Full Version: Mendeola Blows
Whats the scrap aluminum value of a 2d? It might be worth more than the whole damn transaxle itself!!!!
Isn't it amazing, with as many people that own Mendeolas, that nobody from that company has ever come on this board to defend their products? Just about every buggy builder in existence has bought from Mendeola. You would think they would have a fix by now and be out here on the net explaining it to their customers. This board probably has more Mendeola owners than any other board there is on the net. Wierd that they ignore the comments. Just my opinion.
From what I gather, their buisness skills are crap
| QUOTE (FASTER DADDY @ Feb 1 2005, 10:33 PM) |
| From what I gather, their buisness skills are crap |
I would have to disagree. Next time your at G. Check and see how many mendis are out there. No customer service, product breaks, $6000 tranny that NEEDS rebuilding once a year and everyone has one. I would say business skills are above par. They got the market cornered. It's their craftmanship in question.
Just playing devils advocate here..but any chance that Mendeola doesn't think they have a problem? Did they design this tranny to handle the torque outputs of the motors that are bolted up to them? Or has evolution just put us in this unacceptable position?
Example.....I used my craftsman screw driver as a pry bar and broke it. I'm lucky that sears is gonna replace it, but they aren't going to redesign it to hold up to pry bar duty, because it wasn't intended to do that.
I'd agree that mendeola has poor business skills though. They could own the entire sandrail market, as if they had continued product development to match powerplant evolution, very few "recreational" owners would even be considering spending the bucks on the other options out there. BUT, because they've been unresponsive, I predict a continuing migration away from their products. Sad, because the more expensive the cars become, the harder it is for families to get to enjoy the dunes in this manner.
Example.....I used my craftsman screw driver as a pry bar and broke it. I'm lucky that sears is gonna replace it, but they aren't going to redesign it to hold up to pry bar duty, because it wasn't intended to do that.
I'd agree that mendeola has poor business skills though. They could own the entire sandrail market, as if they had continued product development to match powerplant evolution, very few "recreational" owners would even be considering spending the bucks on the other options out there. BUT, because they've been unresponsive, I predict a continuing migration away from their products. Sad, because the more expensive the cars become, the harder it is for families to get to enjoy the dunes in this manner.
| QUOTE (BeachHead @ Feb 2 2005, 06:57 AM) |
| Just playing devils advocate here..but any chance that Mendeola doesn't think they have a problem? Did they design this tranny to handle the torque outputs of the motors that are bolted up to them? Or has evolution just put us in this unacceptable position? Example.....I used my craftsman screw driver as a pry bar and broke it. I'm lucky that sears is gonna replace it, but they aren't going to redesign it to hold up to pry bar duty, because it wasn't intended to do that. I'd agree that mendeola has poor business skills though. They could own the entire sandrail market, as if they had continued product development to match powerplant evolution, very few "recreational" owners would even be considering spending the bucks on the other options out there. BUT, because they've been unresponsive, I predict a continuing migration away from their products. Sad, because the more expensive the cars become, the harder it is for families to get to enjoy the dunes in this manner. |
I'd believe that if everyone was running a twin-turbo LS1. But come one, how much torque can BOHICA's Subaru really have? If a $6000 trans can't handle a Subaru... enough said.
Really though. It's been brought up before that there are full tilt race cars running the same thing that amost of the sand crowd is and they have no where near the problems that the sand crowd does.
What to do...
If I was in their shooes, I'd concentrate on getting parts to the many tranny builders to take care of the rebuild market.
My guess is that they consider the sand breakages as just consumer caused breakage. You know, people just abusing their toys. Not properly prepped or maintained. If they only knew...
Someone needs to come up with a cheeeper alternative to these trannies.
That guy would be a hero...
Carl
What to do...
If I was in their shooes, I'd concentrate on getting parts to the many tranny builders to take care of the rebuild market.
My guess is that they consider the sand breakages as just consumer caused breakage. You know, people just abusing their toys. Not properly prepped or maintained. If they only knew...
Someone needs to come up with a cheeeper alternative to these trannies.
That guy would be a hero...
