At some point after the GT28RS turbocharger system is installed on the JDM B18C Type-R, I'm likely to want my transmission freshened up with some more robust guts. We're not talking mega horsepower just a fair amount more.

It's just for general all around abuse but I would like a nicely built and rugged gearbox.

 

It looks like Synchrotech is the one...they seem to be hooked up with MFactory somwhere along the line.

 

Its not necessary at this time. Again. OEM is more robust than you think on something like the GT28RS at 38lbs/min.

HOnda B-series is VERY overengineered from the factory. No electric pumps, no super gear boxes.. OEM. Try that now, and if you increase a lot of power, only then should it be considered.

You should be thinking more about a proper clutch to use... not a full syncro set.

No more overthinking.

 

gearspeed hands down. my experience with them was great, if only there were more companies like them in this industry. James is a great guy.

 

TheShodan, I do deeply appreciate and look forward to your advice. You seem to always side on the common sense and experience.

While I don't have the feet of Baryshnikov, I'm not bad. Although I may not be ready for this car when Greg gets done with it...I'm pretty confident.

The issue it has that I really didn't want to get into in the initial post is that the gear ratios could be matched better for this car.

I'm very fortunate to have a Houseman 3.47 F/D and with the 215/50-13 tires; I turn about 3300 rpm at 70 mph. I have seen folks who have done this swap and end up spinning 5000+ rpm at 70 mph. Mine came out in a pretty good territory. I'm going to have to switch to 195/45-13" Continentals shortly which is quite a bit smaller tire and will put me at around 3600 rpm at 70 mph. 13" tires are becoming impossible to find and 215/50's are all gone.

Anyway, as it is, the transmission gear ratios could be better matched. I need expert advice to find out exactly what is available and what the best combination will be. Currently, first gear is too short. When I have to drop the tire size, it will only get worse.

 

Why even build the tranny with such skinny tires?

You won't even have any traction anyway, even with a stock ls tranny.

 

I think people keep forgetting how small and light these cars are. 195/45-13's are more than enough to keep this car occupied. There are more than a few formula race cars that have this size. These tires are still large, for this car. It originally came with 10" tires.

 

I just ordered some stuff from Gearspeed this week, James is very easy to deal with and extremely helpful.

How much power are you planning on making?

 

Horsepower? More or less a guess. 300hp would be interesting.

 

You shouldn't need anything more than carbon synchros with that kind of power.

 

Carbon synchros sound like a nice upgrade. Like I said, I'm also looking for more appropriate regearing. Some of the gear sets may not be stock Honda. I saw MFactory offers some that may be a better choice.

 

You shouldn't have any issues with breaking stock gears at 300whp. I mean if you want something geared differently that's fine, but you should have no issues with gear failures making that kind of power.

 

Where you at in SW Ohio? I'm near Fairfield.

Not much you can do with 1st gear, you can try the GearX/MFactory 3.08 first gear, but this issue is better helped with a LSD and control of the right foot.

Does your tranny currently have a OEM LSD? Might wanna think about a plate style LSD.

Yes, I've ran Yokohama AVS-008 II's in 175/50/13 on my old EG HB. The tires meant for a Mini, even with 118 whp it was all about right foot control.

 

I'm just in Warren county near by. Believe it or not, I don't really have any torque steer issues. Everything is manual, brakes and steering. It has one of those Phantom kinda/sorta LSD's. One thing that may help is that the half shafts are absolutely equal length and really high quality CV joints on all ends.

I've driven a Mini with a Quaife LSD. It just about snapped the wheel out of MY hands. I'd rather not end up with that.

Since this car weighs 1700 lbs or less and with the tires I'm going to end up with...the biggest 13 street tires I was able to find 195/45-13...The car with a stock JDM B18C Type-R is really quick and has good torque, due to its low weight.

When the Garret GT28RS turbo is added, I think I'll have power anywhere I want. Red line is about 8700 rpm. The Hondata S300 will let them program and tune the engine characteristics in almost any manner.

I was thinking of re-gearing the transmission a bit like you suggested.
The only non-Honda gear is 1st.

