Our answer is just as Fiat decided with their higher torque turbocharged 124's, to use the well proven Mazda MX-5/Miata NC gearbox! From our turbocharged experience we know that the standard MX-5 ND clutch will not take more than 240 lb.ft (one of the many reasons for our Stage One Turbo power), and replacing the clutch for higher torque demands will always result in eventual gearbox failure. The conclusion was far from good, requiring replacement gear sets, a new strengthened housing with additional shaft support, even then they were uncomfortable with the standard low diff ratio placing unnecessarily high stress directly on the gearbox.įrom this it was clear that strengthening the existing gearbox was far from economically viable and an alternative gearbox being a far better solution. We commissioned a leading European gearbox specialist to assess the standard gearbox and the feasibility of strengthening the unit for sustained track use or higher torque applications. Mazda themselves have issued many revisions due to failures, and even using the very latest revision the gearbox is certainly not robust enough for extended track work or greatly improved torque levels. The Mazda MX-5/Miata ND gearbox can unfortunately only be described as a weak link.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |