I say it again. Unless you just can't stand a slushbox, the lockup KM148 is very hard to beat as the best match for a turbo motor, whether it's a 2.6 or 2.4. The turbo greatly benefits from the loose stall in the torque converter (22-2400 rpms) so the boost builds almost instantly coming off the line, with no boost threshold problems. The turbo also has plenty of torque to cruise with the .70 o/d ratio without constant downshifting. It's also very strong, with a conservative torque capability of 300ftlbs (it's torque that eats trannies, not hp). My 2.6 non i/c raider was an absolute joy to drive on and off road. With 4.625 gears, o/d cruise at 70-75 was about 3k rpms. With a .8 o/d that will be about 3425, a 14% increase. The power application to the road or rocks is superb. Expect about 8-10% slip at cruise without the lockup. I also drove this motor with a 5spd, in a d50 with 3.909 gears. The d50 was a lot lighter, and higher geared. I could not break the rears loose in it, either, with 265/75-15's (31-10.50's on the raider).

The raider was a lot quicker off the line and thru the street drags, easily beating 5.0 foxbody mustangs red light to red light. The d50 didn't stand a chance, getting pulled by a couple of car lengths easy, often more, since the 60' was so poor. I could brake launch the raider and pull a front wheel off the ground. You could also "bounce" a front wheel up onto an obstacle offroad with a good jab at the gas in lorange.

I will concede that it takes a lot more skill to drive offroad effectively with a 5 spd, but I don't count that as an advantage.

I personally can't stand the slushbox! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> The only reason I did the conversion is after Kevin did his and I kept blowing out my 5th gear output shafts.

I'm just running too much power, and yes... the 148 will handle almost anything but it also SUCKS it all up also!

I just love banging though all the gears on the street and being able to chirp 1-4th with my 33's <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> at full boost!

That 3rd peddle is calling my name again! Either I rebuild the stock unit sitting in the corner of the garage or go for something wild..

Something "wild" sounds kinda "RedCar"ish <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[quote]I personally can't stand the slushbox! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> The only reason I did the conversion is after Kevin did his and I kept blowing out my 5th gear output shafts.
I'm just running too much power, and yes... the 148 will handle almost anything but it also SUCKS it all up also!

I just love banging though all the gears on the street and being able to chirp 1-4th with my 33's <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> at full boost!

That 3rd peddle is calling my name again! Either I rebuild the stock unit sitting in the corner of the garage or go for something wild..

Something "wild" sounds kinda "RedCar"ish <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> [/quote



I agree monte, I am over the Auto trans, I fix leaks on it and 3 months later is bleeding again. I am pretty hard on the auto towing 1900lbs up steep grades at least 6 times a year.
I like the stick personally too, there fun to drive waaayyyy less moving parts that can go south and guess what if your battery's dead you can push start the dam thing.
I just need the right combo for this new 4g64 power house <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Monte, how were you loosing fifth gear? I had the nut on the output shaft spin off, leaving things to fail from there. Could get her rolling in first still, but 2,3,5,R were out. Was able to limp home in 4th on the stright-through and thanks to boost. I had a StarQuest Tranny and stole parts from it, using Loc-Tite red on the big nut.

That happened somewhere short of 10k miles on the swap. Only have about 12k on it now, so no idea yet on long term stability. Getting mine back on road now, after a few years sitting.

And yes, I am hand-shaker at heart as well. Just put a big JY order in for parts to swap the 00 over. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Ok, so im going to jump in head first on the Montero 5 speed. I will put lock tight on the nut and go for it.
Also found a starion gear set for cheep <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
The custom bell housing will take some time to build.
I have to give her a go!!!
It will first be behind the turbo 2.6 the if it survives
maybe the 2.4...

The first 2 times I was breaking teeth on the final output.. that tooth would then have "fun" and chew other things out on its journey.

On one big group trip in the early 2000's I was just getting off at Gorman/Hungry Valley and BAM!! the whole rear end locked up as I came out of 5th and tried to go into 3rd and the trans would not disengage!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

I only had 1st gear. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> and as we all sat in the parking lot at McD's rocking back & forth.. it finally unlocked but I could only get 1st & 3rd...

So I drove 3rd alllllll the way back home with John following me.. screw this..

So Kevin C. came over.. we pulled it apart redid it and I blew out the gear again but the bearing was toast and allowing play..

Now they do make different final 5th output shaft gears for the 5sp.. The stock with a course tooth.. and a aftermarket with a shotpiened finer pitch/high ratio tooth count.

The more teeth, the more contact area, the stronger the gear??? Right? We thought so... So I pulled it a 4th time..

These are BOTH sets of my previous gears.. 1 stock mitsu (Kevin's.. and 1 replaced OEM)..



Here's what the new finer pitch gears look like compared to OEM.. the ratio does change but not much.. but it didn't help.. these broke also





I'm running ALOT of power and I used to be able to tow my jetski trailer UP the Grapevine in 5th gear with NO PROBLEM!

Kevin just said I'm pushing too much power through that 5th gear with the 33's and loading that bearing too much..

Now it's sitting in the corner of my garage... quietly waiting while the slushbox sucks up all my power <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

Kevin C... Man o man, and I slow to the punch bowl. Is this THE RedCar, one of the original turbos?

Yes. One of the original ones. Kevin C's was too. Then there's Dan's in Colorado.

Way back in the day when the Wire was young, vmag was on it's way out and ExPo wasn't even a twinkle in someone's eye LOL. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

km145 is just a pile of crap johnnyb burned thru them i can't tell you home many times he had his rebuilt at the end it seemed like every 6 months, eric d burned thru them, pa_jero couldn't keep them alive behind his diesel. beware <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

From an Oz forum: