Mendeola

[ohmygosuness]

From researching older posts, this is one of the better transaxle to get. If not, the best. Mostly positive reviews from users (a lot from Crash, for the GTM-R) for its durability. Really, the only negative reviews were due to delays in delivery. With that said, coming this July 2025, I'd be on the wait list for 4 years since I put my deposit in. Last I spoke to Ian was a month ago. He said they should get to my build in the next couple months (this isn't the first time he's said that). I've been pretty patient because I know they build a good product and it's worth the wait. But sometimes I'd ask myself should I be concerned if they'd deliver or should I just "trust the process."

[cob427sc]

4 years? Not sure the status of your build but if was waiting at all I'd splurge for an old Porsche so I could drive the car. When the Mendola shows up (if ever) with the price of used G50's you could then sell it and at least recoup your cost or maybe make some cash. The Mendola is nice but unless you're planning on racing I don't see the need to spend the time and money. My 2 cents from a GTM builder who used a G50.

[ohmygosuness]

4 years? Not sure the status of your build but if was waiting at all I'd splurge for an old Porsche so I could drive the car. When the Mendola shows up (if ever) with the price of used G50's you could then sell it and at least recoup your cost or maybe make some cash. The Mendola is nice but unless you're planning on racing I don't see the need to spend the time and money. My 2 cents from a GTM builder who used a G50.

Yea. Honestly, I've been patient because I've been taking my time with the build. If I know for sure that they'll deliver, I'm willing to wait. But 4 years is quite a while. Worst case scenario, I'll find an alternative :(

[crash]

I have to tell you that cob427's suggestion is a good one, BUT...

I also know that even the not so great shifting, getting harder to find, and sky rocketing in price G50 may not fill the bill for your needs. That said, if you could find one at a reasonable price point, then it makes some sense while waiting for the Mendeola. Just be very careful as we broke two G50s with only the 380 HP LS 3 engine under racing conditions. The G50 stop gap will get the car moving, but I would be hesitant to run full fledged until you get the Mendeola.

Any and all transaxles are only increasing in value these days, so you should be fine on both the G50 and Mendeola investments as long as you don't break the G50 and the Mendeola gets delivered. I assume you ordered the SDR Mendeola?

[ohmygosuness]

I have to tell you that cob427's suggestion is a good one, BUT...

I also know that even the not so great shifting, getting harder to find, and sky rocketing in price G50 may not fill the bill for your needs. That said, if you could find one at a reasonable price point, then it makes some sense while waiting for the Mendeola. Just be very careful as we broke two G50s with only the 380 HP LS 3 engine under racing conditions. The G50 stop gap will get the car moving, but I would be hesitant to run full fledged until you get the Mendeola.

Any and all transaxles are only increasing in value these days, so you should be fine on both the G50 and Mendeola investments as long as you don't break the G50 and the Mendeola gets delivered. I assume you ordered the SDR Mendeola?

Yes, it was a SDR5-Stage1.
Since I've already waited so long, I'll just wait a bit longer while work on other stuff. Still need to wire up the rest of the car. The ECU should be arriving this week :)

I just hope they're still in business and are still shipping out transaxles.

[crash]

I have spoken to Ian and directly to Mike Mendeola within the last month. I know they are still in business, but I did have a conversation with Mike where he told me he is likely to only be making transaxles for the next few years and then he is retiring. I believe the business will continue, but if anyone has been "on the fence" about ordering a transaxle from Mendeola, I would say that sooner is better than later so you get "on the list".

[GoDadGo]

Could a Hewland Transaxle possibly be adapted to work in the GTM?

https://motorsport.hewland.com/browse-products/?singleproduct=725

[ohmygosuness]

Could a Hewland Transaxle possibly be adapted to work in the GTM?

https://motorsport.hewland.com/browse-products/?singleproduct=725

Not sure. But if Mendeola fails to deliver, I'm determined to make anything work. Even if it requires modifications to the chassis.

