Just bought my first rs turbo and it crunches into second. ive been told a cheap alternative would be to fit a escort diesel van gearbox. Does it go in perfect or is it a bit of a boj job?

 

It will be a direct replacement however you wont have a limited slip diff and the gear ratio's will be incorrect

 

I ran one for a few months in my 1st RS. Even with no LSD never had any problems only in the wet.

 

Thanks for the replys, is there any specific year that the box has to come from?

cheers

 

no mate any mk4

 

mines got a dieasl box on at the mo,ok so no lsd, but the ratios are wider!,you can hold the gears longer, wicked!!

 

why not just spent £100 on a propper rs box with an lsd, the deisel box isnt any stronger???

 

The myth of the escort van gearbox started from the knowledge or legend that some of them had a LSD fitted from new.

 

Yes it will fit but it's a complete bodge and you'll be left with a gearbox that's no tougher, has no LSD and has crap ratios for the car. Generally about as good an idea as dangling your goolies in a pirhana tank at feeding time.

Spend once and spend right get yourself a proper rebuilt RST unit