Carl
| QUOTE (Carl P @ Feb 2 2005, 06:14 AM) |
| Really though. It's been brought up before that there are full tilt race cars running the same thing that amost of the sand crowd is and they have no where near the problems that the sand crowd does. |
Did you mean to phrase this the other way around??? or....
The race cars that run V8's are either running a Fortin or a Albins or some with the S4. Many are putting torque converters in them to handle the shock loads.
Also, the serious racers will take out there trans every race and have it gone through. And for those of you that have done this with a Fortin it is about $1000 if there is nothing wrong with it. Not many sand guys are going to want to service their transmission after about a minimun of 8 hours of use.
I don't know of any upper level team using a Mendeola E or 2D in their Class 1 car or for that matter their Class 10 car.
Mendeola did their development work with their S4/S5 to cater to the crowds that gotta have a V8 in their sand car.
They also have the HD4 for those racers that want to put a big V8 in their race car.
Seems to me they cover the market pretty nicely with their development. Of the other manufacturers out there for transaxles I don't know any of them that cover this range.
Fortin in recent years made a wide 4 and now just recently has his sequential 5/6. But Fortin starts at ~$14k and breaks $22k for their sequential.
Mendeola on the other hand has a product that spans the ~$4-20k range so that the customer can choose what is right for their need.
Me personally, I would never put a E/2D behind a V8 powered, a high V6 powered or blown Subaru car if you want to romp on it.
My experience with owning a Mendeola was fantastic. Yea, I went through a main shaft bearing with a 4.3L V6 but to service that issue with several other upgrades, bearings and a gear was $1300 bucks. I've had good experiences with the Fortin 5-speed, for racing conditions, as well but the service costs of that trans doubled my engine costs!!! $1300 would only scratch the surface of some of the rebuild bills on it. Not to mention the issue with getting parts.
As Fortin and either Sr. or Jr. will tell you they warranty their trans for sand use but not for racing use. They will also tell you that in sand it can take any power but won't tell you that in the desert. I think Fortin is going to start re-thinking his warranty though with all the big motor V8's out there. Sand or desert you're going to put a hurt to a trans with that much power if you don't drive it nice.
My next pre-runner car is getting an LS2 @ 500hp and will have a Mendeola S4. A Fortin would do it but I like the option of having more choices for service and a significantly reduced service cost with the Mendeola.
Just my 2-cents.....
90% of sand cars out there have a mendy in them. Yet there are tons of buggies on the dunes every weekend I go. Seems to me that either certain builders don't know how to build a tranny or certain people don't know how to drive.
Lead Dog has a big heavy and powerfull car that he drives hard (wheelies up olds) and he has had no issues with his "E" box.
Rich from Tatum has a 2D in his car and has pushed 500 ponies into it for 3+ years.
Lead Dog has a big heavy and powerfull car that he drives hard (wheelies up olds) and he has had no issues with his "E" box.
Rich from Tatum has a 2D in his car and has pushed 500 ponies into it for 3+ years.
| QUOTE (FASTER DADDY @ Feb 1 2005, 11:18 PM) |
| Whats the scrap aluminum value of a 2d? It might be worth more than the whole damn transaxle itself!!!! |
Did your "bulletproof" 2-E explode ??
| QUOTE (TEMPORARY INSANITY @ Feb 2 2005, 07:25 AM) | ||
Did your "bulletproof" 2-E explode ?? |
No it didnt. He's talking about all the 2d failures happening on other guys cars.
All we have is real world proof that the "E" is HIGHLY underated, and the 2d is highly over rated.
| QUOTE (KingGlamis @ Feb 2 2005, 06:11 AM) |
| I'd believe that if everyone was running a twin-turbo LS1. But come one, how much torque can BOHICA's Subaru really have? If a $6000 trans can't handle a Subaru... enough said. |
KG,
I disagree only with the torque part
I do not remember how much HP Bohica's Subaru puts down ...
but HP is only a function of torque and rpm, so lets say you have an LS1 with 450HP at 6000rpm and a Subaru also with 450HP at 6000 rpm ... booth of this engines have the same torque at 6000 rpm and most likely a very similar peak torque number ...
like BH was writing (and I'm sure you know that also) ... what engines was used in the sandmarket when Mendi has build their first 2D. Turbo VW, Turbo Pintos and some honda V6 in cars in the weight range 1000 to 1500 lbs ....
so as long as mendeola can sell a tranny that was never intended to be used with a V8 and get over $6k for that piece of junk ... they will sell it
I'm happy I don't need that piece of junk
if u run a v8 then spend the money on a s4 or hd.or the agb.
