speed through the corners but hey don't we all otherwise this would be another V8 forum...

**colster3** · 05-04-2007, 09:56 PM

Well folks, I found a T50 and it's on it's way from the other side of the country

Looks like a JDM box with the slave cylinder on the passenger side...

Price was ok, nearly as much as the whole car

Something more to celebrate

Also, the title for those tha are interested is a quote from Yosemite Sam (about Bugs Bunny) but most here are probably too young to know.

Other quote was "I paid ma two bits ter see a high divin act and I aims ta see a high diving act!!"

Cheers
Colster

**-GT-** · 08-04-2007, 03:33 PM

Yeah, (looney tunes fan from way back

) but what the hell does that have to do with T50s???

**colster3** · 09-04-2007, 10:45 AM

The title is more about an older guy living the dream. I have wanted to build something like this for many years. The last attempt was to put a 1600 motor with twin 40mm webers and close ratio box into a Mk1 2door Escort. Spent $4500 and sold it for $400. Then kids came along, mortgage and all the trappings. So now, after many months (years

) of research, I have moved from a gunna

to a doer...

For someone who is leaving their 40's behind this year and has wanted to race cars since he was 16 this is a big step!!

**-GT-** · 09-04-2007, 02:19 PM

Good to hear you didn't give up on it.

**colster3** · 12-04-2007, 08:27 PM

Yahooo!!!!

T50 arrived from South Oz today

Couldn't wait to get home and try it on the back of the 4AG and YEEEESSS!!!! IT FITS

Now all I need to find is a clutch fork and slider to hold the throw out bearing. The front wheel drive gearbox clutch fork and slider look remarkably similar

Does anyone know if they fit

The hunt goes on for the pedal box and a wiring loom. (The one that came with the engine had been cannibalised to make the guy's 20V run.

Also, what is the general opinion on ECUs??? I have heard good and bad about EMS and MIcrotech. Haltech are too expensive... Had thought about 40mm DCOEs (Webers)

Don't plan to do anything other than normal NA mods, cams, compression, exhaust...

Any suggestions??? Bear in mind cost is an issue.