Caterham 6 spd vs modified 5spd or....

[ajroberts]

So I am debating getting a caterham 6 speed box to replace my 5 speed. Or do I modify the 5 speed as first is way too low.

What would you lot do....

[DJ.]

I would modify the 5 speed, BGH seem to be the people to go to. You'll get a good spread of 4 gears and an overdive top to reduce revs on long runs and it will be cheaper
The 6 speed was only introduced for the torque free 1.4 K series, and such close ratios aren't needed for a 1.8.
Also the 6th gear in the Caterham box is 1:1 like 4th in the 5 speed. If you have a 3.92 diff as you should in a 5 speed equipped Caterham, top gear will be ridiculously low. The 6 speed would only be bearable on the road with a 3.62 diff.

[greenwoo]

well.....
depends what you want to use teh car for, how much spare dosh you have and what the engine /characteristics are.

the Cat 6 speed has a final 1:1 ratio in 6th, so clearly close ratio, very close ratio...if you want to or need to bang it up gears all day long then the 6 speed makes sense......otherwise a close ratio 5 speeder from BGH or Steve Perks.....unless you want noisey straight cut, in which case....quaife....

i wouldnt go for the 6 speed with a 150lb torque plus zetec, but perhaps a vaux engine is different. maybe use a gear clac to get some input into sort of real life scenarios?

i'd think 1:1 would be draining on a motorway?

[scotty]

I think most 5 speeds have 4th as a 1:1 and my 4speed is so try driving on the motorway in 4th and see how you like it?...now if it was should i upgrade to a sequential it may be a different question!! Lol

[ajroberts]

My previous Cat had a 6 speed box in it. Though my new one has over twice the power (95hp to about 195/200Hp). To be honest the driving on the motorway did get tedious as it was a 1:1 ratio and was about 4,500 rev @ 70mph.
I am leaning towards the gears from BGH, Road and race or SPC. Just got to figure who is the best person. I don't have the money to go for a sequential otherwise I would get one...

[greenwoo]

well if its £ oriented then BGH for my money. If its to get the set of gears that you think would work best, then might be steve perks at SPC - his gearkits/gearboxes ave diff ratios to the bgh offering. If i'd had a few quid more that's the route i'd have gone. if you have the 3.62 or thereabouts diff with your 15 wheels i think i'd go for the .87 5th gear as its still 'blattable' in 5th but also sensible on longer journeys.

[ajroberts]

What would I do without Marks wisdom and help.
Thanks I think thats the route I will be going down as the 6 speed would be too tiresome on longer journeys.

[Fury1630]

I have a BGH 5 speed & a 3.62 dif, at 70 it's running <2.5k revs & talking with the passenger is still possible (though the curved screen helps with that), with those ratios in 5th it runs the same revs as my wife's 2.0 TDi does in 6th, but still accelerates well through the gears - it just depends what you want it for, I like the road trips, so the ability to cruise in 5th & blatt in 3rd & 4th works well for me.

Also I wouldn't have a sequential on it I like changing 5th down to 3rd & so on, I like my H pattern box!

[ajroberts]

What engine have you got and what power is it giving out?

[Fury1630]

What engine have you got and what power is it giving out?

Erm were you asking me? If so it's here:-

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