Well I will say that most of the Class one cars do have the larger trannies in them.
The Mendi's that I was referring to are in the lesser class one cars with LS1 engines. They're not at the top of the ranks but are still competitive and they finish witha 2D box. There are also many Class 12 cars with the Mendeola 2D doing well. But they're at a lower HP number as well.
It's getting to be a rich man's sport.
Carl
The Mendi's that I was referring to are in the lesser class one cars with LS1 engines. They're not at the top of the ranks but are still competitive and they finish witha 2D box. There are also many Class 12 cars with the Mendeola 2D doing well. But they're at a lower HP number as well.
It's getting to be a rich man's sport.
Carl
wonder how much of the breakage is from driver cause???
Do you think we see more failures because maybe there are many more out there?
Have there been alot of failures this season? I have seen Bohicas post, sorry for your troubles, but dont think I have seen a whole lot of posts about them breaking?
Have there been alot of failures this season? I have seen Bohicas post, sorry for your troubles, but dont think I have seen a whole lot of posts about them breaking?
Maybe somebody needs to start forwarding some of these threads to the Mendiola email address 
Its interesting that as soon as someone breaks their tranny they want to complain that it is a bad design. We are out in the sand abusing our cars and always adding more power, lacking in the tranny maintenance department. That does not reflect on the business our service skills of Mendeola. I have had many, and my service has been nothing but great. Mike is a great guy.
Why isnt a thread started about "bad' motor builders everytime someone blows a motor. We all know it happens...
Not trying to start an argument, just adding my .02
Why isnt a thread started about "bad' motor builders everytime someone blows a motor. We all know it happens...
Not trying to start an argument, just adding my .02
| QUOTE (KingGlamis @ Feb 2 2005, 06:11 AM) |
| But come one, how much torque can BOHICA's Subaru really have? If a $6000 trans can't handle a Subaru... enough said. |
around 500 lbs of tourque
I got a Question?? How many of you love to use the turning brake? And do you use it under power?
Duane I think Don went thru 2 trannies in his car in the begining...
Duane I think Don went thru 2 trannies in his car in the begining...
Dont need to use mine much^^^^^
I THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE BRAKING TRANS THIS SEASON DUE TO THE SAND CONDITIONS. <WET AND ROUGH> ALL SEASON.=LOTS OF HOOK.
| QUOTE (KMDuner @ Feb 2 2005, 07:23 AM) |
| 90% of sand cars out there have a mendy in them. Yet there are tons of buggies on the dunes every weekend I go. Seems to me that either certain builders don't know how to build a tranny or certain people don't know how to drive. Lead Dog has a big heavy and powerfull car that he drives hard (wheelies up olds) and he has had no issues with his "E" box. Rich from Tatum has a 2D in his car and has pushed 500 ponies into it for 3+ years. |
You've got great points. I know just as many people who's 2D last them at least 3 years as people's who's last them 3 trips.
I didn't install turning brakes in my car for a reason. One wheel stop while the other is still spinning, what is that doing to your tranny... 
Even if I had to spend $500-$1000 every off season to freshen up my tranny I'd still be ahead of the game for what 5-6 years then if I was to go to an s4 or Fortin. It's an offroad race car, it's going to break.
Even if I had to spend $500-$1000 every off season to freshen up my tranny I'd still be ahead of the game for what 5-6 years then if I was to go to an s4 or Fortin. It's an offroad race car, it's going to break.
| QUOTE (HOGDUNER @ Feb 2 2005, 08:27 AM) | ||
around 500 lbs of tourque |
No wonder those e boxs last so long behind a northstar
How can anyone say the 2D is not supposed to be mated to a 400-500 hp car?? They ADVERTISE it that way on their website..
| QUOTE |
| This transaxles has beefed up all the weak areas of the VW 091 with a completely new heavy duty case and gear set for off-road applications up to 550hp. |
http://www.mendeolatransaxles.com/md4_2d.php
Mendi has put all its bread in the S4/S5 trans hoping to get everyone to drop their 2Ds and get the S4s etc.. its a progression deal - Get people to move up to the next new deal. if the 2D was still their main baby - Im sure parts would be all over and these shortages would be happening..
