Gearbox Advice?

[GTXJez]

Hi All
I am considering changing the gearbox in my otherwise perfect D9 2.0 HPi (Petrol)
The one in the car is OK, whines a bit in third - but it works fine! (if it ain't broke don't fix it I suppose)

But, it is low geared in 5th 70mph is 3,000rpm - 90mph is just under 4,000
My old 2.1TD D8 Estate was 2,900rpm at 90mph?

Can anyone recomend a gearbox that will fit from another model? 2.2 Petrol Turbo maybe?? perhaps with higher gearing in 5th?
I realise it may blunt the perfomance a bit but would make it more refined at speed and arguably more eceonomical?

Any suggestions

Thanks guys

[Doggy]

Suspect it depnds on which 'box you've got to start with - (there are two different gearbox series it might be, (BE3 / BE4 or ML5 series). The gear linkage mechanisms are completely different and might be tricky to adapt. You may need to be careful with vehicle speed sensor compatability too.

As you say, diesels are much higher geared, but you need to be careful to ensure the gaps between the ratios suit your engine characteristics. A safer bet might be from the higher performance petrols, (2.0 turbo, 2.2 or 3.0 v6), but I've no idea what they're ratios are like.

A cool upgrade might be an ML6 from a 407, apparently they often have the same ratios as the 5 speed, plus an extra high 6th gear. That way you'd preserve the nippiness of your existing set-up, (I'm guessing the HPi is a free-revving beast, but perhaps without massive bottom end torque)?

[steve_earwig]

None of the above I'm afraid - the HPi's gearbox code is BE4 J

[Doggy]

Oh well, pinch one from a 306 GTi-6? (& fit some big rimz).

Come to think of it there must be some other BE series 6-speeders by now.........