[GoDadGo]

I just looked at SUPERFORMANCE to see what they are using in their GT40 Replicas.
Check out the transmission specs on the model linked below:

https://www.superformance.com/factory-models/gt40-mki

They recommend the following:
The recommended power source is a specially prepared Roush engine with the new RBT/ZF style 5-speed transaxle but owners also have the option to fit a Ford-based 289, 302, or 351W small block.

https://rbttrans.com/

RBT Transmissions
3821 E. La Palma Ave. Anaheim CA 92807
Call us at (714) 630-2450
Fax: (714) 630-2459

[Shoeless]

I remember I ordered my Mendy before I order my GTM Kit because I knew it would take forever. I ended up at about 2 years, but they delivered.

As I was breaking in my engine, I noticed a leaking fluid on my garage floor back by the transaxle. The front seal on the transaxle was leaking. Quite the PITA to address, but Ian sent me 2 replacement parts, a PVC tool he built to install the seal correctly, and a couple nice Mendeola towels for my troubles. I removed the old seal, cleaned the area, installed the first new one and left overnight. Unfortunately, it was till leaking the next day. Couple emails and pics to Ian and we decided to take some 2000 grit sandpaper and dress up the edge where the seal is installed thinking there was a very small burr. Cleaned it up real nice and installed the second seal and we were in business!!

Moral of the story for me is they stood behind their product and that's meaningful.

[crash]

There are a lot of options out there...but you are not likely to enjoy the price points.

This is really, IMHO, what killed the GTM. These dang transaxles are so darn expensive.

I looked at the "new and improved" RBT at SEMA a couple years back. The only plus that I saw was that it is visually just like the original GT-40 transaxles, so if you are going for an authentic GT-40 look with a GT-40, then this has some appeal. Otherwise, from what I saw a couple years back, there were better price and performance options than the RBT.

[Shoeless]

Yea, when I paid about the same for my Engine as I did my Transaxle, and both of those combined was about the cost of the kit, I knew my build would be expensive. Right off the bat $50K - Kit, LS3/427, and Mendy stage 2 was about $50K.

This is a large pill to swallow for many, and I don't blame them. I am only fortunate enough to buy a couple rental properties years ago and had to sell one to pay for my GTM build (about half of it).

There is also the fact there is a huge learning curve building a kit that is maybe not so user friendly.

Kind of the same for the MoTeC gear I went with. Stupid expensive, huge learning curve to learn to tune in M1, BUT its bullet proof and top of the line when it comes to ECU options. Hell, if I had an extra $20k ish, I'd pull the Infinitybox items out of my GTM and go with a MoTeC PDU(s) and CAN Key Pads. I'll probably do that down the road anyways :cool:

[GoDadGo]

The other contributing factor is that the C8 came on the scene and are now quite affordable.
As an example I've seen NEW VETTES in my area at very affordable prices.
Check out the link below for a car that is available today:

https://www.starautosuperstore.com/searchnew.aspx?instock=1&ModelAndTrim=Corvette%20Stingray

[ohmygosuness]

Yea, when I paid about the same for my Engine as I did my Transaxle, and both of those combined was about the cost of the kit, I knew my build would be expensive. Right off the bat $50K - Kit, LS3/427, and Mendy stage 2 was about $50K.

This is a large pill to swallow for many, and I don't blame them. I am only fortunate enough to buy a couple rental properties years ago and had to sell one to pay for my GTM build (about half of it).

There is also the fact there is a huge learning curve building a kit that is maybe not so user friendly.

Kind of the same for the MoTeC gear I went with. Stupid expensive, huge learning curve to learn to tune in M1, BUT its bullet proof and top of the line when it comes to ECU options. Hell, if I had an extra $20k ish, I'd pull the Infinitybox items out of my GTM and go with a MoTeC PDU(s) and CAN Key Pads. I'll probably do that down the road anyways :cool:

I almost pulled the trigger on MoTec until I saw Haltech's new ECU. They're selling an ECU+harness kit made just for the gen III/IV LS engines. Very affordable ($1500 for both ECU and harness).

