235/5 Rebuild/Freshen

[markmac]

Problem solved, build crate (easy) + Pirate Ship + Nigel (Retro Engineering) = 235/5 rebuilt that I can trust without any BS and a 2 hour conversation.  I reached out to a number of folks here in the US, other than the one THAT I called (and told me I should expect to spend 12-15 grand......) no return emails or calls (and these were from folks that 'allegedly' rebuild these transmissions.  Hmmmmmmm.  No sour grapes but thank you for not getting back to me.  He (Nigel) has had a look at some of my gear and thinks its no problemo to get a strong 235/5 back together.  Overall I feel pretty good about it, as long as the Pirate Ship quote estimates are real and not BS.

[danco_]

Pirate ship is solid. I've been using them exclusively for years now in 2 different businesses and personal shipping. I've never been billed for a difference in price after shipping because I messed up or it was too heavy, or any number of reasons. They are a solid company and shipping label platform. I ship internationally through them all the time as well. High recommend.

 

Edited December 11, 2022 by danco_

[mccusername]

I had a similar situation trying to get Alpina negative camber struts rebuilt. Bilstein US doesn't do it anymore, said to send them to Performance Shock in Sonoma. After a lot of non-confidence-inspiring back and forth, Performance Shock wanted $2600 to rebuild the front struts and a pair of rear upside-down Bilsteins. I got in touch with Bilstein Germany and they are charging $225 per front strut and $170 per rear shock. The shipping $$ is insane each way and the delay sucks but some of the US specialists just seem to be price-gouging.

Wish I had known about Pirate Ship. How do they handle international Customs? I'm having stuff get hung up in Customs a longgg time lately going both ways.

[Mikesmalaga72]

Another avenue perhaps GMT-Baur in Germany. They build the different variants of the 235 street/rally/race ratios. 

GMT-BAUER.DE

---

GMT-Bauer, Getriebe- und Motorentechnik, Meisterwerkstätte für Überholungen, Instandsetzungen An- und Verkauf von Gebrauchtteilen, Neuaufbau von Schaltgetrieben, Motoren und Differentialen. Altenrieter Weg 11, 72141 Walddorfhäslach, Telefon 07127 92690 88

 

Edited December 14, 2022 by Mikesmalaga72

[markmac]

No question GMT Bauer is very (very) qualified, it's - what they do.  GR - Box in Italy is the same deal, they rebuild all the hot gear boxes, ZF, Getrag etc., and have the ability (like GMT Bauer) to make their own gears/parts.  Ditto, Nigel at Retro Engineering.  I swapped a few emails with him, sent him along some pics, based on what he sees and what I have we can build at least one gearbox (maybe two).

[Mikesmalaga72]

Good luck! At least being in England that would eliminate any language barriers. 

[Conserv]

3 hours ago, Mikesmalaga72 said:

… At least being in England that would eliminate any language barriers…

 

Well… that depends… 😋

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[markmac]

I had more than one person give me WA (wild ass) numbers for rebuilding what I have.  North of ten grand.  I know that the JH trans I have was lightly used.  I would guess that he will replace the bearings (probably) but who knows they may be good, other than that it is swapping the JH input shaft for my bmw 235 input shaft.  I know I can build one really good one and have most of the parts to build a second, and what I don't have I believe I can source.  I may sell the one and then have him build one of his straight cut synchro transmissions (with motorsport close ratios) into the second.  We'll see. 

[Mikesmalaga72]

Perhaps have a helical gearset to reduce gear noise for a street car and use a straight cut for the track higher NVH if that is your plan . I`m pretty sure you know the differences already but just an fyi. 

[markmac]

Yes, that is the idea.  The 235/5 (and variants) were never designed to handle a 270hp motor.  Make no mistake they were used and were blown up, but then of course a lot less money to replace and plenty of spares.  The ZF S5-18/3 trans was homologated for Gr2 racing and really be the way to go.  Heavier and a bit more work to work into an 02 (not a ton, but more).  According to Nigel at Retro, the HP and Torque my motor makes is on the upper limit of even his straight cut gear set.  I don't plan to race the car - track events only.  The next owner can worry about wrecked transmissions - whatever brand they might be.

[Tbone1209]

+ 1 for Pete's gear shop in Hayward. He was reasonable and knowledgeable. 

[markmac]

He did my LSD, since the car isn't running no way to test it, but no reason to think anything other than it was done perfectly.

[Mikesmalaga72]

That diff should be bulletproof and agree the 18/3! I suppose some racers lately are using Drenth electronic style gearboxes as well these days.. Drexler rear diffs etc to update from the earlier bits but requiring quite a bit of fabrication and great expense. But in keeping with the heritage of your build it is best to keep on plan. Looking forward to how things go that is one fine machine there!!

Edited December 15, 2022 by Mikesmalaga72

[markmac]

Not many vintage groups would allow a muncie rock crusher trans, although if you could make it work it would probably be great and certainly could handle the power.  The ZF is the right trans, they are 'spensive'.