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Thread: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

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    Pit Crew Decade Plus User onecamohv's Avatar

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    Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Hi folks just looking for some opinions here - I've just shoe Horned in my xe into my mk2 however with the sump On the rack and the box jacked up to the gearstick hole the angle is fairly drastic its at is more than I envisaged so of course I need to make some modifications.

    Just looking for some opinions on the best approach.

    I guess I've 3 options.
    1. Cut the top off my tunnel
    2. Put a large tunnel in
    3. Lower the xmember

    Option 3 im not really mad about, I'd have to lengthen the steering shaft which is alot of work and the geometry would need to be sorted also.

    One concern I have with leaving it where it is and modifying the tunnel is the angle between the diff and the box, or will this not be a problem ?

    I didn't read muxh about this in any guides or chat about it, is this normal?

    I suppose if I'm going at my tunnel with a grinder I may aswell put in a large tunnel and be done with it?

    Thanks guys

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    Racer Decade Plus User mexicotait's Avatar

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Personally I'd put a large tunnel in we all know how tight a type 9 is in the standard tunnel
    If your cutting and welding it might as well just go for the bigger tunnel
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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    how you mounting engine? if you use chassis rail mounts can put it where you like still need a bigger tunnel though!

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    Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Chassic mount yep.
    I've gone this far so I'm going big tunnell!
    What's the best fitting one on the market chaps?!

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    why is the back of the box up so high? a T9 will fit in a std tunnel no problem other than trimming the gear lever hole

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    My type 9 goes in no problem in a standard tunnel mated to a xe mate

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    Pole Position Decade Plus User Pushrod King's Avatar
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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    I may be possible with an auto or RS tunnel but I had a standard tunnel when I fitted an XE and 4 speed Rocket box,I wanted the engine as level and far back as possible but came across the same problem so fitted a large tunnel.



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    Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Quote Originally Posted by Graham View Post
    why is the back of the box up so high? a T9 will fit in a std tunnel no problem other than trimming the gear lever hole
    The height the engine has to be with the manta sump means it has to come up even more than that to get it level. It's still not level at that and now the t9 top cover is against the tunnel.
    The engine can't go any lower without serious mods to geometry its 15mm Max above the rack

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    Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Quote Originally Posted by Pushrod King View Post
    I may be possible with an auto or RS tunnel but I had a standard tunnel when I fitted an XE and 4 speed Rocket box,I wanted the engine as level and far back as possible but came across the same problem so fitted a large tunnel.


    Thanks mate was your prop angle OK after getting the engine level?

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    Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Hard to see at this angle but it's far from level and I couldn't stand that


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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    why does it need to be level?

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    Pole Position Decade Plus User Pushrod King's Avatar
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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    I think that my engine sits lower as is on a custom sump but yes the prop angle is fine, one reason for getting it as level as possible is that the gear oil can all end up in the tail housing and not the gear casing if it's tilted too much.

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Quote Originally Posted by Graham View Post
    why does it need to be level?
    it doesnt need to be i suppose as the pickup is at the rear of the sump, but the same as pushrod king, im worried about the oil building up in the tail housing and leaking/starving the box.
    Plus it just really annoys me, it just looks, well, crap!

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Quote Originally Posted by Pushrod King View Post
    I think that my engine sits lower as is on a custom sump but yes the prop angle is fine, one reason for getting it as level as possible is that the gear oil can all end up in the tail housing and not the gear casing if it's tilted too much.
    Thanks dude, yeah i remember you had a custom sump, but i wouldnt say there is much in it to be honest, the manta sump is pretty shallow at that point, i dont think you'd make it much smaller tbh, perhaps theres a few mm in it but not much.
    do you dtill have the standard handbrake cables in no? thats the only thing i can see the prop fouling

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    my way of thinking is a pinto doesnt sit level, and thats attached to the same gearbox.......

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    My xe sits a 7 degrees manta sump have had no trouble what so ever

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Ford engines in Escorts have always tilted back by factory design, no harm as ever come to gearbox lubrication or anything else. To get the engine block level the gearbox would need to be massively high in the tunnel needing for it all to be raised right through to the diff. Don't make yourself work if you don't need to.

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    Pit Crew Decade Plus User onecamohv's Avatar

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Quote Originally Posted by Forest_rallying View Post
    Ford engines in Escorts have always tilted back by factory design, no harm as ever come to gearbox lubrication or anything else. To get the engine block level the gearbox would need to be massively high in the tunnel needing for it all to be raised right through to the diff. Don't make yourself work if you don't need to.
    cool thanks for the advice - its definitely looking that way alright, but i always should have put a tunnel in anyway with the t9 on a competition car, changing the clutch is an absolute nightmare.
    so im happy anyway, il put the tunnel in and get it as level as i practically can, then leave it at that

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Quote Originally Posted by onecamohv View Post
    cool thanks for the advice - its definitely looking that way alright, but i always should have put a tunnel in anyway with the t9 on a competition car, changing the clutch is an absolute nightmare.
    so im happy anyway, il put the tunnel in and get it as level as i practically can, then leave it at that
    All you need now is an rx8 box

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Quote Originally Posted by freddy686868 View Post
    All you need now is an rx8 box
    I have to say that I haven't found the gearbox in my RX8 track car is that good, I've never liked the gear change and I've got to rebuild it as we're starting to have trouble selecting 3rd and 4th gears

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Quote Originally Posted by Pushrod King View Post
    I have to say that I haven't found the gearbox in my RX8 track car is that good, I've never liked the gear change and I've got to rebuild it as we're starting to have trouble selecting 3rd and 4th gears
    O dear. Have you thought about trying a type 9 gearbox?

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Quote Originally Posted by freddy686868 View Post
    O dear. Have you thought about trying a type 9 gearbox?
    Now there's a thought..................I've got a hd Tran X one sitting around, not sure how long it'll last at 9500rpm though.

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Quote Originally Posted by Pushrod King View Post
    Now there's a thought..................I've got a hd Tran X one sitting around, not sure how long it'll last at 9500rpm though.
    lol that's the problem, the rx8 is a much better box than the type 9 but it is never going to last forever especially in a track or rally car. You just have to keep pushing these things though to see what the limits are.

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    finally in for the last time (i hope!) with the big tunnel, its nearly level, not totally, but much better



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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Looks tidy in tgere
    Hexham and District Motorclub

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    cheers yeah im happy with it now, i have the plumbing done now to start the wiring!

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems



    finally in for the last time (i hope!) with the big tunnel, its nearly level, not totally, but much better


    when you say it is nearly level how much are we talking. Just installing mine and back of rocker cover is about 25mm lower than the front and back of gearbox (type 9) is almost hitting tunnel (auto tunnel) 2-3mm and Dry sump is 2-3 mm from steering rack. what clearance should gearbox to tunnel, sump to rack be and what is an acceptable angle.

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    Re: Mk2 xe with standard tunnel - angle problems

    alot less than that, its practically level, few mm at most - the part of my gearbox that the gear stick bolts to is actually in the car now


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