W50, how much power can it take?

[MarkIIRx12]

Hi

i have one W50 box in good shape with bellhousing for a A engine and was thinking about using this with maybe a 4age engine. i wonder if this is a better box than for example a T50?

if i dont remember wrong the w50 have also been used by toyota on some of the older M series engine, so i would assume this box can stand some punishing, or at least more punishing than a T50?

any thoughts on this?

[LeeRoy]

Stronger than a t50 for sure, but not as strong as a later w series box. Keep in mind the m series engines the w50 was behind were no monster engines so your not really putting yourself in a position where the w50 will definately be stronger. Why not go to a w55 or even a w57/8?

W55's can be found pretty cheaply nowadays.

Some more info on w transmissions can be found HERE

- LeeRoy

[MarkIIRx12]

Thanks for ur answer.

Yes i realize the later w series are the strongest, but then i will also need a custom bellhousing, and i been told the later w5x dont really fit that good into a corolla ke20.

But as long as the w50 is stronger than T50 i think it will be fine, it will be behind a stock engine, and im not planning on torturing it too much, so hopefully it will last a long time.

[river]

Hi,

I recently read in another forum, from someone who I think knows their stuff, the W50 is good for up to 250hp.

seeyuzz
river

[Merudo]

Yes i realize the later w series are the strongest, but then i will also need a custom bellhousing, and i been told the later w5x dont really fit that good into a corolla ke20.

They may not fit in the tranny tunnel well in a KE20, but as far as I know you wouldn't need a custom bellhousing for a W55/57/58.

You could just use the A series to W transmission bellhousing on your W50 at the moment to mate the W55/57/58 up to the 4AGE.

[hemi twofifteen turbo]

it's not the hp its more the torque, and thats more or less related to displacement. I think a W50 would be perfect performance gearbox for a 4age as they can easily handle the torque of a larger displacement engine. I had a W50 behind an 18R which I regulary did 5k launches on and after 3 years it's still silent with not even a hint of bearing noise. W50's were popular behind holden 6 cylinders and if not abusted would hold up behind 253cu v8's. Working behind a 4age should be a walk in the park!

[gianttomato]

what he said.^
This was the gearbox of choice for the kids in the late 70's early 80's for anything standard up to about 302-308 cid. You'll break anything if you abuse it.

[Cuzzo]

Hi

i have one W50 box in good shape with bellhousing for a A engine and was thinking about using this with maybe a 4age engine.

What car did this w50 - A series bellhousing come from??? As i thought they didnt exist.

[MarkIIRx12]

Thanks for all ur answers.

well seems like a w50 will be a great fit in this car with a 4age then.

as far as i know i cant take the W50 bellhousing onto a w55or later box, since they dont bolt up, at least my boxes have very diffrent bolt holes, but it maybe be possible with some machining.

I think this A bellhousing on a W50 is from a 83-84 carina, but im not sure on this, i havent tried the bellhousing onto the engine yet, but it seems very simular to the A bellhousing on the T50 from ae86.

i can look for more info on the bellhousing and wich car it came from if anyone intressted in knowing this.

[love ke70]

this box will hold up fine.
rotary boys have a tendency to use W40's. same box, just a 4 speed because they are cheap and strong.
so even if they do break one at the strip its easy for them to replace.
behind a stocko 4age even driven hard it will survive.
everything has its boundaries tho

[Cuzzo]

Just realised your in USA. We didnt get carinas here ADM.

[Norbie]

I'd be very surprised if an 83-84 Carina had a W50. Every other Toyota had switched to the alloy-case W5x by that point, including the Celica which is the same platform as the Carina.

[joecoolmk2]

i don't see the point in putting a later W5X behind a 4AGE in a KE20. it's a light car, and 4AGE's aren't torque monsters. if you're turboing, then yes.

[LeeRoy]

Arent all w series boxes externally the same size?

I know for sure that their bellhousing bolts are in the same positions.

- LeeRoy

[joecoolmk2]

Arent all w series boxes externally the same size?

I know for sure that their bellhousing bolts are in the same positions.

- LeeRoy

not sure about the first bit, i'd say no, and you can't exchange bellhousings either. the later W5X's have a kidney shaped front bearing cover. W50's have round ones.