In my quest to find a replacement gearbox, I’ve started thinking about vauxhalls M32 6speed box, as fitted to the Europa and astra VXR.
Compatible drive shafts and gearlinkages can be bought directly from Lotus for not too much money, so should be a case of mating it to the toyota engine with an adaptor plate and custom flywheel.
Any thoughts??
Got a car in bits that i would like to develope, fancy joining forces with the gearbox idea?
Hmmmmm…tell me more??
Speak to Randy about this. He loves the Europa box but it is geared for a turbo. I understand he was looking at the whole concept of the VX engine in an S2, but perhaps has looked at a gearbox mate??
With our high rpm engines the ratios in the europa/astra vxr are not ideal. However, the corsa vxr runs a 4.17 final drive which would be better suited… better still, the m32 is also used in alfa romeos with an even closer ratio perfect suited to our engines 
I must admit, the subframes of the exige/europa look identical which would make an engine swap straight forwrad with off the shelf lotus parts. Lumpy turbo power delivery is not for me though.
Toyota Elise/Exige subframes are different to the Europa/VX220 ones unfortunatly. Also the Europa/VX is 28mm, I think, longer wheelbase, which is all achieved by extending the rear subframe and wishbone pickups.
Haven’t tried the Exige subframe on a Europa, but have on a VX. Its fits great, right upto the point that you refit the engine/gearbox, where the older 5 speed gearbox fouled the rear most crossmember on the Exige. The Europa gearbox is a different shape, but equally large around the diff area. 'Tis a shame really!!
Its width we need for the gearbox, not length - I don’t think the subframes are any different in this sense.
I haven’t got the M32 dimensions to hand (yet), but I do have a 5 speed F23 at home from my vx220 - The M32 gearbox is straight swap in the vx220, so I may take some measurement off the F23 to see if a fit is likely within the yota subframe.
Some calculations the vx220 boys did for max speeds at 7800rpm.
3.94 V1 M32
1 - 39
2 - 72
3 - 113
4 - 153
5 - 198
6 - 240 (in your dreams)
4.17 corsa vxr M32
1 - 36
2 - 64
3 - 94
4 - 130
5 - 159
6 - 187
4.17 Alfa CR M32
1 - 36
2 - 59
3 - 88
4 - 121
5 - 147
6 - 161
If it did work, for a road car you would want the Corsa gearbox and for track the alfa gearbox or a mix of the 2
take a look at this.
[quote=bstarks]
take a look at this.
I think this transmission is only suitable for turbo applications or BIG power as the gearing is very long 
Looking at the M32 the starter is on the wrong side and will sit under the exhaust manifold on the 2ZZ…???
Depends which M32 your comparing 
http://www.z22se.co.uk/forum/download/file.php?id=5363&mode=view
[quote=OrangeD][quote=bstarks]
take a look at this.
I think this transmission is only suitable for turbo applications or BIG power as the gearing is very long [/quote]
Yep, gear ratios are way too long for high rpm. Okay for turbo cars that make the power low down, but a 8k+rpm exige would be geared for over 200mph in 5th gear!!
Wrong it will only pull me to 193 mph 9,000 rpm in 5th 
I did that gearbox conversion two years ago, where do you think they got the idea from… :whistle:
Second is good for 75 mph Third for 127 mph…You need torque for those ratios.
I promise you the F23 from a VX220 doesn’t fit in the space, when orientated as the VX has it. As the Europa engine mounts the same, down to 4 of the mounts, your only chance is if the M32 box is shorter.
In a previous life, tried to fit an Exige rear subframe to VX and it hits on the rear of the diff casing/lower crossmember. It would have been a much simpler solution to the one that was used in the end.
Feel free to give me a call to discuss, if you want a better description of problem area.
PS I know the 6 speed Audi gearbox fits!!
[quote=JDS]I promise you the F23 from a VX220 doesn’t fit in the space, when orientated as the VX has it. As the Europa engine mounts the same, down to 4 of the mounts, your only chance is if the M32 box is shorter.
In a previous life, tried to fit an Exige rear subframe to VX and it hits on the rear of the diff casing/lower crossmember. It would have been a much simpler solution to the one that was used in the end.
Feel free to give me a call to discuss, if you want a better description of problem area.
PS I know the 6 speed Audi gearbox fits!! [/quote]
I appreciate the input - may have to keep searching if it won’t fit or resort to the jubu gear set
Problem with the the 02M audi box is again the ratios (like the E153 box) - with over 8k rpm, the gearbox is geared to over 200mph. The M32 box as fitted to the 2.2 JTS Alfa Romeo’s has perfect ratios, with the gearing only slightly longer than the C64 box.
Dude just swap out for the Audi Turbo setup while you have bits that are worth something to someone else… The Audi will give you all the power you could ever use and there is no hassle with a proven system…ok can I get my commission now…
R$D is for fools…ask me how I know…
[quote=N17VES]
Problem with the the 02M audi box is again the ratios (like the E153 box) - with over 8k rpm, the gearbox is geared to over 200mph. The M32 box as fitted to the 2.2 JTS Alfa Romeo’s has perfect ratios, with the gearing only slightly longer than the C64 box. [/quote]
There are about 30 different ratio’s available for 02M boxes. Some are geared for about 180 MPH at 8000 rpm. Anyway, while you are about it you may as well throw the engine away too, and fit an Audi
As Bernard has said their are a huge number of different ratios in the 02M box.
Another thing to think about with the GM box, is once you have the spacer plate on etc, will the gearbox be in the right place for the OE shafts to fit??? I can’t see you being that lucky.
The toyota linkage you have will fit directly onto the Audi gearbox as well.