Albins vs. Weddle S4D/S5D

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SeanRitchie

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I had a conversation with a car builder the other day about Albins vs. Weddle S4D transaxles and why they were leaning away from the S4D option, mostly due to "sell-ability" of the car they are looking to build. Basically worried that the car they are building to show/sell, will be dismissed because of the S4D option.

Quite a few other people have brought this up to me over the years, and I really haven't changed my opinion since Weddle took over the Mendeola program in 2013.

I have always stood by the fact that I believe, pound for pound, the Weddle S4D is one of the best transaxles for any mid to high level car build. That is not a sales pitch. It's my honest opinion.

The Albins is a great trans. It has proven it's reliability and strength since 2001. I still say it's the best transaxle for any high level car build.

The S4D has had it's growing pains (as did the early Albins for those that don't know), and they certainly earned a bad rap from the failures they had in the 2006-2012 era. But that tide turned when Weddle purchased the program from Mendeola.

One should not dismiss the Weddle S4D when comparing the two. Weddle put in a ton of work to fix and strengthen the S4D since taking over the program. Those that have chosen the S4D have given back great feedback, and have claimed some pretty big numbers at the input shaft, well over what is recommended, yet they have held up and proven their value.

I've heard the common opinion from many who say "That car has an S4D, pass!"

To that I say, those people are living in the past and have not caught up to what that trans is capable of today. There is no reason to dismiss/pass on a nice car with an S4D/S5D. The money saved can go towards some engine upgrades/more power, upgraded stereo, lights, or saved up for a nicer trailer or motorhome. Along with less cost to rebuild the S4D when the time comes.

If you want the $300k-$400k "baller" car that has the best of the best, then Albins is your path. For those that want a solid, reilable car with an S4D, you can rebuild that S4D 2-3 times and still not meet the cost of the Albins.

So don't dismiss the "budget" transaxle from old stories and outdated opinions. They have proven their value in the past 10 years.
 
I am curious what the ratio is on new builds at Funco. Out of ten new cars how many choose the S4/5D over the Albins.
@Grant@Funco
 
When I ordered my Funco I originally intended to go S5D. Then I saw a few for sale ads with late model Funco’s with S5D’s. The volume of comments about asking price without an Albins was shocking. And I know several of the Funco family folks I’ve gotten to know would not buy without an Albins. Yes, people may be living in the past or less objective than they should be. Be perception is the reality for the buyer and there is no doubt that higher end cars without an Albins lose a portion of the potential buyer pool.
 
Dockmaster said:
When I ordered my Funco I originally intended to go S5D. Then I saw a few for sale ads with late model Funco’s with S5D’s. The volume of comments about asking price without an Albins was shocking. And I know several of the Funco family folks I’ve gotten to know would not buy without an Albins. Yes, people may be living in the past or less objective than they should be. Be perception is the reality for the buyer and there is no doubt that higher end cars without an Albins lose a portion of the potential buyer pool.
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This is exactly the train of thought that I am trying to turn with this thread. The general public simply doesn't know/understand what has changed on these in the past 10 years. The trolls and un-educated opinions on FB don't help.

You still get a top level car, and save $15k (when building new) with an S4D/S5D. Those that are looking at used cars, certainly should not shy away from a 2020+ car with an S4D/S5D. You will still get a great used car that can handle 1300 HP/TQ and last just as long as the Albins.

As I said before, you can rebuild that S4D/S5D 2-3 times in the next 10 years at less cost than the Albins.

On that note,

I tell anyone with an Albins to expect $8k-$10k for a standard service these days. That includes replacing 2nd/3rd gears, a few diff gears, common bearings, seals, etc. every 3-5 seasons of use. Best case scenario for an Albins service is about $3k, but those are few and far between these days since most are being pushed by 1000+ HP motors.

The S4D/S5D is typically $4k-$6k for the same service every 3-5 seasons.
 
Having had a few cars and multiple transmissions, I will take and s4d over any other transmission at this point. I was spending 10k a season on service, sometimes more and not even get a full season, now I get 2 seasons and its 4-6k it's a no brainer as far as I'm concerned. The upgraded rachet shifting has really made a huge difference along with chevy bell housing.
 
I have not had the best of luck with the Albins I thought I would. And I don't even have huge HP. Although I drive my car hard but not thrasher hard. Probably to many whoops and launches off of the whoops is doing the damage. I have not hurt any gears but for some reason the trans just stops shifting smooth and has to come out. Then there's like nothing wrong. As Sean can tell you. lol 16 years with an Albins. 7 years with an H pattern synchromesh and 9 years with the sequential. H pattern had 1 rebuild at about 6 years because it was sort of knocking. Again nothing really wrong. Some new bearings and a few synchros. Sequential rebuilt at 7 years, nothing wrong other than the rebuilder said I should change the oil more frequently. Was stuck in neutral after sitting over night. That rebuild lasted 2 years and began to not want to shift after it warmed up. Sean rebuilt it and really couldn't find the issue. No real smoking gun to say one way or the other. Put it back in it shifts fine again. Going to take it to my airport and go thru the gears a few times.

Have a friend who has 11 or 1200 HP in his 2018 Alumicraft and his still shifts like a dream! Way better than mine. He might have changed the oil once so far but he also doesn't put 800 dune miles a year on it! lol

Any way! Can't wait for the new season to start having fun! Should be good to go for at least 2 seasons!
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PS. I would still go with an Albins! Resale is the reason.
YMMV and might want to use the S4/5D

Thanks Sean for the rebuild! First class doing business with you.
 
Air450 said:
PS. I would still go with an Albins! Resale is the reason.
YMMV and might want to use the S4/5D

Thanks Sean for the rebuild! First class doing business with you.
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I still think your shifting issues in the Albins was from a chunk of debris that got dislodged/cleaned out when I took it apart. That paired with a heavily worn clutch would have made for some shifting issue. All should solved now with the rebuild and new clutch.

As far as resale goes, that is exactly that train of thought that I am trying to turn around. Any car that has a Weddle branded S4D/S5D should not be passed up. (The only caveat to that would be an older car with an original Mendeola S4D labeled trans unless there is paperwork showing it has been updated)

If a new car is built and sold for $300k+, I would say the resale value should close to the same whether it has an Albins or an S4D/S5D. The only haggle I would offer would $15k less for the S4D option since that was saved when the car was built.

Fact is, were still talking about a $200k+ resale value no matter what option it has. Something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. Don't let the trans option be the deciding factor on whether it worth it or not.
 
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