[ohmygosuness]

There are a lot of options out there...but you are not likely to enjoy the price points.

This is really, IMHO, what killed the GTM. These dang transaxles are so darn expensive.

I looked at the "new and improved" RBT at SEMA a couple years back. The only plus that I saw was that it is visually just like the original GT-40 transaxles, so if you are going for an authentic GT-40 look with a GT-40, then this has some appeal. Otherwise, from what I saw a couple years back, there were better price and performance options than the RBT.

The Ricardo itself is in the 15-20k range. I think rather get that than something that tries to replicate it. It would probably end up costing about the same. Although, I believe some of the original Ricardo's may have issue with second gear.

[ohmygosuness]

The other contributing factor is that the C8 came on the scene and are now quite affordable.
As an example I've seen NEW VETTES in my area at very affordable prices.
Check out the link below for a car that is available today:

https://www.starautosuperstore.com/searchnew.aspx?instock=1&ModelAndTrim=Corvette%20Stingray

Are you talking about buying the whole car or just the transaxle? I may consider the trans from the C8 (if it's compatible). I don't think I'd buy a whole C8 Corvette since I'm already deeply invested in the GTM :)

[crash]

The Ricardo itself is in the 15-20k range. I think rather get that than something that tries to replicate it. It would probably end up costing about the same. Although, I believe some of the original Ricardo's may have issue with second gear.

So you have to also think about all the ancillary items you have to buy with some of these options. For instance with the Ricardo you have to source a particular clutch and engine to trans adapter. Then it is a much wider unit and so you have to get non-standard axles. Some of the Ricardos have non-standard CV bolt patterns so then you need adapters for those also. These outside the unit items can end up being thousands of dollars more.

As an example of one of the reasons the Mendeola is advantageous here, the clutch is simply a standard Vette part (IIRC) and the bell housing bolts right up to the LS engines. Transaxle width is close to a G50 so standard kit axles will work, although my opinion is that the standard axles are then the "weak link" in the system, but that may actually be a good thing. Starters are off the shelf and can be sourced from Hi Torque.

No doubt that Ricardo builds a good transaxle, but so do Getrag, Hewland, Sadev, Etc. The issues with these are cost and fitment.

The only issue I have seen with the Mendeola is time to delivery...which is significant.

[GoDadGo]

Are you talking about buying the whole car or just the transaxle? I may consider the trans from the C8 (if it's compatible). I don't think I'd buy a whole C8 Corvette since I'm already deeply invested in the GTM :)

Being a recently retired dark side banker (Specials Asset Officer) I tend to look at any purchase from cost only perspective.
This perspective means that a Corvette can be had for 80-K, which pretty darn cheap, for a modern mid-engine car with a V8.
By comparison I spent less for my wife's 2022 Challenger than I did to build my 2015 MK-4 that I affectionately call REDBONE.

REDBONE
https://www.factoryfive.com/whats-new/pom-steve-l/

[Shoeless]

I almost pulled the trigger on MoTec until I saw Haltech's new ECU. They're selling an ECU+harness kit made just for the gen III/IV LS engines. Very affordable ($1500 for both ECU and harness).

That's pretty reasonable. I'm not totally familiar with Haltech, but I know they have a following. Other than having to dig into a completed harness (unless it truely is a pig tail type harness kit that you build, which it might be) to reconfigure it for the GTM, that's not a bad option.

[rolfer]

I just installed the Haltech rebel LS in my GTM. I am about to setup the traction control and Cruise control in the Haltech as well. If you have any questions feel free to message me.

[ohmygosuness]

I just installed the Haltech rebel LS in my GTM. I am about to setup the traction control and Cruise control in the Haltech as well. If you have any questions feel free to message me.

