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Has anyone done the Magnum XL swap and regretted it?

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Mad Hatter

Gotta go Faster
5,237
4,227
Santiago, Chile
The one good thing the Calimer Stage 3 has over the Tremec XL is weight... If I remember right, the Tremec es 80lbs heavier... thats a lot!!! Its easy to lift the MT82 by yourself and put it in the trunk.
Just spent what I had left on the credit card for all the parts for a full rebuild of my Stage 3 calimer. Was happy to see that they responded right away and my parts already have a tracking number. In the end any transmission will suffer with lots of HP and slicks. Its not as if racing is condusive to a long tranny life!!

One day, a Tremec XL with dog rings will be in the car... but not yet.
 
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TMSBOSS

Spending my pension on car parts and track fees.
7,530
5,248
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
10-20 Years
Illinois
Being at the other end of the planet means shipping is that much harder.... truly hate American Muscle..... And CJ ponyparts... Prefer Summit or LMR.
You don’t have to be at the other end of the planet to be annoyed with AM and CJP. Summit is also my go to place for quality and “Honest” shipping policies. The only time parts don’t arrive on the day they quote with your order is when they come early.
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,519
8,156
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
The one good thing the Calimer Stage 3 has over the Tremec XL is weight... If I remember right, the Tremec es 80lbs heavier... thats a lot!!! Its easy to lift the MT82 by yourself and put it in the trunk.
Just spent what I had left on the credit card for all the parts for a full rebuild of my Stage 3 calimer. Was happy to see that they responded right away and my parts already have a tracking number. In the end any transmission will suffer with lots of HP and slicks. Its not as if racing is condusive to a long tranny life!!

One day, a Tremec XL with dog rings will be in the car... but not yet.
80 pounds is a lot...I am considering having 5th and 6th gear removed when I do the dog rings....still just considering it.
 
1,119
1,110
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
5-10 Years
Lenoir City TN
Being at the other end of the planet means shipping is that much harder.... truly hate American Muscle..... And CJ ponyparts... Prefer Summit or LMR.
Like I said I only ordered it from them because it was listed as in stock. I usually go to Summit or Jegs first as well. I usually received items from them in 2 days. They both showed it as shipping from manufacturer with estimated ship date of 8/29/22 and I didn't want to wait. AM changed the ship date to 8/29/22 after I placed the order and didn't tell me. I only found out when I checked the order status. When I questioned why it was listed as in stock, they said it was in stock at their supplier. I guess they don't understand what in stock means to everyone else.
 
1,119
1,110
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
5-10 Years
Lenoir City TN
The one good thing the Calimer Stage 3 has over the Tremec XL is weight... If I remember right, the Tremec es 80lbs heavier... thats a lot!!! Its easy to lift the MT82 by yourself and put it in the trunk.
Just spent what I had left on the credit card for all the parts for a full rebuild of my Stage 3 calimer. Was happy to see that they responded right away and my parts already have a tracking number. In the end any transmission will suffer with lots of HP and slicks. Its not as if racing is condusive to a long tranny life!!

One day, a Tremec XL with dog rings will be in the car... but not yet.
It is heavier but 80 pounds more sounds a bit high. The MT82 is 123 lbs. with the integrated bell housing and no shifter. The magnum xl is 145 lbs with the integrated shifter and no bell housing. The Quick Time steel sfi approved bell housing does add a bit of weight but not sure how much. I will weight it before I put it back on. I just picked up a steel 26 clutch alignment tool at Silver Sports Transmissions so I can get my install back on track.
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,519
8,156
Exp. Type
W2W Racing
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20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
It is heavier but 80 pounds more sounds a bit high. The MT82 is 123 lbs. with the integrated bell housing and no shifter. The magnum xl is 145 lbs with the integrated shifter and no bell housing. The Quick Time steel sfi approved bell housing does add a bit of weight but not sure how much. I will weight it before I put it back on. I just picked up a steel 26 clutch alignment tool at Silver Sports Transmissions so I can get my install back on track.
That steel bellhousing weighs a ton. Wonder of there's a suitable aluminum replacement?
 

Mad Hatter

Gotta go Faster
5,237
4,227
Santiago, Chile
Hmm.... it certainly did not feel that heavy, will check with one lying around the shop. The JR3Z-7003-A (2018+) is 110.8lbs and I know its heavier then the previous version. You can see weights in the internet searches from 84 to 123lbs. maybe I am just stronger then I thought..... (naaaa)
 

Mad Hatter

Gotta go Faster
5,237
4,227
Santiago, Chile
Ok, So we are looking at some where near 50 lbs then? Thats still more weight savings then a carbon fiber hood, front/rear optic armour windows etc. A lightened XL could be a interesting option.
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,519
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W2W Racing
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20+ Years
Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
The QuickTIme steel bell housing weights 26.6 lbs.
Where did you get that info? Does it include the steel backing plate or is it just the actual bell housing?
 
