3SGTE Gearbox swaps? ST185 vs ST215

[WRX_eater]

Hi All,

I am wanting some advise on the gearboxes used on 3SGTE's and I am hoping someone could point me in the right direction with what to do.

The Low Down:
Car: 1990 ST185
Engine: ST215 3SGTE
Gearbox: ST185 gearbox but I have the gearbox for the ST215 in the shed (I am pretty sure this is a manual, it has been a while since i looked at it)

The Question:
I am in the process of collecting parts and information for my engine block rebuild, but i also want to attack the gearbox while its out. Currently 3rd gear crunches as i beleive the syncros are gone. I am wanting to know would there be any benifit in rebuilding the ST215 gearbox and installing this into my car? or am I better of having the ST185 rebuilt?

Thanks for your advise in advance

[stidnam]

vague recollection of 3sgte gearbox talk a while ago in one thread said that ST215 box while newer than ST205 it was closer to the ST185 box in strength etc. I think it was a post by Terryo? Wouldn't it be better to go with the newer box to avoid rebuilding?

[wagonist]

I keep on hearing different stories about the specs of ST215 box vs ST205 vs ST185.
This is in terms of the torque split of the centre diff.
ST185 is 50:50 front:rear
ST205 is 33:67
There is conjecture whether the ST215 is 50:50 or 33:67.
With the complaince type tyres on my car, I could get the tail out under power.

The last 2 also don't have the ability to "lock" the centre diff externally.

Why not just install the ST215 box (if its a manual) and not open it up.
Then keep the ST185 box and strip it & rebuild it yourself over time.

[aus jd 2703]

all box's are 50:50. ive read the 205 BGB and it says 50:50.
i know 205 and 185 are as strong as each other except the syncro's are better on a 205 but the actual gears are all very similar.
if it has a clutch for and shift lever its manual.... good place to start.
if ya want another gear box i got a 185 one sitting at home.... though im the first to admit going to a 185 gearbox is silly go 205 and enjoy the smooth shifting. (my 205 must be f#cked as its worse than nicks rebuilt 185.....)
personally for your build and timeline dean, sus out a 205 box get it rebuilt and save it for your built motor.
while your there get a twm shifter close ratio gear set and a new uprated viscous coupling. and if that front diff group buy ever comes to fruition get that too.
you wont have change from $4k for all that but you will have a nice gearbox.
alternatively straight cut dog engagement set from ppg for about $11k and then a sequential shifter for another 5-6 and have yourself a sweet sequential transmission. oh how much fun it would be!

[stidnam]

Stolen from the interwebs

Gratings from Norway, The Caldina manual uses the E150F gearbox that also the st185 uses. The st205 will be a upgrade because it uses dual cone synchros, the case nr is E154f. And the ratios is the same for st-185, st-205 and st-215. The st215 has alot of partsnr different from other Toyotas even if its the same part. the back endlings is the same as the Lexus 300, Front brake calipers is for the Avensis 2003 here in europe. What i would love is a higher 5 gear for speed driving.

[wagonist]

Maybe I should send him my gearbox with the altered final drive

[madrav4]

Hi guys I'm new to the forum just a question have u ever heard of the 3rd 4th selector fork breaking

I'm contemplating what gearbox to put into my rav4 as I have gone through 3 gt4 gearboxes.

[wagonist]

seriously? I've never even heard of ham fisted rally drivers having that kind of an issue.
I'll admit that I've beaten the synchro though on the 2nd-3rd shift on quick acceleration.

[madrav4]

Like I said I've been through 3 but never broken a rav4 box

Anyone know were I can get a 205 box

[MWP]

The 205 gbox is the best by far due to the improved 2nd, 3rd & 4th gear ratios.
It fixes the very long 3rd gear that the 165, 185 & 215 have.

The 215 gearbox is the same design as the 185's, but it does have improved synchros.
If you buy new genuine synchros for a 185 gbox from Toyota now, youll get the improved versions that are used in the 215.

Ive heard of local rally guys breaking 185 boxes, but im not sure exactly what broke.
Ill ask next time i see those guys.

So if you need to choose between 185 and 215, use the 215.
If you can find a decent 205 gbox though, get that.

205 gearboxes used to come up on ebay now and then, but i haven't seen one in a while
Give these guys a call: http://www.nealbates.com.au/NealBatesAutomotive.aspx

[madrav4]

The 205 gbox is the best by far due to the improved 2nd, 3rd & 4th gear ratios.
It fixes the very long 3rd gear that the 165, 185 & 215 have.

The 215 gearbox is the same design as the 185's, but it does have improved synchros.
If you buy new genuine synchros for a 185 gbox from Toyota now, youll get the improved versions that are used in the 215.

Ive heard of local rally guys breaking 185 boxes, but im not sure exactly what broke.
Ill ask next time i see those guys.

So if you need to choose between 185 and 215, use the 215.
If you can find a decent 205 gbox though, get that.

205 gearboxes used to come up on ebay now and then, but i haven't seen one in a while
Give these guys a call: http://www.nealbates.com.au/NealBatesAutomotive.aspx

Thanks.mate I gave them a call he was very helpful a late model at185 box or 205 box is the go they made.the selector forks.stronger on the late model ones

[nomuken1]

Where to find an upgrade viscous coupling ?

all box's are 50:50. ive read the 205 BGB and it says 50:50.
i know 205 and 185 are as strong as each other except the syncro's are better on a 205 but the actual gears are all very similar.
if it has a clutch for and shift lever its manual.... good place to start.
if ya want another gear box i got a 185 one sitting at home.... though im the first to admit going to a 185 gearbox is silly go 205 and enjoy the smooth shifting. (my 205 must be f#cked as its worse than nicks rebuilt 185.....)
personally for your build and timeline dean, sus out a 205 box get it rebuilt and save it for your built motor.
while your there get a twm shifter close ratio gear set and a new uprated viscous coupling. and if that front diff group buy ever comes to fruition get that too.
you wont have change from $4k for all that but you will have a nice gearbox.
alternatively straight cut dog engagement set from ppg for about $11k and then a sequential shifter for another 5-6 and have yourself a sweet sequential transmission. oh how much fun it would be!

[MWP]

Where to find an upgrade viscous coupling ?

http://www.alltrac.net/phpBB2/viewto...p?f=43&t=36743

[RONA]

The 205 gbox is the best by far due to the improved 2nd, 3rd & 4th gear ratios.
It fixes the very long 3rd gear that the 165, 185 & 215 have.

3rd isn't that long only takes the car to around 140-150km/h I personally wouldn't want it shorter. Also strength wise I'm running a standard 215 box/transfer case and it's coping with 350awkw.