Nice! I'm definitely going to have some questions. Did you also get another wideband O2 sensor aside from the one from the Kit?

[Shoeless]

I just looked up the details on the Haltech Rebel. Looks like the extra O2 Controller and O2 Sensor is $375 for the single controller (not sue if this is all you need to add to the base ECU to be able to run dual 02 sensors for closed loop control.

I bet rolfer can give us all the details that he has set up so we can all get an education on what he is running and most importantly, what works for what he wants to do with it and maybe any limitations. I always love learning new platforms as I know Haltech does have quite the following.

When I first started my journey on the electronics front (Especially ECU Specific), I learned a lot of expensive lessons along the way in thinking that certainly, it must work the way I think it should work, right? LOL :cool:

[rolfer]

yes I did buy a second O2 they are a little pricey, compared to the other ones on the market but I wanted one on both banks.

The rebel LS is very competitively priced, but they did lock down the can bus. It will read other heltech can bus devices, but not other brands. The more expensive ICU they sell like the r3 or r5 are not as locked down.

I do have an AIM digital Dash that does read the can bus from the Hal tech and my programmable ABS unit. it is pretty cool to have the dash read out each brake line pressure.

[frankenford]

I just received mine about 3 weeks ago after 3.5 years. the worst part about the wait is everyone always asking if you got it yet. I was about to contact a lawyer that i was referred out in San Diego. It was the last thing i wanted to do because once the lawyers get involved nobody wins. Id say be patient and be a pain in the ***. Not trying to hijack your thread but what starter should i be using with the mendy and kooks exhaust? Ian mentioned there may be some clearance issues.

[Shoeless]

I installed Powermaster 9509 after I had issues with a stock LS type one. I can't remember the issue, but it needed to be addressed.

For me this is a compact, snappy litter starter that has a really cool feature for a GTM build. You loosen the screws on the front faceplate and you can rotate the motor side for the best clearance around exhaust. I actually made heat shields for my exhaust under there and this starter was perfect and reasonably priced.

[ohmygosuness]

I just received mine about 3 weeks ago after 3.5 years. the worst part about the wait is everyone always asking if you got it yet. I was about to contact a lawyer that i was referred out in San Diego. It was the last thing i wanted to do because once the lawyers get involved nobody wins. Id say be patient and be a pain in the ***. Not trying to hijack your thread but what starter should i be using with the mendy and kooks exhaust? Ian mentioned there may be some clearance issues.

Thanks for bringing this to light! My concern is I've never seen anyone wait as long as I did (until your post). Did you actually tell them that you were getting a lawyer involved?

Also, I didn't know it had clearance issues. I'll look more into it.

[frankenford]

Thanks for bringing this to light! My concern is I've never seen anyone wait as long as I did (until your post). Did you actually tell them that you were getting a lawyer involved?

Also, I didn't know it had clearance issues. I'll look more into it.
Yeah I told them about the lawyer and I wasn't bluffing. I I Had the phone call already scheduled but like I said it should be the absolute last thing you can do. But 4 years doesn't leave many options and unless they used a Dremel tool to make this trans there really isn't any excuse. I get that things happen in life. I'm actually writing this from a hospital bed but just before writing this I paid my water bill. I'm fine by the way it's just some gall stones

[ohmygosuness]

Crash,

For the race car, are you using the stock GM 168 tooth LS1/LS6 flywheel? Also, Stage 1 or 2?

[crash]

Crash,

For the race car, are you using the stock GM 168 tooth LS1/LS6 flywheel? Also, Stage 1 or 2?

We use the larger Kennedy Engineered Products double disc setup. It is a Porsche/VW flywheel as we are running the S5 RR Mendeola transaxle. I can't remember the actual designation at the moment, but it is called out by size in millimeters. For the SDR Mendeola changed over to use more "standard" GM style clutch parts, but the S5 uses the previous Mendeola generation Porsche parts.

EDIT: I believe the size we use is the 228mm.