I would like to know your thoughts on these aftermarket nose cones.. Are they worth the cost? Will it save the main bearing on higher HP cars? It seems like a fairly inexpensive upgrade and would like to know your opinion.

ALSO what do you all think about trans oil pumps? Are they worth it?

AND finally, one last question:

You guys posted up max HP ratings recently for your trannys which are much different than the previous ratings. I would like to know if these are to the wheel or to the flywheel ratings and what prompted the change.

I am really glad to have you guys as sponsors and have been so helpful with questions.


Thank you in advance

Steve

Are you interested in Mendeola's thoughts, or anyone with real world experience with the Transworks nosecone?

Tranny builders have gone from 7 ball, to 8 ball, to 10 ball, to 11 ball and back to 8 ball bearings on the mainshaft. Some may have worked slightly longer than others, but none of them would have lasted an entire season on my rail (4 seater with a Northstar engine.) The worst was the 11 ball which lasted only 6 days.

Once I got the Transworks mainshaft bearing upgrade, it lasted 2 entire seasons so far. The mainshaft bearing is still good, but now it sounds like I need to replace the R&P. AFAIK, no one has been able to kill this style of bearing. So IMHO, this upgrade has removed this Achilles heel and now the remaining problem areas in the 2D are 2nd gear and the R&P, which I can live with if I can get 2 entire seasons out of it between rebuilds.

Hang tight guys, the answers are coming.

Thanks

What "...OTHER MORE EXPENSIVE PARTS..." will go bad?? I have a mendi 2-D with the Funco Nose cone, and the weddle ring/pinion/bolt upgrade.

Not trying to put anyone on the spot or any product on the spot... but I was only told the positives to the nose cone when I bought it.

Help!!!!!!!!!!!

- J

Could you be a little more clear? What parts will be caused to go bad if I put this on my trans? First you say they are worth it, then you say they will make your tranny break and the parts are more expensive than the ones that will break without it.

So are you saying I should not put it on or should put it on?

Steve,

Thanks for your input. I wonder why more peeps don't gear their cars to dune in 3rd more than 2nd..... It's a stronger gear due to placement right?

Steve

I am not sure about funco's nosecone, but I have run transworks nosecone on three tranny's since Eric put it on the market. I didn't have the first one, but I did have one of the first 5 units that he sold in a Buckshot with a 500 hp ls1. I had a little trouble with the shift puck breaking the weld, but once that was fixed, no other problems (except for reverse). I spent allot of time talking to Eric about the nosecone upgrade, and because these 2d tranny's don't really like high hp v8's, it seamed to be the only thing I could do except spend big money to upgrade to an s4. I have to say, I had very good luck keeping transmissions together with this option. I am on my 4th car with a 2d that i am trying to finish for this season. It will have a 450 hp ls1. I am very confident that the tranny should hold up just fine. Driving style I think plays a big part in how these stay together.

1st and 2nd gears are on one shaft, 3rd and 4th are on another shaft. I suppose you're right about 3rd being stronger. AFAIK, my 2nd gear is a little taller than most people's 2nd, while they shift 2nd-3rd and back, I leave mine in 2nd. It's nice for me, cutting down on shifting, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's part of my problem with keeping a 2D lasting 2 seasons or more.

As long as I run the NS, I'll keep the 2D. If I ever upgrade to an LS2 or something, then I'll have to upgrade to a better trans, 934s, etc.

What HP is the North Star?

This is the problem with fixing the bearing, as soon as you do this you will start seeing gear problems and the bearing at the other end will start wearing out.This is not new it happened back in the day with vw buses and type 1 transaxles. We have seen this before and know where it leads. Dunne trips will increase but there are many variables to how long each driver will get.Weigh the pro & cons.If you listen to your car it will tell you what is going on with it.

No offense, really, but that sounds like you're saying it's going to break no matter what is done.

Sorry for the confusion.what I am saying is the yes they will fix the bearing issue but the problem moves down stream to possibly more costly parts.

