Lowering Trans Mount

[Newkitguy]

hey guys i'm looking to find info on who has lowered/adjusted their trans mount. What way did you do it? whats the least cumbersome ways to go about it? pictures will be great!

[Hobby Racer]

I did it in my build thread w/ pictures.

Lowering the trans mount (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?23199-John-s-EZ36R-H6-818R-Build&p=289163&viewfull=1#post289163)

[Sgt.Gator]

See Post #224 in my build thread.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?26054-Gator-s-818R

[Bicyclops]

I tried two approaches. First I lowered the rear by about 1 1/8" which was the most I could get without cutting out the X bracing and I built some spacers to raise the front. It looked good until I fit the crossbrace and I realized that it interfered with the turbo. My second attempt involved cutting away the whole X brace assembly and fabbing a cross piece at the location of the tranny mount. I welded some angle stock hanging down from each side rail and a central flat piece where the tranny sits. It's about 2 5/8" lower than the original mount. I basically just hung the engine and tranny combo where I wanted it and tacked the pieces in place before hoisting the assembly away for finish welding. I made sort of a diamond brace ahead of the tranny mount to tie it all back together. While I was at it, I welded on a snatch ring for it I ever need to get yanked out of a gravel pit. My nephew is doing a variation on the theme where he just sliced away the entire X brace and tranny mount as one piece and is hanging the entire assembly from the side rails with some vertical flat stock. That's how I would do it if I were starting over.
150856

[Newkitguy]

how much lower does the trans need to be? is it enough to modify the trans mount and lower it? or does the frame really need chopped?

[Newkitguy]

again this is for the trans fluid/ longevity concerns

[Sgt.Gator]

how much lower does the trans need to be? is it enough to modify the trans mount and lower it? or does the frame really need chopped?

Start at post 213 in my build thread. We didn't raise the front, but some builders have raised the motor mounts, which means you don't have to drop the tail as much.

[STiPWRD]

I'm going to be lowering the back of my 5 speed as well seeing as I've recently developed a "bearing noise." I'm hoping I caught the issue before any major damage occurred although I haven't cracked open the trans yet. I started hearing the noise when driving home from work a few weeks ago; it's very loud and sounds very similar to when one of me wheel bearings went out on my Forester. It only occurs under load and in 2nd-5th gear. No noise in neutral, or 1st gear (even under load) or when coasting in any of the other gears. The car is still drivable but I do suspect the oiling issue as the root cause of the bearing noise. Btw, I had about 1k miles on the trans before I noticed this issue, mostly highway driving.

[Santiago]

how much lower does the trans need to be? is it enough to modify the trans mount and lower it? or does the frame really need chopped?

If you're trying to get the trans at something like an OEM angle, then I think Bicyclops' is correct on what sort of drop you'll need. I have to check my notes, but I'm pretty sure I was in that range. Others have avoided cutting the chassis plate and X-bars by modifying their trans mount or by cutting clearance holes in the chassis plate (leaving the X-bars intact and the trans pretty much laying on them). However, I don't think they got to an OEM angle out of that approach ("something better than nothing" maybe?).

Personally, I think if you're going to do it, just cut most everything out and start from scratch. We all hope this is one of the main things FFR addresses in a "gen 2" frame (*ahem* hint-hint...if anyone's listening...nobody's listening, nobody ever listens to me...).

Best,
-j