The renowned automotive high performance transmission specialist, Quaife Engineering has announced the launch of its new six-speed sequential gearbox for the Ford RS200. Responding to demand for a reliable transmission capable of handling the increased engine output of examples competing in various forms of motorsport, as well as for road use, the QBD3X is a direct, bolt-in replacement for the original five-speed, H-pattern gearbox.
The development period of the QBD3X was remarkably short. The design process began in April 2013, following expressions of interest at the Autosport International show and the first example was successfully tested in-car by the end of June.
The QBD3X was designed from the outset as a direct, bolt-in replacement for the original RS200 transmission, fitting within the car's unmodified transmission tunnel and mating to the standard front and centre differentials directly. It also ensured the use of the car's original prop shafts, both the high-speed input to the gearbox and the lower-speed output to the rear differential.
It incorporates large shafts, increasing gear centres from 75mm to 90mm to handle higher torque inputs and is available with two distinct close-ratio gear sets; a straight-cut rally set or a helical-cut road version. It has a manual sequential gear selection for fast changes and eliminating the chances of a missed shift.
The QBD3X has already established its credentials, as it was fitted to the 750bhp/600lb.ft RS200 of Pat Doran for this year's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) in Colorado, USA. Doran had attempted the event in 2012, the first year the 12.42mile course was covered entirely in asphalt but repeated failures of the original gearbox meant he could not complete the event.
However, in 2013, with the QBD3X fitted to his car, he posted a time of 10m14.187s, less than 30 seconds slower than the 2012 record and without having practised over the full course. Most importantly, the spare example that accompanied the team to Colorado remained untouched in its transit case.
The initial batch of 20 transmissions is now available, costing 14,950 excluding VAT.
Gear ratios:
Straight-cut Rally gearset
2.727, 1.929, 1.421, 1.190, 1.043, 0.923
Helical-cut road gearset
2.917, 2.133, 1.611, 1.238, 0.958, 0.778
