Anyone using Ford Type 9 / Sierra 5 speed? Need feedback

Here is the scoop I'm looking for a transmission with readily available close ratio gear sets that is small enough to fit in my Datsun 1200 vintage race car.

The T9 fits size wise and Quaife makes a "clubman" gear set that doesn't cost the moon.

Note before anyone posts things like the T9 is weak and will barely support 175HP keep in mind the car belts out a whooping 105 whp.

Things I'm interested in are bearing life and will it shift decently at 8200 rpm.

I currently use Datsun ultra close 56 series ( not durable behind 1500cc engine) or 60 series durable but lousy ratios and not happy at higher RPMs.

Tom

The type 9 doesn't have great ratios unless you get the quaiffe version.

I've broken two XR4Ti units and I will tell you I was acting like a complete E36M3 bag when I did. Both revolved around multiple long burnouts and 4500RPM launches, not many but more than one

I was just having a similar discussion over on the Faceballs as I'm looking at a pre-lit Westfield with a five speed T-9. One thing that was mentioned is that 8k+ rpm might be considered a little much for the box - apparently some of the tuners in the UK suggest that they don't really like to handle much more than 7500 rpm.

In reply to BoxheadTim:

That's probably why they're so popular with Spitfires and GT6's. No Triumph engine has any business even thinking about that sort of RPM.

I have T-9 that will go into my GT6 over the Winter, but that's about all I can say at this point other than I have little concern about it surviving behind a 1972 2.0L GT6 engine (~100 hp when new) with over 70K miles on it.

Taylor Race Engineering deals with the Type 9 and even sells the Datsun adapter. Call them up and ask them.

We run the T9 in our GT6 race car....it's not given us any issues and has outlasted several engines to date.... (Now I've jinxed it... :-))

@RossD the Datsun adapter Taylor sells is really a bargain but unfortunately for me it's for L Series motors.

I try to keep the motor to 7500 rpms but there are places that I'm revving it to 8200.

Tom

Ian F wrote: In reply to BoxheadTim: ... No Triumph engine has any business even thinking about that sort of RPM. ..

Sounds like you are not doing it right ...

Is the go-to Trans still the five speed from a 210? I just saw one at the scrap yard yesterday! Seems a T9 or a AX15 (to big?) would be a good choice for the available power.

Tom1200 wrote: @RossD the Datsun adapter Taylor sells is really a bargain but unfortunately for me it's for L Series motors. I try to keep the motor to 7500 rpms but there are places that I'm revving it to 8200. Tom

I also meant that they could tell you about the rpm and bearing concerns that you have.

chandlerGTi wrote: Is the go-to Trans still the five speed from a 210? I just saw one at the scrap yard yesterday! Seems a T9 or a AX15 (to big?) would be a good choice for the available power.

I would scarf up any 5 speed RWD Datsun trannies I could.

or is it trannys?

I try To not scarf up any Trannies at all.

RossD understood and have a list of questions for Taylor but I wanted to do more research before I actual talk to them.

ChandlerGTI the 210 trans (60 series) is what I have int the car now, it may be the go to transmission for Spridgets and other small Britsh street car owners wanting an interview overdrive they are a huge compromise for a race car. You end up using a 4.62 to 5.125 R&P and using 3-5, the overdrive 5th is not ideal.

Spitfirebill yes I've noticed British car guys will pay $500-$800 for a 210 5 speed.

Tom

Bumping this thread. Anyone have any T9s laying around their shed they need gone?

Don't have one laying around, but some info pertinent to the OP.  I had a T9 with the Quaife gears hooked into a Toyota live axle with 4:11s in my Birkin S3 Seven. Zetec with ITBs and work, 215hp on a engine dyno when built. I had redline set to 7500 or so. I definitely wasn't slamming gears, and it definitely didn't have the shift lever feel of a Miata, but seemed robust. I only put 5k miles on it in 2 years. Only issue I had was 1st gear would popout if I was acting a fool and trying to power slide it all over the place and aggressively get on and off the throttle. 

In reply to fatallightning :

Since this was my thread: in the 5 years since I posted this I started running my Formula 500 as my primary vintage race car. Basically I'm no longer worried about trying to get the last bit of lap time out of the Datsun. I'll be sticking with the 210 transmission for quite a while.

I'll just chime in that if anyone sees a deal on a 210 trans, I would most likely be interested for my bugeye. 

clshore said:

Ian F wrote: In reply to BoxheadTim: ... No Triumph engine has any business even thinking about that sort of RPM. ..

Sounds like you are not doing it right ...

For a race engine - sure, but for a street engine, I'll stand behind my statement. 

I have Chris's old Merkur T9, but my plan for that is to go behind the B20 in my 1800ES since I am not really a fan of the M41.

I do have a box of between 1 and 2 assemblies worth of T9 parts I bought from Foxtrapper ages ago that I could part with, but I can't confirm condition or completeness.  If you make another trip to the PA area, let me know.

In reply to Ian F (Forum Supporter) :

I'm with you. I want to put a T9 behind a B18/20 in my 122. It was originally an auto so I want to see if it will fit the transmission tunnel without any massaging.

We plan to be back in PA this summer. Hopefully we can plan another get together.

I realize this has been resolved, but isn't miata the answer here as well?

Same basic Trans works on the rotary powered rx7, so 7 or 8k shifts should be fine.  Readily available. Good gear ratios.

In reply to wvumtnbkr :

If anyone can find me someone who can do an adapter plate for a Miata trans to bolt up to my Datsun A-series motor I'm all ears 

Tom1200 said:

In reply to wvumtnbkr :

If anyone can find me someone who can do an adapter plate for a Miata trans to bolt up to my Datsun A-series motor I'm all ears 

Ah, gotcha.  I assumed an adapter was going to be made for whatever Trans was being used.

I would not characterize the RX-7 smoothcase as being very happy with shifting at 7500+ rpm.  Miatas have closer ratios, which makes life on the synchtos easier, and in stock form that had smaller clutch disks (200mm? vs 215/225mm).

The bearings seem to do okay although, again in the RX-7 units, which had the same ratios as a B2200, lots of high RPM use in the lower gears does unpleasant things to 5th gear.  The relative speeds are crazy when the output shaft is turning 3000rpm and the 5th driven gear is turning 10,000, to throw random numbers out there.  Miatas would be better.

T9s are scarce over here although popular for MGB transplants. 

You may want to consider a T5 instead - much stronger, lots of different ratios available and cheaper to source.  I run one behind a mildly hopped up 3.4 GM V6 and the feel is good.

If interested in them, this is a valuable resource     http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Borg-Warner-T5-ID-Tags.htm