THE KEY TO THE ABOVE IS DUTY CYCLE OF EACH GEAR.
THIRD IS STRONG BUT IF USED 10% OF THE TIME THAT DOES NO GOOD.
THE OTHER GEARS ARE DOING THERE % ,DO THE MATH
WHEN BUYING A 4 SPEED USE ALL FOUR GEARS (EASIER SAID THAN DONE FOR SOME)
LEAVEING IT IN 2ND PUTS ALL THE BENDING MOMENT ON THE CENTER OF THE SHAFT AND THIS INCREACES THE BEARING LOAD THROUGH THE ROOF.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Premium_V_engine

NO OFFENCE TAKEN. YES, THERE IS ALWAYS A FUSEABLE LINK.
THATS WHERE BEING A DRIVER IS DIFFERENT THAN JUST DRIVING THE CAR.
DRIVING HABITS ARE SOMETHING THAT MOST BE STUDIED,
WITH SELECTING COMPONENT THAT COMPLEMENT ALL FACETS OF THE CAR.

Cool ,,, A weakable link.......

If the mendi boys ever figure out a fix for the 2D It would put them out of business !.... thank good for peeps like Eric @ transworks !!!!!.

.

FIX FOR THE MD MODEL WAS MADE WITH ARE 2ND TRANSAXLE EVER DESIGNED.BEEN SITING AROUND FOR 7 YEARS.
http://www.mendeolatransaxles.com/hd4.php

Thanks for the information, it is appreciated

Owned…

I don't care who you are, That's funny right there ^^^^^

How many people have $24,000 to spend on a transaxle?


Compared to what is in regular vehicles, even $7,000 is a lot of money to spend for a transaxle.

I'm just glad I "over built" and put a 2d in my 340hp rail. 6 seasons completed and never had an issue.

Second season on my md4e running a 3.2L Honda way less than 300HP in a 1800lbs car and it needs to be rebuilt, making a whinning type noise. I have never driving my car hard.

Funco is TOPs

This is an interesting post- Jess

I should have knocked on wood when I made my statement back in July. First trip out this season and I have main shaft bearing noise.

My group and I have 4 of the Transworks nose cones on 2d's and 4-500 ehp. One guy has 1 season on it and the rest are new as of this season. Will let you know !.

.

I built a 4 seat with a 2.5 turboed subi and under 300 hp with a ebox. Ran it 1 season withj no problem. Then built a 2 seat and upgraded to a 2.5 sti block subi and putting 330hp to the ground. The ebox lasted 3 trips and the main shaft bearing gave out.
It is getting the transworks nose cone and the upgraded bearing as we speak. I hope that holds up a little longer.

How much is the nose cone and bearing upgrade? Also, how much is weddle ring and pinion upgrade?

I have a 2d and am upgrading to either a 450 hp ls1 or 500 hp ls2.

talk to Bill at AZ transaxle he has a fix that is everybit as good as a noscone replacment and is much cheaper.

Thanks tomfish1, their bearing upgrade is definitely a lot cheaper, only problem is they in AZ and I'm in CA.

A little update...

My 2d was in perfect condition after 1 season !. I added a breather/ overflow port and plumbing above the R & P. as per Eric @ Transworks and I ran my car for hours duning in the heat lately and no overflow or breather problems . SWEET !! .. thanks Eric !!!.

.

i made a box for shipping the 2d just to send it to bill in arizona, if you want to use it no problem, i live up by fresno, farmdog.

The transworks nose cone uses a wider bearing to help prevent the main shaft from wobbling in any direction. The Funco ads a small bearing in front to help with one of the type of loads the shaft sees. If I understand it correctly the transworks cones is a fair better design and does more, just doesn't look as nice.

My trans is at transworks now. R/P, 2nd, 3rd, and a cracked case, cracked in the pinion bearing housing area. Apparently the last builder missed the cracked case which eric thinks contributed to my issues. Not good!

I feel your pain Mike !. I have an $ 11,000 2d now ... And people wonder why I just cruise sometimes...lol.

.

Transwerks nosecone is adjustable with shims as Funco's is not. That is my understanding.

The Transwerks nosecone and bearing set up is not so much adjustable with shims as it uses shims to adjust the mainshaft for the gears to aline correctly.
This is the same in the stock unit.
I highly recomend this unit for those that have problems with the stock unit.

just get a fortin

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