Hewland MK.9 Configuration

[Jerry Poole]

Hello to the forum, Are there any members using the following configuration for the Hewland Mk.9: The all aluminum "Rhino" case, a Quaife ATB, and a set of the Hewland " MK.5", the " heavy duty" gearsets? If so what type of engine, 1.8, 2 liter, or, are you using with this set-up and how much torque seems to be OK with this set-up? Appreciate any insight or info you might provide as to this question. Will this set-up take the torque of a highly modified 2 liter if you can avoid sudden or standing starts? Cannot locate a FT200 or FG unit that is not being pedaled by "scam artists" on the net and wondered about this set-up. Thanks, jerry

[Charles Warner]

Jerry,

The 1989/90H Reynard atlantic had a bespoke gearbox case and used the F3A CWP and first gear, with standard mark 5 gears for second through fifth. Power was somewhere around 245. In 1991 they decided to go to the FT200 for the stronger gears and case. The torque values were pretty low. I think a modified 2 liter would be too much for mark 5 innards. .I assume the gearbox in Indy/California did not pan out?

[tige00]

No the gearbox will not handle it, we run a 13b rotary with 300 h.p and 160 ft.lbs torque with the mk9 box with mk5 gears, gears are not our problem it's the ring and pinion that always let go no gears yet, just 3 ring and pinions, and that's at 10,000- 11,000 rpms. We can no longer run any rovals, tears up the box.

[john f]

Have you tried adding an oil pump to feed the R&P? The pump should add some life to the R&P as I "assume" when you say the R&P lets go you are saying it is wearing out, not sudden failure. Just my $0.02.

john f

[Fmracerbob]

We have run for 8 years a modified FM with 235 hp @ 8300, 130 Lbs T. Wide rims with Avon tires to go with the Rino case, Quaife Diff, MK 5 gears. Had one of the end caps on the Quaife break after about 35 hours of running along with leakage on the Lt side plate which required very thick washers under the nuts to minimize leakage. The left side case plate is under a lot of pressure pushing it outward on acceleration. Of course if we didn't run the wider, sticker tires it would be a lot easier. Biggest wear issue is 2nd gears have a shorter life than the rest but we use it several times a lap. Since we went to Redline HD trans oil the gear life has been reasonable.

There is a reason why in the day Formula B cars went from the MK5 to the FT, even though they use the 1600cc twincam. We ran 3 cars with FTs, ranging from 190 to 240 Ft Lbs and over 15 years I have only replaced 2 R/P, one on a 2 Liter FIA sports car which has wide tire and big wings and threw away one gear set due to wear between all three cars. The FT is basically indestructible at that level.