Vortex Turbo G/box

chriSTIan · Post by **chriSTIan** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:03 pm

Hi
Drove a turbo manual 5spd vortex today,it had a switch near the hand brake,i think it said diff lock ,are these boxes awd?with centre diff lock option?? Are they sought after?
Car was a pile of c***p but complete and running.
Did these cars have a rear plated lsd ?
Thanx
Chris

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 3:00 am

It should have a plated LSD if it has one, the lock switch is to lock the centre diff 50/50 and they have the 1.12 low range if it is a dual range gearbox.

chriSTIan · Post by **chriSTIan** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:28 am

Its a single range only.
Are they worth anything??

Subafury · Post by **Subafury** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:08 am

itd be worth it for the awd box and lsd if the car is cheap enough.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:26 am

Those gearboxes aren't really that sought after becuase of the lack of dual range....but it would be fairly attractive for somebody building a street car based on EA driveline.
Note that they aren't really propper AWD like the EJ boxes, the centre diff is only open not LSD. It's locked just like a part time L series box when you press the button tho.

BrennyV · Post by **BrennyV** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:41 am

soudns like what i got in the leone. not as much chop as there made out to be.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 12:59 pm

btw Christian if you are going to part this out make sure you get the vacuum lines and solenoids from in the engine bay, these are required to actuate the centre diff lock.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:15 am

If i had the chance at this car you're talking about i'd take it! The single range AWD box with lockable centre diff apparently can be built into a dual range box fairly easily. Discopotato03 was doing this with his RX but I think has given up for something bigger...

Cheers

Bennie

discopotato03 · Post by **discopotato03** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 5:39 pm

Actually I have two Vortex AWD boxes , one Gee had rebuilt into L DR cases with 1.12 LR gears . The other is std single range Vortex .
My intended use for the RX-T is 99% road so the taller RX LR gears is better for me , 1-5 in LR then HR becomes effectively a 6th gear .

I would question the L series AWD box not being a real AWD one . From a can't lock the centre diff point of view the EJ AWD box is not without its problems on loose surfaces .
I am beginning to think that the L-RX's 270 Kg weight advantage and the EA82's lack of serious torque means the open centre diff is mostly not an issue and if it is flick the switch .
I'd say on the tarmac any L series pushed is going to have traction issues and that is largely because their front suspension geometry is absolutely woeful - they cant keep their feet planted on the deck . They start out with static positive camber which increases with body roll and thats why they plough understeer and rip the outside tread off their front tyres .
If you can make the front cambers neutral (0) and throw 5-7 degrees of positive caster at them both front wheels lean into the corners and the tyres stay full width on the road . The next trick is to fit the elusive late/last 19mm Vortex AWD rear anti roll bar which decreases the body roll and heaps and the inner front wheel is less likely to go "light" . So provided you keep the weight on your L's wheels I wouldn't think the open centre AWD diff is going to be all that bad .

Overall the best compromise would be an AWD box with a viscous "drag" for the centre diff AND a mechanical lock but don't hold your breath .
One thing everybody seems to agree on is that open centre AWD is far superior to open centre front wheel drive .

My 2c spent , your calls .

Have a safe and merry one tomorrow , cheers Adrian

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 6:57 pm

I used to have an L AWD box behind my EJ20T in my RX. Anyone who thinks it's not a real AWD box is kidding themselves!!

The only time I had any grip issues was when driving on clayey-mud-slushy-ice goop. The centre lock helped a bit, but it never seemed to make a huge amount of difference, except for the odd occasion when wheels were off the ground. (Nothing a bit of speed can't fix

)

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 4:02 am

Christian any parts up for grabs from this? U get my PM?

chriSTIan · Post by **chriSTIan** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:42 pm

Hey Andrew,still up in the air,will let you know
Chris