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 Adapter plate to fit Hewland gearbox

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AlexWPosted - 13 Jan 2014 : 21:15:24
I have for sale an adapter plate with flywheel and competition clutch to fit a hewland type gearbox in a Saab v4. £250 ono
The mk9 Hewland is also available as a 5 speed unit which would surely be the ultimate mod for a saab v4.
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andydeans3Posted - 28 Aug 2014 : 09:47:46
AlexW.
Hi Alex, I'm the chap who bought the re-con engine off you in January.
(Still running sweet as a nut)

Very interested in this slightly old thread, about fitting a totally different gearbox to a V4.
I would perhaps, depending on cost, consider this.
However upon looking at the Hewalnd's site, I noted the following in the FAQ section.

Not sure I'd like non synchromesh shifting.....

Andy


Q. I am considering a Hewland gearbox for my street car. Have you got one to suit and is this a good idea?
A. We do not wish to seem unhelpful, but we have no products intended for street use- neither upgrade kits or whole gearboxes. Hewland is a specialist racing transmission company. Our goal is to have only happy customers (and therefore not to sell something inappropriate).

Whilst nothing actually stops you fitting a Hewland gearbox for street use, there will likely be installation / manufacturing issues for the clutch and engine interface for you to overcome. In subsequent use, the gear noise and non-synchromesh shifting are elements usually deemed unsuitable for street use and `non-race` drivers. If these factors do not put you off, by all means let us look at the project.

1978 LHD SAAB 96
1978 MGB Roadster
2008 LHD "Classic" Renault Twingo

1978 LHD SAAB 96
1978 MGB Roadster
2008 LHD "Classic" Renault Twingo
DirtbikerPosted - 17 Jan 2014 : 23:33:45
When I say the 2wd Subaru box could bolt up to the V4 engine I do mean with an adaptor plate!
DirtbikerPosted - 17 Jan 2014 : 23:31:37
Mads - a bit of googling turned this up: http://www.loumash.com/GS/2012b/trans.html
So looks like you're spot on!

Alex, yes, the Hewland website got me thinking about this...

While searching for VW info I came across reverse cut ring and pinion kits to switch a Subaru box the wrong way round to suit a VW - no good for SAABs: http://www.subarugears.com/
The side profile pic of the box shows it to look a bit longer than the V4 box but could be worth a measure.

And then this - a 2wd conversion (that looks very simple) for a Subaru box: http://www.bremarauto.com/products/subaru-2wd-conversion-kit/
This could potentially bolt up to the V4 engine and require only minor cutting of the bulkhead.

A gearbox conversion is definitely not for purists but for me it could make the V4 much more driveable while still keeping the character of the V4 engine. Just a thought though - my car still doesn't even have wheels on it!
AlexWPosted - 17 Jan 2014 : 17:55:29
Just thought I'd add that the Hewkand MK9 is based on a Beetle box so a Beetle box could also be used
WheelspinPosted - 17 Jan 2014 : 07:02:53
Regarding VW gearboxes, I believe you can just move/flip a gear inside the differential to get it moving the other way. I also believe that for VW transporters this was actually done from factory since there is a reduction gear out in the wheels making them go the other way. This goes for the earlier transporters at least, but I think the gearboxes are the same.
Regards, Mads
DirtbikerPosted - 16 Jan 2014 : 22:38:20
Interesting stuff on the Hewland website. Apologies if we are moving away from the original thread but I've thought about VW gearboxes before - they are really strong and quite compact. But surely you would end up with four reverse gears...? Maybe I'm not getting my head around this but the engine faces the other way in a Beetle. I have heard rumours of people flipping them but would this work? What gearbox does a mid engined Porsche 914/6 use?
Maybe we should start another thread on gearboxes - I remember one on here a couple of years ago.
Cheers
AlexWPosted - 16 Jan 2014 : 19:59:22
I am not sure about the difference in dimensions between the saab gearbox and the Hewland unit but details are available on their website
BorstlapPosted - 16 Jan 2014 : 17:04:28
I read once that Jack Lawrence used an uprated Beetle gearbox on a V4 that was used for motorsport. Don't recall if it was on a 96 or a Sonett. Does a MK9 box fit in the restricted space that is available or would it require grinding and welding of the car's body?

Alex
pchristyPosted - 15 Jan 2014 : 08:45:41
But can you keep the column shift???





--
Pete
"Duct tape is like the Force: It has a light side and a dark side, and it binds the Universe together!"
AlexWPosted - 13 Jan 2014 : 21:37:49
Actually a Hewland Mk9 type they are a transaxle made for competition purposes only and are practically indestructable, have a look at the Hewland website.
DirtbikerPosted - 13 Jan 2014 : 21:16:48
Hi Alex,

Out of interest, what's a hewland type gearbox?

Cheers

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