Gearbox conversion

[Albert]

Hello All,
Has anybody looked into a more up to date 5 or 6 speed gearbox conversion other than the Getrag option?

Regards
Al

[stickandrudderman]

I don't know of any other conversion but the getrag works really well, why not go with that?

[Albert]

The Getrag gearbox is a rare beast.
I just thought a newer more up to date gearbox would be a step forward

[GGR]

The Getrag 265 is a wonderful transmission. I have one on my Pagoda and it is so much better than the MB trans I have on my W110 and W111. It is firm, precise, and can take a lot of abuse. But it is indeed becoming rare, especially with the speedo cable pick-up gears. It is also difficult to service (like in opening it, and replacing synchros and bearings).

Someone did a 6 speed transplant kit for the Pagoda, but it doesn't come cheap. You may find it by searching this forum or the net.

Bud's Benz also developed a kit based on the T5, it's a good option too.

[jaymanek]

I agree, the Getrag 265 is the one to go for...  fantastic drive with no need for differential or other mods.

Great thing is its totally reversible if needed.

You wont generally find one just on ebay. You need to search the used parts dealers...

I think I searched a 1980's BMW 635 manual box and I managed to find a few in the UK.

I recently also saw one and I think it was listed as fitting a Vauxhall Manta or something..

You have to be careful not to get the dogleg version.

[stickandrudderman]

Or you could just buy one from me!

[Albert]

Ok,
Can you please supply info:
alreid1@mac.com
&
areid@mercedesamgf1.com

[Raymond]

There is another option.  I installed a Tremec T-5 in my Pagoda 5 years ago and drove it 900 miles to the 2009 PUB the morning after finishing the install. 
Patterned after "The Hays Conversion", Buds Benz in Douglas, Georgia has made a kit that includes a newly remanufactured transmission and all of the parts needed to install it.  I do not have any financial interest or gain in any way except a bit of happiness to see Pagodas running 76 mph at 3,000 RPM.  I have kept all of the original parts and whoever gets the car after I die could re-install the 4-speed if they desire.

[Basil]

Hello !

Would this Getrag 256 fit my 230 SL 1964 ?

Thank you for your answer in advance.

Paul.

[GGR]

The most common conversion is done out of Getrag 265 as found in BMWs. They are shorter and there is a kit that has been developed by group member Mark Turnbull (I think stickandrudderman is also involved in it now).

This one may fit, but you would end up with a very short drive shaft front end. Not sure of the output flange either, the system looks different. You would need to adapt the Pagoda's shift mechanism.

I think you would be better off finding the transmission the kit has been developed for, as it will be a straight bolt on rather than redoing all the adaptation work for this one.

[Basil]

Would this one do better ?

[GGR]

Yes it would. That's the one I'm talking about.

There are two types: dog leg with shorter ratios with 1:1 fifth gear, same ratio as the 4th gear in the stock Pagoda transmission; The other one has an overdrive 5th, 0.81:1 ratio. They are both very nice (one is sporty, the other one is nice on the highway), all depends on what you are after.

Also, make sure it is equipped with the speedo cable drive. It is not the case on all of them.

[Basil]

Thank you GGR for your advise !!

Paul.

[stickandrudderman]

Mechanical speedo drives are getting difficult to find now and so you are likely to have to go down the route of creating an electro-mechanical speedo drive.
After unsatisfactory results from trying the Abbot Tech Cable X, I am working with an electronics engineer to build a better solution.

[Garry]

You can actually buy the mechanical speedo drive from BMW but it can cost you more than the second hand gearbox. Dont ask how I know

Garry

[stickandrudderman]

Garry, last time I looked BMW were no longer selling the speedo drive gears.
In any case, since there are many more later boxes available without the speedo drive I think for a lot of people the easier installation will be a more attractive proposition.

[GGR]

There is a guy in Florida who fitted a Getrag 265 on a W126. He welded four teeth on the drive shaft and fitted the stock sensor in front of them to replicate what was in the auto transmission. For the Pagoda, this would mean converting the speedo internals to the same system as found on later cars. 

[Montreal V8]

    When I fitted a Getrag 265 to my 280SL a year or two back, I was able to get the speedo gears from BMW, but they were difficult to get even then. A small modification to the cable, and it all works fine.  HOWEVER, there is slight downside , the ratio is not quite right, so when the speedo reads 60 MPH I'm actually doing 70 MPH.  I'm just too lazy to do anything about it, and instead rely on my GPS.   All comments about the Getrag being good have proved to be completely justified.
   Cheers, Dale.

[Peter h]

I have installed the gear in March with a friend. The rotation is not the same, I had to re-adjust the speedometer.
The  right Getrag gearbox are hard to get.
Peter

[Peter h]

some more

[GGR]

Nice pictures, and clever system with the threaded rods! Below is a picture of my set-up regarding the rods, as developed by Mark Turnbull.

How did you go about the transmission mounts? Have you kept the thick metal plate that closes the tunnel? Can you post pictures if you have any?

Thanks!

[Peter h]

here is the mount

[FJ60]

How do you like the T5 tranny now you have had it for a while?

[hauser]

GGR

What bell housing you do you have on the Getrag?

[GGR]

That is a bell-housing to mate the Getrag to the M117 5.6L v8.