r380 gearbox question

[fcukruss]

hi all
can anyone tell me if a r380 gearbox was ever fitted to an sd1.
also if i go and look at it how will i be able to tell that its an r380 and not a lt77?

cheers guys

russ"born to be a complete and utter bloody nice bloke,just like kev"
{-}

[russell_ram]

Russ,

yes I can, and NO it definately wasn't. The only place you'll find a 2WD R380 fitted from new is in a Morgan, TVR or DAF van (and a few obscure Iron Curtain cars Gaz, Volga etc).

Telling a 380 and 77 apart visually is not so easy the are extremely similar on the outside and share many common parts (bellhousing, clutch mech, shift mech etc). Either go by the stamped number (I have a list at home) or by the easy fact that Reverse gear shift pattern is different. Up and across from First on a 77, straight down from 5th on a 380.

Despite the other recent mail, if there's nothing wrong with the 77 you've got, then it will be perfectly adequately in a light Cobra unless you give it SEVERE abuse.

If it's because 1st/2nd shift is crappy then use multigrade semi synthetic (ie Redline or Texaco/Unipart MTF94) and be sympathetic when it's cold. However, do not expect 380 to be too much better in this respect.

Russ

ps Additional source of R380 is MGRV8.

[osgood]

Fcukruss, in addition to what Russell has said, the R380 has a semi internal reverse switch in the gearbox (top right hand side); as opposed too stuck in the remote linkage, I have one fitted as I have wrecked 3 x LT77 using Auto fluid for lubrication! The gearbox mounts in the same way but 2" further back I think, so new mounts will be required regards Eric.

[fcukruss]

thanks russ

the guys is adamant that its from an sd1.
it doesnt have the gearchange thing on it so would be impossible to check the reverse.I think he probably trying it on.I think i`ll leave it.There doesnt seem to be too much of a problem with mine,except that sometimes when im really nailing it i cant find third.maybe its because it got atf in it.


cheers
russ

[Barry Davolls]

Russ,
"Despite the other recent mail, if there's nothing wrong with
the 77 you've got, then it will be perfectly adequately in a
light Cobra unless you give it SEVERE abuse".

I was very gentle with them all-Honest!



Baldric

[russell_ram]

Barry,

I still think that is still a 'reasonable' statement. As you are aware you can break any box if you try hard enough!

I could show you the case from a 380 with a BIG hole in the side if I hadn't dumped it, but I did do it on the strip on a surface that had been prepared for top fuelers - I was having trouble spinning the wheels off the line it had so much grip!

Russ

[Barry Davolls]

Russ,
Ok, it could be that I have lost the plot in respect of gearboxes for a sensible road going Cobra (recently broke my T5 unit too).
Perhaps I have been a little unfair on the LT77 unit.

Baldric