Do you know the proper gearing for Buttonwillow Confiq #1 CW

RtbRacer · #1 (**permalink**) 08-25-2003, 11:06 PM

I bought a Switters transmission, that I had though I was going to get some gear ratios for that configuration. However, the people that were affliated with the deal, haven't pulled through on giving me the right ratios. Here is my dilema, I need gear ratios for buttonwillow Config #1.

I have spent 2 nights and 1 test day out at buttonwillow, in an unrelated car. Anthony, My father, and myself have tried to figure out some sort of ratio set. but am very stumped.

I have a 4.56 rear-end. I also have 5-gears.

Thanks
Richard

88Milano · #2 (**permalink**) 08-26-2003, 08:52 AM

Richard,
That is very unfortunate that some people would do that to you. Racing is expensive especially when dealing with Switter gearboxes (about $5,000). My son was interested in one to put in his Giulietta and could not afford a new one. After months of searching, we located a good used one ($2500) that came with a few extra gears (about $150 each). For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Switter set up, it's a straight cut dog-ring gearbox. The internals are Hewland gears. The whole point of a Switter box is to change ratio's for each track so you have precise gearing.

I don't know what to tell you at this point. The only thing you can really do is go to the track with what you have and use that as a base point. The only bad thing is that you will probably be under the car in the paddock more than in it on the track.

I really wish people would stop taking advantage of others, vintage racing is supposed to be a "family" type atmosphere. I will call my son and see if we can help you out with some gear charts, however never having been to Buttonwillow, I do not know how much we can help.

I follow that Vintage 2.5 Challenge series on the internet and it looks like you are in second in the points. It makes me wonder why someone will not give you the right ratio's? Did you get the gearbox from a Datsun owner?

Good luck with it, I am sure that your dad and Anthony will work something out for you. If it comes down to not being able to run the Switter's, do you have a back up transmission?

**italcarguy** · #3 (**permalink**) 08-26-2003, 11:46 AM

yeah dave, it's pretty jacked up. good thing i did not go for the switter's box too or else there would be two of us with this problem and that would be $10,000 in the toilet.....at least until we get the ratios. but part of the deal was that we'd get the ratios to each and every track so we didn't have to deal with crap like this.

the gearbox is unlike others. i solved my problem of 5.12 or 5.37 this past weekend at buttonwillow - 5.12 it is. with the switters, we are gonna have to keep playing with the tranny gears until we get the right one. we spent this past weekend trying to figure it out and looks like we will be going back this weekend and next if we dont get it right. it'd be nice to race on race weekend rather than test and tune the whole time.

oh well, back to work and then off to richard's house tonight to pull the trany. after this week, i will be able to tell you how many little stones make up his driveway. i can't wait till my dad gets backfrom vacation and we can use the shop lift instead of harbor frieght jackstands!

RtbRacer · #4 (**permalink**) 08-26-2003, 11:41 PM

I have been contacted by the people involved, and it has been taken care of. I am still missing a good set-up for buttonwillow, but I have gotton some proper help.

I agree that vintage racing should be more of a family environment. If I had wanted a competitive atmosphere without the idea of fellowship, I would have chosen SCCA. I think that those involved will and have done the right thing.

Thanks,
Richard

P.s.
88Milano, what racing organization and where do you race?

**ECARRILLO** · #5 (**permalink**) 01-23-2005, 05:58 PM

Hi Richard,

Hope your injuries have been left behind and you will racing soon. I just found out my GTA Close Ratio box has 4 missing teeth out of 4th. Gear. This means I need a new Layshaft. Because of this and with the Hewland box from Steve I am thinking of getting a box from him.

How did you get all the gearsets?

Is the gearbox much more robust than a Alfa original one?

I may have to fix the GTA and the other spare box I have to get the Switters box.

Thanks,