FWD Corolla's and final drives.

[Just1n_mc]

I currently have a C56 gearbox in my AE82 Racecar but after running it at Phillip Island I noticed I was hitting the speed cut (180kmh which has since been bypassed) in fourth about halfway down the straight. I still had rpm left in fourth but it made me realise that even if I did get into 5th gear it would of only been for a very short time and that I probably could make use of a shorter final drive to make better use of the gearbox.

I've tracked down a supplier of 4.75 and 5.15 final drives that I can get for a reasonable price but I was hoping someone had swapped one out and could give me some feedback before I decide which way to go.

I've worked out that the 4.75 will run out of revs (8,200) in 5th at 230km/hr and that the 5.15 will be at 212km/hr. Having hit 180 half way down the straight in 4th with the standard final drive I'm concerned that I'll run out if rpm if I use the 5.15 at Phillip Island. I haven't tried the car at Sandown yet so I'm not sure how long the back straight is there.

[Just1n_mc]

Anyone played with final drives at all?

[trdee]

i have no experience with final drives beyond stock offerings for C and E series boxes but i do have some experience with going fast you will hit an aero wall at around 180 and i think you will find that picking up much speed beyond that will be quite a challenge if you are running an n/a 4A (are you?)

you would probably be best off asking someone like bway who has raced an AE82 at PI before for better feedback.

[Just1n_mc]

Yeah I was at Phillip Island two weeks ago and with the speed cut disabled I topped out at approx 210km down the straight so aero is definitely an issue especially in the aero challenged AE82.

I've got a worked head and cams to go in shortly so im hoping I can squeeze some more out of it.

A cheap TRD final drive has fallen into my lap if I want it so I'm still toying with the idea but was hoping someone had some experience they could share with me.

[Just1n_mc]

I've currently got a silvertop putting out 102kw at the wheels.

[dnegative]

I doubt you would hit more that 212km/h on the straight, go for the 5.12

[knightrous]

Go 6 speed.

[Just1n_mc]

I Plan to stick with the 5 speed.

Have heard from a few people that the C160's don't stand up to too much punishment.

[dnegative]

Same casing and gear size as a C52/C56 with an extra gear;
They are not rated for massive torque but like most Toyota gearbags, lots of margin.
Dont forget that the 2ZZGE came with a C series 6 speed so if it will handle that in a porky FWD then I cant see a worked 4A being any risk - its not like your going to ever make big torque with 1600cc NA.


People say the same about W58's, apparently there is one version out there with a steel section that is the bees knees but I'll guarantee that wont save 3rd when it strips etc

[knightrous]

I Plan to stick with the 5 speed.

Have heard from a few people that the C160's don't stand up to too much punishment.

Don't use a C160, use a C60 gearset inside C52/C56 gearbox case, drop in a ZZW30 factory LSD and you have a killer little NA gearbox for a 20V.
Seen them take plenty of abuse behind a 4AGZE without failure.

[bermy]

Same casing and gear size as a C52/C56 with an extra gear;

That would be a C60 found behind 2ZZs.... the C160 has the same gear thickness has the little C15x box behind 1.3 and 1.5L N/A toyota... not even able to hold down the torque of a stock 4E-FTE. Final drive gear is also a lot skinnier than on the C52/56/60.

[trdee]

C160 is used on 6spd blacktop 4As from factory. No real issues. A worked silvertop wouldnt make significantly more power to worry one...

but yeah a C60 swap with helical diff is also a nice solution no doubt. probably easier than sourcing a c160 these days anyway