[DeTomaso] Different Transaxle

Mike Drew MikeLDrew at aol.com
Tue Jan 14 19:35:22 EST 2014


Corey,

This is a non-question. There isn't anything else out there that is better than a ZF, cheaper than a ZF or that fits better than a ZF. You could spend double the money to buy a gearbox that doesn't work any better and doesn't fit in the car. Sure, with enough time and money, anything could be made to work, but in the same vein, you could mount a small block Chevy in the front trunk and have a conventional gearbox and rear axle setup. But what would be the point?

Yes, the ZF can be 'improved'. You could fit a 3.77 ring and pinion, or a taller .642 fifth gear. Both improve freeway cruise rpm although the taller fifth gear works better for half the cost. 

But switching to a non-ZF gearbox?  Pure folly. 

There is at least one guy who is paying an obscene amount of money to fit a Ford GT engine and gearbox into his Pantera. The parts and labor costs would buy him another very nice Pantera....and the gearbox will wind up sticking out the back of the car like a vestigial tail.....

A few people have put six-speed ZF gearboxes in, but that also requires hacking the car, costs a fortune, and gains you no practical benefit.....

Mike

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 14, 2014, at 10:47, Corey Price <coreyjprice at gmail.com> wrote:

> If there was a modern, smooth, non-ZF transaxle available for the Pantera that fit without major rework would anyone consider switching?  What would be the biggest reason, if there are reasons?  Are you satisfied largely with the ZF transaxle in your car(s)?
> 
> Corey
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