I would check with Sean the shift set up on the car you are looking at in the other thread looks to be pbs h pattern shifter that is what is on my 2D , not sure about the cases on there h pattern box’s or internal parts from Weddle.
A lot more than 500 BHP, the lowest it ever did was the 518 RWHP when it was a NA 454 (4.185 x 4.125 in a sleeved LS block, not a big block) which is more like 700 BHP using ~25% drive train loss. Yes, I have a heavy foot, but I also don't really charge the whoops, I don't clutch-kick, etc. Like you said I slaughtered two R&P but that's the same 10" R&P a Mendi S4S would have. I did have the occasional "ghost shift" described above. Pretty rarely on upshifts, but pretty often on downshifts. I found it liked me to just put a little pressure in the clutch for downshifts, vs. full pedal stroke. I didn't always do the light graze of the clutch though, years and years of GM six speeds in Camaros and 'vettes has my left leg pretty trained to clutch-in for every shift up or down...
I was also thinking you could ask Sean about dimensions between the PBS and a 2D in case it came down to a swap might not be as bad as one would think.
We had 2 broken PBS S4 Cases in our group - Both were due to a Gear breaking and a piece getting wedged and breaking the case - One broke out a Bearing mount, the other broke out the bottom of the case. I think the cases are strong, but its the other pieces that can take them out.
The H pattern RD4 has/had some issues but could be upgrade to an S4. That isn't an option anymore. If you blow out a case you can move a lot of parts from the PBS S4 to a Mendeola S4 and save some money over a new or even a used trans.
Went back and looked at the other thread with the Tech3 car. Your option would be a 2d set up for mid engine and you could use the PBS cable shifter that is mounted to it. Of course this IS if or when it failed. Chances are good in that light a car with the set up, it would be some where down the road. But it is a used car so one never knows for sure, but a 2d would be my fix should it break.
This is my concern. I don’t want to buy something if down the road I have to completely change the set up. I’m very familiar with how a trans will last longer in a light weight car, smaller hp, smaller tires, etc. Eventually it’s gonna need a freshen up so my concern is if that’s even possible? I’m also aware that getting parts for anything right now is a crap shoot, but if parts aren’t even made anymore, than that doesn’t seem like a smart choice.
So maybe factor this into the purchase price. Imo, the Tech 3 cars are great dune cars and if I was in the market for this size-type of car I wouldn't let the PBS deter me. Bank on never being able to repair it and in the mean time keep your eyes open for a deal on a 2d. I love the fact that the new sand car world requires s4 or better now. This should help the 2d users a bunch.
Changing a 2d to mid engine is not hard to do. Swap the carrier to other side and set back lash and preload. The PBS shifter requires a little work on the shift rods, mostly the reverse rod.
