massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

As stupid a question as that sounds...

I was just curious which boxes people are using specifically, or which ratios if they're using a standard box. I've got an MTX box, I believe it's from a MK6 TDI Escort, so I'm not sure the ratios are going to be ideal. It's going into a MK5 Escort, so obviously it's tempting as it will bolt straight in and I can use standard linkages and things, but I think it might be a bit rubbish ratio wise. Obviously the RS2000 box is another option from a bolt in point of view, and then there's all the other variants from the Mondeo/Focus etc, but they're all a bit trickier.

So, I was wondering what people were using. This probably applies more to people running them in RSTs and the like though I should think.

crazycage

i run a focus rs box in mine ,tops out about 160mph on 15" wheels
my mate runs the same box but with a tdci final drive (3.41) and tops out over 180mph from memory.

mattxr3i

I have been looking a ratios as I want a low ratio box. The early Mondeo1.6 has a 4.21 final drive so I am starting to look into them

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

The RS box is probably decent, but I'm cheap, so cost puts me off a bit initiallly. Is it hard work getting the cable shift and things to work? As obviously I'd face those issues too. Trying to avoid major changes as I'm keeping fully trimmed so don't want to be cutting up interior parts and the like.

Do you have the ratios for the RS box? Would be interesting to compare them to other options. I'm not looking for huge speed. Ideally I want something that isn't revving it's nuts off at 70/80 in fifth, as I still want a moderately nice road car out of it, which is what puts me off the RS2000 box, but I'm told the TDI box I have will severely limited top end to something stupid like 120

mattseries2

iTrader: (1)

Im using FRS Box too.

crazycage

1st 3.23
2nd 2.13
3rd 1.48
4th 1.11
5th 0.85

f-d 3.82

ST Turbo

ST170 6 speed for me, tops out at about 165 on 17's... they have quite a short ratio

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

You took all the others off! Any reason? They were useful, was going to compare them to other boxes! Any chance of a PM with them?

Ollie MK5 Turbo

Yep that's the gear ratio in my MTx75.
On the way to central day it was to easy to hit the limiter in 5th lol.

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

Are you on a FRS box too Ollie?

crazycage

standard focus 1st 3.41 2nd 2.13 3rd 1.48 4th 1.11 5th 0.85 f-d 4.06.

1.8tdi focus(66kw) 1st 3.66 2nd 2.04 3rd 1.12 4th 0.86 5th 0.67 f-d 3.56

1.8tdi focus(74kw) 1st 3.66 2nd 2.13 3rd 1.44 4th 1.02 5th 0.76 f-d 3.41

Ollie MK5 Turbo

MK5 MTX75 box. I was told it was from a RS 2000 but may not be.
I got CTS (Gearbox man) to check the gear ratio when building my box up with the quaife parts.

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys. I'll see how they compare to the RS2000 box, and to the TDI one I have here. Would sooner fit a simple bolt in job to begin with if I can. See how they hold up and go from there.

SiST

iTrader: (1)

I will have some brand new 2.0 focus gears with 4.06 final drive up for sale soon if anyone needs some. My MTX75 will have focus 1.8 tdci gears fitted but isn't for a zetec.

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

Are all the gears interchangeable between boxes? For example, could you build the above Focus gears into an Escort box and still use the Escort rod linkage etc?

I'm a total noob when it comes to gearboxes, but curious as it may give me more options for the future.

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

Just to add, someone has just given me these from one of the Ford tech manuals. Thought they may be useful to people.

Escort MTX75 ratios (petrol models)

1st: 3.23
2nd: 2.14
3rd: 1.48
4th: 1.11
5th: 0.85
Final Drive: 3.82

Escort MTX75 ratios (diesel models)

1st: 3.42
2nd: 2.14
3rd: 1.45
4th: 1.03
5th: 0.767
Final Drive: 3.56

Seems the RS2000 box shares near identical ratios to the FRS box. May try one of those initially.

As I said, I'm a total plum with gearboxes. I am curious though. As I said above, the higher cruising revs of the RS2000 box aren't hugely desirable, which is my real concern. What are the options for improving this? Could I use a different FD to improve it slightly? Just be nice to get it sitting at relatively low revs in fifth at 70/80, just to make it a bit cheaper to run to shows and things. Obviously I don't want to limit max speed massively, but I'm not the sort who's going to be shooting for records.

I think I'll just fit an RS2000 box initially, see how well it takes the abuse and then go from there, was just curious on what could be done if I was unhappy with any of the ratios!

scoooby slayer

iTrader: (4)

tdi box should give you higher top end not lower as diesels dont rev high like petrols so are geared accordingly.

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

I must say, I did think that initially, but I've been told the diesel box limits top speed a bit.

It's something I'd like to find out for sure I must say!

scoooby slayer

iTrader: (4)

it will only limit top speed due to not having the power to pull through such tall gears

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, I think that could be the case for my RS2000

I'm sure someone said there was a speed calculator somewhere online!

scoooby slayer

iTrader: (4)

2 mins ...........

scoooby slayer

iTrader: (4)

http://www.car-videos.net/tools/spee...B1=Recalculate

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

That's the one! Thanks for that, spot on.

Apparently, with my planned tyre size, and the TDI box, I could in theory reach almost 180mph. I could see it falling apart long before then though

Cheers for that, answered the question perfectly Will stick to what I have for now. See how it goes on that box, how quickly I break it, and can go from there!

moondustka

Reviving an old thread that came up from good old Google..

After yesterday's outing to Ford Fair I'd like to look at changing the gearing somehow because the engine revs are way too high at cruising speeds of 70mph and the top speed is poo. I'm using the Focus RS MTX75 box, so it looks like (from reading above) that fitting a crown wheel from a diesel would work?

And by doing a little eBay research it's looking like it's easiest to get the whole box. My concern is how to knows it's the right diesel box because from crazycage' post it's the 74kw one I would want?

Thanks

Ben

Rick

Yes, I did this, fitted a diesel final drive to the Focus RS box which gives very similar gearing to the OE S2 ratios. I can't remember which one, worked it all out a long time ago. Diesel box on its own will give very tall ratios

moondustka

Thanks for quick reply..

I'm running 195/50/15s which is where some of the problem is as an FRS box is designed for 18s, which we know.

I've worked it out on the online calculator and the diesel crown wheel will only get me to 160mph top speed. And 70mph still means the engine is revving a little higher than I wanted. Then I found if I change 3rd, 4th and 5th and the crown wheel from the diesel, the gears will be gradually longer, bringing revs down comfortably under 3000 at 70mph and a top speed of 180.

The trouble is finding and knowing you've got the right box!

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

If you pop the reg number in here it should tell you which final drive is fitted to the box: https://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleReg...206E8.fcvas501

Obviously you'd need the seller to have the reg but it's worth noting.

moondustka

That's really handy, thanks for that

moondustka

Interestingly, just put in a known reg of a Mk1 FRS and it says final drive is 3.56??

studabear

I've got a diesel mtx box from a mondeo in my garage.

moondustka

For sale, or are you using it? Would need to know the gear ratios and final drive, but I suppose a Mondeo box could work also.

studabear

Might sell but no idea on ratios etc