WTF is a getrag gearbox?

[JamesE30]

Excuse the complete n00b question,
What exactly is a "getrag" gearbox? And what do the numbers mean? (eg: getrag 260 / 265 etc...)

A car I'm looking at buying claims to have

getrag sport 5 spd manual gearbox. (5th is a 1:1 ratio)

And an LSD,
Is this a good gear box?
Good for highways / good for street?

Any info greatly appreciated, and yes I have searched...

[fcsteve]

gearbox is pretty much just a fancy word for transmission. the different numbers tell you pretty much just what model it is. you can use that to find anything else about it. 260's are on 325e and i e30's although there are two different types.

[ldsbeaker]

GETRAG is a manufacturer. They make most of our (BMW) transmissions.
If/when you get it, GETRAG will be on the case somewhere.

edit: 1:1 in 5th, huh? I wonder if it's the dogleg close ratio one.

[StereoInstaller1]

I thought even the dogleg had a higher ratio on 5th...dunno, don't care, Getrag transmissions are great, mine is still holding up fine at 280,000 miles, sloppy linkage and all.

[jlevie]

All Getrag 260 transmissions have a 1:1 fifth gear. There are a few variations in the transmission (early sheet metal vs later aluminum shifter, bell housing mounted timing sensors on early ETA's), but the transmissions are otherwise interchangeable and all have the same ratios.

[1991 318is]

I've heard that Getrags are good transmissions that cost a lot to rebuild because a lot of the components are pressed together. At least $250 in labor. Most people buy a used one to replace them when they go bad. Has anyone here ever rebuilt one or replaced the synchros themselves ? I have also heard that it's hard to find replacement parts.

[StereoInstaller1]

All Getrag 260 transmissions have a 1:1 fifth gear.

According to the wiki, this is not true. 4th is a 1:1, with 5th being a true overdrive at .81.

[jlevie]

My bad... I was looking at the transmission ratios for my E36 M3, which was the last thing I ran through the speed vs rpm calculator. You are correct and fifth in a 260 is 0.81.

[Eric]

OP what car are you looking at? a euro E24?

[JamesE30]

^ nah it's a Euro 323i, Badged a 323is though, i thought no such thing exists... Mind you it does also have an LSD and sport seats...

[Ray Smoodiver]

Don't install an Ireland Engineering short shift with a getrag, the metal weighted collar IE provide prevents proper engagement on 3rd and 4th, and thus you have munched synchros in 4th, and gear teeth from 3rd all through your box.

Total cost of repair - over 1K.

[AndrewBird]

Somewhat off topic, but why do transmission manufacturers always have such weird names? BMW uses Getrag, MG's have Mowog. WTF? Is Getrag German for something?

[dcbrewmeister]

Real OEM will tell you what it is supposed to really be. Last 7 of the vin is all you'll need.