I am thinking of a Carlton gearbox to mate to a Vauxhall 16V instead of the usual type 9 route taken by most people. I understand that it is lighter but want to know:

How do the gear ratios compare?
How do the they compare for strength?
Any other challenges?

Cheers

nsdev will tell you but i gather they suffer from lack of upgrade bits that are readily available for the type 9 and do eventually break (so i'm told)

Ned.

If it doesn't break in a Carlton it's hardly going to in a locost unless you're planning on permanent burnouts!

Having had some experience on this one........

The carlton box is "similar" in terms of strength to the type 9, certainly not weaker. I have broken a similar number of both boxes.

Broke 3 carlton/manta ones in a 16v manta, but as was pointed out, the locost is a lot lighter so should be no problem in that.

The carlton box is a much better design than the type 9 but NO upgrade bits are available, even service bits are tricky, if something breaks in it you really need another one.

To sum up, in a locost, if you are going to compete then go for the type 9 so you can upgrade. For road use it matters not which one you pick.

It is actually an Omega box if that makes any difference?

How easy will it be to fabricate the gear leaver set up?

depends what fabrication facilities you have, but it's not a problem, basically a carrier bolted to the back of the 'box with a spherical bearing in it to hold the lever, and a clevis arrangement on the bottom of the lever with a link rod to the shifter coupling.

not something to worry about at all, I'm sure I or somebody else on here can help if there's a problem.

omega box is no prob