Ok guys I need some expertise for all you experience duners. I am debating on buy a new car, I was wondering if the Mendeola 2D will hold a redline engine with 430 hp. Will this combo be reliable? What sugestions do you guys have for me? My car which I am selling now has a 2D Mendy with a 350 hp engine, but I was looking for a little bang, am I pushing the my luck to much? Please give me your guys advice.

depends how far the "luck" pedal is being pushed.

Like spongebobsquare pants says floor it

I'm no expert but I'll give you my opinion. The 2D can hold up to 500 HP as long as you don't abuse it. The real question though is for how long. Also, how much do you want to spend. I know a lot of sand cars with 400+ HP on the 2D and they haven't had any issues. If you can affort going to the next step then it's just like insurance...the more you have the better you are protected. Hope that helps.

Seems like it could also depend on the builder

Rancho is goin to be the builder

NO
DON~~~

KM duner ran this combo with no problems he did dune and did play he is very concious about his driving some might say he resembles the female sex organ but he did just fine anyway's. Me on the other hand sent the 2d to the hospitol every time but i do belive i used up a few more of my lucky charms than he did too!!!!! But isn't that what lifes about get the pic.

IF YOU DRIVE LIKE GRANDMA NO PROBLEM
IF YOU HAVE NO BRAINS AND A TOTAL DISREGARD FOR LIFE GET A STRONGER TRANNY.

Our buddy has new Funco with a Ls2 from redline , 510hp with the 2d and the funco nose cone built by Dave Foltz. He has had zero problems so far. I think alot has to do with the way the car is driven. Tim

I've got nearly two of my seasons on a 2D with a 475 hp motor. I had the trans gone through last summer as a precaution, and the internals looked as good as new. The syncro's were hardly worn. Yet, there is a post just today by another member who can't get more than three or four weekends out of his with a lower hp motor.

Then go read about those with S4 woes. There are other options, fortin/albins, but they are even more expensive. I'm sure they can be made to break too. Transaxles have been a weak point for a very long time in this sport, and I don't expect that's going to change anytime soon.

So what's a guy to do? I'd say buy the best you can afford without breaking the bank. And realize that unless it's made out of "unobtainum", that you can break it, and try and drive accordingly. I don't think you'll find too many people who'll say "sure, go for the 2D", so you're probably going to have to make that tough decision on your own...

There are more factors to consider than just hp. Things like who is the manufacture of the car, is it a 2 or 4 seat car, estimated weight of car, soft sand or hard pack, and your personal style of driving. If you are looking to dump the clutch, pull wheelies, or fail to get your suspension working properly, then your trannys life will be shorten. It can also make a difference if you have a very high torque motor in the low rpm's or will it be more of a top end power. Then there is a tire issue to be aware of. Spin your tires to much and you waste power. Don't spin them enough then once again you loose effectiveness of your power, plus put a real load on your tranny.

My personal opinion is to put your money into the suspension, and tranny. Bling and upgraded motor options are easy to ad later. Your choice should be a combination of many factors, more than hp alone.

no rancho s4 either

OK talk to me what's with Rancho

Ask the builder if he uses a main shaft bearing that's capable of taking the thrust loads.

If he BSs you or doesn't know what you're talking about, walk out.


To date, the only 2 I know of are Transworks and Dave Folts (so called Funco nose cone.)

You might want to add an oil pump for long uphill stretches or wheelies.

I will be running the redline 450hp motor and a 2d with the upgaded mainshaft bearing and nosecone from Trans Works.We will see how it goes stay tuned.I know Steve(SoCal) has it in his car.By the hows it working out?

http://www.transworks.biz/bearing1.htm

I have the 2D from Transworks with their nose cone and the new weddle R&P. So far so good. I have 5 trips on it now. Knock on wood!

It is behind a SBC 350 putting out about 520hp

I would take a look at Rubths post about his 2D nigtmare..That would make my decision really easy. Spend the extra money and upgrade your tranny..Get rid of whatever Bling u can and do the tranny first..Bling isnt any good when your car is sitting at camp broken

Mine with a 450hp LS1 lasted 7 trips , broke spider gears and end gears got it fixed, 8th trip broke 2nd gear, got it fixed , 9th trip 4th gear syncro went bad, got it fixed 10th trip went fine so we shall see.
Moral of the story, like alot of other people already said, if you drive like a grandma you'll be fine with the Mendi, but if you want to drive the piss out of your car and have fun, go with the Fortin or Albins. As far as cost goes you'll eventually get there with the repair bill on the Mendi.
Oh and as far as builders, The Wright Gearbox, Rick definatlly hooked me up with each repair.

spend wisely, buy the best now, new fortin wide gear 14 g-s well woth every penny plus a 2 yr warranty, choose the best builder who is inculding the best parts, trans ,hubs,brakes,shocks

well the albins or the fortin WOULD be the way to go... but 7000 is alot of bing to get rid of. 2d cost 6800 albins/fortin 14000
but if you look at ALL of the real offroad racers they use ether an albins or a Fortin

my .02

A VW can brake a 2d, its just a matter of when.

I guarantee that extra 7k will be spent fixing that 2d and then some..

I read thet the Fortin makes a lot of noise due to the straight cut gears, is the Albins the same way?

QUOTE(DeToXiC1 @ Feb 8 2006, 09:02 PM)
well the albins or the fortin WOULD be the way to go... but 7000 is alot of bing to get rid of. 2d cost 6800 albins/fortin 14000
but if you look at ALL of the real offroad racers they use ether an albins or a Fortin

my .02





I guarantee that extra 7k will be spent fixing that 2d and then some..

i compleatly agree with you ....


the albins dose NOT have the same noise as the fortin and you can get the albins in ether sincro or dog patern shift

Been running this combo for amost 2 seasons on Sandwinder midengine.
430HP LS1 Redline
2D Arizona Transaxle
I had about 12 trips (35-40 days) before I had a problem. Thought it was my reverse but it turned out to be a sheared bolt in the PBS shifter. I had AzTransaxle tear down the trans and they said it looked just about perfect.

I agree a lot with this post. There are many more factors than just HP alone. The main question is, Is the car set up for a 2d to live. IN many cases a 430 hp should do fine behind a 2d. But if the guy in bakersfield does (or I should say, doesn.t do) the geometry GOOD LUCK.

I have the albins 5 speed with 550 hp and a 3700 lbs car and it's been great . It also lives rockitillo mostly. Spend the money on the tranny upgrade you will have alot more complete weekends.

Sweet car

Cool bug!!

That bugs bada@@!!!!!

I went with Ablins as well in this car, the 2d in the last car lasted 3 trips 3rd gear went out, 2 trips later the infamouse reverse cog went while being rebuilt found cracks in the ring and pinion. Spent enough on fixen it to almost get an Albins or Fortin. Go big with the gear box cant speak from experience yet "first trip Prez weekend" but I for one learned my lesson.

I don't know if I can afford an Albin or forlin $$$$$$ I'm a

That is a killer lookin' bug for sure!!!!!

[COLOR=red]YES!

QUOTE(donparscale @ Feb 8 2006, 07:33 PM)

NO[size=1]
DON~~~
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How about MENDEOLA s4 , 4,500 $$$ more is that going to buy me insurance. R&P it's the same of 2D.