TRANSMISSION

The health of your gearbox will depend on a number of factors, not least how sympathetically it’s been treated over the last thirty-something years, but a tired transmission is something that can easily be sorted. For cars running a Type 9 gearbox (that’s Capris and Sierras), talk to specialists such as BGH Geartech, they know all there is to know about rebuilding and strengthening these 5-speed units. And if you’re looking to upgrade the power and want a racier ’box to suit, 3J Driveline have a range of uprated helical or straight-cut gearsets, while Rally Design stock a range of Blackline helical torque-biasing diffs for most Ford axles too.

For Cossie owners – both RWD and 4x4 – specialists such as G.E.A.R.S, Competition Transmission Services, and Bara Motorsports can all come to your aid – from rebuilding standard gearboxes and differentials through to race-inspired upgrades for big-power and well-abused machines. Of course, they’ll be able to talk you through the different options and discuss what best suits your car and needs.

For those with FWD fast Fords, CTS have built up a reputation for building strong and reliable IB5 gearboxes for the fast CVH-engined Fords such as RS Turbos and alike. The MTX75 is quite tough as it comes, but, like the IB5, can be improved – not least of all by fitting an uprated limited slip diff; something like a torque-biasing type from Quaife or Blackline for nice progressive road use, or a plated-type from 3J Driveline or Kaaz for the more track-minded fast Ford. For the ultimate, though, speak to Karl at Norris Motorsport about one of NMS’s M66 transmission upgrades using the chunky 6-speed gearbox from the Mk2 Focus RS.

And if you need replacement driveshafts, companies like Berrisford and Satchell Engineering can make custom items that will be stronger than stock and surprisingly affordable.