23 replies to this topic

[Cooperman]

The problem I find with mine is that they are just so b****y noisy they become very unpleasant. I now use earplugs on any road journey over about 5 miles. OK when wearing a crash helmet though.
Now wish I'd not fitted them and will replace them with helicals next time the engine comes out for rebuild.

[AndyMiniMad.]

The problem I find with mine is that they are just so b****y noisy they become very unpleasant. I now use earplugs on any road journey over about 5 miles. OK when wearing a crash helmet though.
Now wish I'd not fitted them and will replace them with helicals next time the engine comes out for rebuild.

Woose!!....I know what you mean tho Coops, After a while they really do become a pain...I have changed the engines round recently so Haggis the red mini will now get a pretty standard 1380 with Mg merto cam..and normal gears.. Im sure it will be much more pleasent to drive to all this years shows...The mad 1380 will go in Tatties the white clubman which will only be used as a track day/sprint car, with very occasional road use..So I guess the point of this post is that you should only fit SC drops if you really need them or if you are young and actually like being deafened by whining noise/rap music/sub woofers..lol...

[Pauly]

Pauly it was Roberts car i was talking about, and he has it the other way around, the gearbox is straight cut, but he is using standard helical drop gears, with as you know well over 200bhp, 240 IIRC from one of the rolling road shoot outs.

For peace of mind i would be using a s/c box.

I remember now. I could of swore it was a helical box

[Cooperman]

I suffer quite badly from Tinnitus and I can tell you all it ain't pleasant. When I was you ng no-one worried qabout it either at work or at play. Years of angle grinding Mini panels, working as an apprentice in aircraft manufacturing, going to night-clubs, sitting in noisy rally cars, etc, have caused it, but perhaps I can pass on my mistakes so that you younger guys can avoid it. The SC drop gears now physically make my ears hurt withour ear plugs. No I can never have a quiet moment to myself. Even at night I can wake up and it's like a Boeing 707 going through my head.
Please, guys, take care of your ears, you don't get a second chance.

[eden7842]

My drops went at 140bhp and my box was fine, a heli culd take it if it was in good nik.

Someone is running 200bhp on a heli box!

[crazycoleman118]

out of interest, what drops do people use? i know there is a bearing upgrade on some sets?

there just seems to be so many to choose, looking to buy some but dont want to buy poop and buy twice...

[AndyMiniMad.]

MED roller bearing drops..bloody expensive but will last for ever...

[Artful Dodger]

MED roller bearing drops..bloody expensive but will last for ever...

get in contact with guessworks. he offered me a set so im sure he still has them, wasnt too expensive either!

[AndyMiniMad.]

Mine were £340...but you can by the MED non roller type for £240..