BE3 Gearbox for XU9J4

Paulmi16 · Post by **Paulmi16** » 28 Jun 2005, 02:52

Does anyone know if the gear or final drive ratio's on the BE3 gearbox on the 405 Mi16 and Bx 16v are different? The reason I ask is because i've changed the gearbox on my 205 Mi16 from a 405 gearbox to one from a BX.
Initial impressions suggest the gearing is 'shorter' than it was, and the speedo appears to be under reading slightly, compared to before.
Many thanks folks
Paul.

VisaGTi16v · Post by **VisaGTi16v** » 28 Jun 2005, 03:53

Without being at my lockup garage and looking in the Haynes manual I cant say for sure. Ive got the bx box in my Visa 16v. Ive used this site before when comparing ratios but then I have no speedo so cant be sure if they are right other than vaguely from people I have been following and straight line tests using an accelerometer http://www.205gti.com/techgearboxUK.htm according to this page http://www.niksula.cs.hut.fi/~minoru/ci ... 6Vtech.htm they are the same ratios but then ive known web sites to be wrong. The bx only had 14" wheels if i recall correctly, 405 was on 15's. Im running 13's on the Visa. I would have thought the gearing would be a bit high on a 205 with 15+" wheels using a bx box?
This is a nice simple program if you want to work out mph/gear etc http://www.niksula.cs.hut.fi/~minoru/ci ... 6Vtech.htm

Paulmi16 · Post by **Paulmi16** » 28 Jun 2005, 13:47

Thanks for that Darren i'll search out a Bx manual and take it from there. The 205 is running on 14 inch wheels, the idea being it still looks like a 1.6 GTi, and then the suprise is when it disappears into the distance.
On the subject of wheel sizes the early 405 BE1 boxed cars used 14 inch wheels with 195x60x14 tyres, then when they went to 15 inch with 195x55x15 tyres, though i'm not sure if this coincided with the introduction of the BE3 gearbox.
Thanks for you help and the links.
Paul.

VisaGTi16v · Post by **VisaGTi16v** » 28 Jun 2005, 14:44

Ive got a be3 in my Visa but they only ever came with be1's so I had to chop one of the arms down on the box itself and then extended the bit that rotates on the subframe and replaced all the remaining linkages with C15 van ones which does the job. The stick was hitting the dashboard in 1/3/5 originally heh. Sleeper cars are good. I get a lot of weird looks in my Visa although it doesnt blend in as well as your 205 does due to its rollcage and only 1 seat etc