Hi all , in the search for an L series constant 4WD gearbox there may be the chance to get a Vortex AWD box . Can I assume that they are single range and in the 5 sdp manuals case uses the same centre diff or power divider as the full time RX gerabox ?
Can their internals be used in an L series DR box with the L input/mainshaft/transfer idler gears ie the dual range bits ?
Lastly are the AWD Vortex diff lock controls and dash similar/same as the constant AWD RX Turbo . I have a bad feeling that someone is going to say that the Vortex had neither the diff lock or dual range option in which case I'm back to square 1 .
Any info appreciated , cheers Adrian .
Full time single range convertable to Dual range ?
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discopotato03
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Yes, it can be done. Have a mate doing one at the moment, in a lib front casing.
Center diff and locking mechanism are the same.
The upper shaft is one piece in the single range models. So you will either have mix and match gear pairs or use a part time dual range rx turbo uppershaft, which should be the same ratios as the vortex and match up to the lower shaft(s)
A dual range front casing will be required as well, be it ea82 or ej
Center diff and locking mechanism are the same.
The upper shaft is one piece in the single range models. So you will either have mix and match gear pairs or use a part time dual range rx turbo uppershaft, which should be the same ratios as the vortex and match up to the lower shaft(s)
A dual range front casing will be required as well, be it ea82 or ej
'97 Outback - almost back to grandma spec operating condition.
"A day is never more than what you make of it."
"A day is never more than what you make of it."
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discopotato03
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- Location: Sydney
All the single range awd boxs I've seen have diff locks, ask for photos or a chance to view it if possible. There should be a vacuum actuator on the front lhs of the gearbox, which connects to a lever on the lower rhs of the rear extension housing.
While you have it apart, may as well fit the standard L series low range gearsets, as the reduction is a little better. They are a direct fit.
While you have it apart, may as well fit the standard L series low range gearsets, as the reduction is a little better. They are a direct fit.
'97 Outback - almost back to grandma spec operating condition.
"A day is never more than what you make of it."
"A day is never more than what you make of it."
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discopotato03
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:29 am
- Location: Sydney
Hi MY STi , the place may have access to a DR FT box but the Vortex is a single range FT car . If I get the Vortex box I'd want the front steady bracket because it has part of the cable mount to suit the spider inlet manifold .
I really need the vacuum solenoids and all the vac lines to the lock operating cannister . All the wiring and console switch would be a bonus as well . I'm not sure what the Vortexes switch assembly looks like and hope its the same or similar to the FT L series cars .
Is there anything else off the vortex thats needed to make the box go into my RX as per factory ?
I joined XT6.net and they make it look easy to get the 3.9 diff ratio FT box and I don't think the freight would be too steep .
Thanks , Adrian .
I really need the vacuum solenoids and all the vac lines to the lock operating cannister . All the wiring and console switch would be a bonus as well . I'm not sure what the Vortexes switch assembly looks like and hope its the same or similar to the FT L series cars .
Is there anything else off the vortex thats needed to make the box go into my RX as per factory ?
I joined XT6.net and they make it look easy to get the 3.9 diff ratio FT box and I don't think the freight would be too steep .
Thanks , Adrian .
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discopotato03
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2134
- Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:29 am
- Location: Sydney
One further , I noticed in the Factory WSM that the DR FT boxes high low selector mechanism is slightly different down the back to the part time DR mechanism .
I assume that if I use part time case halves with the single range FT rear casing that the high low linkage works just as my RX's does now but without the rear dog clutch selector . This may be an advantage if so because there would be no linkage mods ?
The only thing I'm concerned about swaping casings is getting the front pinion height right but my transmission specialist is old school and been inside much modified rally Rex boxes before , lots of rally machinery before .
One to think about later is that the non turbo L box ratios seem closer than the turbo ones which may come in handy when larger diametre wheels become a problem . The interesting thing is that 1st is the same and the gaps between the intermediate ratios is smaller so less rev drop between the gears . The only problem changing gearsets I can think of is that some gears may be machined into the shafts themselves and with the L FT set the counter shaft or lay gear is unique (carries the diff lock mechanism ) .
Cheers A .
I assume that if I use part time case halves with the single range FT rear casing that the high low linkage works just as my RX's does now but without the rear dog clutch selector . This may be an advantage if so because there would be no linkage mods ?
The only thing I'm concerned about swaping casings is getting the front pinion height right but my transmission specialist is old school and been inside much modified rally Rex boxes before , lots of rally machinery before .
One to think about later is that the non turbo L box ratios seem closer than the turbo ones which may come in handy when larger diametre wheels become a problem . The interesting thing is that 1st is the same and the gaps between the intermediate ratios is smaller so less rev drop between the gears . The only problem changing gearsets I can think of is that some gears may be machined into the shafts themselves and with the L FT set the counter shaft or lay gear is unique (carries the diff lock mechanism ) .
Cheers A .
discopotato03 wrote:I noticed in the Factory WSM that the DR FT boxes high low selector mechanism is slightly different down the back to the part time DR mechanism.
The Hi/Lo lever is interchangable on the two boxes (I just bolted the assembly from the Part Time box to the Full Time box) The gear lever is, however, not. You need to shorten and slightly "twist" the part time gear selector rod to get it central at the gear lever.
