questions about F28 gearbox

LacettiGT · Post by **LacettiGT** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:34 pm

hi, it's my first time at DW tech. I'm surprised there are so much information here.

I live in KOREA.
My car is Lacetti(same as SUZUKI FORENZA or CHEVY OPTRA) with turbocharged 2.2 liter ecotec.
Its own F16 gearbox is too weak to handle the torque (315ps 45kg.m at wheel)
so I'm suffering from gearbox breakdown after turbo installation.

I tried to contact some british vauxhall breakers, they didn't give answer to my e-mail or fax.
(it's possible they couldn't understand my broken English

)
So I have questions for experts here.

1. Can F28 gearbox handle 45kg.m torque?
2. Where can I buy F28 gearbox converted for FF 2WD hydraulic clutch in US or CANADA?
3. How much is it?
4. Which conversion mount should I buy with? (there are many conversion mounts on ebay UK corsa, nova, vectra etc... )
5. Does F28 increase drivetrain loss?
6. Can I use my own CV shafts with F28?
7. Can I use clutch set for F16 with F28?

My head is filled with questions about tranny...help me please!!!

Pir0 · Post by **Pir0** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 12:19 am

Pretty sure the answer to questions 1, and 7 are yeah. f28s came on things like 2.0 turbo 4x4 cars in the uk etc. So I would guess so.. I've no experience with that stuff though.

As for the rest, I'm not too sure

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:20 am

1) Yes it should be fine
2) Not available from North America... Japan had Calibras
3) Probably about $1500 to $2000 from Europe UK but Japan might be cheaper
4) There is no mount you can buy from a supplier at the moment, it would have to be custom made
5) Yes, the F28 will increase drivetrain loss
6) Yes, I belive the F28 will accept the factory shafts (but I'm not 100% sure)
7) F28 clutch is different than F16/F20 so you will need to source one from Europe.

Hope that helps

LacettiGT · Post by **LacettiGT** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:25 am

thx for precise answer~

yeah, I should keep trying to contact with UK sellers or breakers.
I don't know where to find Japan seller.

and then, Mr.PrecisionBoost, is your F28 sold?

GsiTurbo · Post by **GsiTurbo** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 4:42 pm

Let's start off by welcoming you to the forums! Altought you only provided a little insight on your project (Lacetti 2.2 turbo), it would be nice to see some photos. THere is currently one known turbocharged Optra here (exist3nce), and he is suffering from the similar problem - blown gearboxes. There are also three (someone correct me if I am wrong) turbocharged T2XSED series motors running here (two 2.0 16V, and one 2.2 16V).... one of them used to be mine, and now belongs to PrecisionBoost.

At this moment there are two known F28 gearboxes in North America, one belonging to PrecisionBoost, another to Kinkyllama - he already has it installed in his Forenza, so he might be the best person to ask. I know he uses the clutch release mechanism from the F18 gaerbox (again, imported from UK), and limited slip differential. You will be able to use your existing pressure plate, but like PrecisionBoost said, you will need clutch plate from F28. Ideally, you want the F28 variant with the speedometer pickup in the casing (some F28 variants did not have it) for your speedometer feed and information to the ECU.

Hope this helps.

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:24 pm

No... I still have my F28 and I also have an Astra VXR M32 gearbox which you can buy brand new ( although they are very expensive you might find one at a breaker )

Both will handle the power but the M32 is much newer, lighter and probably stronger..... plus they are new where as most F28 gearboxes are 10 to 15 years old.

My F28 was rebuilt by Getrag and then prepared by SBD motorsports for rally racing (which means it's probably going to be able to handle more power than 95% of the F28's in existance )

I have no interest in selling either gearbox at the moment.

Check around forums like Migweb, AstraMK2 and of course mine was sourced from ebay.co.uk

I stumbled upon the M32 by accident and it was a very good deal ( normally retails for about 4000 GBP and I picked it up for less than 2000 GBP )

exist3nce · Post by **exist3nce** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 12:35 pm

aahhh yess another F28 thread

Still need to get one of those, but been too busy to source a good one and arrage payment, shipping etc. Chris or Toms want to do it for me for to make some easy money? hehe

didn't know you could get them from Japan....

LacettiGT · Post by **LacettiGT** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:02 pm

I have to choose one.

1. gearbox with brand-new synchros(1,2,3) and quaife LSD over 1400 USD (auction isn't ended)

2. gearbox from calibra(93) with linkage, driveshafts about 900 USD

I think no.1 is better but I'm afraid that LSD can increase drivetrain loss.
and winning bid will be more expensive.

i don't run 1/4 mile or circuit, just love to cruise over 200~270km/h on highway.

no.2 seller says he accept paypal device and can find cheaper shipping.

exist3nce · Post by **exist3nce** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:38 pm

I see #1 on ebay.co.uk , where did you find #2?

LacettiGT · Post by **LacettiGT** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:55 pm

vauxhall sport forum~

Mr.Existence you need gearbox too I know,

If you were me, what would you choose?

LacettiGT · Post by **LacettiGT** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:58 pm

thanks for kind reply.

Kinky says my 330ft.lb torque can be problem on F28 too.

anyway, there's no choice for me but F28.
if F28 blown, I must down the boost or swap to 2.0.

I'll post photo of CettiTurbo and dynograph soon.

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 9:28 pm

You have to remember that Kinkyllama is racing his car on a track.... cornering with 330 ftlb puts a great deal of stress on the transmission.

In a straight line the F28 should be no problem as long as your not trying to use it for drag racing. (that much power/torque combines with slicks will result in instant damage... most likely in the form of snapped drive axles first )

If your not using slicks you won't be able to break the F28..... the tires will spin in the first three gears when too much torque is applied (which saves the transmission)

If you want outright speed then absolutely you will have no problem with the F28

Personally with that much power you might want to consider the one with the LSD.... the LSD is usually worth about $1000 USD by itself

The factory gearing on the F28 should allow you to make it up to the speeds your talking about... and I would't be too concerned with drivetrain losses from the LSD assuming it's a gear type (Quaife)

As far as the Japaneese Calibra's, they didn't start Opels in Japan until 1994 and many of them are very low mileage.

I don't have a link to anyone breaking cars in Japan anymore but I will see what I can dig up.

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 9:38 pm

Here is an example of some nice low mileage Calibras found in Japan........

I'd import a couple.... but to enter Canada they must be 15 years old.... so in 2 years I will probably bring in at least a couple of them in good condition.

The picture is from the Auction house.... price is in Yen

It might be possible to buy one of these cars and have it sent to a breaker so that you get just the drivetrain ( engine, gearbox, axles and what ever else you want ) if you can't import whole vehicles.

LacettiGT · Post by **LacettiGT** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 4:09 am

Japan is near to Korea but it would be difficult process.
I think I'll buy both of it. One for spare...

exist3nce · Post by **exist3nce** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:12 am

LacettiGT wrote:Japan is near to Korea but it would be difficult process.
I think I'll buy both of it. One for spare...

Did you buy both or 1 ? Keep us updated on how it goes

The original daewootech forum

questions about F28 gearbox

questions about F28 gearbox

wow, thx~~

I found sellers~!!!

flea market of...

yeah~

oh, Calibras in Japan~

Re: oh, Calibras in Japan~