Some interesting points here.
One thing I'd like to point out: the E and 2D boxes are just an evolutionary step up from the original VW transaxle. They looked at the weak points and beefed those up. then they decided to go a step further and differentiate the E from the 2D.
They were never designed for the loads of a V8 or the weight of these cars with passengers. As much as we'd like to buy a transaxle for only $6000 that can take 500hp, that animal doesn't exist. This isn't to defend Mendeola, it's just the way it is.
As far as driving style, perhaps there is some cause/effect there, but not in every case. My 2D was rebuilt using the 10 ball bearing, I was told it was "the best" at the time. It turned out to be the worst bearing they ever used. It only lasted a very short while. Part of what is hurting the trans builders is lack of feedback or recordkeeping. When my bearing failed shortly after rebuild, I reported it back to the builder but went to another builder. I don't think the various builders are comparing notes or reporting back to Mendeola in any kind of organized fashion.
In that regard, my complaint is that SOMEBODY isn't doing their R&D work and is letting the customers test this stuff at their own expense. That can and *will* cost you goodwill and customers over the long run.
BFS sounds like he speaks from experience, especially regarding Fortin rebuild costs. According to what Chummin posted before, Doug Jr stated that labor to rebuild a Fortin was only $400, which is only 40% of the $1,000 BFS posted. I'm curious how the numbers could be this far off.
One thing I'd like to point out: the E and 2D boxes are just an evolutionary step up from the original VW transaxle. They looked at the weak points and beefed those up. then they decided to go a step further and differentiate the E from the 2D.
They were never designed for the loads of a V8 or the weight of these cars with passengers. As much as we'd like to buy a transaxle for only $6000 that can take 500hp, that animal doesn't exist. This isn't to defend Mendeola, it's just the way it is.
As far as driving style, perhaps there is some cause/effect there, but not in every case. My 2D was rebuilt using the 10 ball bearing, I was told it was "the best" at the time. It turned out to be the worst bearing they ever used. It only lasted a very short while. Part of what is hurting the trans builders is lack of feedback or recordkeeping. When my bearing failed shortly after rebuild, I reported it back to the builder but went to another builder. I don't think the various builders are comparing notes or reporting back to Mendeola in any kind of organized fashion.
In that regard, my complaint is that SOMEBODY isn't doing their R&D work and is letting the customers test this stuff at their own expense. That can and *will* cost you goodwill and customers over the long run.
BFS sounds like he speaks from experience, especially regarding Fortin rebuild costs. According to what Chummin posted before, Doug Jr stated that labor to rebuild a Fortin was only $400, which is only 40% of the $1,000 BFS posted. I'm curious how the numbers could be this far off.
Explain this to me. I know a guy running a twin turbo carr one car into a 2d and has no issues. I know a guy running a northstar into a bus box with no issues, I know a guy running a 400+ hp turbo buick v6 into a bus box with no issues.
Chummin, how's your tranny holding up now that it was built correctly????
Chummin, how's your tranny holding up now that it was built correctly????
| QUOTE (KMDuner @ Feb 2 2005, 11:39 AM) |
| Explain this to me. I know a guy running a twin turbo carr one car into a 2d and has no issues. I know a guy running a northstar into a bus box with no issues, I know a guy running a 400+ hp turbo buick v6 into a bus box with no issues. Chummin, how's your tranny holding up now that it was built correctly???? |
so far so good..
For each person I know having great success - I know another who is not. mendis fault or the Trans builders fault?
