I understand they are significantly longer than the late 04 - 06 models, but is there any advantage of this gearbox? I have noted that off pull away, it can be a bit bad, as first and second gears are very long, but immediately once i engage third, its where the car starts opening up. Ive noted this happening against many cars too. Is a car with the longer box quicker ontop than shorter gearbox?

I am mostly for straight line speed, dont do tracks. So should I upgrade the box or is it better to just leave it as it is?

 

Good question. I've wondered about that myself. I've reached the conclusion to stay with the 02-04 transmission due to my latest round of mods. The increase in power and the Quiafe LSD whips through 1st and 2nd in a big hurry. Any shorter ratio would limit the usefulness of 1st and 2nd.

Just my opinion,
Kevin

 

Totally right I have an 06 with the shorter 1st and 2nd gear. WOW with the mods and power I am making 1st gear is over in no time. Second is just about the same.

 

Obviously this is like comparing apples and oranges, but there is a reason that supercars can hit 50-60 in 1st.

In my opinion the stock mcs doesn't have enough power for the long ratios, but with basic mods it does.

 

Seems like a much better investment to up the torque than swap the gearbox.

 

After my mods, I think the original gearbox is perfect!

I punished a standard Focus ST on a rolling start.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jo7eHAQhrk

 

Uh Mike you should probably go to the strip. Zipping along an undivided highway street racing is not cool.

Jeremy

 

He lives in South Africa. There probably aren't many if any drag strips there. Let the boy have fun.

 

So the 02-04 has longer 1st and 2nd gears. How do the highway gears compare? Any difference in durability?

About where does the 02-04 hit redline (7k rpm) in 1st and 2nd? (It seems like it's 30 and 60 for the 05+)

 

If I recall, 1st takes me to 45, 2nd takes me to 70, 3rd takes me to 90+

 

Hi Jeremy, I get that a lot on international forums This is not really out of the norm in Africa We hardly have any functional street lights in the evenings - the service from the municipality is non-existent.

 

Ok Mike. Please drive safe for you and the vehicles around you.

Jeremy

 

Definitely! Thanks for the concern Jeremy We always take a drive up the road to make sure there are no potholes or obstructions in advance. All the wheels etc. are checked prior as well

 

In my 03 MCS with 15% pulley and Intake first gear can't be fully used as the tires would spin throughout most of the gear. I am sure its crappy all season tires and a performance summer tire would help but I would think 1st would be even more unusable to full power if it was a lower ratio...