Wanted; Group A Starion Gearbox

[NachoMan]

Crockenberg Motors (08) 9358 0302

Mal is no longer has his business 'Crockenberg Motors'
He's moved on to other interests now.
I may have his mobile floating around here somewhere...

[Muz]

I have one. Not sure if I want to sell it though ?

[ACE]

Muz, You have mail.........

[Muz]

Hi ACE,
It is the "Sports Option" box which MMC originally built for the EX2000 Lancers. Dog leg 1st, 1st - 2.85, 2nd - 2.11, 3rd - 1.58, 4th - 1.23, 5th - 1:1. helical cut with synchro's as they were back in the day. As per page 6 of the Starion A183A homologation papers (A-5113)
It is complete and operates fine. Like I say, not sure if I really want to sell it as I am bringing back to life an old Gp "A" race car. I am however aware that there are certain horsepower limits that this box can cope with and have also started going down the RX7 track. You see as well as the Gp "A" car for tarmac use I also have a track car (Starion) that I am converting to a rally car so my brother Leigh and I can do the Alpine rally next year.
In a quandry as to which way I go. Historically correct or reliable ??
Cheers
Muz
P.S. Mal Crockenberg sold that spare gearbox out of his EX Lancer years ago and hasn't any Starion stuff left.

[ACE]

Muz,
Thanks for the info, Thats what i'm looking for.

I understand your quandry.......... I've seen some of the buggerising around Ron Masing had to do to get his GroupA Starion back to scratch for its C of D. Its time consuming and a lot of paperwork.

I have an RX7 box behind my 13B PP in another car and its not a bad thing. It just the ratio's suck for NA application. A decent helical cut close ratio gearset is $4k for them, before you install it in the box.

I have considered using one for the new car, but I will have the same problem and for the RWHP its making, its overkill. Which is why I'm trying to find a Starion box, instead.

Have a think about it, let know what you want to do. Atleast I know where 3 of them are now.

Cheers,
ACE

[MrBishi]

Would a supra gearbox be a better alternative? Not knowing the strength of the group A box (and imagining tears if it goes bang) a supra box might be a viable solution. You can get R154 bellhousings too. At least sourcing a replacement and spare parts are possible.

[WANTSOM]

I know ACE is looking for the authenticity aspect but I would be going the Supra option but with the PPG gearset installed. Unbreakable (well I guess anything is breakable if used incorrectly).

ACE, I understand your quandary and where you are at with all this but have you thought about a Needham box - a lot of the RX7 Improved Production guys are using them with good effect and I'm sure you could adapt one to a 4G63 without much drama. Just a thought.

Would like to catch up with you at some stage and have a yak and compare some 'notes' if you are interested.

pm me if you want to hook up.

Cheers
Greg
Greg

[ACE]

Greg,

I've used Needhams before in the smaller RX5 case and they're rubbish, poorly built and they eat selector forks for breakfast. Plus the 1st where 5th is shifter position confuses a lot of people.

The only drama with using any of the mazda gearboxes, bar the turbo boxes, is the inability to handle torque.

I'll let the cat out of the bag, as well. I'm not actually building a Starion, I'm building a 1979 LC Lancer coupe as a circuit/tarmac car. I have the engine and a few other bits out Ron Masing's old LB lancer GroupC/Sport sedan (you've all seen the car on the Coltspeed website). I had that engine in my old IPRA LA lancer in the late 90's and the only thing the car lacked was a proper gearbox.

I have looked at all the options and decided the Factory box is the best option due to the HP we are making (190-210RWHP) and the minimum amount of mucking around to get it in the car.

RX7 box requires crossmember, new hole in the floor, plus adjustment of tunnel with a hammer.

R154 requires a new tunnel, plus crossmember, etc........ and its way to heavy for my application.

Starion boxes requires next to nothing to make it fit.

All 3 require a hydraulic clutch conversion, but i'm using an aftermarket pedal box, so that is not an issue.

Keep the leads and info coming. It all helps!

Cheers,
Andrew

[iXNAY]

Greg,
R154 requires a new tunnel, plus crossmember, etc........ and its way to heavy for my application.

what about the W5x series of supra gearboxes? all you need is a new crossmember that can be mounted into the existing holes in a starion not sure about how it would go in the lancer

[MrBishi]

I fit a W58 in my LA with a bit of hammer work, and some sheet around the shifter hole. My setup is moved as far rearward as the firewall allows, which adds to the tunnel squeeze.
Is the LC factory auto or manwell? Auto shells have a bigger tunnel (or LA/B sedans do anyway).
W58 is what I'd do (especially considering the cost and rarity of a Grp A gearbag).

[ACE]

I am considering that option......... and I understand the rarity of the group a box, as well.

If I can't find one, I will just use a standard starion or scorpion box in the mean time. They've never let us down previously and the car is set up for it.