As you may know the S4D is coming. The 2D and S4's have the same ring & pinion diameter--10". The new S4D will use an 11.5" ring and pinion, like the Albins unit. This makes the transmission assy heavier and longer than the regular S4. Estimated weight is 60 more pounds, mainly in the ring and pinion and an awesome carrier assy (huge compared to the S4). I'm planning to put one of these in the Outback car.

Here is the lowdown on size as i understand it: The main differential carriers' belly is not any deeper but the ribs are filled in so the belly is smooth. The distance from center of c.v. flange to the front of main case increased 3/4" so if you mounted this tranny to the same front plate (mid engine car) the c.v. flanges would be 3/4" further back. The rear section of the tranny has been increased by about 1.25" from center of drive flange back. .75" for half the ring & pinion diameter and .5" for extra meat added behind the pinion bulkhead. So from front mounting holes to rear mounting holes have increased by 2". The mounting holes in the front and rear are not the same as the S4. The mating surfaces were the bellhousing meets the main case also hangs down and extra 3/4". The belhousing length has also increased by 1" to make room for a triple disc setup and is only available for LS1s (that's o.k., i'll modify one custom for a subaru engine). That means the overall length is up by three inches, weight up by 60lbs


If you were installing this tranny in a rear engine car and kept the drive flanges in the same place, you would need 2" more room at the nose of the tranny

What does this mean for me-----time to turn up the boost some more

This tranny is Estimated to be $15,000, designed mainly for heavy hp v8's and one really high hp Subaru
John

So I take it that This unit has been field tested in some Heavy H.P cars and driven hard. So the overall result was positive?

Hello John Question for your high HP how many S-4 trans have you broke and how many 2Ds, I'm sure everyone wants to know?

I heard it was supposed to be out in May. A friend was considering it for his car

My four cylinder 2d was rebuilt every year (4 years in a row), broke a fourth gear, twisted/broke a 300m axle like a candy cane, but never a ring and pinion. Hmmm, I must not have enought torque but I've seen a couple that have been hurt real bad and there wasn't much left to save. I'd rather be safe than towed.

John

I believe the only difference is the bigger ring and pinion, the tranny internals are the same as the S4, Has it been field tested? I'm not that close to Mendeola to know if it has but, belive the weakest link in the S4 has been the R&P

John

I am a little confused here .....

I thought the 4E and the 2D R&P's were the same but the 2D gear sets are wider and stronger than the 4E....

Whats the difference between a 2D and the S4 ??? if by Outbacks statement the R$P is the same ,,, Does the 2D and the S4 use the same main Bearing, ( you know the one that always craps out ), but have an even stronger gear set ????.

.

I said they're both 10" but the S4 has a pinion with a very large/long main shaft with bigger bearings. To my knowledge the S4 doesn't have bearing issues. The S4 has bigger gear sets than the 2d.
John

Why not just use a fortin?

Great thread John. I have seen the new s4d case out at Tatum in Phx. It is larger, and Rich has the exact specs if you need them. I too am waiting for this tranny. I called Rancho, McDowell and no one has seen a part yet. Mendeola says soon, but they also said it would be done this month. Supposedly stronger than a fortin and cheaper and lighter than an Albins? We'll see.

Pics on Mendies web site-
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to be released JULY 4 2006

Attn:Outback John
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