1,119
1,110
Exp. Type
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Exp. Level
5-10 Years
Lenoir City TN
Where did you get that info? Does it include the steel backing plate or is it just the actual bell housing?
That was just the actual steel bell housing using a luggage scale. The block plate was already on the engine with the fly wheel installed, so I couldn't weigh it.
 

Fabman

Dances with Racecars
6,519
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W2W Racing
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Pleasanton: 1/2 way between Sonoma and Laguna Seca
That was just the actual steel bell housing using a luggage scale. The block plate was already on the engine with the fly wheel installed, so I couldn't weigh it.
Good to know. It sure FEELS heavy, especially compared to an aluminum bell housing.
 
1,119
1,110
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
5-10 Years
Lenoir City TN
The MT 82 has a block plate as well, but it is a little lighter. I think a lot of the extra weight in the Magnum XL is the extended housing and shifter combined with the larger shafts and gears.
 
1,163
2,121
Exp. Type
Time Attack
Exp. Level
5-10 Years
SoCal
Vorshlag weighed the components of the Tremec set up - 128 for the box, 26.5 for the QT bellhousing and 5 pounds for the block plate. Dry weight of the MT82 is 124. Keep in mind that a good portion of the total weight difference from stock is saved going from the heavy flywheel and clutch to the Exedy HyperSingle and lightweight flywheel.

https://www.vorshlag.com/forums/for...orshlag-gen2-coyote-swap-in-s197-2010-mustang
 
1,163
2,121
Exp. Type
Time Attack
Exp. Level
5-10 Years
SoCal
The MT 82 has a block plate as well, but it is a little lighter. I think a lot of the extra weight in the Magnum XL is the extended housing and shifter combined with the larger shafts and gears.
Good point, a fair comparison would have the entire MGW shifter assembly bolted to the MT82 when it’s being weighed.
 
1,119
1,110
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
5-10 Years
Lenoir City TN
The steel crossmember that comes with the Magnum XL swap kit is quite a bit heavier than the aluminum mount found on the MT82. If only we knew a Fabman that could make is an aluminum crossmember we could save several pounds.
 
1,119
1,110
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
5-10 Years
Lenoir City TN
Vorshlag weighed the components of the Tremec set up - 128 for the box, 26.5 for the QT bellhousing and 5 pounds for the block plate. Dry weight of the MT82 is 124. Keep in mind that a good portion of the total weight difference from stock is saved going from the heavy flywheel and clutch to the Exedy HyperSingle and lightweight flywheel.

https://www.vorshlag.com/forums/for...orshlag-gen2-coyote-swap-in-s197-2010-mustang
I had read somewhere that the Magnum xl was 145 lbs, but don't remember where now. It if is only 128 lbs the weight difference is much less than we all thought.
 
741
1,075
TX
Just a reminder for all using the block to pull the trans in with bolts - don’t use the two most bottom holes on the block (the ones on the “ear” on each side). That part of the block is super weak and really easy to crack - especially on the driver side.
 

Mad Hatter

Gotta go Faster
5,237
4,227
Santiago, Chile
I had read somewhere that the Magnum xl was 145 lbs, but don't remember where now. It if is only 128 lbs the weight difference is much less than we all thought.
Ok, So in the end, the Magnum XL is 159.5 lbs with bellhousing and plate. Shipping weight in a crate is 225lbs.
 
1,119
1,110
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
5-10 Years
Lenoir City TN
I started this thread to help me decide if I should swap to the Magnum XL or build another MT82. I decided to do the swap I have had so many issues I am now starting to regret it. It took a month to find the close ratio Magnum XL swap kit and I was lucky to get it when I did. Next I ran into issues indexing the bell housing. It measured .012 of run out so I had to chase down .007 offset alignment pins. I couldn't get it to index with the new pins. Determined that the magnetic base on the dial indicator wasn't sitting quite right on the bolt bolts. I removed 2 flywheel bolts so the base sat better and couldn't get it centered with the offset pins. I found factory smooth alignment pins the next day and it measured to within spec total run out was .008. Removed the bell housing and installed the clutch, reinstalled the bell housing and the starter. Trans slid in except for the last 1/4 inch or so. Couldn't figure out what was stopping it. Pulled the transmission out and started measuring. The clutch supplier sent me a 26 spline alignment tool for a GM pilot bearing. The pilot end of the shaft is .009 smaller than the Ford. The splines lined up, but were off center from the pilot bearing just enough for the input shaft to catch on the shoulder of the bearing. Hunted down the correct alignment tool and put everything back together. A friend came by this morning to help me wrestle the trans back in. It slid right in tight to the bell housing in less than 5 minutes. Next problem, the new ShaftMasters drive shaft I bought for the swap is too long and will not fit. It has to go back to the manufacturer to be shortened by 1 1/4". So I am back at a stand still.

I guess the only good thing about the mt82 is it slides right in without a bunch if hassle.
 

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