M66 gearbox

[dave stew]

Is it possible to do a straight swap out from an M56 (5 speeder) to an M66 six speed 'box?

How much are they on average S/H and do they ever come up?

I am really thinking about a Quaife LSD set up, but it would be better to put a lower mileage 6 speeder in as a starting point rather than my existing 140k mile 5 speed.

This is probably one of my stupid Thursday afternoon ideas.

[Alan M]

The M66 boxes do fit. I'm not sure what other fittings or parts are required but remember there are a lot of crashed Focus STs around at the minute and these boxes are pretty readily available. I have saw one at £350 and another at £450 on ebay both from very low mileage STs.

[readview]

Not sure what you would gain from the six speed apart from closer ratios wheras the quaife would give you a tougher set up and offer the chance to recon your own internals at the same time.If you are keeping the car i would invest in the quaife set up.Thanks again for the recommend as well Dave,much appreciated.

[dave stew]

No problem. No, I'd put the Quaife into the six speed as well. The idea is to gain a more modern six speed box. I suppose the outlay wouldn't repay the small decrease in fuel consumption that a longer six gear would give.

I said it was a daft Thursday idea, didn't I?

[lance]

It doesnt sound stupid to me, I would love a 6 speed box!

[cherry1809]

It doesnt sound stupid to me, I would love a 6 speed box!

Ditto....so the ST box' will bolt up to any T5 lump?

[shemtek_racing]

a six speed box is not needed with a big torquey engine the 6th gear has the same ratio as your 5 speed its possible that its shorter in the focus gear box. the more gear changes you are doing the more you are interrupting the drive to the wheels and then waiting for the turbo to biuld boost again. T5's have a wide power band theres no need to be swapping coggs more than you need to. I would advise reconning the box when the quaiffe is fitted

[dannt5]

Im looking at doing this to my 850R but does the ST box have a lsd & will the shafts fit?

[Tomcat]

a six speed box is not needed with a big torquey engine the 6th gear has the same ratio as your 5 speed its possible that its shorter in the focus gear box. the more gear changes you are doing the more you are interrupting the drive to the wheels and then waiting for the turbo to biuld boost again. T5's have a wide power band theres no need to be swapping coggs more than you need to. I would advise reconning the box when the quaiffe is fitted

Not to say your wrong but why then do they fit a six speed box to the later Volvo T5's?...

[pangster]

Not to say your wrong but why then do they fit a six speed box to the later Volvo T5's?...

economy i'd guess... i.e. travelling on the motorway at the same speed but at less revs in 6.. the same reason most cars come with 6 speed boxes?..

[dave stew]

I've just had a quick Google and found these gear ratios for the Focus ST:
Gear ratios:
1st: 3.385:1
2nd: 2.050:1
3rd: 1.433:1
4th: 1.088:1
5th: 0.868:1
6th: 0.700:1
Reverse: 3.231:1
Final drive ratio: 4.000:1


This is the only Volvo spec I can find (a C70)

1st: 3.07:1
2nd: 1.77:1
3rd: 1.19:1
4th: 0.87:1
5th: 0.7:1

My reasoning was to get a longer 'top' gear for economy, but maybe the six speeder would just give closer ratios?

[shemtek_racing]

id be very surprised if 6th on a m66 is any longer than 5th on the m56 as its overly long already. the focus st doesnt have a lsd as standerd and the linkages may well be different my biggest concern would be the drive shafts if they are different then your looking at another 300quid for second hand ones plus 350-450 for the gear box possibly afew more quid for any mods to the linkage and around 700 quid for a quiaffe diff so thats £1350 and thats of course if your fitting it your self. also i'd be thinking if there are 6 drive ratios in a gear box no bigger than one with 5 then the gears them selfs must be smaller there for not as strong.

i beleive the reason they made the six speed was because every one else was. its like anything when some thing new comes along everyone wants it. ive always stood by if it aint broke dont fix it.

looking at those gear ratio's it looks like ud be hitting the redline in 3rd at around 85 when mine redlines out at 105 and pulls hard from 60 3rd gear is where i make most ground on other cars ive out pulled a boxster s in 3rd i wouldnt wanna be head butting the redline and going for another cogg

[dave stew]

Yes, all valid points. Having looked on ebay I think the average price of an ST box is £300. I just replaced my driveshafts this year (cost £150 S/H). I also thought about the linkage problems and the messing.

I really do want an LSD, but the decision really was to get one for the M56 or M66 'box.

[shemtek_racing]

are quiaffe still making them for the m56? i bought mine second hand never fitted of course

[dave stew]

Good point. I have just looked on the Quaife site and the S60 T5 item listed is for an M66 - I don't know if the diffs are interchangeable.

[v70torslanda]

I said it was a daft Thursday idea, didn't I?

Gawd! You were bored, weren't you?

[dave stew]

Yep. Usually am. Get your intercooler fixed!

[v70torslanda]

Get your intercooler fixed!

Yes, Dad!

Get yer hangover sorted!

Could text you some lucozade if that's any help!

[shemtek_racing]

you need the diff listed for the s40 with m56 part number is QDF12J

that will fit your model see below

clicky

[dave stew]

Yes, Dad!

Get yer hangover sorted!

Could text you some lucozade if that's any help!

I was on tinned Vimto. Not pleasant!