Cusco Close Gear set

[Fa20Toybaru]

Well guys, I have been at this project for a little less then a year. I am working on phases to make sure I can i.d. any problems. I am on my second phase which is drivetrain, before I move into the motor build, and forced induction.
So the question, I am looking to make the transmission more reliable, without going into a ppg or dogbox transmission.
I am looking at the Cusco Close Gear set. I need to know before I make a purchase, will it hold together if the vehicle is rated at 450BHP-500BHP? If anyone has any recommendations, I would love to hear it. I am not a know it all, and appreciate all the help.

[soundman98]

look into the verus engineering gear set. development was stopped for a reason they clearly describe.

[Fa20Toybaru]

Thanks for responding. So the cusco R&D stopped, is what you are saying and verus is an option. Ill look into it..have you done any drivetrain work?

[Fa20Toybaru]

#3
Fa20Toybaru
Building

Join Date: May 2020
Drives: Manual
Location: Texas
Posts: 3
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Trader Rating: 0 reviews
Thanks for responding. So the cusco R&D stopped, is what you are saying and verus is an option. Ill look into it..have you done any drivetrain work?

[Fa20Toybaru]

Same, ive gotten my suspension all tied up. Im on the drivetrain. I have the rear end, all laid out and ready for install. I just need to know how to strengthen the transmission. Im looking at you recommendation, its the synchros, right?

[NoHaveMSG]

CD09 swap. Or horde extra stock transmissions.

[Fa20Toybaru]

Thanks bro! Ill look into these options. Are you running any of them?

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Fa20Toybaru

Thanks bro! Ill look into these options. Are you running any of them?

No, I decided against FI so no need for me. Other people are running CD09's to hold those power levels. A few guys running the Mazworx setup.

https://www.mazworx.com/mazworx-favq...t-frs/brz.aspx

One homebrew swap that involves more fab skill then most people have.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Fa20Toybaru

Thanks for responding. So the cusco R&D stopped, is what you are saying and verus is an option. Ill look into it..have you done any drivetrain work?

that's not what i said at all. i said verus was developing their own gear set and stopped development for a reason. i have no clue what cusco is doing.

but the verus thread ends with this:
https://www.ft86club.com/forums/show...5&postcount=63

Originally Posted by VerusEric

I think this post answers all your questions:

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/show...7&postcount=49

TLDR - The transmission proved to have unknown reliability with other stock parts breaking. Please read the post, I think I summed up my feelings pretty well back then.

so they accidentally started 'weakest link' testing, and realized they were falling behind faster than they were gaining.. they might have fixed the gearset issues, but then started suffering other breakages.

if 450-500 is your goal, i don't think the stock transmission is suitable in any regard.

[radroach]

@Fa20Toybaru look at Jack's Transmissions in Colorado. He has a few different packages available for the 86's transmission and has a few improvements such as shims and other adjustments. If I had the cash my transmission would be built by them.

https://www.jackstransmissions.com/t...build-services

[Fa20Toybaru]

Thank you all, I have looked at the recommendations given.
Verus
Nissan Trans
Jacks Transmission

I do however pose this question:
The Cusco gear set, is it a viable option to help with the issue of high Torque output?

[NoHaveMSG]

No, the Cusco gear set does not help.

If you look at what jacks transmissions does and some of the other failure threads, the biggest issue is the retaining clip for 4th gear gets kicked off. That and the syncros in this transmission are on the flimsy side. The Cusco gear set does not address either of those problems.

[Fa20Toybaru]

Good man! Thank you for breaking that down. I was unaware of the fourth gear clip. I contacted jacks transmission to see what they offer. I now have some more information to ask questions.
My thought process, was to upgrade the synchros. Then i realized, the gears would sometimes shear off. That prompted my research. Now i learn of the fourth gear clip. I think this nissan trans is looking like more of a viable option.

[churchx]

For reliable non grenading gearbox, yes, retrofit of more durable ones from other cars looks preferable.
Role of cusco/trd one is just to change ratios of 1st & 2nd gears, to make them longer, closer to 3-6 gears, for quicker acceleration (on stock twins gearbox jumps between 1-2 and 2-3 are much wider, probably from daily driving reasons). Beneficial to NA. Not to make gears stronger. And less needed for forced induction builds, that have much more torque to pull strong even at lower rpms.