4 or 5 speed Gearbox. Whats your views?

[boXXer]

ive currently got a 5 speed type 9 in my mk1, but a lot of people say that the 4 speed rocket box is a better box for the car.

 

What do you prefer, and why?

 

I use the car every day for work, and do trackdays/pod days.

 

Cheers!

Mike

[Copey]

am sure this came up a while back, the ratios arent actually that different if i remember right

[davreeve]

I used to have a mk2 with a 160 bhp pinto ,2ltr type9 5spd,4.1 diff.This set up worked well for me as had good acceleration and a relaxed cruising speed.

[pauln]

I've got a S ierra type9. Be nice if the ratios were closer but 1st gear getaway is good and so is motorway cruising. You win and lose.

[bmxdave]

Ive got a 5 speed in mine because i like to have the ability for better cruising (and higher top speeds ) but my box has been fiddled with in the past and used in a rally car and the ratios are spot on. Every gear change puts you pretty much at the right revs to keep going, it never bogs down like the mk2 cortina used to do in 3rd.

[MR "S"]

4 SPEED

[BaileyMex]

I do love my 4speed

 

But with a 4:1 diff, 50 profile tyres it makes motorways hard work

[escortmad79]

5 speed if you're travelling long distances, there's nothing worse than hours of RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA in top at cruising speed on the motorway

[duttnut]

I'd say,

Motorways-5spd

Contry lanes-4spd (or just don't use 5th)

Someone once said, it's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it

[MK2Ed]

U could always get a 5 speed and change gearing ratios similar to 4 speed but 5th as an overdrive - costs a bit though...

[mk1super]

I'd say,

Motorways-5spd

Contry lanes-4spd (or just don't use 5th)

Someone once said, it's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it

 

2nd that at the end of the day its going to make going to meets etc far easier than a 4spd an an engine screeming away in your ears.

[tim]

4 speed,changed my old mk2 from 4 to 5 and it just wasnt as nice to drive after,my mex is stay 4 speed,lovely feelin change and wasnt that bad for a 200miles cruise up the motorway last year

[boXXer]

ive got a 3.9 diff, so how bad would it be? also, arent the gear holes in different places? so i'd need to re-make the old hole?

[kevmk2]

Holes are in the same place if you get a rocket box mate

I used to run a 5 speed quaife box on my old pinto,was ok on longer journeys apart from the straight cut noise I used to wear ear plugs back then

[boXXer]

i think i can get a straight cut 4spd quite cheap, thats why im asing mainly.

[kevmk2]

As long as it hasnt got a 2.04 first gear,they are no good for the pod or pulling away quickly,you want a 2.48 first gear really or something like that

I used to have a 2.04 first gear and i was in 1st forever with a 4.1 diff

[boXXer]

its a 2.2 1st

[kevmk2]

May not be so bad then,sort of in the middle

You could have 2.9 first gear and be in 2nd gear before you can blink,like most quick escorts up pod

[bortaf]

Difficult question TBH, the standard 2.0 4 speed box (typeE) in cortinas ect has the same first 4 ratios as the 5 speed so there's no difference, the 1.6 box has better spaced ratios so it really depends on what 4 speed box your compairing it too?

 

Have a gander at the choices

 

 

Ford Gearbox Ratios 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

2 Litre type E (RS2000) 3.65 1.97 1.37 1

BGH 4 Speed Ultra Close 2.13 1.44 1.18 1.00

Bullit Competition 2.296 1.697 1.28 1

Capri 2.8 injection 3.36 1.81 1.26 1 0.82

Corsair 2000E (Mexico) 2.972 2.01 1.397 1

Cortina Mk1 Type 4 3.343 2.396 1.412 1

Escort Mk1/2 1100, 1300 3.656 2.158 1.425 1

Escort Mk1/2 GT, Sport 3.337 1.995 1.418 1

Five speed type MT75 3.89 2.08 1.34 1 0.82

Hewland five speed comp 2.84 1.78 1.47 1.21 1

Lotus Cortina - Oct 1964 2.5 1.64 1.23 1

Lotus Cortina from Oct 1964 3.543 2.04 1.412 1

Quaffe BRiSCA F2 2.29 2.07 1.95 1.00

Quaffe Hot Rod 2.48 1.69 1.61 1.00

Quaffe Rally/Race 2.48 1.69 1.21 1.00

Quaffe Speedworth 3.03 2.07 1.95 1.00

Quaife straight cut four speed 2.5 1.64 1.22 1

R.T. Quaife Rocket type E (with synchromesh) 2.39 1.69 1.34 1

R.T. Quaife Rocket type E (without synchromesh) 2.04 1.54 1.21 1

Rocket type E competition 2.54 1.666 1.255 1

Sierra Cosworth type T5 2.95 1.94 1.34 1 0.8

Sierra five speed type 9 3.65 1.97 1.37 1 0.82

Sierra five speed type 9 -(with straight cut close ratio R.T. Quaife gears) 2.39 1.54 1.21 1 0.91

SPC Helical Gearset 2.39 1.54 1.21 1.00 0.87

ZF five speed (direct top) 2.3 1.8 1.36 1.14 1

ZF five speed (overdrive) 2.99 1.76 1.305 1 0.874

[kevmk2]

Quaife Speedworth 3.03 2.07 1.95 1.00

 

Perfect for quarter mile stuff,no good for on the road all the time though

[wakesey11]

4 speed all the way for me!! my car is old an im keepin it that way!!

[huxmk1estate]

I do love my 4speed

 

But with a 4:1 diff, 50 profile tyres it makes motorways hard work

 

i got all that too come YFKT!!!

[herb capri]

i always find a four is great for a back lane thrash a five for civilised m way stuff ,and for WHATYOULOOKINAT?PEUGEOTKIDDY type acceleration from the lights its got to be a rocket4 ,

i have had the same dilemma for years on one of mine the swap has been done 4 times im on a 5 now but is it right ?

HOLD ON ...............I FEEL A CHANGE COMIN

[BaileyMex]

I do love my 4speed

 

But with a 4:1 diff, 50 profile tyres it makes motorways hard work

 

i got all that too come YFKT!!!

 

[boXXer]

well, ive currently got a type 9 box, 3.9 diff, and 50 profile tires, and got a 5.2sec, 0-60 which i was well happy with. Im thinking i may just chuck in another type 9 and see how it goes for a bit.