Updating My Be1 Box To Cope Better With Over 200bhp

[wardy18 33 1 Cars]

Hi all,

 

Now the 2.3 engine build is well under way with Mass Racing I need to turn some of my attentions to ensuring my std 1.9 BE1 box running an Mi 4:4 CWP can handle the extra power and more so the torque until I can afford a straight cut gear set from Drenth.

 

I am unsure what will let go in the box first so that would be good to understand first off, i have told the bearings can only cope with up to 200bhp.

 

So what can be done in the short term to increase the life of this box, ie Uprated bearings, synchros?

 

Many thanks

 

Simon

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

No idea who told you that about the bearings as its ******* as normal, bearings will have a reduced life but not allot, I know the S/C boys with over 400bhp on a std box although I have done a couple of Shot peening and coated gear sets for them, Its more torque that kills them

 

On the bearing front the TC used a larger bearing but this reduced the strength in the end casing, some had a metal plate to try and stop it spliting but it never really worked, but these where Dog box's in std case's

[wardy18 33 1 Cars]

So what your saying is that the BE1 box will cope with the 2.3 build without any major issues just faster bearing wear?

 

How does shot peening and coating work, never really looked into this?

 

Thanks

 

Simon

[Liquid_106 97 1 Cars]

I didn't know either:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shot_peening

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

Again, a bit of basic searching provides the results.

 

There are several engines on here with quite a bit over 200 horses, like mine, and if you'd have read up you'd see that standard 'boxes cope with the power just fine.

[wardy18 33 1 Cars]

Can't help what I've been told Rich!

 

Would it be a worth while effort to give my box a once over, ie open it up an change bearings and check synchros? Just wanna pre-empt any possible failures for next year!

 

Simon

[boombang 2]

I've seen a fair few diff casings with massive holes in over the years, where the diff cogs have launched (from remnants looking like they have split in half).

 

Haven't heard of any aftermarket diffs doing the same, unless plates have popped, and then the internals stayed internal - although not very pretty.

Edited November 7, 2010 by boombang

[tri_longer 25]

I've seen a fair few diff casings with massive holes in over the years, where the diff cogs have launched (from remnants looking like they have split in half).

 

Haven't heard of any aftermarket diffs doing the same, unless plates have popped, and then the internals stayed internal - although not very pretty.

 

My mates Tran X recently imploded. When he took the diff cover off some of the planet gears fell out at the same time. The re-build didn't cost much less than a new unit. Tran X did comment that they hadn't seen one go as bad as this one had,

[saveloy 8]

Can I assume that you have to use an open diff? It's torque alone that you need to worry about. And the first thing to let go is the standard diff.

I ran over 200 lb/ft of torque for 20K - then the diff pin tried to exit the casing. 240lb/ft of torque didn't disturb the Quaife ATB though.

If the box is in good order, the only things to be sure of are the diff and 1st gear components.