MED CLUBMAN GEAR KIT

Name: MED CLUBMAN GEAR KIT
Brand: MED Engineering
SKU: MED-3120-CG
Price: 625.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

Part No: MED-3120-CG

£625.00 £520.83 EXC VAT

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Availability: In Stock

Description

Our straight-cut close-ratio Clubman gear set is machined on the very latest CNC machinery, allowing us to offer a perfect gear tooth form. The gear kit is produced from EN36C and case hardened along with molybdenum-sprayed baulk ring faces.

As with all of our gear sets, these are made locally in the Midlands so we can keep a constant eye on quality control.

Straight-cut gears reduce side-loading of the transmission case, for extra strength and more power to the wheels. Meanwhile, close ratios keep the engine in its optimum RPM range for improved acceleration through the gears.

The Clubman gearset is a cost-saving version of the MED Race gear set, as it allows you to re-use first and reverse gear, where appropriate.

This kit is only suitable for the A+ rod-change gearbox. If you have a pre-A+ rod change gearbox, please contact us for more detail on fitment.

Kit contents:

Second gear

Third gear

Laygear

First motion shaft

Gear ratios:

First - 2.583:1

Second - 1.711:1

Third - 1.25:1

Fourth - 1:1

Please see the additional information tab for more detail and recommendations.

Additional Information

Gearset choice
We offer four different gearsets for the Mini/Metro gearbox, all straight-cut close-ratio types for high performance applications. The Clubman gearset allows you to re-use first and reverse gear from the standard setup, but is only suitable for later rod-change gearboxes.

The Three-synchro gearset is intended for early Minis with three-synchro gearboxes.

Next, the MED Race gearset utilises the same ratios as the original Special Tuning conversions and comes with new a first/reverse gear. It is available for both rod and remote-change gearboxes.

We then have the MED dog-engagement gearset, which does away with the baulkrings for ultimate strength in competition applications. This can be supplied for rod or remote change gearbox housings, with an optional superfinish for even greater durability and reduced friction.

Straight-cut vs helical-cut gears
The design of helical-cut gears, as found in standard gearboxes, leads to increased side (or axial) loadings on the transmission. As power outputs increase, this places greater strain on the transmission casing and bearings, in-turn leading to reduced reliability.

Using straight-cut gears allows us to design a stronger transmission within the standard casing. It also reduces power losses to make the most of the engine's power. We estimate between 5-7bhp can be gained at the wheels by using a straight-cut gearset.

Road suitability
There is a myth that driving with a straight-cut gearbox on the road is hard work. In fact a straight-cut synchromesh gearbox is no different in operation to a regular gearbox, but it will be louder.

Most cars use a straight-cut first/reverse gear; it is the swap to a dog-engagement racing gearset that will affect the drivability of a road car.

Close ratios
Closer ratios give a reduced engine RPM drop when changing up a gear. This keeps the engine within its optimum power band more effectively, resulting in better acceleration through the gears. Fourth gear is still the same 1:1 ratio, but first gear tends to be taller than with a standard gearset, to bring the ratios closer together.

The final drive ratio and wheel size need to be carefully considered to give the best results - contact us if you're unsure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between an MED Clubman and Race gear set?

The Clubman style is a four-piece kit, compared to the six-piece Race set. If you already have a good usable A+ rod change gearbox, this set allows the re-use of the standard first and reverse gear, saving costs. The Race gear set has a very slight difference in ratios on first and second gear, but it's unlikely to be noticeable in use.

Is this gear set for road-going Minis, or only for competition?

This set is perfectly usable on the road, but also quite popular for trackday or road rally Minis. It feels very similar to driving with a standard gearbox, albeit with a taller first gear and closer ratios. This is a synchromesh gear set that uses the standard synchro hubs, which have their limitations, so if you are building an all-out powerful race/rally Mini, ideally look towards the MED dog engagement gear set.

Does this give a performance advantage?

Yes, the straight-cut design is more efficient in transmitting power from the engine to the wheels, thanks to reduced side-loading of the gears, which will free up more power. In addition, the close ratios result in a reduced RPM drop as you change up a gear, keeping the engine in its optimum power band as you accelerate through the gears. The Mini will accelerate faster without increasing the engine's power output.

Are these gears louder than standard?

The Mini's standard first gear is straight-cut, just like this set, so it's only second through to fourth that will be different. Our experience is that the straight-cut transfer gears give the loudest gear whine - more so than the main gear set, which is submerged in oil.

Which other parts do I need to fit this?

Ideally a complete A+ rod change gearbox in good usable condition, combined with one of our gearbox rebuild kits. You will need to re-use quite a few standard components, such as the main shaft, synchro hubs and selectors, so a complete gearbox would be preferable to an empty case.

Can I fit this set to a remote gear housing, or a pre-A+ rod change housing?

Potentially, but you will need to use an A+ main shaft and an MED 'Dog box remote' layshaft. This could be tricky, so we would advise contacting us by phone or email with specifics and we can try to help. Alternatively, it's easier to install an MED Race Gear set if you have the four-synchro remote gearbox, as we keep kit specifically for this application.

Do I need a specific final drive ratio with this gear set?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this, however as a general rule we would recommend 3.44:1 for a fast road Mini. First gear is taller than on a standard gear set, so unless your engine has an abundance of low-down torque, getting off the line can be difficult with a final drive any taller than this (3.1, 2.9 etc). For trackday use, shorter gearing should be utilised, typically around 3.9-3.6:1.