Greetings fellow gearheads,

I have a "minor" technical difficulty. I am presently building a Cavy for racing performance rally....YEP, I'm one of those "crazy" dudes who screams through the forest lanes at unreasonable rate(s) of speed...relatively speaking!

I ran the VIN on my car and discovered that I have an Isuzu MK7 5-speed gearbox. Ok...fine, however I also have the tranny popping out of 2nd gear on occasion...namely when jumping or bouncing the car fairly hard (which happens often in rally). Since, I only race in Production class, the underpowered 2.2 is runnning hard in second and third gear on the tighter rally stages most of the time. This issue is becoming a PITA! Based on what I have read on the forum(s), it appears that my synchro's and/or shift forks are almost toast, so a replacement gearbox is needed.

After reading FAST 2.4 P's thread, I'm left confused. What gearbox do you guys/gals (YES...I "respect" a woman who can spin wrenches, and I have met a few out on the west coast) recommend. FAST 2.4 P talks about an NVG gearbox. Bear with my ignorance, I'm a competent race car fabricator, but I haven't dealt with tranny swaps in a Cav before.

What is the advantage of the NVG mentioned on his thread, over the MK7? PLEASE HELP Me here!! I was under the impression that the MK7 could be beef'd-up by swapping the GM diff for a diff from a 90-93 Geo Storm, and Installing a Quaife LSD. After assessing this option, I realized it was NOT going to be an inexpensive build-up! Then, I read about Brian's "Team Green LSD"...this appeals to my pocketbook more! Like 1500-1000 dollars cheaper.

So the moral of the story, I'm open to any suggestions you folks may have regarding a replacement gearbox for the Cavy. Also, take into consideration the intended use...2nd-3rd & 4th gear wide open throttle application, on varied and ROUGH surfaces...ie. lots of wheelspin & heavy side loading!

Lastly, because the Cavy is still under construction, and buried in a snowbank at present (I live in Northern MN), I have NO pics to post for you folks. When I finish the body shell paintwork, I'll post the pics. The shell has been painted in an electric lime yellow, with bright orange graphics...can we say LOUD!! I need to still finish the bumper covers, rear wing, hood and light pod! I extend a heartfelt thanks for anyone who can help me with my gearbox decision!

Thanks for hearing me out, I await feedback on this matter,

Regards,

Floyd-Allen Johansson-Korhonen

NVG is probably the best trans that can be "easily" installed in a Cavalier. Not sure if a NVG has ever been mated to a 2.2 though. if there is no NVG that will bolt to a 2.2 then look for a Getrag, they are fairly cheap and somewhat tolerant to abuse.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Monday, December 22, 2008 8:40 PM

For the 2.2, you would use an NVG for the 3.1 V6.

Didnt even think of using a V6 tranny.

sorry to thread jack a little but i know the nvg t550 that came in 3.1 z24s will pretty easaly bolt in to a third gen but wat about the older getrag 282 i know it pretty much the same as the nvg and it will bolt to the motor but wat about about locations for the front and rear mounts cuz in the pre 93 cavs they had one mount if it would the that would make finding a tranny alot easyer.

Greetings Fellow Gearheads,

You guys are awesome!! I really appreciate all the feedback on my post. We Cavy folks need to stick together to blunt the onslaught of "ricers!!"
Reminds me of a conversation I had on Christmas Eve (coupla days ago) with my former "painters helper" (I was the painter), when I used to build exotic race cars on the left coast in the 1980's...yah, I'm an old fart...so what!

Ok, I sent him the computer rendering of the Cavy's paint work. He says "looks like a ricer" Pissed me off, I told him look A**hole, you drive a Vette and have the balls to call a Cavy a "ricer!!" First off D***weed ricers do NOT have "highwater" suspension, like the Cavy...you hypocritical SOB, you own all Chevy's and you find it hard to edify a Cavy.

Next, (BIG GRIN)...he starts apologizing profusely for his "cardinal sin"...calling a Cavy a "ricer!!" I think he perceived the "ricer" look from the Mitsubishi Evo High Wing mounted on my trunk lid. Even if the Cavy isn't a fast as an Evo, one can still look good going "slower."

That's my two cents, keep up the feedback, you guys got my race engineering mind churning!

Later,

Floyd-Allen

Your best bet would be to swap in a 2000-2002 2.2 Getrag Tranny. Its not too hard of a swap, you just gotta cut out your rear mount bracket and weld in the getrag one, then swap in the shifter assembly, cables and clutch master. Keep in mind that you will need the getrag flywheel and clutch. I have done this swap on 5 cars so far and have had no complaints so far.
The team green LSD is available for this tranny aswell.