Is there a monday trans and a wed trans like it used to be for cars?
| QUOTE (TEMPORARY INSANITY @ Feb 3 2005, 03:25 AM) | ||
Did your "bulletproof" 2-E explode ?? |
Nope! Still Bulletproof!
| QUOTE (KMDuner @ Feb 2 2005, 10:39 AM) |
| Explain this to me. I know a guy running a twin turbo carr one car into a 2d and has no issues. I know a guy running a northstar into a bus box with no issues, I know a guy running a 400+ hp turbo buick v6 into a bus box with no issues. Chummin, how's your tranny holding up now that it was built correctly???? |
damn i thought i had the only turbo buick powered car.
and im running a 091 also.but it breaks if im not careful
| QUOTE (TEE @ Feb 2 2005, 08:35 AM) |
| I THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE BRAKING TRANS THIS SEASON DUE TO THE SAND CONDITIONS. <WET AND ROUGH> ALL SEASON.=LOTS OF HOOK. |
I AGREE THE SAND HAS NOT BEEN NORMAL OUT THERE, MORE REASON TO MAINTAIN YOUR RIDES ( AIR PSI, CHK NUTS & BOLTS ETC. ) THESE ARE RACE CARS IN A SENSE, THE RACE GUYS DO NOTHING BUT RACE, TEAR DOWN, INSPECT, FIX AND RACE AGAIN. NOT SAYING THAT MENDI DOES'NT HAVE ISSUE'S BUT THEY HAVE THE MARKET CORNERED. 
| QUOTE (socaldmax @ Feb 2 2005, 10:28 AM) |
| BFS sounds like he speaks from experience, especially regarding Fortin rebuild costs. According to what Chummin posted before, Doug Jr stated that labor to rebuild a Fortin was only $400, which is only 40% of the $1,000 BFS posted. I'm curious how the numbers could be this far off. |
We'll I've burned all my stacks of Fortin receipts so the wife would not find them...
But here is my recollection....
$400 tear down
~$50 magnaflux
~$50 hardware
~$300 /dog ring
~$300-$500 /gear set
~$150 bearings
~$100 Viton drive flange seals
So w/o a gear your at about $1050. I know I am missing something else but I do know for a fact a bill under $1000 for a "race trans" is pretty much unheard of.
Add another $100 or more for Redline gear lube
A dog ring replacement is a common occurrence. A gear set is every couple races. Changing out a couple bearings was standard each rebuild.
If you need a ring and pinion, gotta go with the English one, set you back about $1200 or more. Went through a couple aluminum diff's and at that time put in new spider gears as well.
Haven't seen an S4 bill yet but I know of one that has done about 10,000 miles of hard off-road use in an Alumi craft. Has had one check during that time and now 1 rebuild with a new R&P. I'll have to see what that bill ran.
These are a couple year old prices as I have not had a Fortin is a while.
I dont know anytthing about trannies, but this is my observation and opinion.
#1 Mendi has no reason to do anything to improvr current design, why do this they havcash people on this boarde no competition among the general population od Glamis. I dont consider Fortin or Albin competition due to they offer nothing in comparison to the 2d price range.
#2 If you break a gear it is probably drivert error, but the main bearing failure has got to be design.
I have heard several people talking about doing a gearbox to compete, perhaps some you technical peeps can hook up with some cash on the board and do it.
King why doesnt your guy step up hes got money and into being original, perhaps you could talk hiim into it.
Also, I agree Meni, why dont you get some balls and defend your product? Tell us what we are doing wrong breaking your trans.
#1 Mendi has no reason to do anything to improvr current design, why do this they havcash people on this boarde no competition among the general population od Glamis. I dont consider Fortin or Albin competition due to they offer nothing in comparison to the 2d price range.
#2 If you break a gear it is probably drivert error, but the main bearing failure has got to be design.
I have heard several people talking about doing a gearbox to compete, perhaps some you technical peeps can hook up with some cash on the board and do it.
King why doesnt your guy step up hes got money and into being original, perhaps you could talk hiim into it.
Also, I agree Meni, why dont you get some balls and defend your product? Tell us what we are doing wrong breaking your trans.
| QUOTE (Carl P @ Feb 2 2005, 08:09 AM) |
It's getting to be a rich man's sport. |
GETTING to be. are you kidding, more like its BEEN.
Its like going to the sandbar without the water and boobs.
