Astra VXR transmission

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 5:13 am

Well... I've been digging around and it would seem that I've found a bit of info on the newer transmissions used with the iron block turbo engines

Typically they were mated to an F23 (5spd) or an M32 (6spd) gearbox.

The F40 was also listed but only for the Z20NET which is the aluminum block 2.0L turbo engine found in the Saab/Vectra chassis.

The more I dig the more I find out that it seems that there is no F40 variant that will fit out iron block engines.... they only fit the Diesel, V6 and Aluminum Ecotec engines.

As it stands I'm in the midst of negotiating the purchase of a brand new M32 from a dealer in the UK.

I have a nice F28 serviced by SBD sitting in storage but I really like the idea of using a brand new gearbox.

As well Quaife has released an LSD for the M32.

I expect the cost for the gearbox to be in the range of $3000 to $4000 USD

Then I will have to import VXR axles, linkage, cables,clutch, shifter and a few other odds and ends so the end price will probably be up into the $5000 USD range

If everything works out, I may end up selling my F28... but I'm certainly not going to take any offers on it just yet.

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 5:19 am

Gear Ratios
F28 M20 WR M32 WR M32 WR (OPC) F40 CR

1. 3,57 4,273 3,818 3,818 3,77
2. 2,61 2,158 2,053 2,158 2,04
3. 1,45 1,302 1,302 1,475 1,36
4. 1,10 0,959 0,959 1,067 1,05
5. 0,89 0,744 0,744 0,875 0,85
6. 0,74 0,614 0,617 0,744 0,71
Rev 3,32 3,818 3,545 3,545 3,54

These are the gear ratios I found for the 6speed and 5speed gearboxes.... source of info is here..... http://www.z20let.net/dokumente/z20let/getriebe.htm

F23 SR F23 SRT F23 WR

1. 3,5769 3,5769 3,5769
2. 2,0217 2,0217 1,8870
3. 1,3478 1,3478 1,1923
4. 0,9767 0,9767 0,8478
5. 0,8085 0,79 0,6863
Rev 3,3077 3,3077 3,3077

logikal · Post by **logikal** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:22 pm

So will and M32 fit on the u20sed?
And Im assuming a f40 will not.

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:40 am

The M32's first usage was on the iron block 2.0L turbo in the VXR.... so yes.... the transmission is designed to fit the U20SED, Z20LET, Z20LEH, C20XE, C20LET, C20GET, X20XEV, T20SED, T22SED and all the other iron block Holden/Opel/Vaux/Daewoo/Isuzu blocks.

Another plus is that it sounds like our axles mate up to the M32.... where as the F40 uses a completely different spline.... which would require custom axles be manufactured for any of the Daewoo vehicles.

All in all the M32 seems to be a nice transmission..... there are a number of Astra VXR's up into the 300whp+ range and the gearbox seems to be handling it without a problem.

Post by **Efratech** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:41 pm

then, what you should consider is getting the equal length drive shafts of the F28/Calibra.

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:02 pm

In all likelyhood I will get some custom high strength equal lenght shafts made up to handle 800whp..... then no matter where my project leads me I will allways have a good set of axles.

exist3nce · Post by **exist3nce** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:26 pm

Theres another transmission that will fit the U20SED? This is good news for me

So to review, these transmissions will bolt to the U20SED:

D20
F28
M23

anything else?

What is the rated power / torque for the M23? F28 is supposedly 280 ft lbs.... ? Also what would be involved to swap the M23 into an Optra? I know you have to convert the F28 to hydraulic clutch and fabricate a bracket or two along with a new clutch.

kinkyllama · Post by **kinkyllama** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:24 pm

exist3nce wrote: F28 is supposedly 280 ft lbs.... ? Also what would be involved to swap the M23 into an Optra? I know you have to convert the F28 to hydraulic clutch and fabricate a bracket or two along with a new clutch.

fyi if you do internal slave for the hydraulic conversion it's nearly a bolt on for the conversion and cost under $200usd

exist3nce · Post by **exist3nce** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:44 pm

kinkyllama wrote:
exist3nce wrote: F28 is supposedly 280 ft lbs.... ? Also what would be involved to swap the M23 into an Optra? I know you have to convert the F28 to hydraulic clutch and fabricate a bracket or two along with a new clutch.
fyi if you do internal slave for the hydraulic conversion it's nearly a bolt on for the conversion and cost under $200usd

What about the whole issue of converting it from 4wd to FWD? You said the shop did the trans swap work for u, and that u weren't present for most of it. Also is there anyway you could find out about the speed sensor, like what your shop did to make it work? Did they use the F28 stock sensor, or throw in the one from the D20, or something different ?

kinkyllama · Post by **kinkyllama** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:10 pm

exist3nce wrote: What about the whole issue of converting it from 4wd to FWD? You said the shop did the trans swap work for u, and that u weren't present for most of it. Also is there anyway you could find out about the speed sensor, like what your shop did to make it work? Did they use the F28 stock sensor, or throw in the one from the D20, or something different ?

Oh forgot about that, my box already had the FWD conversion plate, I'd just buy one with it if you can find it. If not I don't think they're that expensive or hard to install.

I doubt they did anything special for the sensor. He put the box on and drove the car, and since they speedo didn't work (from the coils) he made a comment saying he was woundering how it was going to work in the first place.

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:01 am

I'm in the midst of negotiating the shipment of the M32.... which will allready be a hydraulic setup.... I'm about 90% confident that I should get it as the seller seems willing to send it via Parcel2Go.

I actually have a nice F28 that was converted to FWD and serviced by SBD motorsports in the UK for use in a rally car.

Odds are if the M32 looks good I will use it.... since it's brand spanking new.

So.... that means I may sell the F28.... athough I would have to give first dibs to GsiTurbo.

I'm fairly confident that the M32 will be rated higher than the F28.... there are a number of high power VXR's using this tranny in stock form (most likely just an uprated clutch)

I honestly don't know much about the M32..... once I get it I will have to figure out what is required to make it work..... which will be documented in project Polar Express.

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 5:17 am

The M32 is in my shop..... I have allready done some investigating and I'm sad to report that the standard driveshafts that fit the F20/F16/F28 do not work in the M32.

Additionally the clutch is completly different.... half way between an F28 and an F16 input shaft

Mounting also looks questionable.... It might not fit into the Lemans/Lanos chassis but it would probably be right at home in an Optra/Forenza/Reno.

The M32 is made by the same company that makes the F40.... I thought they were Getrag units but it actually says FGP.... and the GM Powertrain guide also lists the F40 gearbox maker as FGP.

The shift linkage is also very different.... I'm 99% sure it's using a two cable shifter like the F40 does.

I'm going to see if I can get ahold of an axle from the Saab 6spd (uses the F40) as I have a feeling that the F40 and M32 share the same axle spline design.

It's a very nice looking unit..... but it will defnitly take some custom work to make it work with my project.

That's not a huge deal since I had allready planned on getting custom drive axles made to handle 800whp.

I will post some pics once I get them downloaded off my camera.

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 6:04 am

As a note I was searching for VXR Astra clutch and this Daewootech post came up..... pretty cool that it was the #1 hit on Yahoo.

Anyways.... one of the other links was a UK company that is currently running their Astra VXR at 375 BHP .... so that means the M32 is handling things nicely at this kind of power.