There was a W58 not all that far from me I was considering for the Lexus. So if you guys run out of them there, I can see if the guy still has it.

They are good till about 500hp or so I hear.

Really? I read around a bit on supraforums and the concensus I found was about 375 was the limit. I think Reg Reimer is pushing way more through there, though. At least, I think he's using a W58 and not an R154.

Dale and Craig want to use one, I've been thinking that I'd go with an R154 for the Bertone after I turbocharge it (unless the T5 holds up) and now Raz wants to. I don't think it's as straightforward as a simple adapter plate like with the T5, simply because the input shaft is too short to allow it. The Redblock/W58 swaps are normally done with Dellow bellhousings, like Dale said, but as far as I know all the european nutjob Whiteblock/W58 and Whiteblock/R154 swaps are home rolled, with much welding and fabrication. Using one in a 700 series is another nightmare, due to the fixed shifter location being about 4" too far forward.

Home-rolled...I like that description. I saw one where the bellhousings were sectioned and joined together. Not the most elegant solution, but it would work. I've also thought about having flanges made for the block an the trans and then fabricating the connecting parts. Given what a bellhousing does, it would be sufficient to connect things with ribs, then sheet the housing with 16ga aluminum. Could all be done by a shop with a plasma table.

This logically leads to my craziest idea of all. Create a mold for a custom bellhousing and have it cast. Start with a 960 bellhousing (for the whiteblock and whatever for the redblock application) and then blank off the areas that would be machined later. This would be cost effective only if we were going to do a run of 50 (guess).

Matt... I'm an idiot. You are right, the R154 is the one that holds 500hp. Had them mixed up for some dumb reason, i've been reading up on those alot lately. There seems to be a few available from soarers from the guys who are swapping stuff around.

Heh...don't think for a second this hasn't been discussed at length between a couple of members...

It might actually be the best option if we can create a reasonable mold and cast it ourselves. I know where we can get tons of aluminum shavings for cheap......

Well good, Geoff. If you see one for cheap, think of me.

Yeah, Craig - Dale and myself have talked about getting into casting small parts & stuff. I've got a little booklet that got me all jazzed about trying it.

So is this for real? Should I be actively pulling W58 trannies for everyone?

Could I be a 5speed for summer?

- R

no

I think it would be safest to go with a billet approach. I do this sort of design work for instrumentation projects at work and have built some monsterous machines using flat stock and a laser table. We don't need the laser level of precision, so a plasma will do. Still not going to be cheap, but unless we cut and section bellhousings it may be the only way. Doing a big casting like a bellhousing is not something I would try in a home foundry.

Matt, your pessimism never seems to amaze me

From what I remember of Matt's experience pulling the Supra tranny he has, it wasn't nearly as simple as pulling the M46...

It's not pessimism, Raz, and it's not the effort of pulling them. Try to follow along: The input shaft is too short to use it with a Volvo bellhousing and adapter plate. The shifter is too far forward for a 700 regardless. I'm way too busy to be designing parts for getting one of these things working for the spring. We've been talking NEXT spring for Dale and at least that for Craig and myself.

So: NO.

I can ask my brother to find some trannies from the supra club if you want. If anyone wants to feel how they are with the poly bushings then you are welcome to try mine

Nope - it's realism. This seems like a very realistic timeline (I am terrible at estimating the time it takes to do things - Matt on the other hand seems to have a pretty good handle on reality

Also, The W58 is an incredibly strong tranny. Its good for around 500WHP, Robs pushing 450whp right now and its having no troubles at all. For anything that is going to be in front of it i wouldnt worry about it to be honest.