Fasterdaddy, why do you boast about how great your "E" box has held up and then put a post up about how Mendi Blows? They must not blow that bad if you have one in your car and havn't had any issues with it. Imagine the post you'll put up when and IF you acually do have a problem.
| QUOTE (YZ4ME @ Feb 2 2005, 02:13 PM) | ||
GETTING to be. are you kidding, more like its BEEN. Its like going to the sandbar without the water and boobs. |
There are plenty of "boobs" in the dunes - & i'm not talking about women
| QUOTE (KMDuner @ Feb 2 2005, 01:21 PM) |
| Fasterdaddy, why do you boast about how great your "E" box has held up and then put a post up about how Mendi Blows? They must not blow that bad if you have one in your car and havn't had any issues with it. Imagine the post you'll put up when and IF you acually do have a problem. |
I'm thinking he just stated that a mendi blew up not that they blow!
He's kinda like me If my tranny blew up now i'd still be laughing at the $$ I've saved...
Hey lead dog what motor and trans you running?Who built your trans.Cause I'm building a car this off season an am going to run a LS1 and a 2d.I'm having eric from Trans Works in el cajon do my trans and put in the main shaft bearing up grade that he sells.Anyone here have this installed on their 2d?If so hows it working out?
Turnkey LS1 & Ricky Wright E-Box! I'd do it again...
Ricky is one of the best in the bizz!
Ricky is one of the best in the bizz!
| QUOTE (LEAD DOG @ Feb 2 2005, 03:07 PM) |
| Turnkey LS1 & Ricky Wright E-Box! I'd do it again... Ricky is one of the best in the bizz! |
I 'm having turn key do the motor,but thinking of Trans Works due the tran with the main shaft upgrade.How much power you pushing?Did they do anything special to your 2E?
| QUOTE (KMDuner @ Feb 3 2005, 09:21 AM) |
| Fasterdaddy, why do you boast about how great your "E" box has held up and then put a post up about how Mendi Blows? They must not blow that bad if you have one in your car and havn't had any issues with it. Imagine the post you'll put up when and IF you acually do have a problem. |
Im sick and tired of seeing lots of friends loose part of their season because of a design flaw that continues to go unnoticed. If any of you question me when i say that Mendeolas buisness skills are schiot, you should have a chat with some of the bigger buggy builders that deal DIRECTLY with Mendeola.(Remember guys like Dave Folts and Rancho only stock and assemble Mendeolas, they dont manufacture them) Remember about a year ago when Mendeola was designing the Sequential transmissions (which are no doubt a great trans), production of 2ds and e boxes virtually stopped. It was damn near impossible to get any type of service, let alone one of your beloved 2d schiotboxes. They spent all their time working on a trans that hadnt even been proven to work yet. The should have spent some of that time developing a fix to their design flaw, rather than turning an eye to it and letting other people work on a remidy (which btw, will be available soon from what I understand) You dont just close production on a part that is vital to an industry like this. Heres another question I have, is a Fortin or an Albins really worth 14k???
Their transaxles have been proven to be able to be hammered and go unscathed. Do you mean to tell me that there is really $8500 of machining and raw materials more that a Mendeola??? Does Doug Fortin line his trannys with emeralds? Both Mendeola Albins and Fortin all come with a standard H pattern shift with a reverse. And they each offer 5th gear. My opinion of Mendeola is that yes there IS a solution to their problem but why fix it, we keep buying every last one they can make right off the shelf! 
I havnt had a single problem with my e box yet, and something is telling me that they GUESSED right when they drew it up in the Mendeola coloring book. 
I talked to the Mendi people at the AZ sand expo. Trust me I was not impressed by what they said. They were telling me that they have done several upgrades to the original 2d tranny. They told me that the 2d was not designed for a v8 yet still worked on fixes that arose from v8's being mated to them. I don't question that their biz practices are crap and that they don't stand behind there product. In fact he even told me that they have put it on the back burner and will not work on any more fixes but instead look ahead to the s4 because everyone is running v8's and the 2d was not designed for them. Made me shake my head and walk off.
