Doug Nash 4+1 speed manual gearbox

db · Post by db » Wed Mar 18, 15 10:09 am

Anyone got any experience of these manual gearboxes?
I've seen a race one for sale and it seems a good deal but I don't know how much of a pain they are on the street.

They're a 5 speed really, with a low 1st so you can gear them to make 5th effectively an overdrive.

Good link to info about them here:

http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/showt ... ?t=1133834

db · Post by db » Wed Mar 18, 15 11:31 am

I've just learned that the trans I've been offered is non-synchro.
Just how hard would that be to drive on the street?

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Mar 18, 15 11:44 am

Do you want to double de-clutch on EVERY change ALL the way from Wales to the 'Pod ,and then double de-clutch on EVERY change on the strip AND run a good time??... and then double de-clutch on EVERY change ALL the way from the 'Pod to Wales???

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Wed Mar 18, 15 12:08 pm

I'll tell you what Paul, I'll save you all the trouble and beat you all over with a big stick then set fire to your wallet!

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Wed Mar 18, 15 12:30 pm

I don't know much about Nashes, they have been out of buisness for a while, but I believe Richmond still make a version of them.
The one you have seen for sale is the torque tube version, designed to be shifted clutchless, I have no idea if that is anyway streetable.
I did wonder about that one myself, but it won't directly bolt up to a Mopar housing, and it has Chevy input, What you would need to do to get that to work would be a guess at best.
I'd love to have a crack at it but decided it was too much outlay for something that might not work out. It's a great deal alright, but on the other hand a very difficult thing to find a buyer for.

db · Post by db » Wed Mar 18, 15 1:56 pm

So Pete and Ivor are sitting on the fence as usual

I've never driven anything non-synchro except what I think was a 1960's Bedford TKO 7.5 tonner when I first started with BT!

How is this a 'race' box then if you have to double declutch, or is that just on downshifts?
It seemed like a good way to go 5-speed, but clearly the street model is the one I'd want!
I guess I'll have to pass on it, I'd only be buying to turn it around and I'd have to sell it 'condition unknown' as I don't know enough about it.

If you want it Blue you go for it. Do you know the guy? I spoke to him earlier, he's seems to a good old straight-up Aussie bloke.
If you want his correct number let me know- the mobile on the ad is missing a digit!

db · Post by db » Wed Mar 18, 15 2:11 pm

Doug Nash went under and were bought out by Richmond who still sell basically the same thing.

The street and race though they look similar have no interchangeable parts.
The race has straight gears, no synchros, different rear mount (due to the 'torque tube' setup protruding from the rear).
Loads of different 1st gear ratios are available (this one is 3.25), 5th is always 1:1.
General opinion is don't use a Hurst H shifter, use a long V gate.
Front flange has multiple holes for different bellhousings, they all come with 18 spline input as standard.

Above pics are all street model. Pic below shows torque tube protrusion on race model...

latil · Post by **latil** » Wed Mar 18, 15 4:46 pm

And you're selling a 727

db · Post by db » Wed Mar 18, 15 6:26 pm

Autos are for girls

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Mar 18, 15 6:37 pm

Anyone for Gingham??

Adrian Worman · Post by **Adrian Worman** » Wed Mar 18, 15 7:31 pm

I nearly put a DNE 4+1 in my Chally 20 years ago.
Blues right, clutchless up shifts, Bananarama! noisy tho.
Very strong, a proper hardcore tranny, go for it Pauly

You can still buy input shafts, bellhousings etc, bet they'll be expensive tho.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Mar 18, 15 10:15 pm

I can see the appeal if it was a direct bolt in but I imagine the last thing you need to be doing this year at this time is a complete fabrication and re-design job......if you can afford it for stock then that's cool............

Bozwell · Post by **Bozwell** » Wed Mar 18, 15 10:17 pm

when you say no syncro do you mean a dog box? i'e the gears are locked together with large teeth.

if it is a dog box then they aren't too bad on the road. driven a few cars with dog boxes and you just have to bang the gears insted of feeding them in slowly. don't have to double declutch but just a blip of the throttle on downshift.

get the gearchange right, which is quite easy, and they are fine to live with.

a non synco box has got to be rev matched. drove an old 1920's Bentley and i found it hard work as i'm not used to it. (had more trouble with the centre throttle though, exciting when you forget it isn't the brake

)

db · Post by db » Wed Mar 18, 15 11:01 pm

I think it is a dog box, so maybe it would be fun! I got no problem banging gears and I sometimes blip on downshifts anyway, just cos it sounds cool

Well I've ordered my clutch from Brewers today so I'll be fitting that for now. If I did get the Doug Nash I wouldn't attempt to fit it til next winter!

This clearly requires more thought...

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Mar 18, 15 11:03 pm

db wrote: ......This clearly requires more thought...

I am sure it will be an emotional impulse purchase.........