I never did figure out this overdrive thing as in the example that i have observed, it was just a con job.

In Australia, the 910 Bluebird model was available with the four speed, direct-in-fourth trans, along with it's 3.7 to 1 diff, or the five speed overdrive box with a 3.9 to 1 ratio diff.

I have not done the sums but i suspect that the final overall ratio is the same, or very close to it. If this is true, then the five speed OD is a pain with it's detented top gear position.
In this illustration, i believe that a direct-in-fifth trans with a 3.7 to 1 diff would be a better combination.

For basic ho-hum driving, the Bluebird OD five speed in my 200B [810] is just fine as it becomes a true overdrive. The first three gears have almost identical ratio's to the four speed that it replaced. [4th is still 1 to 1 in both]
The dog leg design with a 1 to 1 fifth is a real fun box to get "sporty" with.

"Rally" in my name? My rally driving skills are extrordinary. Extrordinarily inept that is. I will stick to what i know best, & thats strictly street.

Ah, I see. He does have "rally" in his name.. Especially with a direct-fifth tranny this would be useful. Contrast with overdrive, where fifth probably wouldn't be used much in "sporty" driving.

For me, I use first a lot (commuting to work in urban area). So I really like the standard pattern, and I only used fifth-overdrive on the highway. But then again, I recently sold my FS560a ... the lightweight 4-speed is the go ... just wish the 2-3 ratios were closer.

Quote:
You don't actually "need" it, but it puts the four most used foward gears in a simple H pattern, while first & reverse are safely stuck off to the side where they don't get in the way.

With conventional five speed overdrive boxes, top gear is the one thats stuck off to the side with a spring loaded detent, & for sporty driving, it's a pain.

We've got a dogleg 5 speed, direct 4th. box that has raised 1st and 2nd gears to make it pretty close. It is a dream to use because in hill climbs, you tend to use 2nd and 3rd gears mainly and you don't have to go across the gate to change gears, so your gear changes are easier and accurate. We made a spring loaded lockout for 1st and Reverse, so these gears are protected once you are out of 1st.

I reckon they are great gearboxes.

Quote:Why do you need that pattern?

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Trust me, you quickly get accustomed to this pattern & it's wonderfull. If you have the "direct in 5th" box, then first is basicly a take off, & parking-lot manouvering gear, & the next four are close together & an absolute joy to drive.

Great fun it was to slip it back from 5th to 3rd when entering a tight corner, like a left hander at an intersection [right hander in the US] & wring it out in 3rd on the exit, followed by a slick shift into 4th with a surprisingly small drop in RPM.

If you get it right, you rev it just a little past it's operational peak in 3rd & 4th puts the revs just under it, so that the engine pulls strong right back to your shift RPM. A slick, but not overly hurried shift into 5th with reduced throttle to maintain speed & you will look so cool that your mates will swear you have snow on you.

Yeah mate you are right they are
R 2 4
1 3 5

Reverse is just slightly off to the left......well thats what it feel like to me when I had one in my sunny!! And it was a L series.

Blair

I think they are
R24
135
I was always afraid that I'd put it in "1st" at a light and take off in reverse by mistake

1st gear Dog leg boxes has any body used one of these before because i am thinking of getting a kit made up for my gear box it consists of gears are thicker closer ratio good for rallying no syncro (crash box) but i need a box with the shifting pattern 1 2 4

R 3 5

i think that is the pattern $2250 NZD for the kit or there abouts
if anyone else is intrested pm me i can get you more info