Welcome to the online home of Auto Gear Equipment Motorsports, where the last company actively designing and improving four-speed manually-shifted gearboxes reveals all.
We believe that ‘driving a stick’ — controlling the torque of a big V8 with foot and hand — is one of those priceless opportunities to give all-conquering technology the finger that, no matter where the car companies go, racers and enthusiasts will continue to demand. That’s why we do it — to make sure you have the chance. And, because, quite honestly, after seventy years in the business, we’re very good at it.
There are five more questions almost everyone asks.
Are Auto Gear ‘Muscle Car’ parts as good as original equipment?
If they were only that good we’d scrap them! Manufacturing advances such as CNC machining, diamond cutting tools, cleaner steels, and better control of heat treatment enable us to do things General Motors could only dream of doing in 1965. There was a saying then — If it’s to print it goes to service, if not, it goes to production. That’s why we don’t ‘blueprint’ any more. It’s no longer necessary.
How are Auto Gear ‘Muscle Car’ parts made?
Manual transmission engineering is a Syracuse tradition older than the automobile; when we can’t answer questions ‘in house’, we routinely tap world-class resources available almost nowhere else in North America. All our gears and shafts and castings are controlled by Auto Gear prints. Which means that we decide when they’re ‘to print’, not our vendors. Furthermore, wherever possible mating parts are sourced with a single vendor so there’s undivided responsibility that they run properly together.
Where are Auto Gear ‘Muscle Car’ parts made?
Today, in a relationship more than a quarter-century old, our four speed gearing is supplied by the Italian firm Euroricambi and their A.M. Gears subsidiary (the near-legendary craftsmen of Antonio Masiero). Castings are poured in the United States and machined either in house (our aluminum), or within an hour’s drive (our steel and iron). Synchronizer rings, bearings, oilseals and small parts are supplied by leading name brand vendors worldwide. For us, quality and performance always trump country of origin. Price is important, but never governs.
Why not bring some or all of your offshore items back to the United States?
We’ve tried. Did you know that, compared to Italy, it actually costs the same or less to make gears in the United States? Pricing’s the problem. You want value for your money, and the American vendors we’ve asked won’t work on internationally competitive margins.
Why don’t you offer a five speed?
For many years, big American V8’s, with their awesome torque and wide power bands, were the envy of the automotive world. And often, what impressed the enthusiasts and engineers was how little the cars they powered needed to shift. When did shifting become more important than driving? We’re not persuaded. More gears are better only when they’re needed, and most of our customers cannot actually use more than four. That said, we agree that some racing or high speed road applications might benefit from five gears properly spaced.
Looking for parts or upgrades? Check out Auto Gear Direct.
Need ratio help? Coming Soon.
Time for new gears or a gearbox? Check out Auto Gear EZ-Spec.
Questions? Check out Auto Gear Support.