My point is this. There has got to be what 1000+ buggies out there. Most of which are running some type of mendi, probably the 2d. How many problems do you know about? 20. That's 2% failure. I would like to see the failure rate of the agb or fortin. Might be a little less but I'm a betting man and that's a chance that I have to take seeing as though I can't afford ANOTHER $6k for a better tranny. I have no choice but to get the best that my budget allows and go with it. If funds were unlimited would I have a 2d, probably not but since funds are tight a 2d is what I got. Like I said I can rebuild it every year for the next 5-10 and still come out ahead.
Who knows I could go out next weekend and smoke my tranny, (knocking on wood again) but that's the sport that I chose and the chance I take.
I agree with you that the 2d is not a tranny for the future. Blowers, turbos, funny fuels, etc. has peeps pushing 1000' s of HP. Personally I don't get it. I have 450 hp and the only place that I can use it all is at the drags. Which I'm going to stop going to seeing as though it is a DISASTER waiting to happen. 1200HP 3000lbs buggie flipping into a crowd is going to be very nasty. I don't want my friends or family anywhere near it WHEN it happens. Anyway when I top my car out it is almost scarey fast and if I lost a wheel at 94.3 mph that to is going to get nasty. I don't come anywhere close to using all my HP in the dunes so the moral of this drawn out story is that the 2d is a good fit for me because it fits my price range and I don't ever plan on going over 450-500 hp.
My point is this. There has got to be what 1000+ buggies out there. Most of which are running some type of mendi, probably the 2d. How many problems do you know about? 20. That's 2% failure. I would like to see the failure rate of the agb or fortin. Might be a little less but I'm a betting man and that's a chance that I have to take seeing as though I can't afford ANOTHER $6k for a better tranny. I have no choice but to get the best that my budget allows and go with it. If funds were unlimited would I have a 2d, probably not but since funds are tight a 2d is what I got. Like I said I can rebuild it every year for the next 5-10 and still come out ahead.
Who knows I could go out next weekend and smoke my tranny, (knocking on wood again) but that's the sport that I chose and the chance I take.
I agree with you that the 2d is not a tranny for the future. Blowers, turbos, funny fuels, etc. has peeps pushing 1000' s of HP. Personally I don't get it. I have 450 hp and the only place that I can use it all is at the drags. Which I'm going to stop going to seeing as though it is a DISASTER waiting to happen. 1200HP 3000lbs buggie flipping into a crowd is going to be very nasty. I don't want my friends or family anywhere near it WHEN it happens. Anyway when I top my car out it is almost scarey fast and if I lost a wheel at 94.3 mph that to is going to get nasty. I don't come anywhere close to using all my HP in the dunes so the moral of this drawn out story is that the 2d is a good fit for me because it fits my price range and I don't ever plan on going over 450-500 hp.
if i build a car that uses a transaxle i can assure you it will not be a mendi of any sort.
| QUOTE (Kevin @ Feb 2 2005, 07:36 PM) |
| if i build a car that uses a transaxle i can assure you it will not be a mendi of any sort. |
i was at this point 5 years ago
to be exact; i said if i build a car i can assure you it will not have a transaxle of any sort
In all fairness to mendeola, I have to say that even though I've heard other people and shops poke fun about their products as far as machining and tolerances, I dissagree. I switched out my 5.14 R&P last year because it was pitted and I wanted longer legs. I got a new 4.86 and bolted it in. I then called Weddle ( my favorite) for advice on what the lash should be . They said between 6 & 8 thou . Mine measured 7 at 5 spots around the ring gear. Go figure.. I'd say that they are pretty consistent in their machining. You just need to be very carefull about who you have build it in the first place.
Does any one have a 2d that is broke and is torn apart? Reason i ask is that i am a machinist by trade and would loke to see what inside the case looks like. I am building a 5 seat duelsport car now but will be using a custom tranny instead of a mendi.If can make anything to fix mendi problem i would love to try. I am also a timken bearing dealer. located in simi valley c.a.
| QUOTE (spooner @ Feb 2 2005, 08:14 PM) | ||
i was at this point 5 years ago to be exact; i said if i build a car i can assure you it will not have a transaxle of any sort |
thats the direction im going
| QUOTE (Kevin @ Feb 2 2005, 09:00 PM) | ||||
thats the direction im going |
Kevin,
good move ...
BTW the new keyboard buttom shows what I think about the 2D
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