1st...........MFactory........... 3.08
2nd..........USDM B18A....... 1.857
3rd...........USDM B18A....... 1.259
4th...........USDM B18A....... 0.935
5th...........B18B..................0.714
F/D.........Houseman.............3.47

If I'm going to re-gear the transmission I might as well upgrade the synchros as suggested.

Like I said, I have to see what transmission I have in there but I know it works with the 3.47 F/D. I'm hoping the rest of the gears will interchange. Maybe add a few extra niceties.

I don't know if there are some Honda gears and combinations of cases that simply will not work together.

 

my trans in my DD was built by Mista Bone. good dude knows his ****

my SFWD trans was built by TPR in cincy

 

B18A cable gears don't interchange.

You would be best off finding a Hydro LS tranny and swapping in the FD from Jamie and adding the longer 1st gear. Quaife LSD is a Torsen which is why I suggested a clutch style LSD.

Is the current LSD a Phantom POS copy or the original from Eckerich? An Eckerick LSD with clutch plates would be perfect if that is what you have now.

What part of Warren Co., my courier route takes me to Maineville 6 days a week so I'm not that far away.

 

I'm pretty close, about 6 miles outside of Waynesville off 42.

I contacted MFactory and shockingly enough, they agree with my gear ratios.
I picked the gear ratios off of this page:
http://hondaswap.com/reference-mater...n-specs-29132/

And then plugged them into MFactory's program.
http://www.teammfactory.com/gear-calculator

I really would like to keep the case and F/D as is and have some one rebuild and re-gear it. I don't want anyone messing with the F/D or Phantom. I know this transmission fits perfectly in the Mini and the 3.47 Houseman F/D fits it. It is a hydraulic transmission so I'm hoping they have the same ratios available for it.

If I can get the the gear ratios where it makes sense and the carbon fiber synchro goodness in this case, I think I would be happy.

Like I said, the car is going to have power everywhere. So the wider the ratios with the small wheels and light weight should work out the best.

 

Those A1/J1/S1 gears do not fit into the hydro case.

I used to go to Spring Valley State park, north of Waynesville yet in Greene county to deplete some ammo.

 

I can walk to Spring Valley with my wagon full of "stuff". Or I should walk it. It's about 3-1/2" miles

Well, I hope I can get as close as possible to those gears. The idea being that with the light weight (less than 1700 lbs), small wheels (ultimately 195/45-13's) and long F/D (Housman 3.47)

Just having a longer first at 3.07 from MFactory and then getting as long as I can in between that and the 3.47 F/D. Perhaps MFactory has their own gear sets that would work...although I'm sure that would raise the cost.

I would consider changing cases but then it would be a crap shoot that the 3.47 would fit and that is a chance I would not like to take.

I know it's hard to imagine but with decent horsepower (300+) and low weight (less than 1700lbs)....the engine will have torque and HP just about everywhere throughout the 8700 rpm redline.

 

The FD will fit in any 92-01 case. The MFactory close gear sets are much shorter than anything OEM. I use them with the MFactory 4.05 FD for road race setups. A customer making 270whp with a GT28RS kept breaking 3rd and 4th in stock ITR transmissions. He hasn't had a problem yet with the MFactory close gear set.

If you're wanting to keep the top speed for each gear and cruising RPM close to where its at now, you really don't have many options for gearing.

Using the 3.07 1st will lengthen 1st but effectively shorten 2nd after the 1-2 shift. You could use the MFactory Pro 1/2 (2.786 1st, 1.900 2nd) but it is about the same price as your Houseman FD and 2nd would be even effectively shorter than with the stock 2nd and 3.07 1st.

 

Life is never easy, is it.....

 

I talked to the folks at Synchrotech and they set me straight. They know everything down to the last detail. They're going to go through the transmission, refresh anything that even smells like it might need it, install carbon fiber synchro's. Then they'll juggle the gear ratios a bit and we'll end up with the list below.
These ratios should suit a 1700 lb car with a 300HP+- turbocharged engine and 195/45-13" tires quite bit better.

I like the fact I can just UPS the transmission to them.

1st........... 3.08
2nd............1.9
3rd............1.269
4th............0.966
5th............0.714
F/D............3.47

 

gl with that

 

I hope to have good luck with it...

 

Bone
Dave @ Syncrotech
Aqua
Hondabull..
James @ speedfactory



Any of them