The gearbox quandary continues...

So the box is now out...

Looks a lot smaller than i thought it would be. Still, as long as its up to the job... which is the new debate.

According to google research the Getrag 290 is a bit beefier than the T5. All good. It also seems to be common fit in Holdens, which supports the theory it was chopped about in Oz along with the RHD conversion. It also has a fairly blatant speedo port which is blanked off by what looks like a factory fitted plate, suggesting that the original car for the Getrag had an electronic ECU powered speedo, and also why my mechanical one has sat limp since day one. Pretty lazy to never bother fitting a speedo!!

...so the jury is still out on that. But back to the point of the box being out... The release bearing:

Pulled it out and it seemed (in my opinion) to be ok. Tits. I was really hoping to find a half raped and fully buggered bearing there, but it just doesnt seem that bad. The annoyance is that i now do not know what was making the hellish grinding noise when the clutch was out, and vanished when it was depressed .My worry is that it was the box itself... Might be time to give up and seek specialist opinions on the box's condition... Exhibit B above for the box being a bastardisation, the started bell on the righthand side is unneccesary. whereas there is a crude cutout on the left for the current starters engagement gear...

The good news is the clutch looks beefy:

...not to mention in good condition:

...so at least that doesnt need changed! Mind you, as i write this i am debating pulling it all out as well in a bid to find what is making all the noise. I guess it *may* be the clutch, but i doubt it... and you know the rule.... if its out, might as well upgrade it with a totally ludicrous twin plate number!

Now for Exhibit C in the case for the box being dicked about with: The clutch slave cylinder has been extended with additional flexi hose to reach a position on the offside of the car. Indeed, it may be that third gen camaros do not even run hydro clutch systems, and have cables instead...

Suggestions welcome. Other tasks completed this week include fitting rather beastly big twin pot calipers to the AW11:

Old ones on the top and new ones on the bottom. Not too big but can now clear a larger caliper... Will do a proper write up on that in due time...